🌤 Weather at Fort Ransom State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16–67 °F | 54–82 °F | 19–72 °F | 0–25 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Lisbon, 14 mi away, elevation 1,149 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Fort Ransom State Park lies within the heavily wooded Sheyenne River Valley only 84 miles west of Fargo. This picturesque area features 20 miles of multi-use trails, a large campground, and two historic homesteader farms: the Bjone House and the Andrew Sunne farm. These farmsteads come alive during the annual Sodbuster Days with exhibits, demonstrations, concessions, and more.
This peaceful North Dakota state park, named for a 1860s military fort, offers guests opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking, camping, fishing, birdwatching, and picnicking.
Activities
Visit this beautiful area for a few relaxing days and nights and explore the extensive trail system, learn more about the early homesteaders, paddle down the scenic Sheyenne River, and get a closer look at some of the area’s native plants and animals.
The year round yurts and historic homestead offer an enjoyable visit during the winter as well. And during that time you’ll also have the added opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Cross-country skis are available to rent inside the Visitor Center.
Here are some of the many activities that you can do during your visit to Fort Ransom State Park:
Boating at Fort Ransom State Park
Get a closer look at the rustic beauty of North Dakota as you paddle along the Sheyenne River Water Trail. Bring your own kayak or canoe, or rent one inside the park. Paddles and life vests are included in each boat rental. A boat launch is located inside the park.
Hiking at Fort Ransom State Park
Fort Ransom State Park 20 miles of trails wind throughout the woodlands, across mixed grass prairie and along the rolling hills that lead up to beautiful overlooks of the Sheyenne River Valley. As you walk along these scenic trails you’ll be delighted by the beautiful woodlands, wildflowers, plants, wildlife, a waterfall, and the rustic wooden bridge that crosses over the creek.
Here are a few of the trails at Fort Ransom State Park:
- North Country National Scenic Trail – This moderate 2.2 mile trail is part of the longer 4,600 mile trail that extends from upstate New York to Lake sakakawea state park (where it connects with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail). This portion of the trail leads out to North Dakota’s only registered waterfall and a spectacular overlook of the Sheyenne River.
- Little Twig Nature Trail – Easy 0.94 mile interpretive trail through the oak woodlands, wildflower meadows, and across several wooden bridges that cross over Bjorn Creek.
- Valley View Trail – This easy 0.78 mile trail winds across an old field and mixed grass and wildflower prairie on its way out to Sunne Farm.
Biking at Fort Ransom State Park
Fort Ransom State Park’s 20 miles of trails is also open for guests with mountain bikes. These grass and dirt hard-packed trails loop and connect as they stretch across the park and through the surrounding mixed grass prairie and hilly woodlands.
Here are a couple of popular trails for mountain biking inside Fort Ransom State Park:
- Riverside Trail – This 0.25 mile trail winds through the woodlands and along the Sheyenne River.
- Redetzke Ridge Trail – A 2.84 mile trail that extends across the mixed grass prairie and through the oak woodlands to connect with the North Country National Scenic Trail.
Horseback Riding at Fort Ransom State Park
Horseback riding is popular at Fort Ransom State Park. That’s partly because the park is a North Dakota designated horse park and features equestrian campsites, corrals, and other amenities for guests traveling with their horses.
Here are a couple of the trails open for riding inside Fort Ransom State Park:
- White Tail Loop Trail – This 0.46 mile trail winds through the oaks and ash trees in a heavily wooded section of the park.
- North Fork Trail – A 1.64 mile trail that follows Bjorn Creek through the oak woodlands and up to the North Plateau and breathtaking views.
Fishing at Fort Ransom State Park
Take a break from all the hustle and bustle and spend a relaxing day fishing from your boat or the shoreline along the Sheyenne River. You may catch a rock bass, catfish, Northern Pike, bullhead, or walleye. Just make sure to remember to purchase a North Dakota fishing license ahead of time.
Birding at Fort Ransom State Park
Birdwatching is popular within Fort Ransom State Park. Especially through the mixed grass prairie, meadows, and woodlands of green ash, American elm and oaks. Here and under the canopy of bur oak, green ash, quaking aspen and ironwood you may observe many species including Vesper Sparrows, Red-tailed Hawks, Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Wild Turkeys, Scarlet Tanagers, and Indigo Buntings.
You may also have an opportunity to hear the distinct song of the Black-billed Cuckoo or the Eastern Wood Pewee.
Nature and Wildlife at Fort Ransom State Park
Oak woodlands, open meadows, and a floodplain forest along the Sheyenne River surround historic Sunne Farm inside Fort Ransom State Park. The scenic prairie comes alive during the spring with mixed grasses and native wildflowers such as prairie coneflower and purple coneflower.
Look for birds, squirrels, White-tailed Deer, rabbits, raccoons, and prairie dogs throughout the picturesque woodlands of American elm, green ash and boxelder trees.
Pets
Pets are allowed inside Fort Ransom State Park but must be leashed. There is a dog park area, along the southern section of the park, where dogs may run and play without leashes. This separate area also has a walking trail and river access.
Camping
Fort Ransom State Park features a large campground area with a variety of campsites (modern, primitive, group, and equestrian) 2 yurts, a rustic wagon, a camping cabin, and an historic homestead.
The equestrian camping areas have both primitive and electric campsites plus water and corral access. All campsites have a picnic table and fire ring and access to restrooms and showers. A playground, picnic shelters and a dump station are also located within the campground area.
Both the Pederson and Redetzke Yurts have all of the modern conveniences including heat, air conditioning, a full kitchen, bathroom, and space for 6 guests to sleep. The fully restored 1879 homestead, the Bjone House, lies along the Sheyenne River. This beautiful historic house sleeps 6. It has 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, full kitchen, and a back deck that overlooks the river. The homestead and yurts are available year round.
Park Location
Fort Ransom State Park 5981 Walt Hjelle Pkwy Fort Ransom, ND 58033 Phone: 701.973.4331
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Fort Ransom State Park:
Explore More North Dakota State Parks
Fort Ransom State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in North Dakota. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in North Dakota guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Beaver Lake State Park is elsewhere in the state, and Turtle River State Park is elsewhere in the state.
⛺ Camping at Fort Ransom State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 70 sites — 24 Modern Horse Campsites with electricity, corral access and central water hydrant, $25-30/night; 9 Primitive Horse Campsites with corral access at the campsite, $15/night; 16 Standard Campsites with electricity & water, $25-30/night; 10 Primitive Campsites, $15/night; 4 Group Modern Campsites with electricity, water and the ability to put multiple units on one site, $25-30/night per unit; 7 Group Primitive Campsites, $15/night per unit. Flush toilets, showers and a sewage dump station on site; water also available via hydrant at the visitor center. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | Bjone House, an 1879 homestead (sleeps 6, three queen bedrooms, bathroom, full kitchen, deck overlooking the Sheyenne River, $135-150/night). Percheron Wagon (sleeps 2-4, king bed and twin bunk beds, refrigerator, microwave, four barstools around a wagon-wheel table, heat and air conditioning; no full kitchen, $100-115/night). Nils Olson cabin (sleeps 2, single room with bed, table, refrigerator, recliner; open seasonally, $45/night). Also 2 yurts: Pederson Yurt and Pederson & Redetzke twin yurts (each sleeps 6, air conditioning, heat, gas fireplace, full kitchen and bathroom, $135-150/night, two-night minimum on weekends/holidays). Two-night minimum on cabins; bedding/towels not provided; pets not allowed. |
| Pets | Pets are welcome in the campground but must stay on a leash. |
| Reservations | Book online at reservendparks.com or call 800-807-4723, up to 95 days in advance. Check-in 4:00 pm, check-out 3:00 pm. Vehicle entrance permit required: $7 daily, $35 annual, $61.25 annual family, $28 annual senior. Park phone (701) 973-4331. |
| Special sites | Designated horse park with modern and primitive horse campsites and corral access. Two small group picnic shelters (40-48 and 5-6 tables, $25) and the Sodbuster Building (seats 64, $250/day, mid-May through October 1). |
| Season notes | Comfort and dump stations close and water in the modern campground is turned off on October 1; water in the horse corral area is turned off October 18. |
Camping questions about Fort Ransom State Park
Can you camp at Fort Ransom State Park?
Yes. Fort Ransom State Park has 70 campsites. 24 Modern Horse Campsites with electricity, corral access and central water hydrant, $25-30/night; 9 Primitive Horse Campsites with corral access at the campsite, $15/night; 16 Standard Campsites with electricity & water, $25-30/night; 10 Primitive Campsites, $15/night; 4 Group Modern Campsites with electricity, water and the ability to put multiple units on one site, $25-30/night per unit; 7 Group Primitive Campsites, $15/night per unit. Flush toilets, showers and a sewage dump station on site; water also available via hydrant at the visitor center.
How do you reserve a campsite at Fort Ransom State Park?
Book online at reservendparks.com or call 800-807-4723, up to 95 days in advance. Check-in 4:00 pm, check-out 3:00 pm. Vehicle entrance permit required: $7 daily, $35 annual, $61.25 annual family, $28 annual senior. Park phone (701) 973-4331.
Are there cabins at Fort Ransom State Park?
Bjone House, an 1879 homestead (sleeps 6, three queen bedrooms, bathroom, full kitchen, deck overlooking the Sheyenne River, $135-150/night). Percheron Wagon (sleeps 2-4, king bed and twin bunk beds, refrigerator, microwave, four barstools around a wagon-wheel table, heat and air conditioning; no full kitchen, $100-115/night). Nils Olson cabin (sleeps 2, single room with bed, table, refrigerator, recliner; open seasonally, $45/night). Also 2 yurts: Pederson Yurt and Pederson & Redetzke twin yurts (each sleeps 6, air conditioning, heat, gas fireplace, full kitchen and bathroom, $135-150/night, two-night minimum on weekends/holidays). Two-night minimum on cabins; bedding/towels not provided; pets not allowed.
Are pets allowed at the Fort Ransom State Park campground?
Pets are welcome in the campground but must stay on a leash.
Source: parkrec.nd.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Fort Ransom State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are welcome in North Dakota state parks but must stay on a leash.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash required; no maximum length specified on the official site
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed in cabins or yurts where parks state a policy (e.g. Fort Ransom State Park); no statewide pet-friendly cabin program advertised
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Most parks have designated off-leash areas or dog parks (e.g. Fort Ransom's off-leash area with river access, Grahams Island's fenced dog park)
Are dogs allowed at Fort Ransom State Park?
Pets are welcome in North Dakota state parks but must stay on a leash. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via parkrec.nd.gov. More: North Dakota state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Fort Ransom State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
