Best Campgrounds near Underwood, ND
Camping options near Underwood, North Dakota center around Lake Sakakawea, a major recreation destination with multiple developed campgrounds along its shores. The area includes Lake Sakakawea State Park Campground, COE Lake Sakakawea Downstream Campground, and Wolf Creek Campground, providing a mix of accommodation types from tent and RV sites to cabins and yurts. Many campgrounds offer water access, with Wolf Creek Campground providing direct access to the lake for fishing and boating. Cross Ranch State Park Campground, located about 25 miles south, offers additional camping variety with glamping options and yurts available year-round.
Most campgrounds in the region are open seasonally, with many operating from May through September due to North Dakota's severe winter conditions. Facilities like Lake Sakakawea State Park remain open year-round but with reduced services in the off-season. Water systems are typically winterized by mid-October, leaving only vault toilets available during colder months. COE Lake Sakakawea Downstream Campground provides electric hookups but no sewer connections, while some city parks like Washburn City Park offer full hookups. Roads to most campgrounds are paved and accessible to large RVs, though Wolf Creek features more primitive conditions. A camper noted, "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."
Waterfront campsites receive consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly at Wolf Creek and East Totten Trail campgrounds where many sites offer lake views. The region experiences significant wind, especially on the open reservoir, making protected camping areas like those below Garrison Dam particularly valuable. Several campgrounds provide well-spaced sites with adequate separation and shade trees. Bathroom facilities vary widely across the region, from modern shower houses at the COE campground to basic vault toilets at more primitive sites. Many reviewers mention the clean, well-maintained grounds at state park facilities, though some primitive areas struggle with seasonal insects. One camper described the COE campground as having "VERY spacious sites! Electric only, but it's camping right! Clean bathrooms and showers. The best part is that they have many paths down to the Missouri River for some great fishing."
