Lewis and Clark Riverboat
4.4(513)google
BoatingSenior-FriendlyDate SpotSunsetOutdoorMust-SeeEducationalHistoryRiver
Overview
Sertoma Park is a park in Bismarck, North Dakota. Sertoma is on a three-mile stretch of riverside plain on the Missouri River. The Lewis and Clark Riverboat docks at the park when it is not giving tours of the river where Lewis and Clark once were over 200 years ago.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sun1:00 – 8:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeOperating seasonally from May through September. Booking the 6:30 PM weekend evening Sunset Dinner Cruise is highly recommended; sitting on the open-air upper deck of this authentic paddlewheel riverboat captures a dramatic prairie sunset, watching the fading light reflect vibrant crimson across the historic Missouri River waters.
Getting ThereThe boarding dock is perfectly stationed at 1700 River Road along the eastern bank of the Missouri River in Bismarck. Drive west from the center along Main Avenue, turn right onto North River Road right before the bridge, and travel 1 mile north; the public marina complex features an enormous, entirely free paved parking layout steps from the gangway.
Travel Tips
- Cruises operate strictly subject to Missouri River water levels and wind velocity thresholds; severe weather warnings prompt immediate captain cancellations with full refunds.
- The boarding pier features highly restricted spacing and narrow lanes; arriving 45 minutes prior to popular weekend sunset cruises is essential to secure parking and complete check-in.
- Open-river wind chill drops perceived temperatures by 10-15°F compared to downtown areas; bringing a windproof jacket for evening sailings is highly recommended.
Reviews
Positive
- Cruising the Missouri River on this iconic paddlewheel boat at sunset is spectacular, capturing gorgeous wetland vistas in breezy comfort.
- The 2-hour cruise includes a delicious buffet with juicy prime rib and chicken, offering incredible value that is well worth the price.
- The captain shares historic expedition stories via speaker with witty humor, blending learning with fun through solid hospitality.
- The boat is immaculately clean, featuring spacious air-conditioned indoor decks and open-air view platforms with ample seating.
Heads up
- Being an outdoor water excursion, operations depend on weather; sudden thunderstorms or high winds will force random cancellations.
- On packed weekend evening runs, boarding via the narrow gangway causes heavy bottlenecks, and prime window tables fill up instantly.
- The on-board bar drinks and themed shirts carry high tourist markups, and certain international credit cards fail to process.
- During dry low-water autumns, exposed sandbars severely restrict the cruise route, forcing the boat to loop mechanically in a tight space.