Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Towner, ND has a lot to offer. Towner is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Towner, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
Located about 26 miles northwest of Dunseith, and sharing a border with Canada, Lake Metigoshe is North Dakota’s largest state park. Encompassing an area of more than 1,500 acres in the Turtle Mountains, the park was established in 1938 as a year-round retreat. Prior to settlers arriving in the area, this forest and lake country was home to indigenous Blackfoot, Hidatsa and Assiniboine peoples. The name Metigoshe is derived from a native phrase translated “clearwater lake of scrub-oaks.” While the park contains numerous lakes, which can be explored by foot or paddle, most of the facilities and activities can be enjoyed on or near the shores of Lake Metigoshe. Summer activities include fishing, boating, paddling, swimming and hiking; winter activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding.
Lake Metigoshe State Park offers numerous tent and RV camping areas, including the Washegum and Maid O’ Moonshine campgrounds, as well as several primitive camping areas. The wooded campgrounds feature more than 80 pull-through and back-in sites with electricity and water hookups. Some of these sites are ADA accessible. These campgrounds provide water, flush toilets, and showers; a dump station is located between the two sites. The primitive tent areas are dispersed near the shore of Lake Metigoshe, and feature 40 drive-in and walk-in sites. These areas provide vault toilets only. The park also offers three group campsites, two group dorms, and several cabins. Other amenities in the park include an Outdoor Learning Center, kids’ playgrounds, amphitheater, dog park, and picnic shelters. Campsites are $17–25/night; group sites are $25/night; cabins and dorms range from $60–$125/night.
There are plenty of things to see and do during a camping vacation at Lake Metigoshe. Summer months offer plenty of water activities: catch some rays or take a dip at the park’s swim beach, fish for bass, crappie, walleye and perch, or rent a kayak or canoe and go for a paddle. Try the park’s 2-mile water trail that links four lakes togethers (some portages required). For exploring the woods and wetlands by foot, there are 15 miles of multi-use trails available for hikers and mountain bikers. Pick up an interpretive brochure to learn about the park’s flora and fauna on the 3-mile Old Oak Trail, or head out on any of the other paths to look for moose, deer, pine martens and grouse. Many of these trails are open in winter months for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. There is also a 3.7-mile snowmobile trail. Trail maps are available at the park’s visitor center.
You are welcome to camp anywhere on the Denbigh Experimental Forest, except at designated trailheads. There are no designated campgrounds.
When camping with horses, please remember the PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT rule which refers to cleaning up after your horse(s) as well. Also remember that feed and straw must be certified as being free of noxious weed seed and stock cannot be tied to trees.
Camping
Nestled in the Turtle Mountains on the border of US and Canada, the International Peace Garden campsites are surrounded by woodlands, prairie, lakes, formal gardens, and newly expanded Conservatory.
Campsites are tailored to your preference, offering Pull-Thru, ELEC/WATER, and ELEC ONLY options. With a total of 30 sites, including 13 with full hook-ups and 16 with electricity only, you’ll find the perfect spot to reconnect with the great outdoors.
Amenities abound to enhance your camping experience, including a convenient dump station, fire pits, and available firewood for those cozy evenings under the stars. Bring your furry friends along as pets are welcome, and enjoy modern comforts with showers and toilets. Whether you prefer tenting or RV camping, we have dedicated areas for both, including a group camping space.
Our on-site services elevate your stay with a picturesque picnic area, dining options, and a store for any essentials you may need. Explore the peaceful waters with watercraft rentals available, adding a touch of adventure to your retreat.
Engage in recreational activities surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, from biking and hiking trails to fishing in nearby waters. Families will appreciate the Children’s Nature Play Area, creating lasting memories for all.
Book your spot now and discover the harmonious balance between relaxation and adventure.
Best part is it’s free, there isn’t much traffic, plenty of room. Pets allowed. Someone might be here to greet you, but probably not.
I love county and city parks. They are always such a great value. This one does not disappoint. Nice electric and water hookups (no sanitation services). Sites are all large. Tent sites are nicest as they are away from road. Tent sites are in separate area from rv sites. Expect road and rail noise at both.
Wow, am I glad I didn't plan to stay. This park camping is packed crazy tight. The park is well maintained but you are sharing a sit with everyone basically. Great looking trails and maybe a good fall sort of place to go.
Definitely expensive. 25 to get in and then 25 to camp but full hook ups and nice spots. Quiet with few other campers and remember to bring ID to get back into the US.
I will definitely be returning here on my next trip through the area. The only issue that I had was the noise from the construction across the river.
Camped here for Memorial Day weekend. It's a beautiful park and lots of families seem to enjoy it. This was a very busy weekend to camp here, and the campsites are all pretty close together without much in the way of barriers between campsites, particularly in the South and North Hill areas. We didn't realize this, and we ended up being in the middle of a bunch of people who like to play music and hang out with friends and family. If that's the vibe you're going for, this is the place for you. If you are looking for something more peaceful, I'd suggest finding somewhere else to camp.
The backup campsites are tight. But once setup it feels very private. The bathroom are decent. Great swimming lake.
We LOVE camping here! The North Hill campground is small, quiet, and perfect proximity to the water. Site 103 has good trees for 1 hammock. Toilet facilities are nice and clean. There is a great playground, and a great dog area! Our only complaint is the mosquitos, which are pretty unavoidable. Bring a great bug spray and your kayak and you’ll be set for an amazing camping trip!
This is a very nice place with clean bathrooms. The spaces are a good size, some with water and power.
Loved this campground so much! Each site has a concrete pad (some tent sites have wooden platforms) so leveling is super easy! Mature aspen and oak trees make up the majority of the grounds and this makes each site feel super isolated and private. Bathrooms are a little old, but the water was warm and had good pressure, so they were ok in my books. Signage isn’t super clear when coming into the park to find the campgrounds: it’s verrrrry far away and will make you question if you took the right road or not. The Gardens themselves are so beautiful to explore and there are lots of picnic areas that are super pretty! The gift shop is wonderful and has a great mix of Canadian and local North Dakotan products and goodies. Can’t wait to go back and rent a kayak and really explore more!
Stayed at Washegum campground overnight and although the camping spots were very close together there's a lot of vegetation and trees separating the lots. Beautiful playground right behind us, and an amphitheater as well. There's multiple hiking trails, a dog park, swimming area, and picnic areas as well! Very kid and dog friendly, we will definitely be visiting again.
Lake metigoshe is a great campground I've been here five or six times never had any problems park rangers are very friendly only downside not a good lake to fish
Just as an update. Very nice campground some sites have shade different times of day. No problem getting our 37 ft 5er in the park. Oh do not turn in the first park gate! Go on passed it to the faded sign and turn left to the park. Water spigot just past the white building. 30/50 service.
My husband and I have stayed at this campground twice now and both visits were amazing! We like to choose sites surrounded by trees and this place does not disappoint. Plus, the raised tent platforms are a huge benefit! The sites are huge, the bathrooms are clean, there is a ton of firewood available, and it is not crowded. If you are in the area, this is a must visit!!!
The area is very pretty. Not bad lake views. A lot of the campsites are very close together, so we ended up getting another site at this park.
Spent a day and a half walking every trail available in the park. All of them were well marked and well maintained. The terrain in easygoing with great views of all the little lakes and occasionally some wildlife. It was a great trip and am glad I went in September when all the leaves are changing colors!
We got there at dark, staff was super helpful with the park pass and buying wood. We camped in the North Star primitive sites, water spigot available, vault toilet not to far. We really enjoyed riding bikes on all the trails, only one we didnt get to ride was the Deer loop. Looking forward to returning to do some canoeing/kayaking , looks like there's a good loop set up with portages.
I’m a tent camper. I stopped here for one night while taking the high line on a road trip. The drive in is hilly and has spectacular views. It is well worth the few extra miles. The camp is clean. It is very family oriented. There were many tent campers. I was in the Washgum Loop on campsite #66 and the interpretive trail and and a nice area to view the lake was right next to my campsite. If you had your own kayak you could definitely drop in from here. The park service personnel were exceptionally, happy, informative and kind. I walked the full Old Oak interpretive trail and the pamphlet that you pick up on the way in to camp was nice to have. There is poison ivy here. There was some on my campsite and some on the interpretive trail.
We stayed 3 nights in early September, Fri-Sun. I was a bit surprised at how few people were there - 2 or 3 long campers and we were the only tent campers. It was nice for privacy but felt a little eerie at times. That being said it was nicely maintained and I have to mention the bathrooms are replenished and cleaned daily and fully stocked with CHARMIN ULTRA toilet paper which is an absolute luxury at a simple campground lol. The showers are also pretty nice and the facility is heated. So appreciated. It has a little pavilion, a playground, “beach”, a couple cute bridges, a big grassy field for stargazing or throwing the ball around, a disc golf course, and of course you’re right on the river which is cool. Swimming is allowed at your own risk. I’m giving it five stars mostly for how well kept the bathrooms were, but it did feel a little desolate at times. I get it’s the end of camping season though and it was a little cold at night so that’s probably why. There are a few stray cats and dogs wandering about at times. We are good sleepers and this didn’t bother us much but there are heavily trafficked train tracks a couple hundred yards away from the campground so if you are a light sleeper or are bothered by trains this might not be the place for you. Umm all in all it’s a cute and peaceful little park that made a nice home for a few nights. It’s patrolled by police throughout the day too. We’d probably stay there again if we ever happen to go to Minot. Oh! There’s a decent North Dakota style winery (sweet fruit wines) a couple miles down the road with a lovely view and even some hikes. Worth a visit - Pointe of View. Ok, done now I promise.
Great place to stay!! Campsites were nice & taken care of! Some sites were elevated or lowered with a few stairs; kinda cool! Swim beach was a bit of a walk, but totally worth it!! Great sandy beach & nice water!! Activities set up for families/kids each weekend. Nice playground between loops too.
This State Park is in North Dakota near the Canadian border. With a very large body of water that has many amenities from fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding. There are bike & canoe/kayak rentals right outside the park and a couple different campgrounds to choose from inside the park, ours was just a few feet from the lake and fishing dock. Depending on which campground you choose you will either have a vault toilet or a more convenient bathroom with toilets & showers! Staff was very nice and accommodating. There was even an Ice cream truck that rolled thru everyday for the kiddos!
Was 15 to tent camp nice park your away from the rv in your own slice of grass nice bathroom with shower's had no bug's at all was foggy and mist over in the am from the water
Did not disappoint in anyway. Camp sites are close but had trees and natural grasses so it feels like you are in your own private woods. Well kept hicking trails, beautiful lake with docks and nice beach. Offered kyak rentals, water and electric sites. A must see.
Really enjoyed this state park. Lots of wildlife. Full hookups, clean sites and facilities—nicest public showers we have ever seen! Went fishing, swimming, explored the hiking and bike trails and did some geocaching. The International Peace Garden is about a half hour drive and that was beautiful as well.
Absolutely beautiful, wooded campground . Many hiking trails! International peace gardens a stones throw away .
I stayed in the cabins here and they were very nice! All the staff I’ve met were happy and energetic. Canoe or kayaking in the area is a must and keep your eye out for the wildlife around you in the water. The interpretive learning center is really neat also.
A great place for getting in or on the water. Swimming next to campsites, boat launch site even closer. The playground is located next to picnic and bbq areas, all near the water and restrooms close by. Fishing docks are plentiful.
brought my kids and my dogs for a great time and wasn’t disappointed.
Camping near Towner, North Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or a lively family adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Towner, North Dakota, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Towner, ND?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Towner, ND is Lake Metigoshe State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Towner, ND?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 glamping camping locations near Towner, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.
