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| Home > North Dakota > Kimball Bottoms |
Kimball Bottoms OHV Area
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
| Other Names | The Desert, Bismarck Desert, Missouri River |
| Last Known Status | Open |
This area borders the Missouri River and has over 400 acres of trails, play areas, sand bars plus a couple islands that are accessible when the water level is low. The trails are not marked but most of the terrain is fairly easy to navigate.
The area is also a popular place to fish, boat, swim and camp. There are several primitive sites located alongside the main entrance road just past the boat ramp underneath mature shade trees with nice views of the river.
All vehicle types are welcomed but this place is especially popular with ATVs and Jeeps.
The trails are open year-round but the area is prone to flooding so be sure to contact the Army Corp of Engineers before heading out.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | North Dakota Trail Access Permit |
| Dates Open | Year-Round | |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Unknown | |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes | |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | No Restriction | |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | |
 ATVs | Permitted | |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Permitted | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Permitted | |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
| MX Helmet Required | Youth Only | required for persons under 18 by state law (RiderPlanet strongly recommends helmets for all riders.) |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
 Campfires | ||
| Night Riding | Unknown | |
| Trail Blazing | Permitted | |
| Rule Enforcement |
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 410 acres (1 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 25 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 1620 to 1640 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Unknown | |
| Loose Dirt |  Some | |
| Hard Pack |  Little | |
| Sand |  Mostly | |
| Mud | Some | |
| Dust |  None | |
| Rocks | Little | |
| Trees |  Many | |
| Steep Hills | None | |
| Water Crossings | Some | |
| Small Jumps | None | |
| Large Jumps | None | |
| Berms |  Few | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Some | |
 Amateur | Mostly | |
 Expert | Little |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | Army Corps of Engineers |
GPS POINTS
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (N) | Runway Express Mart (701) 223-4207 |
| Diesel | 5-20 Miles (N) | Runway Express Mart (701) 223-4207 |
 Water | 5-20 Miles (NW) | Ft. Abraham Lincoln Campground (701) 667-6340 |
 RV Hookup | 5-20 Miles (NW) | Ft. Abraham Lincoln Campground (701) 667-6340 |
 RV Disposal | 5-20 Miles (NW) | Ft. Abraham Lincoln Campground (701) 667-6340 |
| Campground | On Site | |
 Conv Store | 5-20 Miles (N) | Runway Express Mart (701) 223-4207 |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | (None) |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Good |
| Recommended Stay | Full Day |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Bismarck, ND | ||
| Address | Desert Road, Bismarck, ND 58504 | ||
| From: Bismarck, SD
1) Take SR-804/University Drive South about 7.5 miles 2) Turn right (south) on Desert Road, continue about 1.5 miles toward park entrance. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1513 South 12th Street Bismarck, ND 58504 (701) 255-0015 cenwo-od-rnd@usace.army.mil www.nwo.usace.army.mil |
| Contact Info | North Dakota Parks And Recreation Department 1600 East Century Ave. Suite 3 Bismark, ND 58503 (701) 328-5357 parcrec@nd.gov www.parkrec.nd.gov |
| Comment | North Dakota Trail Permit Info |
Kimball Bottoms Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 6/10/2015 (Thanks!)
Kimball Bottoms Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 3/4/2018 (Thanks!)
Kimball Bottoms Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 5/20/2018 (Thanks!)
Kimball Bottoms Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 6/1/2022 (Thanks!)
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS