The Small Town Of Washburn Is A Riverside Hidden Gem In North Dakota
By Leah|Published May 25, 2020
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Leah
Author
Leah moved to North Dakota when she was 12 years old and has traveled from the Red River Valley to the badlands and many places in between. She loves small-town life and currently enjoys living on a small farm in the ND prairie. She's always had a passion for writing and has participated in novel writing challenges such as NaNoWriMo multiple times. Her favorite part about this job is recognizing small businesses that deserve a boost and seeing the positive affect her articles can have on their traffic, especially in rural areas that might have otherwise gone overlooked.
Located along the scenic Missouri River is a riverside town in North Dakota that’s full of charm, history, and beautiful sights. Though it only has a population of around 1,250 residents, it’s known as the “Grandest Little City on the Missouri.” Despite its size, it is ideal for a day trip—and here’s what you can expect to find at this wonderful hidden gem:
Washburn, North Dakota—a hidden gem along the Missouri River. Located 40 miles north of Bismarck, this town founded in 1882 is worth a visit.
The town is located along the Sakakawea Scenic Byway and is full of history of the famous Native American herself, along with the well-known exploring duo Lewis and Clark that relied on her for guidance.
Life is quiet here for the population of around 1,250 residents, and it has all the wonderful charms of a North Dakota small town. You can walk down the main streets and enjoy stopping by some of the locally-owned businesses.
Washburn is full of history and it's proudly displayed all over town. From the historic McLean County Museum to murals on the walls, you'll find a bit of it everywhere.
The above mural showcases the original Fort Mandan, now reconstructed and open to the public just outside of Washburn at the Fort Mandan State Recreation Area. It'll take you back in time when you visit it.
Along with the fort, a great place to learn about the history of the area is the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, located just north of Washburn. The whole family will love a trip to this museum.
Beyond its history, Washburn is fantastic for its beautiful local scenery. It's located on a scenic byway and for a reason—the Missouri River Valley is gorgeous.
Just south of Washburn is Cross Ranch State Park, encompassing one of the last truly undeveloped stretches of the Missouri River. Trails, camping, and more are available here, just adding to the many reasons a visit to Washburn is more than worth it.
Have you ever visited this riverside town in North Dakota before? If you haven’t, you’ll want to add it to your ND bucket list pronto! Click here for more information on what the town has to offer.
If you know about another perfect little place in this state that more people should know about, nominate it here. Discover more of the best towns in North Dakota with great day trip potential.
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