NORTHWEST BISMARCK · SERVICE AREA
Landscaping in Northwest Bismarck
Bismarck Landscape works throughout northwest Bismarck, the part of town north of I-94 and west toward the Missouri River, in ZIP code 58503. That includes neighborhoods off Tyler Parkway, Valley Drive, River Road and Burnt Boat Drive, plus the Country West area.
Yards here are different from the flat new-build lots farther north and east. Many northwest lots sit on hills and bluffs near the river. The big jobs are retaining walls, slope and drainage work, trees and windbreaks, lawn and sprinkler care on large yards, and snow removal on long drives.
NORTHWEST BISMARCK
Northwest Bismarck at a Glance
| ZIP code | 58503 |
| Main roads | Tyler Parkway, Valley Drive, River Road, Burnt Boat Drive |
| Parks and trails | Pioneer Park on the river, Chief Looking’s Village overlooking it, and the Missouri Valley Millennium Legacy Trail |
| Homes | Mostly single-family. Redfin’s August 2026 median sale price for the Country West area was about $631,145. |
| Ground | River bluffs, slopes and heavy clay in many spots |
| Climate | USDA zone 4a, about 129 days between frosts |
Bismarck Parks and Recreation describes Chief Looking’s Village, at 2023 Burnt Boat Drive, as a natural grass area that “overlooks the Missouri River,” with Pioneer Park just below it. The paved Legacy Trail runs south from Pioneer Park along the river to Sertoma Park.
LOCAL YARD PRIORITIES
What Northwest Bismarck Yards Need Most
- Retaining walls and terraces to level sloped yards. See retaining walls in Bismarck and retaining wall permits and drainage.
- Drainage that moves water around the house, not into the hill. The ground should drop at least 6 inches in the first 10 feet from the foundation. See yard drainage and grading.
- Erosion control on slopes. Bare dirt on a hill washes out. Keep it covered with plants and mulch, and terrace the steepest spots. See drought-tolerant and native plants.
- Sprinkler care for large lawns. Bigger lots use more water, and Bismarck’s 2026 rates climb to $8.10 per unit above 24 units a month. See how to lower your summer water bill.
- Tree care and windbreaks, with ash decisions front and center now that emerald ash borer is in town.
- Snow removal for long driveways and walks.
SLOPE & BLUFF SAFETY
Building on a Slope or Bluff
Hillsides near the Missouri River need more care than flat lots. The North Dakota Geological Survey has mapped more than 80,000 slope failures across the state, and its landslide map series includes Bismarck-area quadrangles.
NDGS geologist Ed Murphy wrote in 2017 that “trimming back the base or adding infrastructure (weight) at the top may be enough to create slope stability problems.” He also noted that landslides “tend to be more frequent during wet years,” especially after a run of dry ones.
What that means for a northwest Bismarck yard:
- Don’t cut into the bottom of a slope to make a flat spot without a properly designed wall.
- Don’t pile weight at the top, like fill dirt, a big patio or a shed, without thinking about the slope below.
- Keep water off the slope. Send downspouts and sump lines away from the hill instead of over the edge, and don’t overwater lawn on a bluff.
- Plan walls carefully. Walls over 4 feet, measured from the bottom of the footing, or walls holding up a slope, need a permit and usually an engineered design under the 2021 IRC. Call Bismarck Building Inspection at 701-355-1465.
- Get an engineer for big or worrying slopes. That’s not a landscaping call.
Warning Signs a Slope Is Moving
Murphy lists these as signs to watch:
- Cracks curving along the top or edge of a slope
- Bowing or bulging in the face of the slope
- Tree trunks that are bent
If you see them, stop adding water or weight and have a geotechnical engineer look at it.
TREES & WINTER
Trees, Wind and Snow on the Northwest Side
- Ash trees. Emerald ash borer was found in Bismarck in late August 2026, and Burleigh County is under a state quarantine. Decide whether to treat or remove ash trees now. See should you treat or remove your ash tree.
- Windbreaks. Iowa State Extension says windbreaks work best on the north and west sides of a home. Keep dense evergreens back from the driveway so they don’t drop drifts on it. See windbreaks and privacy trees.
- Sidewalks within 24 hours. City Ordinance 10-03-04 applies here like everywhere in Bismarck, and snow can’t go in the street.
- Driveway stakes along long drives and curbing before the ground freezes. See snow removal in Bismarck.
LOCAL DISPOSAL OPTIONS
Yard Waste and Wood Chips Nearby
- Ash Coulee Water Tower, at the northwest corner of Ash Coulee Drive and North Washington Street, is a city grass and leaf site. The city also offers single-grind wood chips there at no charge, on a trial basis.
- Northbrook Shopping Center, in the 1900 block of North Washington Street, is another city yard waste site.
- No branches at the grass sites. Branches go to the Bismarck Landfill, where clean wood costs $40 a ton.
- Wood chips can’t leave Burleigh County because of emerald ash borer.
Sites change, so check the city’s list before you go.
LANDSCAPING SERVICES
Our Services in Northwest Bismarck
Questions
Northwest Bismarck Landscaping FAQ
Local answers about hillside lots, retaining wall permits, drainage and yard care.
Questions about your northwest lot?
Call to discuss the right landscaping plan for your property.
Do you do landscaping in northwest Bismarck?
Yes. Bismarck Landscape works throughout northwest Bismarck, ZIP code 58503, including neighborhoods off Tyler Parkway, Valley Drive, River Road and Burnt Boat Drive. We do retaining walls, drainage, lawn and sprinkler care, trees, patios and snow removal.
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall on my slope?
Often. Under the 2021 International Residential Code, walls over 4 feet tall, measured from the bottom of the footing, need a permit, and so do shorter walls that hold up a surcharge like a slope or driveway. Those usually need an engineered design. Call Bismarck Building Inspection at 701-355-1465.
What are the warning signs of a landslide on my lot?
The North Dakota Geological Survey lists cracks curving along the top or edge of a slope, bowing or bulging in the slope, and bent tree trunks. If you see them, stop adding water or weight to the area and call a geotechnical engineer.
How do I stop erosion on a sloped yard?
Keep soil covered with plants and mulch, since bare dirt on a slope washes out. Send downspout water away from the slope, and use terraces or retaining walls where the grade is too steep to plant.
Where can I take yard waste in northwest Bismarck?
To the City of Bismarck’s yard waste sites, including the Ash Coulee Water Tower at Ash Coulee Drive and North Washington Street and the Northbrook Shopping Center on North Washington Street. They take grass and leaves, not branches. Branches go to the Bismarck Landfill.
Is my northwest Bismarck lot in a flood zone?
Some lots near the Missouri River may be. The City of Bismarck’s flood mitigation plan says properties in the 100-year and 500-year floodplains remain vulnerable. Check FEMA’s flood map for your address before grading or building near the river.
Bismarck Landscape
Get an Estimate in Northwest Bismarck
Whether it’s a hillside that needs walls, a big lawn that needs a better sprinkler plan or ash trees you’re not sure about, call Bismarck Landscape at (701) 299-0740.
See our full service area, landscaping in north Bismarck, or contact options.