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Best Tent Camping near Sakakawea Lake

136 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent camping opportunities around Sakakawea Lake in North Dakota remain limited but provide basic outdoor experiences for those seeking primitive accommodations. Established sites include Pouch Point near Riverdale, Douglas Creek Bay and Steinke Bay near Garrison, and Lake Shore Park. These campgrounds are primarily tent-only areas with minimal infrastructure, offering natural settings along North Dakota's largest reservoir.

Most tent sites in the Sakakawea Lake area provide extremely basic amenities. Toilet facilities are scarce, with only Rice Lake County Park offering toilet access among the documented campgrounds. Water access varies significantly, with no drinking water available at any of the listed sites. Campers must pack in all necessary supplies including drinking water. Fire regulations differ between locations - Rice Lake County Park permits campfires and allows alcohol, while most other sites prohibit fires entirely. Pet policies are similarly restricted, with only Rice Lake permitting animals.

The terrain surrounding Sakakawea Lake offers quiet camping with minimal crowds. According to one visitor, "The lake is small just northern pike. There are few campsites that are free. No water or electric hookups." Most sites provide access to water recreation on Sakakawea Lake or neighboring smaller bodies of water. Rice Lake County Park specifically offers boat-in access, making it suitable for paddlers or small watercraft users planning overnight trips. Campers should anticipate minimal shade at many locations, as the prairie landscape features limited tree cover. Sites tend to be undeveloped, with no tables or formal camping pads, making them best suited for self-sufficient tent campers comfortable with primitive setups.

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Best Tent Sites Near Sakakawea Lake (5)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Sakakawea Lake

136 Reviews of 5 Sakakawea Lake Campgrounds

  • Tim
    Sep. 7, 2020

    COE Lake Sakakawea Downstream Campground

    Nice spot for a rest on our drive across country.

    Nice spot. Had site 117 on loop 4. “Primitive” site. Mostly quiet and peaceful. Group of RVs had the end of the loop and had generators going, but steady wind blowing that way kept the noise down. Acceptable pit toilet. Lovely easy walk down a path to the river with sandy banks. Clean, well kept sites w picnic tables and fire rings. Very windy so definitely glad to be here protected below the dam and not up next to the reservoir!

  • Stefanie Z.
    Sep. 18, 2020

    Ccc Campground (Nd) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

    Beautiful, clean, peaceful!

    We stayed here two nights in a tent and loved it! Absolutely beautiful campground right across the river from Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s north unit. The scenery is breathtaking. There are three different loops A-C, and while most sites have no shade there are a couple in loop B (including ours #12) that have trees and provide good shade and wind protection. The pit toilets were some of the cleanest I’ve encountered in my history of camping. We were there in mid-September so the campground wasn’t full but there were a decent number of campers for being off season. Still, it was pretty quiet, save for the coyotes howling in the distance and a stray moo or two from nearby cows. There’s also trail access right to Maah Dah Hey and Long X trails right in the campground which is really nice! All in all this is a wonderful spot and one of my favorite campgrounds I’ve ever stayed at. 1 mi. gravel road to get in.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2021

    Beulah Bay Rec Area

    Well kept campgrounds

    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.

  • J
    Jun. 22, 2018

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Beautiful, clean and quiet

    We spent two nights here and were pleased that we were able to have our pick of quite a few spots despite the campground being first come first serve. We arrived on a Wednesday evening. The campground is as advertised, no showers or electric. I was happy that they had quiet hours at 8 pm for generators. There were a great variety of spots, large grassy, secluded and shady, drive through and back in. 3 sites have a spectacular view of the bluff if you are able to snag those. pro: camp host was great, bathrooms were clean, a great selection of spots con: we found a few ticks crawling around

  • B
    May. 12, 2019

    Ccc Campground (Nd) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

    A Cheap Alternative

    A cheaper alternative to TRNP’s Juniper Campground. This campground offers beautiful panoramic views of the North Dakota Badlands. Additionally, you can access the Maah Daah Hey Trail and explore the Badlands from here. The campground is well kept and is typically pretty quiet. There are no showers, but there is toilets and accessible drinking water.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 2, 2025

    Lake Sakakawea State Park Campground

    Beautiful park

    Lots of sites to choose from. Not too close together. Reasonable price. Only downside is the park is open early but no water, flush toilets or showers until May 15! There a few vault toilets so pick your site accordingly.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2022

    Ccc Campground (Nd) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

    Awesome views

    This place is very well kept. Vault toilets and hand pump for water. The views are just awesome. 360 deg. Large sites spaced far apart. 40 plus sites. Host said never full. $10 a night. No road noise. Lots of wildlife. Deer and prairie dogs.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2023

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Great Experience

    The National Park North Unit and Campground(CG) is easy to find off US-85. We showed our Access Passes to get into the park and then proceeded to mile marker 5, where the CG is located. We pulled up to the information and sign-in board for this first come, first serve CG at about 11:30 AM Mountain Time(interesting that when we got to the north unit area, our phones went back to central time, and after a quick Google search, we found out that the north unit runs on central time). A gentleman let us know that he had just pulled in and grabbed a campsite near the entrance/exit and that we’d probably only fit in site 8(this CG is all dry camping) as the perimeter campsites, both back-ins and pull-throughs, were too short for us. The other longer sites were already taken. We proceeded to pull through site 8, which is a long, quarter moon-shaped asphalt site. We maneuvered around to stay away from tree branches and stay on the pad. The picnic table and stand-up barbecue were on the driver’s side, but since the sites are nicely spaced out, this was not a problem. We then filled out our registration envelope, placed $14 cash(Access Pass discount) in the folder, put the tab on our post, and deposited the envelope in the registration area. We could have also written a check or used a credit card to pay. We got on and off 1 bar on Verizon. We did have a good shot north for Starlink. They have a vaulted toilet and flush toilet building along with potable water at the dump station. There are about a half dozen sites for longer rigs, such as 32, 42, and 43, 49, with 5 being the best site. We had our two dogs with us, and there was plenty of room to walk them around the CG. There was plenty of bison poop in the CG, but we didn't see any during our two-night stay. Watford City is 17 miles north and has your major amenities. We enjoyed using this CG as a base to explore the North Unit.

Guide to Sakakawea Lake

Tent camping near Sakakawea Lake in North Dakota offers a serene escape into nature, with various options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to pitch a tent and enjoy the great outdoors.

Tips for tent camping near Sakakawea Lake

  • At Pouch Point - Three Affiliated Tribes, campers should prepare for a rustic experience, as there are no electric hookups or water facilities available.
  • For those seeking a peaceful retreat, Rice Lake County Park allows campfires, making it a great spot for evening gatherings under the stars.
  • Remember to bring your own supplies, as Lake Shore Park does not provide amenities like showers or picnic tables.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy casting a line at Rice Lake County Park, where northern pike are the main catch.
  • Explore the natural beauty surrounding Douglas Creek Bay for hiking and wildlife observation opportunities.
  • For a more secluded experience, Steinke Bay offers a tranquil setting perfect for relaxation and enjoying the scenery.

Some prices for tent camping are free

  • Camping at Pouch Point - Three Affiliated Tribes is free, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious campers.
  • Similarly, Lake Shore Park offers free camping, allowing visitors to enjoy the outdoors without breaking the bank.
  • Douglas Creek Bay also provides a no-cost camping experience, perfect for those looking to escape for a weekend getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Sakakawea Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sakakawea Lake is Pouch Point - Three Affiliated Tribes with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Sakakawea Lake?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Sakakawea Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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