Lake Metigoshe State Park Campground and the International Peace Garden offer elevated tent platforms, concrete pads and diverse yurt camping options near Dunseith, North Dakota. The region sits within the Turtle Mountains, which despite their name are actually a plateau rising approximately 800 feet above the surrounding plains. The forests contain a mix of deciduous tree species uncommon for North Dakota, creating a microclimate that supports more moisture-dependent vegetation than surrounding prairie areas.
What to do
Explore interpretive trails: The Lake Metigoshe State Park Campground features multiple trail options with educational components. "I walked the full Old Oak interpretive trail and the pamphlet that you pick up on the way in to camp was nice to have. There is poison ivy here. There was some on my campsite and some on the interpretive trail," notes Jennie S.
Kayak interconnected waterways: The water systems at Lake Metigoshe provide excellent paddling opportunities. According to Brandi M., "This State Park is in North Dakota near the Canadian border. With a very large body of water that has many amenities from fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding."
Visit International Peace Gardens: This unique attraction sits on the US-Canada border just 30 minutes from Lake Metigoshe. A visitor to the International Peace Garden shares, "The Gardens themselves are so beautiful to explore and there are lots of picnic areas that are super pretty! The gift shop is wonderful and has a great mix of Canadian and local North Dakotan products."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The mature forest provides excellent site separation. "Mature aspen and oak trees make up the majority of the grounds and this makes each site feel super isolated and private," reports carrie H. about her stay at International Peace Garden.
Clean facilities: Multiple campers note the well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "Full hookups, clean sites and facilities—nicest public showers we have ever seen!" according to J S. from Lake Metigoshe State Park Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: The parks cater well to children with organized activities. Ason S. mentions, "Great place to stay!! Campsites were nice & taken care of! Some sites were elevated or lowered with a few stairs; kinda cool! Swim beach was a bit of a walk, but totally worth it!! Great sandy beach & nice water!! Activities set up for families/kids each weekend."
What you should know
Border crossing requirements: When camping at International Peace Garden, bring proper documentation. Teresa T. advises, "Quiet with few other campers and remember to bring ID to get back into the US."
Site variations: The campgrounds feature different styles of sites with unique characteristics. "Each site has a concrete pad (some tent sites have wooden platforms) so leveling is super easy!" notes carrie H. about the International Peace Garden.
Seasonal considerations: The experimental forest has significant seasonal challenges. Emily from Denbigh Experimental Forest Dispersed warns, "To say that we became infested with ticks is damn near an understatement. If ticks bother you I do not recommend coming to this spot. I am not sure when tick season ends but if you are going to go go in the ticks are dead."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: The lakes provide excellent recreation for children. Nikki M. shares, "A great place for getting in or on the water. Swimming next to campsites, boat launch site even closer. The playground is located next to picnic and bbq areas, all near the water and restrooms close by."
Geocaching opportunities: This activity combines hiking with treasure hunting. One visitor notes, "Went fishing, swimming, explored the hiking and bike trails and did some geocaching. The International Peace Garden is about a half hour drive and that was beautiful as well."
Bicycle-friendly environment: The parks offer excellent cycling options for all ages. According to Mishawn M. at International Peace Garden, "Many campsites, surrounded by trees. Stayed for two nights and didn't even see everything at the park. Brought kayaks Into the pond/lakes in the gardens. Wish we had brought bikes."
Tips from RVers
Leveling ease: The concrete pads make setup straightforward. "Each site has a concrete pad so leveling is super easy!" mentions a reviewer about the yurt camping areas near Dunseith.
Navigation challenges: Finding the campgrounds can be tricky. One camper advises, "Signage isn't super clear when coming into the park to find the campgrounds: it's verrrrry far away and will make you question if you took the right road or not."
Site sizing: The campgrounds offer varied site dimensions. According to Elizabeth S., "The sites are huge, the bathrooms are clean, there is a ton of firewood available, and it is not crowded. If you are in the area, this is a must visit!!!"
