Campsites near Keene, North Dakota typically remain open from early May through late September, with overnight temperatures dropping to the 40s even during summer months. The area sits at approximately 2,100 feet elevation and experiences dramatic water level fluctuations on Lake Sakakawea that can affect boat launch access. Campgrounds in this region offer varying levels of service during shoulder seasons, with many facilities shutting down water systems after the first frost.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Sakakawea near Lewis & Clark State Park provides excellent fishing grounds. "This is one of our favorite places to camp because fishing is awesome out there. Usually a pretty busy place, so if you are looking for seclusion you won't find it here," notes a camper who enjoys tent camping at the park.
Wildlife viewing: Head to Juniper Campground for potential bison encounters. "While we were camped here, 2 small herds of bison grazed through the camp," reports one visitor. The campground has 50 primitive sites available on a first-come, first-served basis, making it ideal for spotting wildlife.
Stargazing: Clear night skies create optimal viewing conditions at many campgrounds. "Be sure to look up at night…the stars are amazing! I saw three shooting stars and you could clearly see the Milky Way and everything!" shared one Juniper Campground visitor. The lack of light pollution at many of these remote sites creates ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
What campers like
Campground patrols: Consistent security provides peace of mind. At Lewis & Clark State Park, "Rangers! Park Rangers Everywhere! Lewis and Clark didn't seem like much, but as soon as we got settled in the Park rangers checked on us. They did patrols all the time around and were super friendly!" One visitor appreciated the thorough safety measures, noting "We had one storm while we were there and they gave us the emergency plan as fast as they could."
Multi-use trails: Several sites offer connectivity to regional trail systems. The CCC Campground provides direct access to hiking opportunities. "The views from the campsite were beautiful and there's an access to the Maah Daah Hey trail from the campground," states one reviewer who appreciated the trail connection.
Educational opportunities: Many campgrounds offer organized learning activities. At Lewis & Clark State Park, "There is a theater area with educational presentations for the kids," mentions one camper. Similarly, at Juniper Campground, a visitor noted their "kids especially enjoyed the ranger presentation on prairie dogs."
What you should know
Weather extremes: Temperature fluctuations can be dramatic. The region experiences wide seasonal and day-to-day temperature swings. "October can be cold! It got down below freezing in the first week of October," warns a camper at CCC Campground.
Time zone confusion: Be aware of potential time changes. At Juniper Campground, one visitor discovered an unexpected challenge: "Funny tidbit, the campground is on the border of the time zone border, so my devices would change times and I thought there was a problem, took me a while to figure it out."
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds have mineral-heavy water. "The only drinking water is at the bathroom and not meant to fill your RV with so don't come here expecting to be able to fill your RV with safe water. The other spigots marked as unsafe have really high fluoride content and feels like slime," reports one Juniper Campground visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Educational programs: Take advantage of scheduled ranger activities. "The park rangers here were awesome and so helpful," notes a visitor at Juniper Campground. Many sites offer educational programming specifically designed for younger campers.
Playground access: Tobacco Garden Rec Area has family-friendly amenities. "This campground has a little of everything. Playgrounds, boat landing, grocery store and restaurant, fishing, cabins, showers, allows insured atv and utv's, bait," shares one reviewer. The diversity of facilities makes it suitable for families with various interests.
Ice cream treats: Watch for evening vendors at some campgrounds. "There is an ice cream truck that comes through the campground at night," mentions a Lewis & Clark State Park visitor, highlighting an unexpected treat that children might enjoy after a day of outdoor activities.
Tips from RVers
Limited water fill stations: Plan accordingly for longer stays. At Little Missouri State Park, visitors should note the availability of "electrical hookups, water, horse corrals vault toilets and pay showers." However, access points for filling RV tanks may be limited.
Site size considerations: Research campground layouts before arrival. "When this place was built, they never envisioned large rigs. So if you have one over 30 feet, just be aware you might have to wiggle your way into a site," advises an RVer at Juniper Campground. Some older campgrounds have space limitations for larger modern vehicles.
Utility availability: Electric service varies between campgrounds. At Watford City Tourist Park, expect "$35 a night electric only, a $5 dollar dump fee and no potable water," according to one camper who found these limitations made it "not worth the cost" for their needs.
