Kayak Launch Installed at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

A new kayak launch at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park provides visitors with a new way to explore the park. Thanks to the help of an anonymous donor, the launch was recently placed along the banks of the Missouri River and is free to use. The park does not offer kayak rentals, so visitors must bring their own to the launch.

Although there are numerous launches at other parks in North Dakota, this is the first kayak launch at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.

Fort Lincoln State Park Manager Erik Dietrich explained what the kayak launch means to the park.

“I wanted to get one for a number of years, and we had an interested anonymous donor that visits the park frequently. Through talking with that individual, we were able to donate some money, and then we purchased a portion of it to get a kayak launch for the public to be able to launch their own kayaks.”

Dietrich went on to say that the launch is for the general public, since there are many campers who bring their kayaks out to the park.

When asked if the park would consider getting kayak rentals in the future, Dietrich gave a tentative answer.

“We’re gonna do baby steps. I want to see how the launch works. The thing is, it’s a lot easier for the general public to bring in their kayaks since the launch is on the main channel of the river. So right now we’re just going to stick with the kayak launch.”

The launch has already seen use by the public. A group with the Northern Plains Heritage and Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation visited the launch on June 21 with a kayak instructor. About 35 to 40 people attended.

“It’s been great seeing the people that have been camping or are here for day use come out here,” Dietrich said.

Although the kayak launch is a new addition to the park, there are no updates expected at the park in the near future.