Tent campsites near Cannon Ball, North Dakota exist primarily along the Missouri River reservoir system known as Lake Oahe. This region sits approximately 1,600 feet above sea level with terrain consisting of mixed-grass prairie and river valleys. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 85°F with limited natural shade, while spring and fall camping offers more moderate conditions but increased wind exposure.
What to do
Fishing expeditions: Langeliers Bay accommodates tent campers seeking prime fishing locations along Lake Oahe. According to Jesse S., "Stayed 1 night on a fishing trip. We had fun caught a couple fish. It's not for everyone small and only off grid tent camping."
Sunset viewing: McKenzie Slough State Game Management Area provides open terrain ideal for sunset observation. Jeffrey H. notes, "We stopped here to spend the night and worked well for us. Very quiet spot and saw a beautiful sunset. The gravel road is dusty and a little bumpy, but the spot is nice."
Bar entertainment: Cattail Bay Recreation Area offers more than just camping with a local establishment providing evening activities. Shaeli E. reports, "Small town community shows through with their hospitality. Lots of fishing spots! There is a bar/restaurant as well! They tend to have live music pretty often in the summer."
What campers like
Convenient highway access: Sweet Briar Lake Campsites offers tent camping with easy interstate accessibility. Kate H. states, "This was a nice surprise right off 94! There are a bunch of sites, not super great signage so I wasn't sure I was in the right place at first, but just follow the map."
Privacy between sites: Sweet Briar Lake provides separated camping areas that create private camping experiences. Kate adds, "It was dark so I just drove down a few roads before I found a whole unoccupied area with a picnic table, fire pit, lovely shade and totally quiet and dark."
Limited crowds: McKenzie Slough remains relatively uncrowded outside hunting seasons. Tiffany L. mentions, "It's a pretty flat square parking lot that does the trick for a quick stop to rest. It was quiet and no one was there but I imagine it may get busier during hunting season as hunting is allowed there."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most tent campgrounds near Cannon Ball require self-sufficiency regarding water and waste. McKenzie Slough has a "very small spot. Maybe room for 4 RVs next to a very dusty gravel road," according to Rick A.
Road conditions: Access to many campgrounds requires navigating unpaved roads. Tiffany L. notes about McKenzie Slough, "It's about 2 miles off the highway and about a mile down gravel road."
Space limitations: Several camping areas have restricted capacity for tents and vehicles. Rick A. describes McKenzie Slough as having "very small spaces" with room for only a few vehicles.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly areas: Several tent sites permit pets, allowing families to bring dogs. At Sweet Briar Lake Campsites, Kate H. found it "safe for the dog to run around, nice paths to go for my own run in the morning."
Noise considerations: Proximity to highways may create ambient noise at some locations. Kate H. mentions Sweet Briar has "a bit of freeway noise from 94 not far away was all."
Morning activities: Some camping areas offer recreational paths for morning exercise. Kate H. notes Sweet Briar has "nice paths to go for my own run in the morning. This is a gem if you're looking for a sweet place to stop on a road trip in this area."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Larger recreational vehicles face limitations at some tent camping areas. Tiffany L. cautions about McKenzie Slough: "Bigger rigs may have a harder time parking there."
Parking surface quality: RV campers should note that many sites have uneven or unpaved parking areas. The gravel lots at McKenzie Slough are described as "dusty and a little bumpy" by Jeffrey H.
Site selection: RVers should arrive early to secure suitable parking at locations with limited developed sites. Saleana S. describes camping at Sweet Briar Lake as "Free camping. Pick your own spot, whatever is open."
