The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Camping near Sakakawea Lake

137 Reviews

Sakakawea Lake in North Dakota features several established campgrounds offering varied experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. The area includes popular spots like Mountrail County Parshall Bay Recreation Area and Indian Hills State Recreation Area, providing options for tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and even cabin rentals. Van Hook Area and McKenzie Bay Recreation Area offer additional camping areas with lake access, making Sakakawea Lake a hub for water recreation. Most campgrounds have basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire pits, drinking water, and restroom facilities, while some provide additional conveniences like showers, dump stations, and electric hookups.

Camping is typically available from mid-May through mid-September, though exact opening dates vary by location. Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis rather than taking reservations, which can present challenges for weekend planning. The limited reservation options often mean arriving early to secure a spot, particularly at popular locations. Summer temperatures can be warm, making waterfront sites especially desirable. Winter camping is generally not available as facilities close during the off-season. As one visitor noted, "This is a great little camping area with lots of places to camp. Unfortunately none have water hookups but most have electric. The beach is awesome for the little kids because it's very shallow very for quite a ways out."

Campers consistently praise the fishing opportunities throughout the lake region. Indian Hills Resort receives positive mentions for its excellent fishing access, with one reviewer commenting that "the fishing is excellent on sakakawea." Several sites offer boat launches, fish cleaning stations, and proximity to bait shops, making the area particularly attractive to anglers. Family-friendly amenities can be found at several campgrounds, including playgrounds and swimming areas with shallow water entry points. The surrounding landscape offers limited shade in some areas, with reviewers noting that many campsites have few trees. While most campgrounds provide basic amenities, visitors appreciate the friendly staff and beautiful lake views, with Parshall Bay Recreation Area described as "a beautiful place to camp" with "many accommodations for all types of camping/RVing."

Map showing campgrounds near Sakakawea Lake, North DakotaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Sakakawea Lake (56)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 56 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Sakakawea Lake Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Sakakawea Lake

36 Photos of 56 Sakakawea Lake Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Sakakawea Lake

137 Reviews of 56 Sakakawea Lake Campgrounds

  • Cable A.
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Lake Sakakawea State Park Campground

    Very large and busy, good experience.

    Nice state park campground. Large camp sites and most amenities available. Good views and multiple lake access points. Come with all of your supplies, there is a small town but everything will cost you double.

  • Cable A.
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Fantastic campground

    Great experience at this campground. Toilets, water, trash/recycling. Park Rangers provide educational classes from Thursday-Sunday evenings. Stunning views and wildlife experiences. Not a good park for walking dogs.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Small Campground but Simple

    This campground is in the north unit of the park. It has 50 primitive sites available on first come first serve basis. We were here on Labor Day weekend and campground was full for the first time in 2 years. Pads are asphalt and smallish. There are public washrooms, but no showers. There is a dump station, but no potable water for RV tanks. Drinking water is available at the wash house . The drinking of the water at the fill station is discouraged due to high levels of fluoride. While we were camped here, 2 small herds of bison grazed through the camp.

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    If it was reservable, it would be 3 stars

    The absolute anxiety of getting here and not knowing whether we'd be able to get a spot or not is off the charts. We got here at about 1pm on a Sunday thinking there shouldn't be a problem, yet there were probably only about 4 spots left and only 1 we could fit in. A lot of spots already had tags on them but not one bit of equipment set in place. Assuming it was someone that came in much earlier just to tag a spot...that needs to be addressed. There's quite a few "drinking water" spigots marked on the map but when you get to them there is a sign with a drinking glass and a red slash through it. The only drinking water is at the bathroom and not meant to fill your rv with so dont 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. But we were told its safe to shower in. Im sorry but I dont trust that at all. If you shouldn't drink it bc of the high fluoride then you shouldn't shower in it. You'll just absorb it through your skin. We're in spot 30 and its pretty spacious but not private at all. Most spots really have no privacy at all. So if that's what you're looking for then look else where. We got barked at by the neighbors' dogs every time we walked out. Very pretty setting but in my opinion its way too crowded. Also not sure if its just the area or time of year but there's just billions of flies all over all the time. Makes being outside miserable. Also my husband got stung by a yellow jacket. I think there's a nest in the picnic table. The grill was full of charcoals and a chunk of burnt wood. It just seems like the sites are not ever checked or taken care of. The only work I've seen done is trash collection. There's an rv dump at least but not sure what much you'll need to dump since there's only one spigot at the bathroom you can fill a jug at.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Ccc Campground (Nd) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

    Great Inexpensive Campground

    This campground is only about 1/4 mile from the entrance to the North Unit of Theodore Rosevelt National Park. There are plenty of pit toilets, potable water, and electric. The views from the park are amazing! Sites are big and each has a picnic table, fire pit, and grill. The road in (1 mile) is well maintained. Highly recommend!!

  • Emma A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Summit Campground

    Small free camping trailhead

    This is a pretty spot with 3 boondocking sights with picnic tables, 2 have canopies over them. Parking for hiking. One spot that is a loop turn around. I have a 2500 crew cab and 21' trailer parked without a problem. Could accommodate a little bigger trailer.

    There is steady road noise from I-85. A fair amount of large trucks passing most of the time.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Summit Campground

    Summit Campground

    Free camp spot with just a few sites and a vault toilet. Near the main road, so quite a bit of road noise and late arrivals/passersby. Okay cell service, but great with a booster. Hiking trail nearby to stretch the legs or exercise the dog.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Watford City Tourist Park

    Camp within the City

    This little spot is within the town of Watford City… ambitiously named

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Lewis & Clark State Park — Lewis And Clark State Park

    Nice park, but ..

    Sites were nice with water and electric hookups. Decently spread out. Unfortunately, camp hosts were ghosts. Supposedly 4 hosts. Walked by 2 of them and they were off duty. I was too tired to locate the others. Ranger at check in said the host(s) would come by to sell firewood. Never saw one. No campfire 😞.

Guide to Sakakawea Lake

Camping near Sakakawea Lake, North Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax by the water, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the area. At the Little Missouri State Park Campground, one camper mentioned, "We were surrounded by miles of hiking... the views were gorgeous." This park is a great spot for those who love to hit the trails.
  • Fishing: Head to Lake Sakakawea State Park Campground for some fishing. A visitor shared, "I had a very clear view of the water... the place was very clean." The lake is known for its fishing opportunities, making it a perfect spot for anglers.
  • Boating: If you have a boat, Fort Stevenson State Park Campground is ideal. One reviewer said, "Surrounded all the way around by Lake Sakakawea, it makes a great spot for boating." Enjoy the water and the scenic views.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Lewis & Clark State Park, a visitor noted, "The facilities are very clean... the roads (all paved) and RV pads (most gravel) are very nice."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campers enjoy the roomy sites. A review for Lake Sakakawea State Park Campground mentioned, "Huge, well spaced campsites... the park was busy, hardly any vacant spots but still very quiet."
  • Natural Beauty: The stunning views are a big draw. One camper at CCC Campground (ND) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands said, "The views are just awesome. 360 deg. Large sites spaced far apart."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like CCC Campground, have fewer amenities. A camper mentioned, "There’s no shade so it can get hot and you can see every other campsite but it’s still really awesome!"
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. At Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park, one camper shared, "There were plenty of first come first serve sites... until a herd of bison came through haha."
  • Weather Variability: The weather can change quickly. A visitor at COE Lake Sakakawea Downstream Campground noted, "The primitive camping area was very dry after a downpour... beautiful sunset each night."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds. At Fort Stevenson State Park Campground, a reviewer mentioned, "There is a fun play area for the kids and an amazing hiking trail around the entire state park."
  • Safety First: Always supervise kids near water. A camper at Lake Sakakawea State Park Campground said, "The beach is super sandy... great for kids!"
  • Plan for Meals: Some sites may not have cooking facilities. A visitor at Lewis & Clark State Park noted, "The only thing keeping me from giving 5 stars is our electricity box at our site was completely unusable."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Roughrider RV Resort mentioned, "We couldn’t maneuver the rig to get our black tank connectors more in the center."
  • Use Dump Stations Wisely: Some campgrounds may have limited dumping options. A visitor at COE Lake Sakakawea Downstream Campground said, "Potable water is available at the dump site on the way in to the campground."
  • Stay Connected: Check for cell service. A camper at Juniper Campground noted, "We did not have cell reception but so travel with Starlink."

Camping near Sakakawea Lake, North Dakota, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're in a tent or an RV. With beautiful parks and plenty of activities, it’s a perfect getaway for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available on Lake Sakakawea?

Lake Sakakawea offers several excellent camping options around its shores. Lake Sakakawea State Park Campground is one of the most popular choices, featuring spacious, well-maintained sites with beautiful views of the water. Lewis & Clark State Park provides easy lake access within walking distance and offers various accommodation options including pull-through sites, tent sites, and cabins. Additional options include Indian Hills Resort, Parshall Bay Recreation Area, Van Hook Area, McKenzie Bay Recreation Area, and the COE Lake Sakakawea Downstream Campground. Many sites require reservations during peak season, so planning ahead is recommended.

What amenities are offered at Lake Sakakawea campgrounds?

Lake Sakakawea campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities. COE Lake Sakakawea Downstream Campground provides primitive sites with pit toilets and beautiful river access via sandy paths. 4 Bears RV Park offers full hookups for RVs and is within walking distance to the casino. Other campgrounds around the lake typically include picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water, and toilet facilities. Many also feature boat ramps, fishing areas, and swimming beaches. The more developed sites like Indian Hills Resort provide showers, electrical hookups, and dump stations. Playground equipment, amphitheaters, and hiking trails are available at several locations, particularly the state parks.

When is the best time to camp at Lake Sakakawea?

The optimal camping season at Lake Sakakawea runs from late spring through early fall. Fort Stevenson State Park Campground and other lake campgrounds are busiest from Memorial Day through Labor Day when temperatures are ideal for water activities. Summer brings warm days perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing, with daytime temperatures typically in the 70s-80s°F. Late spring (May-June) offers good fishing and fewer crowds but can be unpredictable weather-wise. Early fall (September) brings cooler temperatures, beautiful colors, and fewer visitors. Mountrail County Parshall Bay Recreation Area and other sites may have reduced services outside peak summer months.

Keep Exploring

  4. View all North Dakota cities for camping