Bismarck Golf Trip Planning Guide
Bismarck's Hawktree Golf Club is one of the great off-the-radar destinations in American golf — a top-100 public Jim Engh design with signature black-sand bunkers (crushed coal slag) and links-style holes sculpted from native prairie above the Missouri River. Wide-open, windswept, and a genuine bucket-list surprise on the northern plains.
Quick Facts
Summer, Fall
BIS (15 min drive)
$30–$100
$150/night
2 of 4
~$236/person
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Here's a realistic 3-day itinerary for a group golf trip to Bismarck. Every venue below is real and pulled from our curated database — no filler.
Day 1
Hawktree Golf Club — links, $60–$100
Jim Engh links design with signature black-sand bunkers and dramatic prairie elevation — a nationally ranked top-100 public
Butterhorn — farm to-table, $$$
Downtown Bismarck's standout farm-to-table — the group's nicer dinner spot
Laughing Sun Brewing — brewpub
Bismarck's flagship craft brewery and the natural 19th-hole HQ
Day 2
Riverwood Golf Course — parkland, $35–$60
Bismarck's 27-hole tree-lined muni along the Missouri — a strong, affordable value round
Missouri River fishing charter — half day, $90–$220/pp
Walleye and northern-pike charters on the Missouri — prime northern-plains fishing
Pirogue Grille — upscale, $$$
Long-running downtown bistro featuring local game and bison
Lonesome Dove — honky tonk · Open late
Downtown Bismarck honky-tonk with line dancing and live country
Day 3
Prairie West Golf Course (Mandan) — parkland, $30–$55
Well-kept Mandan muni with water in play — fair, walkable, and great value across the river
Missouri River kayak / boat rental — half day, $40–$100/pp
Paddle or cruise the big river for a rest-day on the water
Laughing Sun Brewing — brewpub, $$
Downtown brewery with food and a big group room — easy post-round spot
Peacock Alley — cocktail · Open late
Historic hotel bar downtown — classic cocktails in a 1930s setting
Course-by-Course Guide
Bismarck has 4 courses worth playing, including 1 bucket-list tier layout. 2 are walkable if you want to save on cart fees.
Where to Stay
Bismarck has 2 group-friendly lodging options in our database, starting at $150/night for the whole house.
$150–$400 /night
Bismarck-Mandan rentals near the river and downtown
$150–$350 /night
Missouri River cabins and lake homes around the Bismarck area
Group Dining Guide
4 restaurants vetted for group golf trips. Several can handle large parties without a reservation headache.
Butterhorn
$$$Downtown Bismarck's standout farm-to-table — the group's nicer dinner spot
Pirogue Grille
$$$Long-running downtown bistro featuring local game and bison
Laughing Sun Brewing
$$Downtown brewery with food and a big group room — easy post-round spot
Kroll's Diner
$North Dakota diner institution — knoephla and big breakfasts to fuel a tee time
Nightlife
3 bars curated for groups. 2 stay open past midnight.
Laughing Sun Brewing
Bismarck's flagship craft brewery and the natural 19th-hole HQ
Lonesome Dove
Late nightDowntown Bismarck honky-tonk with line dancing and live country
Peacock Alley
Late nightHistoric hotel bar downtown — classic cocktails in a 1930s setting
Activities Beyond Golf
3 off-course activities for rest days or afternoons.
Missouri River fishing charter
Walleye and northern-pike charters on the Missouri — prime northern-plains fishing
Missouri River kayak / boat rental
Paddle or cruise the big river for a rest-day on the water
Fort Abraham Lincoln & Custer history
Tour Custer's reconstructed fort and ride or hike the bluffs above the Missouri at Mandan
Getting There
Fly into Bismarck Airport (BIS) — it's a 15-minute drive to Bismarck. For groups of 8+, consider booking a shuttle or party bus from the airport (local providers include Bismarck-Mandan charter services and Local limo & coach operators). Renting two SUVs usually works for groups of 4-8.