Fort Abraham Lincoln

Fort Abraham Lincoln is a former military base and state park in Morton County, North Dakota, that holds 78 reconstructed buildings from the cavalry era. The site spreads along the Missouri River and combines military structures with reconstructed earth lodges from a Mandan village.

The installation began in 1872 as Fort McKeen and was renamed the same year, serving as Lieutenant Colonel George Custer's final command post until 1876. After Custer departed, the garrison remained active until 1891 and was then abandoned before the grounds were restored as a park in the 1930s.

The On-A-Slant Village displays reconstructed earth lodges that reveal how Mandan families organized their daily routines before 1781. Visitors walk through these circular dwellings and see the layout that supported cooking, sleeping, and gathering around central fire pits.

The park offers camping areas, walking paths, and a visitor center with historical displays that introduce both sections of the grounds. Guided tours through the military and indigenous reconstructions are available and help make sense of the different zones.

The Five Nations Art Gallery within the grounds presents contemporary works by artists from North Dakota's five federally recognized tribes. This exhibition connects the historical installation with current artistic expressions from indigenous communities.

Location: Morton County

Inception: 1907

Website: https://parkrec.nd.gov/fort-abraham-lincoln-state-park

GPS coordinates: 46.76420,-100.85000

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28