Do you love the outdoors and horses? If you're looking for a rustic but comfortable experience, horse camping in Dunseith is the way to go. Camping with your horse in Dunseith just got easier. Search nearby equestrian campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Located about 26 miles northwest of Dunseith, and sharing a border with Canada, Lake Metigoshe is North Dakota’s largest state park. Encompassing an area of more than 1,500 acres in the Turtle Mountains, the park was established in 1938 as a year-round retreat. Prior to settlers arriving in the area, this forest and lake country was home to indigenous Blackfoot, Hidatsa and Assiniboine peoples. The name Metigoshe is derived from a native phrase translated “clearwater lake of scrub-oaks.” While the park contains numerous lakes, which can be explored by foot or paddle, most of the facilities and activities can be enjoyed on or near the shores of Lake Metigoshe. Summer activities include fishing, boating, paddling, swimming and hiking; winter activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding.
Lake Metigoshe State Park offers numerous tent and RV camping areas, including the Washegum and Maid O’ Moonshine campgrounds, as well as several primitive camping areas. The wooded campgrounds feature more than 80 pull-through and back-in sites with electricity and water hookups. Some of these sites are ADA accessible. These campgrounds provide water, flush toilets, and showers; a dump station is located between the two sites. The primitive tent areas are dispersed near the shore of Lake Metigoshe, and feature 40 drive-in and walk-in sites. These areas provide vault toilets only. The park also offers three group campsites, two group dorms, and several cabins. Other amenities in the park include an Outdoor Learning Center, kids’ playgrounds, amphitheater, dog park, and picnic shelters. Campsites are $17–25/night; group sites are $25/night; cabins and dorms range from $60–$125/night.
There are plenty of things to see and do during a camping vacation at Lake Metigoshe. Summer months offer plenty of water activities: catch some rays or take a dip at the park’s swim beach, fish for bass, crappie, walleye and perch, or rent a kayak or canoe and go for a paddle. Try the park’s 2-mile water trail that links four lakes togethers (some portages required). For exploring the woods and wetlands by foot, there are 15 miles of multi-use trails available for hikers and mountain bikers. Pick up an interpretive brochure to learn about the park’s flora and fauna on the 3-mile Old Oak Trail, or head out on any of the other paths to look for moose, deer, pine martens and grouse. Many of these trails are open in winter months for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. There is also a 3.7-mile snowmobile trail. Trail maps are available at the park’s visitor center.
You are welcome to camp anywhere on the Denbigh Experimental Forest, except at designated trailheads. There are no designated campgrounds.
When camping with horses, please remember the PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT rule which refers to cleaning up after your horse(s) as well. Also remember that feed and straw must be certified as being free of noxious weed seed and stock cannot be tied to trees.
ScoutBest part is it’s free, there isn’t much traffic, plenty of room. Pets allowed. Someone might be here to greet you, but probably not.
Legend
Wow, am I glad I didn't plan to stay. This park camping is packed crazy tight. The park is well maintained but you are sharing a sit with everyone basically. Great looking trails and maybe a good fall sort of place to go.
TravelerCamped here for Memorial Day weekend. It's a beautiful park and lots of families seem to enjoy it. This was a very busy weekend to camp here, and the campsites are all pretty close together without much in the way of barriers between campsites, particularly in the South and North Hill areas. We didn't realize this, and we ended up being in the middle of a bunch of people who like to play music and hang out with friends and family. If that's the vibe you're going for, this is the place for you. If you are looking for something more peaceful, I'd suggest finding somewhere else to camp.
TravelerThe backup campsites are tight. But once setup it feels very private. The bathroom are decent. Great swimming lake.
TravelerWe LOVE camping here! The North Hill campground is small, quiet, and perfect proximity to the water. Site 103 has good trees for 1 hammock. Toilet facilities are nice and clean. There is a great playground, and a great dog area! Our only complaint is the mosquitos, which are pretty unavoidable. Bring a great bug spray and your kayak and you’ll be set for an amazing camping trip!
GuideStayed at Washegum campground overnight and although the camping spots were very close together there's a lot of vegetation and trees separating the lots. Beautiful playground right behind us, and an amphitheater as well. There's multiple hiking trails, a dog park, swimming area, and picnic areas as well! Very kid and dog friendly, we will definitely be visiting again.
ScoutLake metigoshe is a great campground I've been here five or six times never had any problems park rangers are very friendly only downside not a good lake to fish
ScoutThe area is very pretty. Not bad lake views. A lot of the campsites are very close together, so we ended up getting another site at this park.
TravelerSpent a day and a half walking every trail available in the park. All of them were well marked and well maintained. The terrain in easygoing with great views of all the little lakes and occasionally some wildlife. It was a great trip and am glad I went in September when all the leaves are changing colors!
GuideWe got there at dark, staff was super helpful with the park pass and buying wood. We camped in the North Star primitive sites, water spigot available, vault toilet not to far. We really enjoyed riding bikes on all the trails, only one we didnt get to ride was the Deer loop. Looking forward to returning to do some canoeing/kayaking , looks like there's a good loop set up with portages.
GuideI’m a tent camper. I stopped here for one night while taking the high line on a road trip. The drive in is hilly and has spectacular views. It is well worth the few extra miles. The camp is clean. It is very family oriented. There were many tent campers. I was in the Washgum Loop on campsite #66 and the interpretive trail and and a nice area to view the lake was right next to my campsite. If you had your own kayak you could definitely drop in from here. The park service personnel were exceptionally, happy, informative and kind. 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.
RangerGreat 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. Nice playground between loops too.
RangerThis 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. There are bike & canoe/kayak rentals right outside the park and a couple different campgrounds to choose from inside the park, ours was just a few feet from the lake and fishing dock. Depending on which campground you choose you will either have a vault toilet or a more convenient bathroom with toilets & showers! Staff was very nice and accommodating. There was even an Ice cream truck that rolled thru everyday for the kiddos!
TravelerDid not disappoint in anyway. Camp sites are close but had trees and natural grasses so it feels like you are in your own private woods. Well kept hicking trails, beautiful lake with docks and nice beach. Offered kyak rentals, water and electric sites. A must see.
ScoutReally enjoyed this state park. Lots of wildlife. Full hookups, clean sites and facilities—nicest public showers we have ever seen! 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.
TravelerAbsolutely beautiful, wooded campground . Many hiking trails! International peace gardens a stones throw away .
GuideI stayed in the cabins here and they were very nice! All the staff I’ve met were happy and energetic. Canoe or kayaking in the area is a must and keep your eye out for the wildlife around you in the water. The interpretive learning center is really neat also.
ScoutA 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. Fishing docks are plentiful.
brought my kids and my dogs for a great time and wasn’t disappointed.
ScoutWe love going to Lake Metigoshe State Park!The park has lots of trees for shade and it’s just a beautiful area.
ScoutThis campground tucked away in the turtle mountains next to Lake Metigoshie is definitely worth the visit! The campground is located in a state park so rules do apply. Tents, rvs, cars are are easy to maneuver in and out with a pump station located in the park. The 4 season playground is home to a ski park near by with a brand new chalet and updated runs with a terrain park( depending on snow conditions) public beach access, hiking trails, snowmobile trails, and the International Peace Gardens located not to far away either! I recommend camping in the fall with tree colors! WOW!
GuideSadly we found lots of trash left behing here from what looks like local dumpers. Sad, kinda put a black cloud over our visit
TravelerPark was nice and they kept the facilities clean. We went to go fishing and the water was very busy with recreational boats. There is also some crazy weeds in the water. We caught 4 good sized bluegill to eat. The shoreline is packed with houses other than where the park was. We were in a tent campground and a camper came and parked and ran a generator for hours.
North Dakota offers some fantastic options for horse camping, allowing equestrians to enjoy the great outdoors alongside their trusty steeds. Here are some top spots to consider for your next adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Dunseith, ND?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Dunseith, ND is Lake Metigoshe State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 21 reviews.
