Trip Planner: USA / North Dakota / Washburn / Historic Sites / Fort Mandan

Fort Mandan, Washburn

(60+ reviews on the web)

Historic Site

Fort Mandan was the name of the encampment which the Lewis and Clark Expedition built for wintering over in 1804-1805. The encampment was located on the Missouri River approximately twelve miles from the site of present-day Washburn, North Dakota, which developed later. The precise location is not known for certain and is believed now to be under water of the river. A replica of the fort has been constructed near the original site.Construction and conditionsThe fort was built of cottonwood lumber cut from the riverbanks. It was triangular in shape, with high walls on all sides, an interior open space between structures, and a gate facing the Missouri River, by which the party would normally travel. Storage rooms provided a safe place to keep supplies. Lewis and Clark shared a room. The men of the Corps of Discovery started the fort on November 2, 1804. They wintered there until April 7, 1805. According to the journals, they built the fort slightly downriver from the five villages of the Mandan and Hidatsa nations.The winter was very cold, with temperatures sometimes dipping to minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit (-43°C), but the fort provided some protection from the elements. Several of the men of the expedition suffered frostbite due to the severely cold conditions, which affected them even with brief exposure.

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Reviews

TripAdvisor

Kathy E

Our tour through Fort Mandan was very fun. Our tour guide was very friendly, knowlageable, and entertaining. Our small group had so many questions that our 45 minute tour lasted over an hour and the g... more »
815duaneh

Met the guide there after heritage center, he was very informative about the fort and what possibly this fort would have looked like. more »
Sieg1313

The reconstructed Fort Mandan looks authentic. It should because Lewis and Clark kept accurate detailed log books. You get a guided tour of all the rooms, how it was constructed, and life in the fort ... more »

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John Bruse

Very cool recreation. Nice museum on site too.

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Lillian Capps Rodriguez

i hated it i don't know why people even like this trashy place!

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Racierra Williams

I like cute boys

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Johnny X

Nice information. Guide was very knowledgeable. A must stop for lewis and clark

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Damien Riehl

Nice history and re-creation of the Fort. Our guide wasn't the greatest, but our kids enjoyed it.

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