Map showing campground location near Valley City, North Dakota

Moon Lake

A long gravel road stretches five miles to reach this no-frills camping spot beside Moon Lake, managed by North Dakota Fish and Wildlife. The dusty approach can leave vehicles coated in dirt, but the remote location keeps crowds light even though locals know about the area.

Three stone fire rings and picnic tables mark the basic camping setup, with sites scattered around the lake's edge. One spot sits tucked among trees on three sides while others remain completely open to the elements. The trees provide wind protection rather than shade, which campers appreciate on blustery days. A pit toilet serves the area, though access requires some creativity according to posted instructions.

Bird activity dominates the soundscape throughout the day and evening hours. Kandice calls it "just a no fuss no muss boon docking campsite next to Moon Lake." Anglers can wade directly into the water from their chairs, with perch and sunfish reported in the lake. Farm dogs from nearby properties occasionally wander through camp, typically friendly but persistent around cooking areas.

The region offers places to camp around Moon Lake for those wanting additional options beyond this basic lakeside setup.

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Location

Public Campground

Moon Lake is located in North Dakota

Coordinates

46.86094949 N
98.16504736 W

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Excellent Coverage
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Verified by 8 users
Last on 5/1/26
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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Dispersed

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

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Drive Time

1 hr 2 min from Fargo, ND
1 hr 47 min from Bismarck, ND
1 hr 56 min from Grand Forks, ND
3 hrs 12 min from Minot, ND

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5 Stars

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1 Star

4.0

out of 5

5 Reviews

Campers regularly cited Moon Lake's peaceful lakeside setting with basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables. Multiple visitors reported issues with dusty gravel road access and poor restroom facilities.

cindy

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 27, 2024

Pretty spot. Very quiet.

A long, very dusty gravel road got us to this spot. By the time we left, our car and camper looked like 2 dirt piles. That said, the spot was very peaceful with a ton of birds. There is a pit toilet there which was locked. It had a sign telling you how to break in, in the case of emergencies. Never have seen such a sign before. Well, I needed to use it, broke in using a screwdriver, and Ohmygod. It’s going to take awhile to get that out of my head. Do not open up the pit toilet, no matter the emergency.

SiteThere was one other person there in a truck camper.

Month of VisitSeptember

Teresa T.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 10, 2023

It is a very small spot and cute

Several spots to park but not at all very private. Nice view of the lake though and the trees block the wind and it was a very windy cool day so very appreciative of them. No shade though, just a wind break.

Siteno numbers

Month of VisitJune

Margaret W.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 29, 2022

Relaxing stay

Fished most of the day while sitting on my chair just in the water. Caught a sunburn and two small perch. Later they got the rest of the school to come out and jump like crazy. Was exactly what we were looking for. A quiet place away from the crazy of everyday life right now.

Sitenot marked

Month of VisitJuly

kandice

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 11, 2022

Calming

Just a no fuss no muss boon docking campsite next to Moon Lake. The site is off 5 miles of gravel roads but the roads aren’t bad for being gravel. Even though it’s secluded, there seems to be others who know about it.

Siteno markers for sites

Month of VisitJune

(5) View All

Sadie C.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 5, 2022

Peaceful spot

Nice spot by a lake, with three stone fire rings and a couple picnic tables. We got the spot surrounded by trees on three sides which was nice, the rest are open. Tons of birds which make some noise but aren’t a bother. Someone’s farm dogs were sniffing around our tent and howling in the night. They hung around in the morning and were friendly but a little bit of a nuisance as we were cooking and packing up. The directions we followed took us on some pretty rocky roads, we took a different way out and it was a bit smoother. If you’re in a big car you should be fine but we were in a Corolla :) Way out we took: From 94- West: Left on 106th Ave to left on 40th street to left on 109th Ave

Month of VisitMay

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Moon Lake Campground located in North Dakota?

Moon Lake Campground is located near Valley City, North Dakota. The campground is situated approximately 5 miles down gravel roads from the main highway. While somewhat remote, the access roads are generally manageable despite being gravel. The secluded setting offers a peaceful retreat by Moon Lake, making it worth the dusty drive for those seeking a quiet getaway in rural North Dakota.

What amenities are available at Moon Lake Campground?

Moon Lake Campground offers basic, no-frills amenities for a rustic camping experience. The site features several camping spots with stone fire rings and picnic tables. There is a pit toilet available for emergencies (though it may be locked). The campground is primarily designed for boondocking/dispersed camping with no hookups or running water. The natural setting with trees providing windbreaks compensates for the minimal facilities.

How does Moon Lake Campground compare to other campgrounds near Valley City, ND?

Moon Lake Campground stands out from other Valley City area campgrounds for its secluded, peaceful atmosphere and lakeside setting. Unlike more developed campgrounds, Moon Lake offers a true rustic experience with minimal amenities and no reservation system. The campground provides a more natural, undeveloped camping option for those seeking solitude, fishing opportunities, and bird watching. While lacking modern conveniences found at other Valley City campgrounds, Moon Lake compensates with its tranquil environment perfect for escaping everyday life.

Is there beach access at Moon Lake Campground?

Yes, Moon Lake Campground offers direct lake access, though not a formal beach. Campers can easily access the water for fishing and wading. The shoreline allows for sitting in chairs at the water's edge for fishing or cooling off. The lake is suitable for fishing with reports of perch catches. While there's no designated swimming area or sandy beach, the lake access is one of the campground's main attractions.

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