Searching for the best camping near Ashtabula Lake, ND? Ashtabula Lake is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Ashtabula Lake, ND. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
"My kids and I enjoyed this site on our hike along the NCT on Lake Ashtabula. The primitive toilet even had a mailbox with toilet paper!"
"There are bathrooms available, and a lovely sheltered grassy spot to set up tents, and a place to grill and get water at the picnic shelter, but in terms of other camping amenities there really arent"
RangerThe first thing I think of when I think of Parkhurst Campground/Pipestem Lake rec area are the trails. This area encompasses about 140 acres and contains the 5.5 mile North Ridge Trail, 8 mile Pipestem Creek Trail, and equine trails. The first two are geared towards mountain biking, and hiking. Very pretty prairie hiking as well as lush, wooded tracts. There's easy access to these trails from the campgrounds and they are also very well maintained by the county. There are families who have ATVs with also, as there is some separate land they can have access too.
Parkhurst's campgrounds are tidy and well-kept. There are also typically plenty of regulars camping there who are pretty happy to help if you have questions. This is an Army Corps of Engineers/ County ran campground within a rec area; it's located alongside the Pipestem Creek/Lake. There is a $10/night fee on an honor system, where upon arrival you select your campsite and then fill out a slip and submit your payment at the campground entrance. There are no reservations and it is first some first serve. (Every time we have stayed here there have been plenty of sites available, but I cannot speak for traditionally busy, holiday weekends)
This is a primitive campground that has access to picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, waste receptacles, non-potable water, a dump station, shelters, boat docks and ramps, lake/reservoir beaches for swimming, as well as mountain biking, hiking and equine trails. If you needed water on the spot, there is is non-potable water access as well as river/lake water if you filter it yourself. A neighboring farm which you'll drive by sells firewood, as well as several places within Jamestown. Since there is an equine trail there is of course an equine area with corrals, tether lines, and space for trailers.
The sites here aren't labeled specifically, so you have to gauge your equipment, vehicles, and how much space you'd typically be taking up. It allows for some flexibility and I haven't seen groups overflowing. Parkhurst is quite expansive in that the northern most end starts at a bit higher elevation, and the southern-most end is a bit lower, and along the lakeside. This is a pretty open campground, across a large large area with dividing roads and trees throughout. Even though spots aren’t secluded typically, and there isn’t site division by trees, we still haven’t been forced to come into contact or interact with neighbors and the rest of the campground.(I mention this knowing that it is something some folks really take into consideration.) Though not a wooded campground, there is still a lot of shade, and the breezes really help with some bug control.
Parkhurst is off of HWY 281 and about 5 miles from the outskirts of Jamestown, a quick and easy drive. When you are navigating to Parkhurst/Pipestem Reservoir area there is south end rec area entrance and then also the campground entrance on the north end, where you would come across the registration area as you head south. Pipestem creek/lake connects from the south to the James River/Jamestown Reservoir which is on the outside of Jamestown. (Plenty of options for groceries, gas, dining, hardware stores etc.)
We really like staying here, whether in a tent or camper. The trails are addicting, personally! If you are camping with a couple groups, it's pretty easy to find neighboring/close campsites as well.
RangerThis park is maintained and managed by the Barnes County Wildlife Club and North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Camping is free and allowed for a maximum of 10 consecutive days. There is plenty of open lawn within this park area which can definitely fit multiple tents and the parking lot/gravel driveway can accommodate travel trailers/RVs/Vans.
It is a well-maintained, simple, camping area offering a picnic table, fire ring/pit, built-in charcoal grill, waste receptacles and a vault toilet. (As of early October the county was able to erect a picnic shelter) There is also some informative signage covering the local history, and that of the the river and land. (Not as far back in time as it should though.)
The Sheyenne River runs along one side of this camp area - There is a kayak/canoe in/out access area here and access points for fishing along with a bridge. If you are filtering H20 yourself, you have access to flowing river water for drinking!
Quite isolated and quiet here, people may periodically stop by to fish, drop in a kayak, run their dogs or stretch their legs. Overall it’s a secluded and peaceful area. There are train tracks that run along the river in close proximity; they usually don't "toot" more than a time or two as they pass the crossing. I can't say how many in a night.
There are plenty of areas to enjoy the sun, but also large, mature trees for plenty of shade as well. Pretty decent area to have access to camp at for FREE that feels like you're "beyond getting what you paid for!"
- Faust Park is also about 4 miles SW from the Mel Rieman Rec Area/Campgrounds (COE) which has a swimming area, playground, showers & bathroom facilities, drinking water, garbages, grills, and a bar/small grill/ice cream shop & water sports rentals on site. This is all very seasonal of course.
-Faust Park is located along a maintained gravel road, less than a ½ mile off of the River Road and about 6 miles outside of Valley City. There is a farmstead on the other side of the river/wooded area, otherwise no other nearby neighbors. It is also 6 or so miles up off of I-94 if folks approach it from that direction.
GuideScenic lil boat launch not far from Jamestown. A few fire rings dispersed around the area. There was a water pump that looked to be broken. Vault toilet and a storage shed housing the picnic tables if you wanted to use one. The lake is beautiful. Got to watch storm pass thru while cows grazed on rolling hills across the water. Lovely.
LegendThis is a year round multi-use state park along the forest-lined Sheyenne River and near the Sheyenne National Grasslands. There are miles of trails through all kinds of habititats from forest to prairie to riparian shores and the water trail. In winter there is great cross country skiing and snowshoeing and summer of course has camping, canoeing, hiking, and nature watching. This seems to be a big park for horse campers and they are well set up for that with corrals and designated horse campgrounds. There is a standard campground for car camping, campers and RVs with the usual amenities, then there is the so-called "primitive" campground which is for tents only, either in drive in tent campsites, or at walk-in tent sites that are very spacious and right on the river! Very nice. The "primitive" tent area has quiet rules including no use of generators, so we like that. The tent area did not have its own water source though, so you do have to walk across the river bridge to the main campground to get water. Also, while there were no problems about flooding on our trip, the sites are in a lowland area adjacent to the river floodplain so could be a concern at times of heavy rain. Other options, should you want to go for historic lodging or "glamping", there is the option to reserve a covered wagon or pioneer cabin to stay in, or a fully equipped really amazingly cool yurt with a loft that could host a large family or group. If you like hiking or canoeing or horseback riding or nature exploring, there are alot of good options here for the summer camper. Things are quieter right now as there as fewer campers due to covid, they are also a little short staffed and the grounds look a tad bit rough around the edges and in need of a bit of maintanence. Also, the park was established on the grounds on an old fort which seems to have had some historic controversy, and the main park entrance sign was burned in a recent protest event so be aware of that when you are trying to find the park. And, while staying at the park, visit the exhibits in the visitor's center to learn more about the history of the area and the old fort so you can put all this into respectful context.
LegendHave to give this a low review from the experience we had while staying the night of July 6th. It was a full campground and might of been nice with the exception of several groups staying at the campground. Teens staying up till 3pm being loud and racing around on a golf cart. Intoxicated adults taking lap after lap around the campground in the back of a pickup yelling and swearing at campers that didn't wave back to them. Another group in the campground setting off fireworks until midnight. Zero attempts by camp host to quiet these individuals. Our group of Scouts were besides themselves and have no desire to ever camp in North Dakota again. Other wise this might have been a nice place to stay.
LegendThe website instructions say to take exit 292 off I 94 but our RV GPS and Google Maps showed exit 294, which is probably a new exit. Coming from the east, exit 294 was the better option, but either exit would work as they both will lead to the turn to take you down to Eggerts Landing plus other COE areas as identified on the signs. The campground(CG) area was easy to find and we got potable water at the dump station conveniently located as we entered the CG area. The RV sites here are all 30 AMP electric and we proceeded to back-in spot 20, which was easy to back into off the turn. Site 20 is plenty long and we really liked the privacy between sites due to the vegetation and trees. This CG has a lot of mature trees so satellite would not be an option for most sites. We got 2 bars on Verizon and 2 on T-Mobile. The sites in the front of the CG are more open where you could get a satellite signal. The sites at the far end of the CG are more private with little trails weaving around. There are no sites that are truly on the lake, but several have paths to the water. There are trash cans smartly placed around the CG plus water spigots and vault toilets. Towards the front of the back loop, there’s a shower house. There is also a fishing pier near the CG area entrance. There’s a camp host, but they were only working weekends when we were there in September. However, park rangers patrolled the CG. This COE is about 15 minutes north of Valley City where amenities can be found. Check out Babb's Coffee House in Jamestown. Great place to have lunch after visiting the tourist spots in Jamestown and the coffee is very good too. If you are looking for gifts made in North Dakota, check out the Dakota Store, also in Jamestown, which is a great place to shop. We enjoyed our 3-night stay during the midweek.
TravelerStayed at a site in the open field near to the road. (last site available) only down side was that you got to feel the ND winds (10-30mph+) all the time..... Next time will stay on the other side of the river at their "primitive" campsites. those sites are all in the trees and secluded. Also has walk-in tent sites. Plenty of local hiking trails right from the campsite.
GuideWell, not the best place we stayed at. Arrived to trash bags beside the bin, half a rib cage (skeleton) of some animal (which we found the rest of the deer .5m down the road) and the 2 vault toilets need of a decent clean / toilet paper, but they didn't smell and were adequate for the night. We were the only people here, but locals dropped by for dog walks or rest stops. Area did have a grill, firepit, one picnic table in the open and 2 tables under a large cover. 2 gravel slopes go down to the river, but could imagine with the sediment at the river edge, car wheels may become stuck. Trains / rail crossing was 100yards away, as previously mentioned in other reviews, and our observations were as follows.....9 trains from mid afternoon to early morning next day, 4 of which at night. Apart from the 3‐4 long horn blasts each time one came by, the actual train passing was not disturbing...
RangerLove all of the large, mature trees and amount of wooded areas throughout. The campsites are all relatively private with a secluded feeling, some more than others of course. There is a good amount of brush and trees separating sites. We enjoy that you have access to sites that are right along the lake side, and the trail system that weaves throughout and around the campground is great. The swimming area is nice for kids or adults to enjoy, also a nice area to get some sun if you want, the campsites are fairly shaded (in an optimal way!)
I will agree with everyone who mentions the clean restrooms/showers, everything has been in good condition during all of my stays.
Until this weekend I had never had to seek out Campground hosts for anything, and when we did they were very accessible for assistance or answering questions. Our site which was right on the water (#37) had a nice little access clearing for kayaking, we brought a few insect repellants to keep mosquitos at bay, but they really weren't bad.
Quite a large, walk-in site with parking nearby, and this campground's setup seems to prevent other campers from shortcutting through your site. Clean campsites (leave it better than you found it) and clean restrooms. A lot of sites are quite dark, later in the evening which we personally don't mind and just keep light sources handy.
When we've stayed at sites with hookups, they've been spacious and easy enough to set up your camper within, no issues so far. We still have plenty of outdoor living area and room for two vehicles as well.
A pretty peaceful campground, even when most of the sites are filled.
Tent camping near Ashtabula Lake in North Dakota offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.
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