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.
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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Fort Stevenson State Park #
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.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -7°C and lows of -18°C. Light rainfall.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -14°C. The driest month with just 9 mm.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -8°C. Light rainfall.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 81 mm of rain.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 1°C. Light rainfall.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -7°C. The driest month with just 9 mm.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -14°C. Light rainfall.