Fort Stevenson State Park

Park State park centered on Missouri River reservoir recreation

Fort Stevenson State Park on Lake Sakakawea provides boating, fishing, camping and trails; anglers and families arrive for reservoir recreation and interpretive displays about the region’s river history.

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Fort Stevenson State Park is a North Dakota state park on the shoreline of Lake Sakakawea that provides boating, fishing and campground facilities for visitors. The park is named after a 19th-century military fort that once stood in the region, with the modern park centred on reservoir recreation.

Facilities include a marina and boat ramps, seasonal campgrounds, picnic areas and day-use sites that support fishing, boating and water-based recreation on the lake. The park is a regional recreational hub during the warmer months and is used for family camping and angling.

The park occupies a point on Lake Sakakawea in central North Dakota near the town of Garrison and the reservoir formed by the Missouri River impoundment; the landscape is defined by large open water and prairie shoreline.

  • Park type and name origin: Operated as a state park on the shores of Lake Sakakawea, it combines shoreline recreation with historical association to a 19th-century military fort that gave the park its name.

What to See #

  • Marina and campground: A developed marina and boat launch provide direct access to Lake Sakakawea for boating and fishing, and the park maintains a campground and day-use areas for visitors.
  • Fishing and boating: The park is popular for angling, especially walleye fishing, and supports seasonal recreation on the reservoir.
Fort Stevenson State Park
47.5908, -101.4199

Tips for Visiting Fort Stevenson State Park #

  • If you plan boating or fishing, visit during late spring through summer when the marina and boat ramps are fully operational; check North Dakota State Parks for boat-ramp fees, seasonal openings and reservation rules.
  • Arrive early on holiday weekends to secure lakeside parking and quieter campsites; the park's shoreline and picnic areas fill quickly when weather is warm.

Best Time to Visit Fort Stevenson State Park #

Visit in summer for full access to camping, boating and park facilities; winters are extreme and much quieter.

Summer
Jun-Aug · 15°C to 30°C
Warm weather is ideal for boating, fishing and camping, and the park is at its busiest.
Winter
Dec-Feb · -35°C to -5°C
Very cold with frozen water bodies and limited services; winter recreation is possible but conditions are harsh.
Shoulder seasons
May and Sep-Oct · 0°C to 20°C
Fewer crowds and pleasant days for hiking and birding, though spring thaw can make some areas muddy.

Weather & Climate near Fort Stevenson State Park #

Climate

Fort Stevenson State Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -18°C to 27°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
27°
Warmest Month
-18°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -7°C and lows of -18°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-13°
Feels Like Freezing
-13°C
Temperature
-18° -7°

Weather

11 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -14°C. The driest month with just 9 mm.

Comfort

-9°
Feels Like Freezing
-9°C
Temperature
-14° -3°

Weather

9 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -8°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-9°

Weather

17 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2° 11°

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
19°

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 81 mm of rain.

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
10° 24°

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm).

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
13° 27°

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
12° 27°

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
21°

Weather

43 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 1°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°

Weather

23 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -7°C. The driest month with just 9 mm.

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-7°

Weather

9 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -14°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-9°
Feels Like Freezing
-9°C
Temperature
-15° -4°

Weather

11 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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