Fort Mandan
The expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark stayed at Fort Mandan for the winter of 1804-1805 when temperatures dropped below 45 degrees. This is where they met Sakakawea, a Native American woman who became an important part of the expedition’s success. Lewis and Clark also interviewed other Native Americans who had been further west and drew out maps to help them continue on their journey to the coast.
The exact location of the original fort is unknown, but it was along the Missouri River about 12 miles west from what is now Washburn, N.D. Fort Mandan was built in the fall of 1804 by the Corps of Discovery. The Corps occupied the fort until April of 1805, and there were no major conflicts at the fort during that time. However, when the Corps passed through the area again in August of 1806, the fort had been burned down.
A replica of the fort was built in the 1970s, along with a visitor’s center, gift shop and restrooms. It is located on Highway 17 in McLean County, two miles west of the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center which focuses on the Lewis and Clark expedition.
The fort and the interpretive center are open all year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The center is also open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day and from noon to 5 p.m. the rest of the year.
Admission to the fort is $7.50 for adults and $5 for students. Tours are available and can be scheduled by calling 877.462.8535.
For more information, call the fort at 877.462.9585.