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Best Campgrounds near Stanton, ND

164 Reviews

Camping near Stanton, North Dakota centers around Lake Sakakawea, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the United States. The area features several established campgrounds including Sakakawea Park in Stanton and nearby options like Lake Sakakawea State Park, Fort Stevenson State Park, and Cross Ranch State Park. These facilities accommodate tent camping, RVs, and in some locations, cabin rentals. The Missouri River corridor provides water-based recreation opportunities with boat-in camping available at several locations. According to campers, North Dakota state parks are exceptionally well-maintained with "huge, well-spaced campsites" that remain "quiet even when the park is busy."

Most campgrounds in the Stanton area operate seasonally, with peak season running from May through September, though some parks remain open year-round with reduced services in winter. Winter camping is possible but challenging due to North Dakota's harsh conditions, with temperatures frequently dropping well below freezing. Summer brings warm days with occasional thunderstorms. State park campgrounds require entrance fees ($7 daily or $35 annual) in addition to camping fees. Reservations are recommended during peak summer months, especially for weekends, as lakeside sites fill quickly with boaters and anglers.

The camping experience varies significantly between locations. Lake Sakakawea sites offer water recreation with fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. Cross Ranch State Park provides a more secluded experience with riverside sites and hiking trails following the Lewis and Clark route. Many campgrounds accommodate large RVs with electric hookups, while primitive sites are available for those seeking a more basic experience. Wolf Creek Campground offers large primitive sites with direct water access and boat ramps for fishing. Family amenities include playgrounds, beaches, and interpretive programs at the state parks, while history enthusiasts can explore nearby historic sites related to early settlement and Native American history.

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Best Camping Sites Near Stanton, North Dakota (59)

    1. Lake Sakakawea State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Garrison, ND
    15 miles
    Website

    "This is our first visit here, North Dakota does a great job with their state parks campgrounds. Our 3rd SP visited on this trip ( Lake Metigoshe & Sully Creek were the others)."

    "This is my favorite campground in North Dakota ! Always clean and neat. The waters are beautiful. National fish hatchery nearby, along with the Garrison dam."

    2. Sakakawea Park

    4 Reviews
    Stanton, ND
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 745-3202

    "It is also close to The Knife River sites. I made the mistake of thinking I could get to one of the trails from here and you can't you'd have to actually go all the way back out and back in again."

    "We visited the Knife River Historic Site and had planned to drive the 25 miles north to the COE campground. We stopped here on a whim to check it out. It is in a very nice setting."

    3. COE Lake Sakakawea Downstream Campground

    7 Reviews
    Stanton, ND
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 654-7440

    $16 - $30 / night

    "Lovely easy walk down a path to the river with sandy banks. Clean, well kept sites w picnic tables and fire rings."

    "General: Approximately 100-site US Army Corps of Engineers campground in three loops; there are paths connecting each loop. All sites have paved camper pads and electric hookups. "

    4. Cross Ranch State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Hensler, ND
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 794-3731

    "The spots, well they were close but situated in a way that you weren’t sitting staring at your neighbor. There were trees and foliage between the rows so it was comfortable."

    "Beautiful, well-groomed, shaded hiking paths everywhere. Playgrounds. Big fields. Clean water access to the river for swimming, dogs, fishing. Good sized sights, well sheltered by trees."

    5. Wolf Creek Campground

    3 Reviews
    Garrison, ND
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 654-7411

    $14 / night

    "Great campground located right on Lake Sakakawea. Nearly every site has easy access to the water. Two boat ramps located at the campground and great shore access for fishing."

    "Came here driving back to Arizona from Wisconsin. This campground has some of the best views of the lake. Some tree cover and the price is right it's a small camping area but we'll looked after."

    6. Fort Stevenson State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Garrison, ND
    19 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "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."

    7. Hazen Bay Rec Area

    2 Reviews
    Garrison, ND
    17 miles
    Website

    "Hazen Bay has easy access to the water. Full hook ups which is nice!"

    "Lake was high so there was no beach. What was left of the water front was taken up by inconsiderate fisherman who couldn’t pull the trailers out of the way."

    8. Ball Park RV Park

    1 Review
    Center, ND
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 794-3502

    "It is close to the road so I'm assuming you get road noise and I'm also assuming that during the summer of the park can be heavily used."

    9. Nelson Lake

    2 Reviews
    Center, ND
    17 miles
    Website

    10. Washburn City Park

    1 Review
    Washburn, ND
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 462-8558

    $25 / night

    "Small city park at edge of town. There's a bicycle path to the Lewis and Clark center and the town diner and museum are close enough to walk to. There is a train but I've only heard it once."

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Recent Camping Photos near Stanton, ND

33 Photos of 59 Stanton Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Stanton, ND

164 Reviews of 59 Stanton Campgrounds

  • h
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Bismarck KOA

    What you expect from a KOA

    We needed a site for a night in the middle of a trip. This was it. Typical KOA. Clean, close to major roads. Easy to find. Easy to book online. Most of the sites are pull throughs in trees. It appeared that big rig spots were mostly back in. The bathrooms, which we utilize frequently since we are in a 15 foot Aliner, were well lit, clean, and the showers were hot!

  • Mitchell F.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Sakakawea Park

    Nice park close to knife river NHS

    There are 10 level RV sites with electric and water hook ups for $20 a night. There were concrete pads plenty long enough for our 5ver. $10 a night for primitive spots. Nice large grassy area with kid toys as well as a basketball court.

    This is within 2 miles of the Knife River National Historic Site and is a great jump off point

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground

    Really nice campground!

    Really nice campground. A bit out of town from Mandan& Bismark. Nice spot. Lots of historical stuff on the fort. Campground has lots of trees but also feels breezy and open. It’s right on the Heart river where it then meets the Missouri River. Good hiking trails from the campground, which is always a bonus. We would return.

  • L
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Sakakawea Park

    Beautiful campground near Knife River Historic Site

    We visited the Knife River Historic Site and had planned to drive the 25 miles north to the COE campground. We stopped here on a whim to check it out. It is in a very nice setting. The sites are huge and the bathrooms are clean and nice. The dump station is actually in town near the bank. Very quiet and can’t be beat for $20 water and electric.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Sweet Briar Lake Campsites

    Quiet, pleasant and convenient

    This was a nice surprise right off 94! There are a bunch of sites, not super great signage so I wasn't sure I was in the right place at first, but just follow the map. It was dark so I just drove down a few roads before I found a whole unoccupied area with a picnic table, fire pit, lovely shade and totally quiet and dark (a bit of freeway noise from 94 not far away was all). Safe for the dog to run around, nice paths to go for my own run in the morning. This is a gem if you're looking for a sweet place to stop on a road trip in this area.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Bismarck KOA

    A small KOA campsite with shade trees. This KOA campsite has all the amenities one would expect from a koa. There are shaped

    This KOA campsite has all the amenities one would expect from a KOA. There are a fair amount of mature shade trees on the property. The staff is friendly the pool and the bathrooms are clean. We see the attached pictures and video for more detail.

  • Callie D.
    Jul. 26, 2025

    McClusky City Park

    $20 per night Floods and no grey water disposal!

    This place is a joke. It’s difficult to find if you’re not from the area. There whole park floods at night throughout the rainy seasons so don’t plan on tent camping here or all your stuff will get ruined. There is no place to dump grey water. There are no public restrooms. And, did I mention it’s $20 per night? The local store has outrageous prices and everything is spoiled already for some reason so it goes bad within a couple of days even though the expiration dates are still weeks or a month out. This is outrageous! I definitely recommend that you keep looking. Don’t waste time or money in this town. They clearly don’t want anyone here because they aren’t even trying to do better.

  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2025

    Nelson Lake

    free camping along lake

    Take the road past the boat ramp and you will come across several grassy areas with a garbage can and sometimes a fire ring.

Guide to Stanton

Camping near Stanton, North Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat by the water or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Fishing and boating: Many campers enjoy fishing at places like Lake Sakakawea State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "A large lake dropped into the canyon formations... it’s a nice change of pace from the scenes of the highways."
  • Hiking: Trails are available for those who love to explore nature. At Cross Ranch State Park Campground, a camper said, "Beautiful, well-groomed, shaded hiking paths everywhere."
  • Wildlife watching: Campers often spot various wildlife. One reviewer at Sweet Briar Lake noted, "With the lake and the wildlife, it was just relaxing."

What campers like

  • Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the roominess at places like Lake Sakakawea State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "Huge, well-spaced campsites... the park was busy, hardly any vacant spots but still very quiet."
  • Clean facilities: Many campgrounds, such as Fort Stevenson State Park Campground, are praised for their cleanliness. One camper said, "This is a very well-kept campground with clean bathrooms and showers."
  • Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds like Harmon Lake Rec Area offer playgrounds and swimming areas. A reviewer mentioned, "Great playground that the kids loved!"

What you should know

  • Highway noise: Some campgrounds, like Sweet Briar Lake, are near highways. One camper noted, "You can hear the interstate traffic all night... to me, it was just noise."
  • Limited amenities: Campgrounds such as COE Lake Sakakawea Downstream Campground may have fewer facilities. A visitor mentioned, "Only electrical service at the sites."
  • Reservations recommended: Popular spots like Cross Ranch State Park Campground can fill up quickly. One camper advised, "You need to book the day they come available to reserve or you will miss out!"

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose campgrounds with amenities: Look for places like Fort Stevenson State Park Campground, which has playgrounds and swimming areas. A family shared, "There is a fun play area for the kids and an amazing hiking trail."
  • Pack for activities: Bring fishing gear and swimming supplies, especially if you're visiting Harmon Lake Rec Area. One camper said, "Swimming, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking."
  • Plan for downtime: Ensure you have games or books for quiet moments. A visitor at Lake Sakakawea State Park Campground mentioned, "I had a very clear view of the water... the place was very clean."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits comfortably at campgrounds like Bismarck KOA. One reviewer noted, "Some shady sites but well protected from the wind."
  • Utilize dump stations: Campgrounds such as Cross Ranch State Park Campground have easy-to-use dump stations. A camper said, "The two dump stations are easy to pull into and use."
  • Stay connected: Many campgrounds offer good cell service. A visitor at Bismarck KOA mentioned, "T-mobile has good signal."

Camping near Stanton, North Dakota, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Stanton, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, Stanton, ND offers a wide range of camping options, with 59 campgrounds and RV parks near Stanton, ND and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Stanton, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Stanton, ND is Lake Sakakawea State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 13 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Stanton, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Stanton, ND.

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