Campgrounds and RV parks near Garrison, ND

Garrison sits on the north shore of Lake Sakakawea, the third-largest man-made reservoir in the United States. The town brands itself the Walleye Capital of North Dakota, and the surrounding recreation areas are built around fishing, boating, and lake access. Most RV campgrounds within a short drive either sit directly on the water or provide quick access to a boat ramp. Fort Stevenson State Park, three miles south of Garrison, is the anchor destination. The 549-acre park sits on the north shore of Lake Sakakawea and offers a modern campground, cabins, two marinas with boat ramps, a swim beach, and interpretive trails. Sakakawea RV Park is a full-service option inside Garrison itself, and Lake Sakakawea State Park sits across the water on the south shore near Garrison Dam, about an hour by road. Additional nearby options include Dakota Waters Resort and Mellow Moose Campground, a wooded campground with back-in and pull-through RV sites plus tent sites.

North Dakota state park sites at Fort Stevenson State Park and Lake Sakakawea State Park are reserved through the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department at reservendparks.com. Campsites can be booked 95 days in advance from the date of arrival, either online or by calling 800-807-4723. Cabins and yurts can be reserved up to 365 days out. Check-in is 4:00 pm and checkout is 3:00 pm. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds around the lake, including the Downstream Campground below Garrison Dam, are booked through Recreation.gov. Only one camping unit is allowed per site, and OHVs, golf carts, and ATVs are not permitted inside the campground. Private parks book directly. Sakakawea RV Park, Mellow Moose Campground, and Dakota Waters Resort each take reservations through their own websites. High-demand summer weekends can fill months out, so reserve early.