Parks to offer fewer services after September

Most state parks with year-round staffing offer full camping services, including electrical hookups, campground water, hot showers and camping cabins through the end of September. Selected parks provide electrical hookups throughout the year. Most state park campgrounds will discontinue campsite water service by the end of September and at some, comfort stations and waste stations will be closed. In the event of freeze warnings, water lines may be shutoff earlier.

With fewer people using the parks, campsite reservations are not needed in the fall and winter. With the exception of Fort Ransom State Park, the toll-free reservation line closed on Sept. 3. At Fort Ransom, campsite reservations are available through Sept. 30, by calling 800-807-4723. The park is popular with campers attending the Sheyenne Valley Arts and Crafts Festival in the town of Fort Ransom on Sept. 29-30.

After the end of September, the state’s 11 year-round parks will continue to offer limited camping services right up until the snow blocks campground access. Once water lines are drained and comfort stations closed, off-season camping fees will go into effect. A vehicle entrance permit is required all year. For complete campground status call the state park you are interested in staying at prior to arrival.

Here is a look at what can be expected at specific state parks:

Beaver Lake State Park, Napoleon:

* Campground hydrants and comfort station will close Oct. 31.

* Electrical service is available until park roads are blocked by snow.

* Camping cabins may be rented until Oct. 31.

Cross Ranch State Park, Center:

* Campground water hydrants will be drained Sept. 29.

* Bathrooms outside of visitor center open year-round.

* Primitive log cabins available year-round

* Electrical hookups at Sanger Campground available until snow blocks entrance road.

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, Mandan:

* Campground water lines will be drained when freezing temperatures are forecasted, except for selected deep water hydrants which will be drained Oct. 31.

* Electrical hookups, sleeping cabins and the comfort station will be available until Sept. 30.

* Park and camping is open year around.

Fort Ransom State Park, Fort Ransom:

* Comfort station, sewer dump station and most water hydrants, except for one in the West Side Campground, will be closed Oct. 1.

* Electrical hookups will be available in the West Side Campground until first snow. A limited number of primitive camping sites are available through the winter.

* Canoe/kayak rentals will end Sept. 30.

Fort Stevenson State Park, Garrison:

* Campground water lines will be shut off Oct. 1.

* Comfort stations are closed Oct. 1

* Seasonal cabin available for rent until Nov. 30

* Electrical hookups available year-round.

* Reduced service camping rates begin Oct. 1

* Park deer bow season opens Oct. 1.

Grahams Island State Park, Devils Lake:

* Campground water lines will be drained Sept. 30.

* The West comfort station closed on Sept. 4; east comfort station closes Sept. 30.

* Bait shop closes Sept. 28; bait shop bathrooms are open until Oct. 31.

* Sleeping cabins available until Oct. 31.

* Electrical hookups available year-round. Campsites 2,3,4,5 and 6 have water year-round.

Icelandic State Park, Cavalier:

* Campground water, comfort station and camping cabins available through Sept. 30.

* Electrical hookups are available until snow closes campgrounds.

* A hydrant at the primitive camping area is available year-round,

Lake Metigoshe State Park, Bottineau:

* Full services available in Washegum Campground until third or fourth weekend of September, depending on weather forecasts. Maid ‘o Moonshine Campground is closed.

* Primitive camping available until snow closes park roads.

* Family cabins available year-round.

Lake Sakakawea State Park, Pick City:

* Campground water and comfort station available through Sept. 29.

* Camping cabins will be available until Sept. 30.

* Electrical hookups available until snow closes campground.

* Water is available year around at Visitor Center (Freezing temperatures may close water facilities early).

Lewis & Clark State Park, Williston:

* Campground water, comfort station and camping cabins available through Sept. 30.

* Electrical hookups available until snow closes campground.

Little Missouri State Park, Killdeer:

* Park closes for the season Oct. 1.

Sully Creek State Recreation Area, Medora:

* This seasonal primitive park will close Dec. 1. Well water available until the park closes.

Turtle River State Park, Arvilla:

* Comfort station and Woodland cabins are available until Sept. 28. (North campground, sites 37-72, are closed for the season allowing for utility upgrades.)

* Campground water lines and dump station will be drained Oct. 28. There will be no water service at the west side campground during the limited service season.

* Electrical hookups are available until park roads are blocked by snow.

Tags: parks, camping, stateparks, fall, autumn, northland, outdoors, places