Lewis & Clark State Park provides camping and glamping facilities on the shores of Lake Sakakawea. Located in western North Dakota, the area features badlands topography with rolling hills, prairie grasslands, and access to the 178-mile long reservoir. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during peak season, with cooler nights dropping into the 50s even in midsummer. The campground operates from May through September with extended water recreation in July and August.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Sakakawea offers multiple fishing locations at Lewis & Clark State Park where visitors target walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. "Fishing is awesome out there. Usually a pretty busy place, so if you are looking for seclusion you won't find it here," notes Kori P.
Water activities: Rent kayaks at Beulah Bay Rec Area for paddling along the shoreline. "Boating, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding. Cabins, primitive campsites with great views and Full hook up RV sites," shares Brandi M. Water shoes are recommended due to rocky shorelines.
Evening programs: Attend ranger-led educational presentations at the park amphitheater during summer weekends. Matt B. reports, "There is a theater area with educational presentations for the kids. Also, there is an ice cream truck that comes through the campground at night."
Recreation facilities: Participate in outdoor sports using the campground's frisbee golf course, basketball court, and volleyball areas. "Lots of family activities like horseshoes, basketball court, frisbee golf, and volleyball. Kayak rentals are available as well!" notes a visitor to Beulah Bay.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campsites at Lewis & Clark State Park provide ample room between neighbors with partial shade. "We also had plenty of space in our campsites and the area is super clean," reports Amurican L.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours provide opportunities to spot deer, foxes, and various bird species along the shoreline. "The trails and the beach were quite exciting as the nights that were clear had the Aurora borealis in the background. So beautiful," explains one camper.
Security presence: Killdeer City Park and other area campgrounds maintain regular safety patrols. "As soon as we got settled in the Park rangers checked on us. They did patrols all the time around and were super friendly! We had one storm while we were there and they gave us the emergency plan as fast as they could," shares Amurican L.
Boat launch access: Multiple concrete boat ramps provide easy lake access for watercraft. "We always drop in our boat here. There are 2 good size lanes so a horrible backup person like myself has no problem!" explains Jackie R.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Prepare for temperature extremes when glamping near New Town, North Dakota. "We were lucky as we camped here in late August 2018, the week prior they had record highs of 109! We had our choice of tent sites, and were right on lake front," reports Deborah C.
Campground amenities: Most sites include water and electrical hookups with modern facilities. "Sites were nice with water and electric hookups. Decently spread out," notes Leslie B., though she mentions inconsistent access to firewood sales through camp hosts.
Insect preparation: Pack insect repellent for summer stays, especially near water. "Lots of bugs and flies, but we managed!" explains one camper about their late summer experience at the lake.
Seasonal operation: Most facilities close by mid-September. Beulah Bay operates from "May 11 - Sep 16" according to their seasonal information, with peak usage during July and August weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lewis & Clark State Park maintains child-friendly play areas near camping loops. "Nice campground, with restrooms/showers, playground, amphitheater, picnic tables. Pull through sites, tents sites, cabins. Close access to Lake Sakakawea, within walking distance," reports Jodi P.
Pet-friendly options: Several campgrounds welcome dogs with designated swimming areas. "It's a great place to brings the dogs. There are plenty of trails and the dogs love swimming in the lake," writes Matt B.
Evening entertainment: Watch for the ice cream truck that regularly visits campgrounds during summer evenings, providing treats after a day of activities. Regular ranger programs offer educational content appropriate for school-age children.
Safety protocols: Staff provide clear emergency procedures for weather events. "We had one storm while we were there and they gave us the emergency plan as fast as they could. Most campgrounds could care less, they assume you know the deal," notes one appreciative visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request sites with afternoon shade for summer camping to reduce air conditioning usage. "The campground has a few trees for privacy but mostly open," notes one camper about the general layout.
Utility hookups: Fill fresh water tanks before arriving at some campgrounds despite water hookups being advertised. "Fill up your fresh tank at the dump station before going to your site because there are very few accessible spigots near the camp sites," advises Bran P.
Cleaning facilities: Utilize the fish cleaning stations when returning from lake excursions. "Fishing cleaning station, playground, basketball, volleyball, frisbee golf, horse shoes, on site store for ice, food and wood(WiFi at the store) Bathrooms and showers," lists Brandi M. among available amenities.
