Fort Stevenson State Park
Located on the north shore of North Dakota’s giant Lake Sakakawea, Fort Stevenson State Park is perhaps best known as the spot to go for fishing and biking. Each July, the park hosts the North Dakota Governor’s Cup Walleye Derby, while during the first week in August, bicyclists gather at the park for the start of the 400-mile-long CANDISC Bike Tour. In the spring, however, the big attraction is the park’s Skydance Sakakawea Kite Festival, held Memorial Day weekend. The festival attracts kite flyers of all ages, not only to fly their own kites, but to see stunt kite flying demonstrations.
The park is open year-round with full camping services, including, electrical and water hookups from mid-May to late September. Other attractions at the park include the Fort Stevenson Guardhouse Interpretive Center, a prairie dog colony, camping cabins and meeting facilities.
(Park is located 3 miles south of Garrison, ND.)
Little Missouri State Park
Some of North Dakota’s most picturesque badlands scenery can be found at Little Missouri State Park. This 6,000-acre primitive park features over 30 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. The best time to go is mid-spring, when the badlands, nourished by winter snows, sports lush green growth and colorful prairie wildflowers.
Corrals are provided for those bringing in their own horses, while a private concessionaire offers guided trail rides. Use of certified weed-seed-free hay or feed is required and is available for sale at the park. The park has both primitive camping and sites with electrical hookups. The concessionaire also has rustic log cabins available for rent next to the park.
(Park is located 17 miles north of Killdeer, ND, on Highway 22.)
Sully Creek State Recreation Area
Located in the heart of the North Dakota badlands, Sully Creek SRA is just minutes away from the historic town of Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This small, seasonal park is open from April 1 to November 30. In the early spring or during high flows, canoeing the 274-mile long Little Missouri River offers a unique perspective of the badlands from North Dakota's only State Scenic River. Canoeing maps of the Little Missouri are available by e-mailing the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department at parkrec@nd.gov.
Corrals are available for those bringing in their own horses. This primitive park also has a small campground with vault toilets. Horseback riders, mountain bikers and hikers have access to the 120-mile long Maah Daah Hey Trail, which traverses the Little Missouri National Grassland. Those using the trail should carry adequate potable water for drinking.
(Park is located 2.5 miles south of Medora, ND.)