Downstream Campground
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.
More like this: electric hookups in North Dakota · reservable in North Dakota · big rigs in North Dakota · pets allowed in North Dakota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 95 |
| Standard, no hookups | 16 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 75 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
111 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | LNU1 | Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |||
| 002 | LNU1 | Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | ||
| 004 | LNU1 | Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |||
| 005 | LNU1 | Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |||
| 006 | LNU1 | Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |||
| 007 | LNU1 | Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |||
| 008 | LNU1 | Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |||
| 009 | LNU1 | Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |||
| 010 | LNU1 | Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |||
| 011 | LNU1 | Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 3:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 79 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Camping reservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
| Accessibility | Sites 014, 040, 047, 048 and 1 more are listed accessible |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Riverdale, North Dakota |
| Coordinates | 47.4822° N, 101.4261° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 27.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Capital RV Center of Bismarck ↗ | 55.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
TRAVEL DAY to Downstream Campground, ND
Public land it sits in
Audubon National Wildlife Refuge begins about 11.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 11.3 miAudubon National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 14,782 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
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!
Nearby
- 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
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Downstream Campground?
Sites at Downstream Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Downstream Campground?
Camping reservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Downstream Campground?
Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 3:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Downstream Campground have?
114 sites, including 95 standard sites with power and 16 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Downstream Campground?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Downstream Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Downstream Campground?
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.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Downstream Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Downstream Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Downstream Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Downstream Campground?
Sites 014, 040, 047, and 048 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 5 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Downstream Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Downstream Campground?
The Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea offers excellent boating, fishing, and hunting opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation