Sakakawea Lake is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Sakakawea Lake is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Sakakawea Lake, ND. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
In 1805, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, along with their Corps of Discovery, crossed this region of North Dakota’s Badlands as they paddled up the mighty Missouri River. Today, Lewis and Clark State Park commemorates their passage through the area with this 490-acre recreation area on the scenic shores of Lake Sakakawea. The park is located in the upper, northwest corner of the state, about 20 miles east of Williston, off of ND-1804, and is one North Dakota’s best destinations for camping, boating, birding and hiking. The campground at Lewis and Clark State Park offers more than 100 tent and RV campsites, most of which are equipped with full or partial hookups. Both back-in and pull-through drives are available, and can accommodate large RVs and trailers. There are also 8 primitive tent sites and 5 group sites. Campsites are partially wooded for some shade, and come equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. Campground amenities include water faucets, flush toilets, showers, playgrounds, a dog park, picnic areas, and Wifi service. A dump station is located between the campsite loops. Dogs must remain leashed unless in designated areas. Camping is available year-round; sites are $17–$30/night; reservations accepted. The recreation opportunities at Lewis and Clark State Park are abundant, both on land and water. More than 8 miles of hiking and biking trails explore the prairies and ravines in the park. These range from short, family-friendly interpretive paths to longer trails to scenic badlands viewpoints, and for unique bird and wildlife watching. For cooling off during the summer season, a sandy beach is available for sunbathing and swimming, and boat ramps are available for launching watercraft onto Lake Sakakawea. The park rents canoes, kayaks and SUPs for paddling fun. Also a popular fishing destination, anglers can cast for walleye and northern pike.
This recreation area is part of Sakakawea Lake
$23 - $100 / night
Just 10 minutes south of the town of Garrison, ND, Fort Stevenson State Park is located at the tip of a peninsula on the north shore of Lake Sakakawea. The park takes its name from a military supply depot that operated near here in the late 1800s. Visitors can learn more about the area’s history, as well as the native flora and fauna, at the park’s Guardhouse Interpretive Center. Today, however, Fort Stevenson is more well-known as the “Walleye Capital” of North Dakota, and it the home of the annual Walleye Cup fishing derby. This is in addition to serving as a popular year-round recreation area for local and visiting campers, boaters, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The large campground at Fort Stevenson offers more than 180 sites for tent and RV campers. This includes 30 RV sites with full hookups, 39 primitive tent sites, and more than 20 group sites; some sites are ADA accessible. Pull-through RV sites can accommodate large vehicles/trailers. Campground amenities include drinking water, flush restrooms with showers, vault toilets, two playgrounds, an amphitheater and a dump station; all sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. The park also has three cabins available for rent, as well as a concession stand, and boat, bike and winter gear rentals. Dogs are welcome, but must remain leashed. Some services may not be available during the off season. Campsite rates are $17–$35. With two marinas, several fishing piers, and a swim beach, visitors to Fort Stevenson have plenty of access to fishing and water play on Lake Sakakawea. The Garrison Bay Marina rents boats, canoes, kayaks, and SUPs. You can also purchase bait and tackle, camping gear, snacks and beverages from the park’s concession stand. The park also has 10 miles of hiking and biking trails for exploring the park’s woods, ravines, and native prairie, as well as bird and wildlife watching.
This is a nice, large campground along the North Shore of Lake Sakakaque, ND. Large spots, fairly level, with gravel pads.
This campground is beautiful. They keep it very well kept. They mow weekly, facilities are very clean, the playgrounds are nice and kept up, the roads (all paved) and rv pads (most gravel) are very nice and the place has tons of trees (except on the beach so bring a beach umbrella!). There is a very nice shower house with 3 shower stalls and flush toilets as well as 2 vanities. There is a general store that carries lots of fishing gear, some groceries (e.g. ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, buns, bread, chocolate, marshmallows, Graham crackers, ice cream), they have shirts, sweaters, hats, some frozen foods, camping supplies and lots more. Lewis & Clark is our favorite place to stay. The beach is super sandy with some, but not many rocks, lots of drift wood and the water is shallow for a long ways so it's great for kids! Hope you love it as much as we do!
Overall, 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. :)
Off season ccamping... not here.
There was a signboard at entrance booth that might have included camping rates. But it was covered up. I drove around and could not find any employees to ask how much. I camped and did find someone in the morning. She the camping fee (with toilet facility and water shut off was $25. No off season rate and no senior discount.
Too much for camping in what is essentially a closes RV parking lot! I would have gone somewhere else if they had not hidden the camping rate singn.
I will not be back.
This campground is nice for larger groups and has a lot of long-term campers. The campground does have cabins and they are well kept and clean. Lots of family activities like horseshoes, basketball court, frisbee golf, and volleyball. Kayak rentals are available as well!
Bring water shoes if you plan on swimming in the lake as it is rocky. All campsites include one picnic table and one fire pit.
We stayed 1 night passing through it was a nice trip. We will come back again.
Quick overnight stay. According to the ranger 7 total campers in the state park. Very quiet to say the least. Two cold to paddle board.
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! 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.
This site is BEAUTIFUL! Surround all the way around by Lake Sakakawea it makes a great spot for boating, fishing, and also has a sand beach spot for a day of play in the water. They have spots for group camping that you can have 2-3 rv’s on or private single camp spots. There is a fun llaygyfor the kids and and amazing hiking trail around the entire state park. While your there check out Fort Stevenson and read the history of the area. We will definitely be visiting this spot again and again.
My wife and I come here a couple of times every summer. It’s a great place to brings the dogs. There are plenty of trails and the dogs love swimming in the lake.
The bathrooms are thoroughly cleaned every night and the park staff are very friendly and helpful. 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.
It is a very great campground. Great fishing, great spots, awesome fire pits and very family friendly.. and the rangers are very helpful
This 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
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. We tent camp so we aren’t as packed as the rvs but still a great place to be & fish for all the species that the lake has to offer
Lots of to do! Boating, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding. Cabins, primitive campsites with great views and Full hook up RV sites. 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. Great campground!
Great campground. If you have a chance head into garrison and do some shopping on their main street. They have some great shops there. The park is wonderful and the sites are roomy.
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. Facilities were acceptable. Lots of bugs and flies, but we managed!
While there were very few tent sites available, we had our choice of sites as we were the only tent campers. Bathrooms were great, the trails around the lake were great and the food at the marina was OK. This park is surrounded by beautiful lakes and fields of wheat. Shower was great.
Nice campground, with restrooms/showers, playground, amphitheater, picnic tables. Pull through sites, tents sites, cabins. Close access to Lake Sakakawea, within walking distance.
Needs a few updates ! But overall not bad !
The campsites are spacious. There are few great hikes that are kid friendly. There is a swimming beach (quite rocky, but large) and there is usually another beach with red rocks (lots have leaf fossils!) that you can get to pending the water level. There is a nice marina if you bring a boat.
Located in the south east tip of South Dakota on Lewis and Clark Lake (Missouri River). This is a huge cg with over 400 sites divided into four sections. All roads and sites are paved with electric only hook up. We stayed on site 362 which is 50A but most sites are 30A. 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. The Yankton Section (about 100 sites) is same day reservation only (first come, first serve). There are several swim areas along the shore and a couple of boat ramps. Several cabins are available for reservation and a separate Marina and Resort are next to the cg. About any activity you can think of is available here, such as disc golf, soccer, basketball, archery, one mile nature trail, six mile bike trail and boat rentals for the large lake.
We had the time of our lives at Lewis and Clark state park! The views are amazing! The water is like being in Ocean with big waves. They hold many awesome eventful weekends during season.
We always drop in our boat here. There are 2 good size lanes so a horrible backup person like myself has no problem! The campground has a few trees for privacy but mostly open
This is a very well kept campground with clean bathrooms and showers, well maintained tent, camper, and RV sites, and excellent mountain biking and hiking trails. It also has lake front camping sites for both tents and campers. There are multiple swimming beaches on property, playgrounds, an ice cream and general store, and boat rentals available. Very enjoyable camping experience.
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.
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
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Sakakawea Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Sakakawea Lake is Lewis & Clark State Park — Lewis And Clark State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Sakakawea Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 glamping camping locations near Sakakawea Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
