Activities
Fort Stevenson State Park offers a wide variety of year-round outdoor experiences for visitors, including biking, trail hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, bird-watching, fishing, boating, swimming, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and much more.
Boating and Water Activities at Fort Stevenson State Park
There are two marinas at Lake Sakakawea in Fort Stevenson State Park: the Garrison Bay and de Trobriand Bay marinas. Garrison Bay Marina is on the west side of the park and features 61 electric dock slips and 4 jet ski docks, and rentals are available here for motorboats as well as canoes, kayaks, aqua pads, paddleboats, pontoons, and SUPs. There is also a concession stand and convenience store at this location. De Trobriand Bay Marina, on the east side of the park, features 44 electric slips and 4 buoyed moorings; both marinas have multi-lane concrete ramps with courtesy docks.
Hiking at Fort Stevenson State Park
Featuring almost 10 miles of both linear and loop trail hiking options—the majority of which are multi-use—Fort Stevenson State Park’s popular trail network provides easy routes that offer a variety of views, environments, and experiences. For those visitors looking for a workout, the Trooper Challenge Loop trail offers 16 exercise stations with apparatus and instructions. Here are some other popular trails at Fort Stevenson State Park:
- Flicker Loop: Easy, 2.32-mile loop trail that wends along the lake’s western shore past the Prairie Dog Town natural attraction; open to hikers, mountain bikers, and snowshoers.
- Purple Coneflower Loop: Easy, 1.08-mile loop trail through native grasslands with views of de Trobriand Bay; open to hikers, mountain bikers, and snowshoers.
- Arboretum Loop: Easy, .48-mile, hiking-only loop trail with extensive exposure to over 50 species of native plantings.
Mountain Biking at Fort Stevenson State Park
Mountain biking is permitted on 6 of the 8 trails within the park, offering nearly 9 miles of easy biking. Fat-tire bikes are available to rent year-round, and there is also a popular annual winter fat-tire bike race.
Nordic Skiing, Snowshoeing, and Other Winter Activities at Fort Stevenson State Park
Open year-round, Fort Stevenson State Park hosts all manner of winter locomotion activities. Cross-country skiing (Nordic-style) is permitted on the de Trobriand, Trooper Challenge, and Whitetail Loop Trails, and snowshoeing is allowed on the Flicker, Northern Pine, Purple Coneflower, and de Trobriand Loop trails. There are typically several groomed trails open for kicksledding (similar to dogsleds—without the dogs), as well; these unique sleds are available to rent in the park, as well as fat-tire bikes, snowshoes, and Nordic skis.
Fishing at Fort Stevenson State Park
Lake Sakakawea is home to a wide variety of fish, and anglers can expect to catch walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, crappie, and salmon, among other species. The park’s two marinas offer boat rentals, fuel, slips, tackle, docking, ramps, and bait, as well as fish cleaning stations and a concessions store that offers free WiFi and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Nature & Wildlife at Fort Stevenson State Park
The Fort Stevenson State Park is home to an abundance of birds, such as woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, thrushes, finches, and warblers. The park is also home to Prairie Dog Town, an expansive natural warren of black-tailed prairie dog burrows, very popular for families with small children. With luck and patience, other possible wildlife sightings could include deer, bats, and weasels. Many of the hiking trails also offer a wide variety of flora as well as fauna, with over 50 species of both native and non-native plantings.
Pets
Leashed dogs are welcome, and there is a dog play area located at the southeast end of the state park, near the campground.
Camping
The Fort Stevenson State Park campground is located at the southwest end of the park and features 55 sites with full hookups (water, sewer, and 50-amp power), 56 water/electric-only sites, and 17 primitive sites; there are also 18 group sites with water/electric only. Amenities include a convenience store, diner, playground, beach, arboretum, amphitheater, and bathrooms; there are also three cabins available for rent. The Garrison Bay marina is nearby and offers a courtesy dock, boat rentals, a boat ramp, and boat storage.
Park Location
Fort Stevenson State Park 1252A 41st Avenue NW Garrison, ND 58540-9229 Phone: 701.337.5576 Park Website Reservations
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Fort Stevenson State Park:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit North Dakota state parks?
A daily vehicle pass costs $7. An annual pass costs $35. Multi-park passes and camping combo options are also available.
What are the best state parks in North Dakota?
Theodore Roosevelt (though federally managed, the state’s pride), Fort Abraham Lincoln (Custer’s last post), Turtle River, and Lake Metigoshe are popular destinations offering diverse Badlands and prairie experiences.
Can I see wild horses at North Dakota parks?
Wild feral horses roam in Theodore Roosevelt National Park (federal), not state parks, but Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park offers frontier history including reconstructed Mandan earth lodges and Custer’s home.
What is the best time to visit North Dakota state parks?
Summer (June-August) offers the warmest weather and longest days. Fall brings stunning Badlands colors. Spring is short and windy. Winters are extremely cold (-20°F possible) with most parks having limited services.
Explore More North Dakota State Parks
Fort Stevenson State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in North Dakota. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in North Dakota guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Lake Sakakawea State Park is a short drive away, and Cross Ranch State Park is within about an hour’s drive.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Fort Stevenson State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are welcome in North Dakota state parks but must stay on a leash.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash required; no maximum length specified on the official site
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed in cabins or yurts where parks state a policy (e.g. Fort Ransom State Park); no statewide pet-friendly cabin program advertised
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Most parks have designated off-leash areas or dog parks (e.g. Fort Ransom's off-leash area with river access, Grahams Island's fenced dog park)
Are dogs allowed at Fort Stevenson State Park?
Pets are welcome in North Dakota state parks but must stay on a leash. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via parkrec.nd.gov. More: North Dakota state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Fort Stevenson State Park
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