Valley City's camping areas sit in the Sheyenne River Valley of eastern North Dakota, where rolling hills break up the prairie landscape. The area averages 21 inches of precipitation annually, with summer temperatures typically reaching the 80s during peak camping season. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through September due to harsh winter conditions, though some offer year-round access with limited amenities during colder months.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Mel Rieman Rec offers multiple walking paths along Lake Ashtabula with connections to longer regional routes. "This campground is not far from I-94. The campground is clean, quiet, and beautiful. We enjoyed the views of the lake and the rolling hill, the immaculate star gazing, and peacefulness of this camp ground," notes camper Haylie M.
Fishing opportunities: Local lakes provide habitat for walleye, northern pike, and perch. Moon Lake offers shoreline fishing access without needing a boat. "Fished most of the day while sitting on my chair just in the water. Caught a sunburn and two small perch. Later they got the rest of the school to come out and jump like crazy," reports Margaret W.
Water activities: Several campgrounds offer swimming and boating options during summer months. Barnes County Park Clausen Springs Recreation Area features "a well maintained sandy area by the small lake and trails that loop around the area," according to James V., who also noted the recreation area includes "a small creek running though the camping area."
What campers like
Quiet nights: The rural setting provides peaceful camping experiences with minimal noise pollution. "Low light pollution meant a wonderful night sky," reports James V. about Clausen Springs. Similarly, at Fort Ransom State Park Campground, one camper noted "it was different than expected but in a good way. The ND scenery was great with the river valley."
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local birds and animals. Teresa T. mentioned that at Fort Ransom State Park, "we saw an incredible amount of wildlife in our one day stay." Moon Lake visitors reported seeing "tons of birds which make some noise but aren't a bother."
Local history: The area features several historical sites and landmarks. Fort Ransom State Park includes preserved pioneer buildings and educational exhibits. "Very green park with alot of history, including a preserved farm about early white settlers," notes Lynn G., adding that "the camp staff were especially great with lots of stories to entertain the preschooler and grandma!"
What you should know
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require traveling on gravel or unpaved roads. Moon Lake visitors reported varying experiences with access roads: "The directions we followed took us on some pretty rocky roads, we took a different way out and it was a bit smoother." Another camper noted "a long, very dusty gravel road" leading to the lake.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Pelican Point Landing, one camper reported "basically no cell service" but noted there was "nice little bar/restaurant on site with free wifi." Similarly, at Mel Rieman Rec, campers mentioned "cel and wifi access is bad at best. There is a store close by that has access."
Bathroom facilities: Quality and availability vary between locations. At Moon Lake, one camper warned about the pit toilet: "It had a sign telling you how to break in, in the case of emergencies... Do not open up the pit toilet, no matter the emergency." In contrast, James V. noted that at Clausen Springs "trails and sites were very well maintained" including the facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's play areas. Teresa T. noted that Clausen Springs has "places for kids to play on playground equipment and access to the lake with very nice docks." This makes it easier to keep children entertained during your stay.
Themed events: Red Trail Vineyard RV Park and other area campgrounds host seasonal activities. Fort Ransom State Park is known for special events like "Sodbuster Days, Halloween in June and Christmas in July is a must," according to Rudy W., making it a hit with families looking for structured activities.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas with varying amenities. At Pelican Point Landing, Mason noted there was "decent swimming with boat landing. Small playground for kids." The campground also features a small beach area, though one camper described it as "not the best swimming ever."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Many RV campers report varying experiences with site levelness. At Pelican Point Landing, Mason stayed in a "36 ft 5th wheel and had no issues getting it setup, although the ground was far from level, we managed." This contrasts with Buffalo RV Park's gravel pads mentioned in other reviews.
Walking distance amenities: RV campers at Buffalo RV Park appreciate the proximity to local businesses. One camper noted it's a "great overnight stop" with a "5 min walk to Old 10 Saloon, nice inside good service." This makes it convenient for RV camping near Valley City, North Dakota without needing to disconnect tow vehicles.
Electric hookup limitations: Several campgrounds offer only basic electric service without full hookups. At Red Trail Vineyard RV Park, Ariel noted "it is basically an open flat field with power/water hook ups in the middle and 14 gravel spots on either side." The campground lacks amenities like picnic tables and has "one shared fire pit for the entire camp."
