About US

Missouri Riverboat Inc.

The Missouri Riverboat Inc. has been a well-respected establishment in the Bismarck-Mandan area for 17 years, operating the Lewis & Clark Riverboat, the finest passenger vessel on the upper Missouri River. 

Operated privately for a number of years, it is currently owned and operated by the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation. The Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation supports heritage tourism: including the Lewis & Clark Riverboat, Mandan Heritage Plaza, Five Nations Arts, and Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, among others.

Mission - "

"To promote and manage the reconstruction, development and maintenance of the historical sites within Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, and other historical sites within North Dakota; to provide visitor services and interpretive programs at Fort Lincoln and other locations in North Dakota; and, to take an active role in tourism promotion and development in North Dakota."

Forty years after local settlers dismantled Fort Lincoln for wood and nails, the federal Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) came to restore that important piece of history. From 1934-38, the CCC built blockhouses and earthlodges, fieldstone buildings and palisades, and considered, but did not rebuild, the Custer House. In the 1950s, a local group of historians and businesspeople tried again, but failed. The idea didn't go away.

In 1982, in the old Lewis & Clark Hotel in Mandan, the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation was formed. Its mission was to promote and manage the reconstruction, development and promotion of Fort Abraham Lincoln and other state parks and historic sites in North Dakota. By 1989, they opened the doors to the reconstructed Custer House, with the uniformed 7th Cavalry troopers guiding visitors on a time-trip to 1875.

At 25 years, the Foundation is a publicly-supported, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions. After restoring the last home of  George and Libbie Custer, the foundation rebuilt the Commissary, Granary, Central Barracks and Mess Hall, and a 7th Cavalry Stable. It also completely restored six  Mandan Indian earthlodges and part of the village palisade. The foundation filled the lodges with furnishings and displays related to the lifestyles of the Mandan Indians from On-a-Slant Village.  A beautiful new cedar bridge was built, making the village handicapped accessible. In June, 2006, the foundation unveiled the new Mandan Indian Wing in the Park Visitor Center.

The foundation developed and continues to manage the region's finest living-history interpretive program. Five Nations Arts, an outlet for American Indian artists to sell handcrafted artwork, and the excellent Commissary Bookstore are operated by the foundation as well.  FALF is currently raising funds to restore the officers’ quarters of Tom Custer, the General's brother. This officers quarters will not only display the life of a bachelor officer, but will house a state of-the-art historical library and information center that will visitors to research frontier military history and Native American history of the area with basic and technologically-advanced research methods. The officers quarters will also properly house the foundation's Interpretive Division. Continuing goals for restoration include an 1874 guardhouse, a new Military Wing in the Visitor Center museum, an archeological exhibit in one of the six earthlodges, and constantly making “history come to life” at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.

The Lewis and Clark Riverboat

- Manufactured in Lacrosse, Wisconsin 1990

- 40 ft flat-bottom steel hull riverboat

- Powered by two Cummins diesel engines

The open upper deck allows from perfect views of the Missouri River.

The climate-controlled lower deck provides every convenience during your cruise.

Enjoy a drink from our bar and snack counter.

Also Available

Men and Women Restrooms

Smoke-Free Environment!