Tent camping options near Powers Lake, North Dakota include two established campgrounds within a 50-mile radius. Wildrose City Park Campground in Wildrose and Divide County Noonan Lions Campground in Noonan provide basic tent camping facilities for visitors exploring the northern plains region. Both campgrounds are classified as established tent camping areas but offer limited amenities compared to larger state park facilities found elsewhere in North Dakota.
Campers should be prepared for self-sufficient tent camping when visiting these sites. Neither Wildrose City Park nor Noonan Lions Campground provides drinking water, electrical hookups, or restroom facilities according to available information. Most tent sites consist of unimproved surfaces with minimal site development. The Noonan Lions Campground operates seasonally from May to October, making it unavailable during colder months when North Dakota experiences harsh winter conditions. Permits are not required for either location, but both areas are not designated as free camping.
Sites in this rural region offer authentic plains camping experiences with fewer crowds than popular recreation areas. The tent-only accommodation type ensures that these campgrounds maintain a quieter atmosphere without large RVs or motorhomes. While specific trail access information is limited, the campgrounds serve as functional bases for exploring the surrounding terrain and nearby communities. The relative proximity to Powers Lake provides tent campers with additional services like grocery stores and fuel when needed. Neither campground allows fires, pets, or alcohol consumption, requiring visitors to plan accordingly for their stay.
TravelerNice campground, with restrooms/showers, playground, amphitheater, picnic tables. Pull through sites, tents sites, cabins. Close access to Lake Sakakawea, within walking distance.
ScoutThere is a small convenience store and bar, basketball courts, boat ramp, fishing docks, and walking paths. Animals welcome on leash
TravelerOverall, we enjoyed this campground. It’s small and well kept. Has a cute little Marina. The toilet facilities were kept in good, clean condition. (Bring your own toilet paper tho, they run out quick). The only thing keeping me from giving 5 stars is our electricity box at our site was completely unusable, so we couldn’t cook at all as there was also a fire ban in effect so we couldn’t make a fire either. :)
GuideLewis 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! 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. I commend the staff at this place, it’s what true North Dakota’s do for each other.
We also had plenty of space in our campsites and the area is super clean. The trails and the beach were quite exciting as the nights that were clear had the Aurora borealis in the background. So beautiful.
ScoutSuch a nice camping spot. Clean and tidy, on a beautiful pond with lots of rec opportunities. Playground with basketball court; clean vault toilets; electric available at each site. Best part... $5 per night, $10 if you want electric.
Half hour from Portal border crossing.
RangerMouse River Park is a large RV park nestled between the trees and alongside the Mouse River(Souris River). There are many sites but most seam to be seasonal from local people who come here on weekends. So, there are limited sites for people looking to spend a few nights and move on. Darrell is the caretaker and a great guy. Call him before you come and he will reserve you an available site. $15.00 a night with water/30amp power but there is no sewer hook ups. They have community restrooms and showers. Mouse River is a beautiful place and is surrounded by a National Wildlife Refuge!
GuideThis is hot spot for the area. While it has some pros there is a huge con
Pros: Great Lake with best fishing you can get Activities such as swimming, trails, basket ball, geocaching and lots of activities put on by the park Cabin rentals Swimming beach Small craft rentals such SUP 2 playgrounds Dock/ boat launch/ boat storage
Cons: There is absolutely no space or privacy. Expect to be feet away from your neighbor.
Very few trees except for the older lane nearer the lake. The newer loop has no trees, shelter or shade. Prepare the bake.
People books spots for week and months. Getting a “good” space is pretty dismal.
There a few trees in the older part
TravelerThis campground has a little of everything. Playgrounds, boat landing, grocery store and restaurant, fishing, cabins, showers, allows insured atv and utv's, bait. There is electric hookups, but no water hookups. We always have fun here!
GuidePicked a site online from the website. Looked like a nice long back in by the lake. Turns out it had a big hump in the middle of it and the power was on the wrong side a to far away to reach. Went up the hill and found a place to park in site three while the guy I called checked to see if it was reserved . Luckily it wasn’t so I was able to set up and get the air going Other thing to mention is I’m in a 28 foot travel trailer. The road in if you can call it that was pretty worn out. First part was bumpy and patched tar. The rest was gravel so had to go slow It’s a bare bones park that doesn’t see much attention. But if you wanna be alone, this will work. Only three of us here. Bugs are a bit of a problem here as everywhere this time of year. Little no see ‘ems are the worst. Just a few Skeeters. I’m told there’s a dump station, but haven’t looked at it yet. Was looking for a quiet place to wait out the heat for a few days that had power. So it works for that. And I’m beholding to Jeremy at the office in town for helping with the reservation switch. I would suggest you come here first before picking a site. The ones on the loop on the hill are more level.
Tent campsites near Powers Lake, North Dakota exist in a region characterized by open prairie landscape with elevations averaging 2,100 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during peak camping months, while spring and fall bring significant temperature variations. The rural setting offers stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution, though campers should prepare for wind exposure common to northern plains environments.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Both campgrounds provide access to native prairie wildlife including white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, and numerous bird species. Wildrose City Park Campground offers proximity to small wetland areas where migratory birds can be spotted during spring and fall seasons.
Lake exploration: Powers Lake Reservoir, located approximately 30 miles from Divide County Noonan Lions Campground, provides fishing opportunities for northern pike, walleye, and perch. A North Dakota fishing license is required, available for $15 daily or $45 annually for non-residents.
Local events: The communities surrounding tent camping areas host seasonal agricultural festivals and county fairs during summer months. Check with the Divide County tourism office for event schedules prior to planning your trip, as these events can affect campground availability.
Night sky views: The minimal development and distance from urban centers creates exceptional stargazing conditions. At Wildrose City Park Campground, the lack of artificial lighting enhances astronomical observation opportunities during clear nights.
Solitude and quiet: The remote nature of camping near Powers Lake means fewer visitors compared to more developed camping destinations. Campers appreciate the peaceful environment for tent camping without crowds or noise disturbances.
Prairie landscapes: The surrounding terrain offers opportunities to experience native grassland ecosystems. Morning and evening hours provide the best lighting conditions for photography of the rolling prairie landscape and seasonal wildflowers.
Weather preparedness: North Dakota's northern plains experience rapid weather changes, particularly during spring and fall. Tent campers should bring equipment rated for temperatures 10-15 degrees below forecasted lows and secure tent stakes appropriate for high winds.
Services availability: The nearest reliable cellular service is often limited to town centers. The closest full-service grocery stores and medical facilities are located in Stanley (approximately 36 miles from Powers Lake), requiring advance planning for supplies.
Water supply requirements: Due to the absence of drinking water at these tent camping locations, visitors must bring 1-2 gallons per person per day. During summer months, the dry climate increases water consumption needs substantially.
Educational opportunities: The area provides hands-on learning about prairie ecosystems and agricultural heritage. Consider bringing field guides for identifying native plants and wildlife common to northern North Dakota.
Shade considerations: Both campgrounds have limited natural shade. When camping with children at Noonan Lions Campground during summer months, bring portable shade structures and schedule outdoor activities during morning or evening hours to avoid midday heat.
Alternative accommodations: Families with young children should consider backup accommodation options in Wildrose or Noonan during severe weather. The basic nature of these tent sites provides minimal shelter during thunderstorms or extended rain periods.
Site accessibility: While these campgrounds primarily accommodate tent camping, small camper vans under 20 feet may access certain areas during dry conditions. Check with local authorities about ground conditions before attempting access with any vehicle beyond standard passenger cars.
Generator restrictions: Neither campground permits generator use, requiring self-contained power solutions for any electrical needs. Solar charging options are effective during summer months when the region receives 15+ hours of daylight.
Seasonal considerations: The camping season effectively ends by early October when nighttime temperatures regularly drop below freezing. Early season camping in May can experience similar cold conditions with occasional late snowfall affecting site accessibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Powers Lake, ND?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Powers Lake, ND is Wildrose City Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.
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