Lewis & Clark State Park offers cabin accommodations near Arnegard, North Dakota, approximately 75 miles from the town center. The cabins provide comfortable lodging options with basic amenities while maintaining proximity to outdoor recreation areas. Seasonal weather in this region varies dramatically with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter temperatures often dropping below 0°F, affecting camping conditions throughout the year.
What to do
Water activities on Lake Sakakawea: Visitors can enjoy boating at Lewis & Clark State Park, which has multiple boat ramps for easy lake access. "We always drop in our boat here. There are 2 good size lanes so a horrible backup person like myself has no problem!" notes Jackie R.
Hiking on Maah Daah Hey Trail: The trail system near Magpie Campground offers extensive hiking options with connections to over 100 miles of trails. "From there, either head west towards Devil's Pass or east towards the ice caves," suggests Cullen C., who appreciates the trail access.
Historical exploration: Visit Fort Buford State Historic Site to learn about regional history through preserved buildings and artifacts. Tonya T. describes it as an "Amazing place to learn about history of North Dakota, this is where Sitting Bull and his son surrendered and Lewis and Clark Trading Post."
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The dark skies at many campgrounds near Arnegard provide excellent stargazing conditions. At Magpie Campground, Jenny K. reports, "The stars were beautiful and the camp was so quiet," making it ideal for night sky viewing away from light pollution.
Attentive park staff: Rangers at Lewis & Clark State Park maintain a strong presence, enhancing safety and visitor experience. "As soon as we got settled in the Park rangers checked on us. They did patrols all the time around and were super friendly! We had one storm while we were there and they gave us the emergency plan as fast as they could," shares Amurican L.
Secluded campsites: Many campgrounds offer privacy between sites, particularly at Magpie Campground. Laura C. notes, "The sights have a picnic table and a metal fire ring with a grill attached... There were a lot of flies but there where hardly any mosquitos or other biting bugs."
What you should know
Variable water conditions: Lake Sakakawea can have changing conditions that affect activities. Kori P. says about Trenton Lake Recreation Area, "I wouldn't say it's dirty to swim in or fish in. I've done both & have a great time out there."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. Melissa B. warns about Magpie Campground: "Only downfall was the long drive on the rough/unpaved roads. My Toyota Corolla isn't the best 'off roading' car, but we got there safely."
Limited availability of camp hosts: Staff presence varies by season and location. Leslie B. observed at Lewis & Clark State Park: "Sites were nice with water and electric hookups. Decently spread out. Unfortunately, camp hosts were ghosts. Supposedly 4 hosts. Walked by 2 of them and they were off duty."
Tips for camping with families
Educational programs: Lewis & Clark State Park offers learning opportunities for children. Matt B. mentions, "There is a theater area with educational presentations for the kids. Also, there is an ice cream truck that comes through the campground at night."
Basic facilities at remote sites: Some campgrounds offer limited amenities. Tim H. describes Sather Lake as "Bare bones camping. Has a clean toilet, well pump, picnic tables and fire rings. Quiet. Pitch black at night. Great for stars."
Water safety awareness: When camping with children near Lake Sakakawea, be prepared for varying water conditions. Stephanie W. notes, "The water is like being in Ocean with big waves," suggesting parents should monitor children closely during water activities.
Tips from RVers
Affordable overnight options: First Responders Park in Alexander provides budget-friendly stays with basic hookups. Always C. reports, "7 spots across from the park. 30/50 amp electric with water and dump. Water was not turned on when we were here. Bar and a restaurant a short walking distance away."
Water fill strategies: Plan ahead for water needs at campgrounds with limited access. When staying at Lewis & Clark State Park, one reviewer advises, "Fill up your fresh tank at the dump station before going to your site because there are very few accessible spigots near the camp sites."
Yurt camping alternatives: While dedicated yurt camping near Arnegard, North Dakota is limited, several campgrounds offer cabin accommodations as alternatives to traditional yurt camping. The cabins at Lewis & Clark State Park provide similar conveniences to yurt camping for those seeking shelter-based options.
