Places to visitNorth DakotaFree attractions

Cottonwood Park

4.6
(290)
4.6
(290)
•#23 on "The 25 best free attractions in Bismarck"
Park
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About

Cottonwood Park is a sprawling 200+ acre oasis in Bismarck, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike. With its picturesque pond that resembles a mini lake, it offers excellent fishing opportunities alongside the chance to spot ducks, geese, and turtles. The park features well-maintained soccer fields and a BMX track that cater to sports lovers of all ages. Families can enjoy the modern playground equipment designed with safety in mind while taking advantage of paved trails ideal for walking or biking.
Why you should go
    1
  1. Enjoy fishing in the stocked pond with various wildlife
    2. 2
  2. Engage in sports activities on well-maintained fields including soccer
    3. 3
  3. Experience a family-friendly environment with playgrounds and biking trails
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Highlighted reviews

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The soccer fields are so well maintained andset up so all teams have the spsce they need. The bathrooms are pretty good for a public park with running water and a couple of fountains. The playground equipment is very nice as well and kept up to safety standards. It's a dogriendly area, as long as they are leashed and cleaned up after!! Very nice area!
Great park near the Cottonwood and River Ridge Apartments. Great for walks and jogging, and plenty of big fields and space for sports. The pond is very nice and has fish, ducks, geese, and turtles. Most people seem to be respectful and don't litter here, but there have been a few bad actors. Overall, it's a nice park!
I primarily go there for the fishing. Stocked with northern pike, good fishing in the spring, but towards the end of summer, the weeds get too thick to fish properly. I see lots of sports activities, bikers, and people walking pets. Safe and clean, but watch out for the kids with low self-esteem who like to tear through the parking lot with the car that mommy and daddy bought for them. Other than that, it is a nice place to hang out.
The soccer fields are so well maintained andset up so all teams have the spsce they need. The bathrooms are pretty good for a public park with running water and a couple of fountains. The playground equipment is very nice as well and kept up to safety standards. It's a dogriendly area, as long as they are leashed and cleaned up after!! Very nice area!
Great park near the Cottonwood and River Ridge Apartments. Great for walks and jogging, and plenty of big fields and space for sports. The pond is very nice and has fish, ducks, geese, and turtles. Most people seem to be respectful and don't litter here, but there have been a few bad actors. Overall, it's a nice park!
I primarily go there for the fishing. Stocked with northern pike, good fishing in the spring, but towards the end of summer, the weeds get too thick to fish properly. I see lots of sports activities, bikers, and people walking pets. Safe and clean, but watch out for the kids with low self-esteem who like to tear through the parking lot with the car that mommy and daddy bought for them. Other than that, it is a nice place to hang out.
See all reviews
Map
Address
Cottonwood Trail Ext, Bismarck, ND 58504, USA
Website
http://www.bisparks.org/cottonwood-park/
Phone
(701) 222-6455
Hours
SuSunday: 6AM–11PM
MoMonday: 6AM–11PM
TuTuesday: 6AM–11PM
WeWednesday: 6AM–11PM
ThThursday: 6AM–11PM
FrFriday: 6AM–11PM
SaSaturday: 6AM–11PM
Cottonwood Trail Ext, Bismarck, ND 58504, USA
Wednesday: 6AM–11PM
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
SuSunday: 6AM–11PM
MoMonday: 6AM–11PM
TuTuesday: 6AM–11PM
WeWednesday: 6AM–11PM
ThThursday: 6AM–11PM
FrFriday: 6AM–11PM
SaSaturday: 6AM–11PM
People typically spend 3 hr here
(701) 222-6455
http://www.bisparks.org/cottonwood-park/

Know before you go

  • Visit earlier in spring for optimal fishing conditions before weeds grow thick later in summer
  • Bring a map or familiarize yourself with field locations if participating in soccer games
  • Join BMX racing events on Tuesday nights to witness kids riding bikes which adds to the fun atmosphere
  • Leash your dogs while enjoying the dog-friendly areas and ensure you clean up after them

Reviews

Cottonwood Park, located near the Cottonwood and River Ridge Apartments, offers a variety of activities for visitors. Reviewers mention the park's spacious fields suitable for sports, a pleasant pond inhabited by fish, ducks, geese, and turtles. While most visitors are respectful and keep the park clean, there have been instances of littering. Fishing enthusiasts appreciate the stocked pond with northern pike but note that weeds can become thick in late summer. The park is described as safe and well-maintained with opportunities for walking pets or engaging in sports activities like soccer. Visitors also enjoy amenities such as playgrounds, paved trails for biking or walking, and dog-friendly areas when leashed.
Review score
4.6
out of 5
Wonderful
290 reviews
From Google
5 stars
197
4 stars
68
3 stars
17
2 stars
4
1 star
4
5/5T.
•
Sep 9, 2023 from
Google
The soccer fields are so well maintained andset up so all teams have the spsce they need. The bathrooms are pretty good for a public park with running water and a couple of fountains. The playground equipment is very nice as well and kept up to safety standards. It's a dogriendly area, as long as they are leashed and cleaned up after!! Very nice area!
4/5Clinicalia (
•
Oct 29, 2024 from
Google
Great park near the Cottonwood and River Ridge Apartments. Great for walks and jogging, and plenty of big fields and space for sports. The pond is very nice and has fish, ducks, geese, and turtles. Most people seem to be respectful and don't litter here, but there have been a few bad actors. Overall, it's a nice park!
3/5Michael H
•
Jul 9, 2023 from
Google
I primarily go there for the fishing. Stocked with northern pike, good fishing in the spring, but towards the end of summer, the weeds get too thick to fish properly. I see lots of sports activities, bikers, and people walking pets. Safe and clean, but watch out for the kids with low self-esteem who like to tear through the parking lot with the car that mommy and daddy bought for them. Other than that, it is a nice place to hang out.
3/5Annie L
•
Sep 5, 2019 from
Google
It was good. Didn't get to see much of the walk trail because they had some kind of construction going on. But it's a nice at atmosphere with a good view of the soccer and football fields. There is a lake for fishing as well.
5/5Kim S
•
May 3, 2025 from
Google
Nice park with fishing area, dog-friendly walking path.
All Google Maps reviews
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Map
Address
Cottonwood Trail Ext, Bismarck, ND 58504, USA
Website
http://www.bisparks.org/cottonwood-park/
Phone
(701) 222-6455
Hours
SuSunday: 6AM–11PM
MoMonday: 6AM–11PM
TuTuesday: 6AM–11PM
WeWednesday: 6AM–11PM
ThThursday: 6AM–11PM
FrFriday: 6AM–11PM
SaSaturday: 6AM–11PM
Cottonwood Trail Ext, Bismarck, ND 58504, USA
Wednesday: 6AM–11PM
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
SuSunday: 6AM–11PM
MoMonday: 6AM–11PM
TuTuesday: 6AM–11PM
WeWednesday: 6AM–11PM
ThThursday: 6AM–11PM
FrFriday: 6AM–11PM
SaSaturday: 6AM–11PM
People typically spend 3 hr here
(701) 222-6455
http://www.bisparks.org/cottonwood-park/
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