My Favorite Park in North Dakota Is a Little-Known Haven for Nighttime Hiking

Summers in North Dakota can feel like an extended family reunion, with everybody outside, wearing shorts for the first time in eight months, and making the most of it. You’ve got the classic hotspots, like the beaches at Lake Metigoshe, where kids cannonball off docks and paddleboards float by like lazy ducks. There’s a rhythm to it all: sunscreen, sunburn, burgers, repeat. Then there are the quieter spots, like the meandering trails at Cross Ranch State Park, where daytime visitors hike, picnic, or just lie in the grass, making eye contact with clouds. It’s all great. Daylight is gold here. Then there’s something else, something cooler (literally and spiritually): nighttime hiking.

Yes, hiking. At night. Don’t make that face. Imagine stepping onto a trail just as the sun dips behind the horizon, and a breeze slips through the cottonwoods like a whispered secret. Your flashlight beam catches the shimmer of a spiderweb between two branches, and in the distance, a great horned owl hoots like it's narrating a mystery novel. It’s a whole different world out there after dark, where your eyes adjust, your ears open, and your brain finally shuts up for a minute.

This brings me to Fort Stevenson State Park, my favorite park in all of North Dakota, located in the bluffs above Lake Sakakawea, just three miles south of Garrison. If you’re picturing a sleepy little town, hold that thought. Garrison might be the “Walleye Capital of North Dakota,” but it’s also a full-blown Christmas town when the snow falls. Come in December and you’ll find twinkling lights, parades, and enough holiday cheer to make Santa take a second lap. Summer belongs to Fort Stevenson.

And summer nights? That’s where the magic happens.

Fort Stevenson is one of the rare parks in North Dakota open 24 hours a day, which means you can head out for a late-night adventure whenever the mood strikes, no permission slip needed. Their Evening Hike Series is hands-down one of the coolest things happening in the state that doesn’t involve lefse or lutefisk. I'm particularly drawn to the Sensory Hike, where the trail becomes a kind of interactive experience, with stations designed to help you engage your senses and explore how nocturnal animals navigate the dark. You’ll leave feeling a little more attuned to nature, and maybe slightly suspicious of how good raccoons are at teamwork.

And this is just one part of what makes Fort Stevenson unforgettable. The park offers more than just hikes. We’re talking two marinas (Garrison Bay and de Trobriand Bay), boat rentals (including pontoons and jet skis), kayaks, fat-tire bikes, and even stand-up paddleboards because nothing says “I’m adventurous” like attempting yoga poses on a floating plastic board.

Need a place to sleep after your nocturnal exploits? Fort Stevenson's Western Engineer Cabin is fully loaded with two bedrooms, a full kitchen, WiFi, and your own grill. For something more rustic, try the camping cabins or premium campsites, perfect for families, friend groups, or solo travelers who just need some starlight and solitude. Everything is modern and well-maintained, and most cabins are within walking distance from trailheads, comfort stations, and scenic lake views.

If you're lucky, you might catch Frontier Military Days in late June, where reenactors throw tomahawks and shoot black powder rifles like it's 1875 and you're in a Ken Burns documentary. Or, come later in the year for the Lantern Hike and Halloween Hike, both part of the evening hike series. They’re charming, a little spooky, and a great excuse to wear a flannel and headlamp.

So what are you waiting for? Whether you're a hardcore hiker, a weekend wanderer, or just someone who likes the idea of seeing the world in moonlight instead of blue light, Fort Stevenson State Park is ready for you. Come explore North Dakota’s wild side after dark. Come to Garrison, where the fish are biting by day and the trails are whispering by night. Bring your sense of adventure and maybe a good flashlight. You won't regret it.