Campgrounds and RV parks near Surrey, ND

Fishing drives most of the recreation calendar. Garrison is known as the Walleye Capital of North Dakota, and Fort Stevenson hosts a variety of fishing tournaments including the Governor's Cup Walleye Fishing Derby. Lake Sakakawea also draws boaters, paddlers, and swimmers to its beaches and marinas. Inside the park, visitors will find a full service marina and swim beach, modern campground, boat ramp, fish cleaning station, cabins, visitor center, interpretive trails, arboretum and prairie dog town. A park museum and sports equipment rentals round out the offerings. Closer to Surrey, Minot adds the Scandinavian Heritage Park, Roosevelt Park Zoo, and the North Dakota State Fair grounds, plus grocery and hardware stops useful mid-trip.

The prime RV season is short but reliable. The best time to visit Fort Stevenson State Park is from mid-May through September when the weather is warm and all facilities are open. Long daylight hours in June and July make evenings on the lake a draw, and August typically brings the warmest water for swimming. Shoulder-season trips in May and September can be quieter, with cooler nights and fewer bugs, though marina services and rentals may be reduced. Late-summer travelers should watch for pop-up thunderstorms that can build quickly over the prairie. Winter changes the picture entirely. Winter offers a unique charm for those prepared for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, but some amenities may be limited during this season. Most private RV parks near Surrey run seasonally, with water systems winterized once hard freezes set in, so cold-weather RVers should confirm hookups and road access before arrival.

Expect open prairie, big skies, and long sightlines. Roads into the Surrey and Minot area are flat and RV-friendly, and pull-through sites are common at the private parks along the highway corridor. At the state park, sites are set among planted trees and native grassland. Modern campsites include electricity and water, and full-hookup sites are available in limited numbers. Cell coverage is generally solid near Minot and Surrey and can weaken in pockets along the lake. Wildlife is part of the experience. Two rare animals, the piping plover and the black-tailed prairie dog, can be found within the park. Bring layers even in summer, as prairie evenings cool quickly, and pack for wind, which is a near-constant on the lakeshore. Quiet hours are observed at state park campgrounds between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.