Overview
Garrison is a town of 1,500 people (2018) in the Lakes and Gardens region of North Dakota.
7 sights · 3 things to do · 6 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Garrison
Fort Stevenson State Park
Named for a late 1800s frontier fort that served as a supply depot for Dakota Territory’s military posts. It is a favorite spot for fishing walleye on the lake. Excellent facilities for boating will find excellent facili…
Garrison Dam and Power Plant
Free one- to two-hour narrative tour on the operative and functions of the dam, power plant and outlet works along with electric distributions of power. Open Memorial to Day-Labor Day, tours hourly noon-4PM
Fishing Hall of Fame
Displays of fishing memorabilia and tributes to ND fishermen.
Camp Atchison State Historic Site
Marks the location of the 1863 Sibley Expedition camp that was garrisoned by 1,000 soldiers.
Fort Stevenson Guardhouse
An interpretive center depicts frontier military and American Indian history of the fort. Open year-round: 10AM to 5PM, except weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day when it stays open until 9PM.
Heritage Park Museum
Early railroad depot, two homestead houses, a log cabin, early schoolhouse, church and the original telephone office. Three picnic shelters and restroom facilities. Open Memorial Day to Labor day on Fridays 11AM to 4PM, …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 4°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Minot)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MOT Minot International Airport, Minot — 42 mi away. Directions
- BIS Bismarck Municipal Airport, Bismarck — 68 mi away. Directions
From Interstate 94 in Bismarck, take US 83 north about 70 miles, then west on ND 37/1804 approximately 3 miles.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Fort Stevenson State Park, Garrison Dam and Power Plant, Fishing Hall of Fame
- Lunch Four Seasons Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor
- Afternoon McLean County Ag Show, Biking
- Dinner Garrison Bay Express
- Evening Goose Nest Lounge & Bottle Shop
Day 2
- Morning Camp Atchison State Historic Site, Fort Stevenson Guardhouse, Heritage Park Museum
- Lunch Hot Stuff Pizza
- Afternoon North Dakota Governor’s Cup Walleye Fishing Derby, Garrison Golf Course
- Dinner Lake Road Restaurant
- Evening Gordy's Bar & Bottle Shop
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
From Interstate 94 in Bismarck, take US 83 north about 70 miles, then west on ND 37/1804 approximately 3 miles.
From US 2 or 52 in Minot, take US 83 south about 40 miles, then west on ND 37/1804.
By bus
- Souris Basin Transportation, +1 701 463-2600, offers departures to Minot every first Monday of the month, and departures to Bismarck every third Monday of the month. Call before 4PM Central Time the day before.
- New Town Bus Lines, +1 701 852-2477, provides service between Minot and Bismarck every day except Wednesdays and Saturdays. The bus will not stop in Garrison without prior reservations.
By train
- Amtrak serves Minot with its Empire Builder line.
- The Dakota, Missouri Valley, and Western Railroad provides freight rail service on a line between Max and Bismarck.
By plane
- Garrison Municipal Airport, +1 701 337-9499. Operated by the city of Garrison for civil aviation.
- Minot International Airport in Minot is served by Delta Air Lines.
- Bismarck Municipal Airport in Bismarck is served by Delta, United, and Allegiant Air.
Get around
- Souris Basin Transportation, +1 701 463-7360, offers local dial-a-ride service. Call before 4PM Central Time the day before.
See
See Fort Stevenson State Park
Named for a late 1800s frontier fort that served as a supply depot for Dakota Territory’s military posts. It is a favorite spot for fishing walleye on the lake. Excellent facilities for boating will find excellent facilities within the park, including concessions, boat rentals, storage and slip rentals. Canoe and kayak rentals. 438 acres, modern and primitive camping, comfort station, campsite reservations, sewage dump station, playground, marina, boat ramp, fishing boat rentals, camp store, fish-cleaning station, swimming, restaurant, picnic shelter, hiking and Guardhouse Interpretive Center, camping cabins. Also has cross-country ski trails and snowmobiling in winter.
See Fort Stevenson Guardhouse
An interpretive center depicts frontier military and American Indian history of the fort. Open year-round: 10AM to 5PM, except weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day when it stays open until 9PM.
See Heritage Park Museum
Early railroad depot, two homestead houses, a log cabin, early schoolhouse, church and the original telephone office. Three picnic shelters and restroom facilities. Open Memorial Day to Labor day on Fridays 11AM to 4PM, and by appointment
See McLean County Ag Show
Agricultural tradeshow with exhibitors, demonstrations, speakers and concessions. Sponsored by Garrison FFA chapter.
Do
Do Biking
Annual CANDISC 420-mile bicycle tour in early August. Fort Stevenson State Park serves as the staging area for the event. Bike the Enchanted Highway featuring large outdoor metal sculptures. Explore the Lewis and Clark trail
Buy
Shop Chase Pharmacy
Shop Fezziwig's Candy
Shop Flowers 'N Things
Shop Garrison General Store
Shop Sakakawea Gift Gallery
Shop S&J Hardware
Shop Super Valu Grocery
Shop This That 'N More
Eat
Eat Four Seasons Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor
Drink
Drink Goose Nest Lounge & Bottle Shop
Sleep
Stay Lake Wood Motel
Stay Indian Hills Resort & Campground
Two-bedroom units with kitchenettes, log camping cabins, RV and primitive camping. Families and groups of 8-10 people can also stay at the Arrowhead Lodge. 1.25-mile single track interpretive Lewis and Clark trail. Open May 15 thru October 25. Shower, sewer, bait, tackle, boat ramp, guide service, fish cleaning station, concessions, 50 RV sites with electrical hook-ups, and primitive camping.
Stay Stoney Hill RV Park
22 RV full hook ups, sewer, water, electric, bathhouse, showers. Sportsmen's Centennial Park Campground, located 5 miles east, 3 miles south, 1 mile west of Garrison. Open May 1-October 31. Provides 105 RV sites, 18 electric, showers, toilets, swim, bait and tackle, concessions, fish-cleaning station, boat ramp, picnic shelters, multi-purpose room for meetings
Nearby
Max
City / town · 8 listings · 13 mi away
Douglas
City / town · 6 listings · 15 mi away
Hazen
City / town · 5 listings · 27 mi away
Washburn
City / town · 4 listings · 31 mi away
Beulah
City / town · 25 listings · 32 mi away
Zap
City / town · 5 listings · 35 mi away
Center
City / town · 6 listings · 38 mi away
Minot
City / town · 33 listings · 41 mi away
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