Cabin camping near Watford City, North Dakota offers visitors access to Lake Sakakawea, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the United States. The region experiences continental climate with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F, while winters can drop well below freezing. Campgrounds in this area provide varying levels of cabin accommodations ranging from rustic structures to fully-equipped units with modern amenities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The lake at Lewis & Clark State Park offers multiple fish species for anglers. "Fishing is awesome out there. Usually a pretty busy place, so if you are looking for seclusion you won't find it here. We tent camp so we aren't as packed as the rvs but still a great place to be & fish for all the species that the lake has to offer," notes one regular visitor.
Boating access: Launch facilities accommodate various watercraft. "We always drop in our boat here. There are 2 good size lanes so a horrible backup person like myself has no problem," explains a frequent boater at Lewis & Clark State Park.
Trail hiking: Several parks offer walking paths suitable for all skill levels. At Tobacco Garden Rec Area, visitors can explore shoreline trails while enjoying "great sunsets" according to one camper who described it as "one of the best" camping areas in the region.
What campers like
Attentive staff: Park rangers provide consistent security and assistance. "As soon as we got settled in the Park rangers checked on us. They did patrols all the time around and were super friendly! We had one storm while we were there and they gave us the emergency plan as fast as they could," shares a camper about their experience at Lewis & Clark State Park.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards remain high at most cabin locations. "The bathrooms are thoroughly cleaned every night and the park staff are very friendly and helpful. There is a theater area with educational presentations for the kids," notes a regular visitor to the park.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Blacktail Dam offers activities for children. "I think for families this would be a nice place to spend a weekend. Everything was closed I'm here in April so I would have been the only camper had I stayed. But... if you had small boats or wanted to fish it's very cute you can see the water from every campsite," shares a spring visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Many facilities close during colder months. "We had the time of our lives at Lewis and Clark state park! The views are amazing! The water is like being in Ocean with big waves. They hold many awesome eventful weekends during season," explains a summer visitor.
Water access varies: Not all sites provide equal shoreline access. At Blacktail Dam, "All camp spots are right on the water, though most of them have cat tails and thick vegetation making it difficult to get to the water. Each site has electric that you share with your neighbor."
Site spacing: Campgrounds offer different levels of privacy between cabins. "It's a smaller lake with housing all around it. Around the 4th of July can get super busy. They keep the facilities clean," notes a visitor to Blacktail Dam.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple parks include play areas for children. At Tobacco Garden Rec Area, "This campground has a little of everything. Playgrounds, boat landing, grocery store and restaurant, fishing, cabins, showers, allows insured atv and utv's, bait."
Educational programs: Some parks offer learning opportunities. Lewis & Clark provides "a theater area with educational presentations for the kids. Also, there is an ice cream truck that comes through the campground at night."
Swimming options: Designated beach areas accommodate swimmers of various ages. Blacktail Dam has "a swimming beach about 1.5 miles from where we had camped which was pretty central to the grounds. It's not a big beach area so busy days it can be a little crowded. It is nice and sandy and great for the kiddos."
Tips from RVers
Electrical service details: Hook-up availability varies by location. At Lewis & Clark, "All roads and sites are paved with electric only hook up. We stayed on site 362 which is 50A but most sites are 30A."
Water access planning: Bring supplies accordingly. "Fill up your fresh tank at the dump station before going to your site because there are very few accessible spigots near the camp sites," advises an RV camper at Lewis & Clark State Park.
Weather considerations: Lake conditions can change rapidly. "We were lucky as we camped here in late August 2018, the week prior they had record highs of 109! We had our choice of tent sites, and were right on lake front. Facilities were acceptable. Lots of bugs and flies, but we managed!"
