State Park

Cross Ranch State Park

Oliver County, North DakotaAbout 316 acresEstablished 1989
Status
Status not posted
Entrance fee
Statewide rule — see below
Day-use reservations
None mentioned
Dogs
Dogs allowed, with restrictions
Camping
65 campsitesAlso cabins, yurts
Official site
parkrec.nd.gov(701) 794-3731

Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current

Overview

In Oliver County, about 5 miles south of Washburn, Cross Ranch State Park covers about 316 acres.

The park supports cross-country skiing, winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, boating, and fishing. The official site lists about 16 miles of trails. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. Camping is available: 65 campsites across 4 camping areas, including RV sites with full hookups, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and showers. Roofed lodging includes cabins and yurts.

Fees and passes

Per vehicle, year-round ('All vehicles entering a state park must display a valid entrance permit year-round'); no resident/nonresident difference except resident senior/disabled-veteran discounts. Primitive areas such as Crow Flies High SRA state 'Free entrance'.

Statewide fee rule from North Dakota's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.

North Dakota park passes

  • Daily vehicle entrance — $7. One vehicle, one day Details
  • Annual single vehicle permit — $35. One vehicle, all state parks Details
  • Annual family permit — $61.25. 2 vehicles in the same household Details
  • Senior annual permit (ND residents 65+) — $28 Details

From the North Dakota state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.

Reservations

Day use
No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
Booking system
reserveNDparks.com
Phone
800-807-4723

Check availability and book

We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.

Pets

Dogs allowed, with restrictions

Not allowed in or on: cabins or yurts.

Pets are not allowed in cabins or yurts. Pets are welcome but must stay on a leash. Most parks have off-leash areas or dog parks for your four-legged friends.

Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.

Camping

Campground or site typeSitesHookups / featuresPrice
Standard Campsites
electricity; Price: $25-30 per night
35Electricity—
Group Standard Campsites
electricity and the ability to put multiple units on one site; Price: $25-30 per night, per unit
6Electricity and the ability to put multiple units on one site—
Primitive Campsites
Price: $15 per night
22—
Group Primitive Campsites
ability to put multiple units on one site; Price: $15 per night, per unit
2—
Camping details from the park

Campsite Types 35 Standard Campsites (electricity) Price: $25-30 per night 6 Group Standard Campsites (electricity and the ability to put multiple units on one site) *Detailed information about each campsite is available on the reservation system. Book Now Campground Maps • Governors Centennial, Primitive & Sanger Campground Maps Full Park Map • Cross Ranch State Park 22 Primitive Campsites Price: $15 per night 2 Group Primitive Campsites (ability to put multiple units on one site) Camping Information

From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.

Cabins and lodging

  • York Cabin
  • Pretty Point Yurt
  • Art Link Cabin
  • John Colter Cabin
  • Levis Yurt
    Price: $70-85 per night (two-night minimum stay required)
  • Bagnell and Ice Glider Yurts
    Price: $70-85 per night (two-night minimum stay required)

York Cabin Price: $135-150 per night (two-night minimum stay required) Book Now Nestled between the historic cottonwoods of Cross Ranch State Park, the newly constructed full-service York Cabin is a cozy home away from home. With air conditioning, heat, gas fireplace, a full kitchen and bathroom, it's the perfect year-round getaway. The cabin sleeps six with a queen bedroom, queen bed in the loft and a pull-out couch. This cabin offers breathtaking views of the Missouri River and access to miles of beautiful trails. Pretty Point Yurt Price: $135-150 per night (two-night minimum stay required) Book Now Located along the Missouri River, the Pretty Point Yurt offers spectacular views of the Missouri River. This full-service yurt is available year-round and includes air conditioning, heat, gas fireplace, a full kitchen and bathroom. Pretty point sleeps six with two full bedrooms, loft space, and a pull-out couch. Art Link Cabin Price: $100-115 per night (two-night minimum stay required) Book Now Find seclusion while tucked away at the Art Link Log Cabin. This spacious cabin is available for year-round meetings and overnight rentals. The cabin includes one bedroom with two sets of single bunk beds, a pull-out couch and a loft space that accommodates up to six (loft does not include beds). Amenities include electricity, heat, air conditioning, mini fridge, propane fireplace, microwave and wood-burning cook stove. The cabin is near vault toilets and water. Shower facilities are available year-round at the Visitor Center. John Colter Cabin Price: $100-115 per night (two-night minimum stay required) Book Now This cabin sits among the old growth cottonwood forest and includes two bedrooms with heat, loft space (loft does not include beds), overhead lights, mini fridge, microwave and a wood-burning fireplace. The cabin can sleep up to six with 1 queen, 1 full, 1 twin and 1 pull-out couch. The cabin is located near vault toilets and water. Shower facilities are available year-round at the Visitor Center. Levis Yurt Book Now The Levis Yurt is situated nearest the northern trail system at Cross Ranch State Park. This simple yurt sleeps three with a futon couch and futon chair. A kitchen table, small refrigerator, microwave and gas fireplace are also located inside the yurt. A vault toilet is located nearby, and shower facilities are available year-round at the Visitor Center. Bagnell and Ice Glider Yurts Book Now The Bagnell and Ice Glider Yurts are twin yurts located within the main campground at Cross Ranch. These yurts are just steps from the Matah Trail. These yurts sleep five and have a bunk bed and a pullout futon. A gas fireplace, kitchen table, microwave and a small refrigerator are located inside the yurts. A vault toilet is located nearby, and shower facilities are available year-round at the Visitor Center. - Smoking is not allowed in any cabins or yurts. - Game or fish cleaning in or around cabins and yurts is not allowed. - Pets are not allowed in cabins or yurts.

Things to do

FishingCanoeing and kayakingHikingBikingWinter sportsCross-country skiingBoatingPicnickingCamping

Trails

TrailLengthDifficultyNotes
Matah "River" Trail3.1 mi—Open to: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiingHikingMountain bikingCross-country skiing
Ma-ak-oti "Old Village" Trail3.4 mi—This trail is divided into two sections. The Upper Ma-ak-oti Trail starts from the Matah/Ma-ak-oti trail junction and continues to a creek flowing through a wooded ravine. The Lower Ma-ak-oti Trail begins at the Sanger trailhead and continues north, joining with the upper trail. Looping in parts, both sections of the trail wind through prairie bluffs and wooded channels, offering vistas of the MisHikingSnowshoeing
Cottonwood Trail/Gaines Trail5.3 mi—Open to: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiingHikingMountain bikingCross-country skiing
Levis Trail2.3 mi—Open to: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiingHikingMountain bikingCross-country skiing
TNC Self-Guided Prairie Trail2.2 mi—This trail crosses over two miles of preserve prairie and wooded draws. A guidebook at the trailhead provides information on wildlife, plants and history. The trail is part of the Nature Conservancy bison pasture. The trailhead is located three-quarters of a mile north of the park entrance. Not open for skiing. Please note that Bison are present on this trail, remember to keep a safe distance and Hiking
Trail descriptions from the park

Situated along the west bank of the Missouri River, the 589-acre Cross Ranch State Park and adjacent 6,000-acre Cross Ranch Nature Preserve are one of the few areas in North Dakota to offer a true primitive outdoor experience. Over 16 miles of trail wind through Cross Ranch State Park and Nature Preserve. Trail posts identify the trail names. Matah "River" Trail Distance: 3.1 miles Open to: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing This trail begins at the Visitor Center and loops around the park's main use areas. Along the river, interpretive signs describe the history, wildlife and geology of the area. The Matah Trail Self Guided Loop is the innermost loop covering 1.4 miles and takes up to an hour and a half to hike. Self-guided brochures are available at the trailhead or Visitor Center. Ma-ak-oti "Old Village" Trail Distance: 3.4 miles Open to: hiking, snowshoeing This trail is divided into two sections. The Upper Ma-ak-oti Trail starts from the Matah/Ma-ak-oti trail junction and continues to a creek flowing through a wooded ravine. The Lower Ma-ak-oti Trail begins at the Sanger trailhead and continues north, joining with the upper trail. Looping in parts, both sections of the trail wind through prairie bluffs and wooded channels, offering vistas of the Missouri River. Steep stairs without handrails are present on portions of the trail. Some areas may be muddy or impassable due to seasonal water fluctuations. This trail is open to hiking and snowshoeing. It is not groomed for skiing. Cottonwood Trail/Gaines Trail Distance: 5.3 miles Open to: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing These connected trails (Cottonwood 3.3 miles, Gaines 2 miles) are accessed from the Matah Trail at the preserve boundary. They wind through the bottomland forest on preserve property and follow an old jeep track still used for scientific studies. Hikers are asked not to disturb areas marked with paint or flags as studies are still in progress. Groomed for skiing. Levis Trail Distance: 2.3 miles Open to: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing A 2.3 mile route that winds through the Lewis and Clark backcountry on a 300-acre accreted "island" that joined the mainland following the completion of Garrison Dam. Groomed for skiing. TNC Self-Guided Prairie Trail Distance: 2.2 miles Open to: hiking This trail crosses over two miles of preserve prairie and wooded draws. A guidebook at the trailhead provides information on wildlife, plants and history. The trail is part of the Nature Conservancy bison pasture. The trailhead is located three-quarters of a mile north of the park entrance. Not open for skiing. Please note that Bison are present on this trail, remember to keep a safe distance and respect that they are wild animals. Trail Maps

Amenities

Facilities

  • Restrooms
  • Flush toilets
  • Showers
  • Picnic shelters
  • Playground
  • Visitor center
  • Park or camp store
  • Amphitheater
  • Group facilities

Water

  • Boat ramp

Camping

  • RV dump station
  • Tent camping
  • Sewer hookups
  • Primitive or backcountry camping

Lodging

  • Cabins
  • Yurts

✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.

Accessibility

This meeting room can accommodate up to 50 people and is accessible. It includes a projector, screen and WiFi. It is available year-round and can be booked by calling the park at (701) 794-3731.

Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.

Getting there

Address
1403 River Road
Center, ND 58530
Nearest town
Washburn — about 5 mi south (straight line)
Coordinates
47.2306, -100.9977
Phone
(701) 794-3731
Email
crsp@nd.gov

Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)

Nearby state parks

Sources and freshness

“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology

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