Bismarck, North Dakota · Published by Emberlight Studios
Updated October 2026 · 9 places · Bismarck
Quick answer
Our top picks are Atkinson Nature Park, Sertoma Park and McDowell Dam Recreation Area.
Bismarck Parks and Recreation maintains more than 85 miles of trails, including paved shared-use routes and unpaved hiking and biking trails. The listings below are in Bismarck and have trail or nature features confirmed by the park district or other local sources.
1921 Riverwood Dr., Bismarck, ND 58504
Atkinson Nature Park has a 1.65-mile unpaved interpretive loop through a wooded area, with a connection to a paved shared-use trail. Local tourism information describes the route as an easy walk or hike and notes that it is often relatively quiet.
Best for: quiet nature walks
300 Riverside Park Rd., Bismarck, ND 58504
Sertoma Park has a 3.2-mile paved shared-use loop linked to the Riverfront Trail, as well as the unpaved Bill Mills Nature Trail. Visitor comments describe its paved paths as peaceful for strolling and praise the shaded areas and walking loop.
Best for: riverfront walking and biking
1951 93rd St. NE, Bismarck, ND 58503
McDowell Dam Recreation Area offers a 2.4-mile unpaved hiking and biking loop and a separate 0.6-mile paved shared-use loop. The park district’s trail information makes it a choice for visitors looking for both unpaved and paved routes in one recreation area.
Best for: hiking and biking loops
1329 Ward Rd., Bismarck, ND 58501
The Bismarck Rotary Arboretum is an interpretive trail area within Tom O’Leary Golf Course, entered from Ward Road just south of Divide Avenue. Its unpaved trail showcases a variety of plant life, including native trees and shrubs.
Best for: plant life and interpretive walking
2023 Burnt Boat Dr., Bismarck, ND 58503
Chief Looking’s Village has a 0.55-mile unpaved interpretive trail at an archaeological site associated with a Mandan village occupied around 1550–1600. The interpretive route explains the village’s history and features, and the site sits atop a bluff overlooking the Missouri River.
Best for: history and bluff views
2027 N. 26th St., Bismarck, ND 58501
Hay Creek Park has unpaved biking and hiking trails that connect to the paved shared-use Hay Creek Trail. The larger Hay Creek Trail follows the greenway through northeast Bismarck and south toward the Missouri Valley Complex.
Best for: unpaved biking and hiking
2506 S. 12th St., Bismarck, ND 58504
Cottonwood Park has a 2.52-mile paved shared-use loop and several connections to Bismarck’s south-side trail system. The park district identifies it as a multi-use route for walking, running and biking.
Best for: paved biking and walking
318 S. Washington St., Bismarck, ND 58504
Kiwanis Park has a 0.6-mile paved loop around the park, with a playground in the middle. Trail information describes the path as smooth and wide, with a flat grade.
Best for: a short, accessible park loop
1601 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND 58501
Lions Park has a 1.26-mile paved shared-use loop. The route is part of the park district’s network of trails for walking, running and biking.
Best for: paved loop walking and biking