Campground

Downstream Campground (ND)

Sakakawea Lake
Near Riverdale, North Dakota

Facilities

The campground consists of three loops with 98 electrical sites with either a 50/30/20 amp or 30/20 amp service and one loop for primitive camping with 16 primitive campsites; all sites have picnic tables and grills. Several amenities include flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water, a fill and dump station, paved roads, paved sites, playground equipment, volleyball, and horseshoe pits.

Natural Features

The campground is located in a beautiful nautral cottonwood forest and is situated along the Missouri River with open grassy areas. Walk along the sand dunes along the Missouri River or the miles of walking trails leading to the National Fish Hatchery and trout fishing pond.

Recreation

The Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea offers excellent boating, fishing, and hunting opportunities.

Several state record fish have been caught down below the Garrison Dam on the Missouri River Tailrace and in Lake Sakakawea. Anglers fish for walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass, bluegill, crappie, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, white bass, large mouth and small mouth bass. Chinook salmon can be also found in the lake, the only body of water in the state with this species. The best catfishing around is found directly below Garrison Dam on the Missouri River.

Younger visitors love the three playgrounds in the campground, while the volleyball courts and horseshoe pits are enjoyed by campers of all ages. There is an amphiteater located in the campground which offers events for families with kids. Saturday nights usually show a outdoor movie and offer games or ranger staff to provide a interpretive program. The nearby trout fishing pond has a fishing pier for easy access along miles of hiking and biking trails leading to the National Fish Hatchery for hours of family filled fun!

The Riverdale State Wildlife Management Area is also located directly across the campground and offers great hunting opportunities, its 2,250 wooded acres are open to hunting for deer, pheasants, sharp-tail grouse, cottontail rabbits, and tree squirrels during open seasons.

Recreation Sites

  • Standard Electric
  • Standard Nonelectric
  • Management
  • Overnight

Activities

  • Day Use Area
  • Hiking
  • Camping
  • Amphitheater
  • Backpacking
  • Birding
  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Canoeing
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Interpretive Programs
  • Paddling
  • Picnicking
  • Photography
  • Scenic Drive
  • Wildlife Viewing

Amenities

  • Accessible Campsites
  • Accessible Drinking Water
  • Accessible Fishing Dock
  • Accessible Flush Toilets
  • Accessible Grills
  • Accessible Parking
  • Accessible Playground
  • Accessible Showers
  • Accessible Sites
  • Accessible Vault Toilets
  • Campfire Rings
  • Cell Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Dump Station
  • Electric Hookups
  • Entrance Station
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Fishing Pier
  • Horseshoe Pit
  • Host
  • Interpretive Trails
  • Lantern Posts
  • Parking Area
  • Paved Parking
  • Paved Roads
  • Pets Allowed
  • Picnic Shelters
  • Picnic Tables
  • Playgroiund
  • Playground
  • River Access
  • Shade
  • Showers
  • Showers (Seasonal)
  • Trash Collection
  • Vault Toilets
  • Water (Seasonal)
  • Water Spigot
  • Picnic Table
  • Electricity Hookup
  • Fire Pit
  • Paved Sites
  • Tables
  • Accessibility
  • Accessible Occupant Message

Nearby Attractions

Getting Here

Latitude
47° 28' 55.9999" N
Longitude
101° 25' 34.0000" W
  • From Bismarck, North Dakota, take Highway 83 north and turn left on Highway 200 west toward Riverdale. After crossing the Spillway Bridge, take a left on Tow Road. At bottom intersection of the dam, turn left and go 1/4 mile east, then turn right onto the campground access road.
  • From Minot, North Dakota, take Highway 83 south and turn right onto Highway 48. At intersection, turn right onto Highway 200 west toward Riverdale. After crossing the Spillway Bridge, take a left on Tow Road. At bottom intersection of the dam, turn left and go 1/4 mile east, then turn right onto the campground access road.

Need to Know

  • For reservations please call, 1-877-444-6777
  • For campground information call, (701) 654-7440

  • For park ranger staff call, (701) 654-7411
  • Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
  • OHV's, Golf Carts, ATV's are NOT allowed within Campground. 

  • Only one camping unit (RV/tent) is allowed per campsite; doubling up is not permitted. Other local rules may apply.
  • Required equipment of either a RV, Trailer or Tent must be placed on reserved site. 

  • Contact Information

    U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
    GARRISON PROJECT OFFICE
    P.O. BOX 527
    RIVERDALE, ND 58565

    For facility specific information, please call (701) 654-7411.

    Additional Information