The Prairie is
Your Backyard

Lake Elsie offers swimming at a sandy public beach, fishing for walleye, northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch, boating from the boat ramp and dock, picnicking, and tent camping at the American Legion Memorial Site on the south shore. The lake also has a fishing pier, canoe launch, and walking trails.

The Hankinson Hills Trail is an 8-mile loop through oak trees and open prairie in the Sheyenne National Grassland, located about 3 miles northwest of Hankinson. The Oak Leaf Trail nearby is a 4-mile loop, and the North Country National Scenic Trail passes through the grassland with 30 miles accessible in the area.

No. Hankinson Hills Campground is first-come, first-served with no reservations accepted. The USDA Forest Service campground has 15 sites (6 equestrian), a 14-day stay limit, potable water from a hand pump, vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. It is located 3 miles northwest of Hankinson in the Sheyenne National Grassland.

Yes. Hankinson Hills Campground has 6 designated equestrian campsites, and the Sheyenne National Grassland offers open prairie riding. Horse feed and straw must be certified free of noxious weed seed. The campground is listed on Top Horse Trails as one of North Dakota's featured equestrian destinations.

Hankinson has two city parks. Hankinson Main Park (2nd Avenue and 7th Street SW) spans eight full city blocks and includes softball diamonds, basketball and tennis courts, pickleball courts, an ice skating rink, a railroad museum, horseshoe pits, 3 picnic shelters, 11 RV hookups with electric and water, a dump station, and restrooms. Hankinson North Park is a newer park inside the Prairie Pines development with playground equipment, a picnic shelter, and trees.