Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Cannon Ball, ND

Beaver Creek Recreation Area and Hazelton Area - Lake Oahe provide pet-friendly camping options for visitors to Cannon Ball, North Dakota. Both campgrounds welcome pets with designated areas for dogs to exercise while maintaining leash requirements. Beaver Creek offers electric hookups, drinking water, and sanitary dump facilities in a quiet setting with ample shade from mature trees. The campground has picnic tables and fire rings at each site, making it convenient for pet owners to enjoy meals outdoors with their animals. Visitors note the park is clean and well-maintained with beautiful waterfront views, particularly from electric sites that overlook Lake Oahe. Hazelton Area features similar pet-friendly policies with electric hookups, fire rings, and vault toilets in a peaceful setting that provides scenic Missouri River views.

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground offers additional pet-friendly camping options with more extensive amenities including showers, water hookups, and sewer connections. The park's wide-open spaces and accessible trails make it ideal for exercising dogs, with paved paths connecting the campground to historical sites. Water access points along the Missouri River provide opportunities for dogs to cool off during summer months. The park maintains clean facilities including bathhouses and multiple restroom locations. Kimball Bottom Recreation Area provides a more primitive option for tent and RV camping with pets, featuring picnic tables and toilet facilities in a riverside location. Several campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though water systems typically shut down by mid-September, requiring campers with pets to bring their own water supply during shoulder seasons.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Cannon Ball, North Dakota (22)

    1. Beaver Creek

    3 Reviews
    Cannon Ball, ND
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 255-0015

    $14 - $18 / night

    "Grass is well taken care of and the lake is pretty."

    "Stayed 3 days, due to not wanting to drive in the storm the last day. First 2 days were lovely and just the right amount of shade from the trees."

    2. Beaver Creek - Lake Oahe

    1 Review
    Cannon Ball, ND
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 255-0015

    3. Hazelton Area - Lake Oahe

    3 Reviews
    Cannon Ball, ND
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 255-0015

    $14 - $18 / night

    "There were only 3 other campers and they were all next to one another. I went to the other side of the area and enjoyed a quiet evening.

    Great sunset and sunrise the next morning!"

    4. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Bismarck, ND
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 667-6340

    $15 - $85 / night

    "Planning a hike to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in North Dakota motivated me to learn more about the diverse landscapes and natural wonders of the U.S. national parks."

    "Great sites with beautiful trees and it’s a quiet relaxing place that is pet friendly. There are also a lot of history in the area from the Lewis and Clark days!"

    5. Cattail Bay

    1 Review
    Cannon Ball, ND
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 255-0015

    6. Graner Park

    4 Reviews
    Bismarck, ND
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 667-3363

    $10 - $20 / night

    "They have a water fill station and the playground is located in the middle of the loop so it's easily accessible to every site on the north loop."

    "Has electric and primitive both priced decent has nice tree coverage and is next to the river and has some spot where you can go in the river at"

    7. Kimball Bottom

    2 Reviews
    Bismarck, ND
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 255-0015

    8. Bismarck KOA

    15 Reviews
    Bismarck, ND
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 222-2662

    "Nice shrubbery and trees throughout, a pool during the summer season, dog park, and playground. Will definitely be staying here again."

    "Nice looking amenities, including a small dog park and playground! They do have a pool and a restroom building with toilets and showers."

    9. West Pollock Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Cannon Ball, ND
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 710-2267

    "Picnic tables are in near new condition. Back in sites are fairly level. It rained while we were there, and the sites drained quickly. Views of the Missouri River (Lake Powell) extraordinary."

    "First off, the directions are correct but the marker on the map is wrong This nice little campground is located at 45°52'54.9"N 100°20'13.6"W."

    10. Langeliers Bay

    1 Review
    Cannon Ball, ND
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 254-5491
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Cannon Ball, ND

116 Reviews of 22 Cannon Ball Campgrounds


  • Randy M.
    Jul. 14, 2021

    Bismarck KOA

    Has all the things, but not a destiantion

    All the standard KOA amenities, but next to the highway. It’s like a trick stop with a pool. Locking bathrooms at a paid campground was a big turnoff. Decent pool and dog park tho.

  • Teresa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 5, 2024

    Beaver Lake State Park Campground

    Very well maintained park

    Beaver Lake also known as Red Lake is an older North Dakota State Park and it's very well done. The bathrooms are closed so I can't see in and all of the modern camping is on the same loop but there's also group camping and tent camping and cabins. They're genuinely is a lot of trails to hike and well they may seem uninteresting from a distance because they're North Dakota prairie We saw everything from prairie chickens to turkeys to deer on our walk. The lake is bigger than you think doesn't seem to have a whole lot of use We came on a Saturday we're probably going to stay and work for a week and have only seen a handful of people come in the meantime. I needed to use my Tesla Rome network I don't have good enough cell reception to work from here so keep that in mind if you're a traveler who's working.

  • Chelsea R.
    Nov. 13, 2020

    Bismarck KOA

    Great Place!

    We stayed here overnight on a long journey & were very impressed with the friendly and clean environment! Nice shrubbery and trees throughout, a pool during the summer season, dog park, and playground. Will definitely be staying here again.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 28, 2025

    Bismarck KOA

    Love KOAs

    We only stayed here 1 night. But it was a great stay! Nice looking amenities, including a small dog park and playground! They do have a pool and a restroom building with toilets and showers. I checked out these briefly as I did not have a chance to swim and did not need the restroom facilities. Everything seemed clean and well maintained. The office has a store and you can get firewood there. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit.

  • PJ F.
    Aug. 21, 2022

    Sweet Briar Lake

    Uh-amazing

    Like others before me said - how is this free!? We’re traveling thru North Dakota to Montana & just needed a place to rest overnight. The very few campgrounds around were all full & it was looking like we were staying at Walmart. But thanks to this nifty app, we were introduced to this very nifty spot! It’s right off the 94. Is there a little highway noise, yes. Did it bother us? Nope. We were in a huge spot right on a lake ! The view was so peaceful & it was otherwise super quiet. In fact , there are several spots all around the lake & hardly anyone at all. This place is actually better than some campgrounds we’ve paid too much for . No hook ups , of course , but that’s what a generator is for ! So glad places like this exist.

  • Stephen C.
    Apr. 12, 2024

    Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground

    Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

    Planning a hike to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in North Dakota motivated me to learn more about the diverse landscapes and natural wonders of the U.S. national parks. It is remarkable to see the diversity of environments protected in these parks, from rugged mountains to vast deserts and dense forests. As I prepare for my outdoor adventure at Fort Abraham Lincoln, I am inspired to consider future trips to explore the beauty and biodiversity preserved in the US National Park system, which I learned more about by reading https://www.agmglobalvision.com/u-s-national-parks. Each visit promises an unforgettable experience of immersing yourself in the splendor of nature.

  • C
    Jun. 23, 2018

    Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground

    Beautiful camp site down in the wooded river bottom.

    Great sites with beautiful trees and it’s a quiet relaxing place that is pet friendly. There are also a lot of history in the area from the Lewis and Clark days!

  • K
    Jul. 22, 2019

    Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground

    Beautiful, Quiet, Historical

    This was our maiden voyage in our first camper! South loop Campsite 36 was easy to park. Our electrical and water hookups were close. Dump station was easy. We were right next to comfort station which was well maintained. Kid Park was new and close to our site. There was lots of bike and walking trails. Since you are a state park expect fees but I think it helped keep the park quiet. It is right along the river and in walking distance to the forts, museum, historic Indian village, train ride and trails. Great for families of all ages!

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 21, 2018

    Hillcrest Acres Campground

    An RV Park with a perfect tent spot and the coolest owner

    We’re putting in long miles on our way home and start looking for a place to stay. Nobody has reviewed this campground on The Dyrt. A Google search shows some mixed comments. Then we read a recent one that says there is a new owner and it’s a great place. We’re tired and this sounds promising so we stopped by. 

    The owner, Tobias, drove up as we did. He hurried over and invited us in to the office. He’s a carpenter so we got to talking about my teardrop camper. He suggested we camp in one of the tent sites. It’s fully shaded and near a field for the dog to play in. He walked all the way to the site just to show us how to back our teardrop in to the tent spot - it fit perfectly! There is a light pole with a bug zapper on it. He showed us the switch and pointed out the bathhouse. Two showers and a separate place to wash dishes. Our neighbor walked over to talk and said he is staying all summer. If we had more time we would take advantage of being so close to Bismarck. 

    The RV spots seem close together and most didn’t have much shade. People staying in them enjoy them. There was a group that got together to hang out - they kept at it all day. Tobias was telling me how many campers are repeat customers. Some are retirees and others are in the trades and others just like it here. That speaks highly of the positive vibe I felt before I even set up camp. There are a variety of sites depending on what you are looking for. Take the time to find your perfect site. Tobias said they are working to fix things up so this place should get better and better. He even asked for suggestions on things I’ve seen that make a campground better. I’m impressed by his drive to make this a welcoming place. 

    This campground demonstrates that the quality as well as the feel of a place can change. This is a great place to stop on your journey or perhaps for a longer visit.


Guide to Cannon Ball

Camping areas near Cannon Ball, North Dakota cluster around Lake Oahe, a reservoir created by the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River. The region features open prairie landscapes with summer temperatures averaging 80°F from June through August, dropping to below freezing in winter months. Camping facilities typically operate from mid-May through mid-September with water systems shutting down during colder months.

What to do

Fishing access points: Beaver Creek Recreation Area provides excellent fishing opportunities with designated shore access. According to one camper, "Lots of locals visit to fish, and seemed to be quite lucky as well with Catfish and Walleye" at this Corps of Engineers managed site.

Historical exploration: Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground offers extensive historical sites including a reconstructed Mandan village and military buildings. A visitor notes, "We walked the on a slant village, the forts overlooking the Missouri river and of course General Custer's house and the barracks. Such a neat parks with lots to do!"

Water recreation: During summer months, swimming and boating access make Hazelton Area - Lake Oahe popular. As one camper experienced, "We were in site 10. We had scenic view of the Missouri River. During the week we had the campground to ourselves."

What campers like

Seasonal solitude: Fall and early winter camping at West Pollock Recreation Area provides quiet, less crowded experiences. A regular visitor explains, "I camp here in the fall while the hunting season is in full swing and besides my camp and my brothers camp, we are the only campers in the park."

Overnight convenience: Bismarck KOA serves as an efficient stopover point with full amenities. One camper stated, "We stayed here overnight on a long journey & were very impressed with the friendly and clean environment! Nice shrubbery and trees throughout, a pool during the summer season, dog park, and playground."

Affordable riverside camping: Graner Park offers budget-friendly river access camping. A camper notes, "The site is only 3 dollars which is extremely cheap" though warns "the sites are way too close together and at night other campers will wake you up."

What you should know

Seasonal water availability: Most campgrounds shut down water systems by mid-September. At Beaver Creek, "Drinking water and showers are seasonal, so check the website if you need these to be operational."

Site selection strategy: At Graner Park, waterfront sites offer the best experience. One camper advises, "This campground is nice if you can get one of the few electric sites on the water."

Off-peak advantages: Weekday camping provides more space and quieter conditions. As noted at Kimball Bottom, "The sounds of the river were great, but ruined by the sounds of the vehicles going further south to the fishing and boat docks. About 1am is when the vehicles going by stopped until about 7am."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park excels for family camping. A visitor observed, "What a great park for families! That was my first thought. It just looks like a great place for kids to play. There's a playground, wide open spaces, easy trails, a river, and remnants of the fort and an Indian village."

Educational activities: Combine camping with learning at historic sites. "The park is a stop of the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail, which was the draw for us" notes a family that enjoyed the "reconstructed Mandan encampment, plus the home and barracks of Custer and his cavalry."

Swimming options: Finding campgrounds with pools helps during hot summer months. At Bismarck KOA, a visitor mentioned, "The pool was refreshing after a long day of driving."

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Pet friendly camping near Cannon Ball, North Dakota varies in electric service types. As one RVer at Hazelton Area reported, "Stayed in electric site for 2 nights, clean, water available, no dump station, vault toilets."

Site positioning: For campers with satellite internet needs, site selection matters. At Bismarck KOA, an RVer shared, "There are a lot of mature trees here, so that satellite could be iffy depending on the site. WiFi speed wasn't very good, but we didn't need to use it. We got 4 bars on Verizon."

Power reliability: Testing electrical connections helps prevent equipment issues. At West Pollock Recreation Area, a camper noted, "Power as you would expect, 50, 30, 15 amp service. EMS showed no faults in electrical connections."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Cannon Ball, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cannon Ball, ND is Beaver Creek with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Cannon Ball, ND?

TheDyrt.com has all 22 dog-friendly camping locations near Cannon Ball, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.