Fort Stevenson State Park Day Use

Open — The park is open year-round for day-use activities. The marina concession store operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

About

Fort Stevenson State Park is nestled in the bluffs along the north shore of Lake Sakakawea, three miles south of Garrison, the Walleye Capital of North Dakota. The 586-acre park offers exceptional day-use facilities for outdoor recreation and lake access. Two marinas serve boaters: Garrison Bay, a deep-water marina with 61 electric dock slips and a gas dock, and de Trobriand Bay with 44 slips. Both marinas feature concrete boat ramps with courtesy docks and fish cleaning stations. Nearly 10 miles of trails wind through diverse habitats including ponderosa pine woodlands, native prairie, and wooded ravines, offering opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The park features a swim beach, picnic shelters accommodating up to 48 people, playgrounds, and a dog park. An arboretum trail showcases over 50 species of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The Guardhouse interpretive center and visitor center provide insights into the park's namesake, an 1800s military fort that served as a supply depot in the Dakota Territory. Rental equipment includes kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, motorized boats, pontoons, fat tire bikes, cross-country skis, and snowshoes. The Garrison Bay marina features a concession store and restaurant operating daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Special events throughout the year include Frontier Military Days in June and candlelight hikes in winter.

Directions

Fort Stevenson State Park is located approximately 3 miles south of Garrison, North Dakota, along the north shore of Lake Sakakawea. From Garrison, take Highway 37 south and follow signs to the park entrance.

Nearby Campgrounds