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Just 10 minutes south of the town of Garrison, ND, Fort Stevenson State Park is located at the tip of a peninsula on the north shore of Lake Sakakawea. The park takes its name from a military supply depot that operated near here in the late 1800s. Visitors can learn more about the area’s history, as well as the native flora and fauna, at the park’s Guardhouse Interpretive Center. Today, however, Fort Stevenson is more well-known as the “Walleye Capital” of North Dakota, and it the home of the annual Walleye Cup fishing derby. This is in addition to serving as a popular year-round recreation area for local and visiting campers, boaters, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The large campground at Fort Stevenson offers more than 180 sites for tent and RV campers. This includes 30 RV sites with full hookups, 39 primitive tent sites, and more than 20 group sites; some sites are ADA accessible. Pull-through RV sites can accommodate large vehicles/trailers. Campground amenities include drinking water, flush restrooms with showers, vault toilets, two playgrounds, an amphitheater and a dump station; all sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. The park also has three cabins available for rent, as well as a concession stand, and boat, bike and winter gear rentals. Dogs are welcome, but must remain leashed. Some services may not be available during the off season. Campsite rates are $17–$35. With two marinas, several fishing piers, and a swim beach, visitors to Fort Stevenson have plenty of access to fishing and water play on Lake Sakakawea. The Garrison Bay Marina rents boats, canoes, kayaks, and SUPs. You can also purchase bait and tackle, camping gear, snacks and beverages from the park’s concession stand. The park also has 10 miles of hiking and biking trails for exploring the park’s woods, ravines, and native prairie, as well as bird and wildlife watching.
My husband and I went here to start off the 2021 ND Parks & Rec Hike and Adventure Challenges. The weather was lovely for January and the hike itself was nice and calming. We completed the Flicker and Northern Pine Loops. I'd say the hike was easy. The view was gorgeous from the interpretive trail! I recommend going here. We will come back during Summer.
Great place to camp and walk around but make sure to put your food away or the seagulls that I ended up calling "Steve and his merry band of gulls" will swoop in a feast till their hearts content.
Nice park. Loads of good camping spots and hook ups. Marina rents boats, pontoons and paddle boats etc. Lots of fun. Swim area more small round pebbles than sand which is cool. But in last year or 2 has really not ben maintained like the rest of the park. Swimming area ropes gone and it's all grown up weeds. Diamond in the rough if they would just look after the swim area for families that like that sorta thing. Large park, lots of bike trails.
Beautiful park and campground. Two marinas, swim beach, boat ramps, museum. The two sites we stayed on for a week were #129 and #135. Both are pull in. Picnic tables and fire rings on all sites. Huge sites. Lots of locals with boats and plenty of room for boats and vehicles. We had full hook ups, but there is a area with only electric and water but there is an RV dump area. Very quiet. There's a trolley that's free that comes around on Saturdays to go into town.
