Established Camping
COE Lake Sakakawea Downstream Campground
Closed For the Season
This campground is closed for the season from September 16, 2024 through May 14, 2025.
Closed For the Season
This campground is closed for the season from September 16, 2024 through May 14, 2025.
COE Lake Sakakawea Downstream Campground, near Riverdale, North Dakota, is a fantastic spot for those looking to unwind in nature. With spacious sites and a laid-back vibe, it’s perfect for both tent campers and RV enthusiasts.
This campground boasts clean facilities, including hot showers and well-kept bathrooms, which visitors really appreciate after a day of outdoor activities. Many campers have highlighted the peaceful atmosphere, with one saying, “Nothing better than waking up to the sound of wind in the leaves and birds singing their songs.”
You’ll find plenty of trails leading down to the Missouri River, ideal for fishing or just soaking in the scenery. The area is surrounded by big trees that provide shade and protection from the wind, making it a comfortable place to relax. Plus, there are picnic tables and fire rings at each site, so you can enjoy meals outdoors and gather around the fire at night.
While some sites are primitive, they still offer a quiet retreat, and the campground is known for its cleanliness and upkeep. Whether you’re here for a quick stop or a longer stay, COE Lake Sakakawea Downstream Campground has everything you need for a memorable camping experience.
Description
US Army Corps of Engineers
Sakakawea Lake
Overview
The Downstream Campground is located on the East bank of the Missouri River below the Garrison Dam, which forms Lake Sakakawea. The area offers a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, sailing, scuba diving, bird watching, and hunting. In the winter time the area offers a cross country ski trails and bow hunting opportunities.____ For more information, please visit the Garrision Dam & Lake Sakakawea website here .__
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.
Facilities
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.
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.
contact_info
For facility specific information, please call (701) 654-7411.
Nearby Attractions
Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery is minutes from the campground and is open to the public. A visitor center, complete with five 400-gallon aquariums, provides great opportunities to view the fish of North Dakota in their environment.____ The Garrison Dam Power Plant offers tours during the months of June, July and the first part of August on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 2pm. Lake Sakakawea State Park__ Audubon National Wildlife Refuge
Charges & Cancellations
Reservation changes and cancellations can be made on Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.____ For more information on rules and policies regarding reservation cancellations and changes, please visit: https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies .____
Fee Info
Camping reservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Location
COE Lake Sakakawea Downstream Campground is located in North Dakota
Directions
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.
Coordinates
47.4822222 N
101.4261111 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiGood
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
