Watford City is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Watford City campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Watford City, ND. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
In 1805, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, along with their Corps of Discovery, crossed this region of North Dakota’s Badlands as they paddled up the mighty Missouri River. Today, Lewis and Clark State Park commemorates their passage through the area with this 490-acre recreation area on the scenic shores of Lake Sakakawea. The park is located in the upper, northwest corner of the state, about 20 miles east of Williston, off of ND-1804, and is one North Dakota’s best destinations for camping, boating, birding and hiking. The campground at Lewis and Clark State Park offers more than 100 tent and RV campsites, most of which are equipped with full or partial hookups. Both back-in and pull-through drives are available, and can accommodate large RVs and trailers. There are also 8 primitive tent sites and 5 group sites. Campsites are partially wooded for some shade, and come equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. Campground amenities include water faucets, flush toilets, showers, playgrounds, a dog park, picnic areas, and Wifi service. A dump station is located between the campsite loops. Dogs must remain leashed unless in designated areas. Camping is available year-round; sites are $17–$30/night; reservations accepted. The recreation opportunities at Lewis and Clark State Park are abundant, both on land and water. More than 8 miles of hiking and biking trails explore the prairies and ravines in the park. These range from short, family-friendly interpretive paths to longer trails to scenic badlands viewpoints, and for unique bird and wildlife watching. For cooling off during the summer season, a sandy beach is available for sunbathing and swimming, and boat ramps are available for launching watercraft onto Lake Sakakawea. The park rents canoes, kayaks and SUPs for paddling fun. Also a popular fishing destination, anglers can cast for walleye and northern pike.
Turn west on Road #712 at the Magpie Camp sign, located 1.5 miles north of Fairfield on Highway 85; travel 15.5 miles on gravel road #712. The campground is located ¼ mile northeast off road # 712. A day use parking lot right adjacent to the MDH trail is located ½ mile south of the campground. This fenced camp features 11 camp spurs. A handicap accessible vault toilet and a potable water well are available during the summer months. A convenient meeting area for those traveling to Devil's Pass or the Ice Caves. A great shaded area in the summer!
$6 / night
This is a nice, large campground along the North Shore of Lake Sakakaque, ND. Large spots, fairly level, with gravel pads.
I’ve stayed here multiple times. The sites are relatively spread out, though I like to stay towards the back of the site where it’s even more secluded. Every time I’ve been here, the camp is never over 1/2 full. The part I like most about this campground is the easy access to the world renowned Maah Daah Hey Trail: >100 miles of trail open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Either head south on Magpie road to Magpie trailhead, or follow the campground road away from the main road past the cattleguard and find the connecting trail there. From there, either head west towards Devil’s Pass or east towards the ice caves. At dusk, be sure to listen for coyotes barking in the distance
This campground is beautiful. They keep it very well kept. They mow weekly, facilities are very clean, the playgrounds are nice and kept up, the roads (all paved) and rv pads (most gravel) are very nice and the place has tons of trees (except on the beach so bring a beach umbrella!). There is a very nice shower house with 3 shower stalls and flush toilets as well as 2 vanities. There is a general store that carries lots of fishing gear, some groceries (e.g. ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, buns, bread, chocolate, marshmallows, Graham crackers, ice cream), they have shirts, sweaters, hats, some frozen foods, camping supplies and lots more. Lewis & Clark is our favorite place to stay. The beach is super sandy with some, but not many rocks, lots of drift wood and the water is shallow for a long ways so it's great for kids! Hope you love it as much as we do!
8 camp spaces, mostly hunters, no cell coverage
We were headed to the north unit of TRNP and found this nice campground. Small and private, only one other group there who were visiting with their horses. They said they had good trails, but we didn’t have much time to explore. Beautiful views and very peaceful. Only downfall was the long drive on the rough/ unpaved roads. My Toyota Corolla isn’t the best “off roading” car, but we got there safely. Definitely would visit again!!! Paid $10 cash for the evening.
Overall, we enjoyed this campground. It’s small and well kept. Has a cute little Marina. The toilet facilities were kept in good, clean condition. (Bring your own toilet paper tho, they run out quick). The only thing keeping me from giving 5 stars is our electricity box at our site was completely unusable, so we couldn’t cook at all as there was also a fire ban in effect so we couldn’t make a fire either. :)
Off season ccamping... not here.
There was a signboard at entrance booth that might have included camping rates. But it was covered up. I drove around and could not find any employees to ask how much. I camped and did find someone in the morning. She the camping fee (with toilet facility and water shut off was $25. No off season rate and no senior discount.
Too much for camping in what is essentially a closes RV parking lot! I would have gone somewhere else if they had not hidden the camping rate singn.
I will not be back.
The CG is free. They want you to check in at the Confluence Visitor Center. The CG has tables, fire rings, and trash cans. Nobody has pulled in around us. Nothing better than free camping with solitude these days! We camped here in a 35 ft 5th wheel. Lots of great history with the old forts (Buford and Union) nearby. And the Confluence Visitor Center was good.
I was able to see the northern lights here once! Good trail access
Doesn’t ever seem to be to full. Awesome access to the lake
Easy access off Hwy 2. We were there in first week of June & had place to ourselves, but there are MANY sites, most on the reservoir. Not a walking or swimming beach, but lots of birds & waterfowl, and gophers! Grass sites & trees, pit toilets & that’s it.
This site was very scenic and secluded, with trees between the sites making them much more private. Great hiking nearby, and only a couple other people there on a weekend in June. Great option if other sites are booked. $10 cash.
$10 use fee per night.. Small lake recreation area with 18 sites and vault toilets. Hand pump water available at the day use area. Pack in pack out. The sites are spread out in 3 loops. Clean and very nicely done with sheltered picnic tables. 16 miles from nearest store in beautiful surroundings so be prepared and don't forget anything 😉 no Verizon service.
What a gem! Off the beaten path but on our way to see the sights so convenient. 7 spots across from the park. 30/50 amp electric with water and dump. Water was not turned on when we were here. Bar and a restaurant a short walking distance away. Post office and city hall across the street. Lion's club has Hamburger Saturday in the park. The city told me donations are accepted. Slot in the door behind the first responders building. Other sites mention $10. a night. Either way a bargain! Lewis and Clark museum just as you enter the city.
We stayed 1 night passing through it was a nice trip. We will come back again.
Quick overnight stay. According to the ranger 7 total campers in the state park. Very quiet to say the least. Two cold to paddle board.
Lewis and Clark didn’t seem like much, but 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. Most campgrounds could care less, they assume you know the deal. I commend the staff at this place, it’s what true North Dakota’s do for each other.
We also had plenty of space in our campsites and the area is super clean. The trails and the beach were quite exciting as the nights that were clear had the Aurora borealis in the background. So beautiful.
We camped here for two nights, the first night was tricky for us to gage exactly where to camp because it we arrived at 3am. We ended up sleeping just outside of the site (haha so close!), but we found it in the morning! A lot of people hike/bike in from the Maah Daah Hey Trial what we initially thought you had to do. The sign for hiking/biking in to this site is outside of a gated area, but the actual camping is INSIDE this gated area! (Go figure 😂) We found out the next day you can actually drive into these sights as well! The GPS sent us to a dead end, but if you go a bit further down the road, there will be a sign indicating Magpie CG. We camped here in the middle of the week and we saw only three other camping groups during our two days here. There is a we’ll to pump your own water from and a super clean, enclosed pit toilet. The sights have a picnic table and a metal fire ring with a grill attached. The stars were beautiful and the camp was so quite. There were a lot of flies but there where hardly any mosquitos or other biting bugs. Would recommend to for anyone to visit and would definitely go back. Such a beautiful area!
The campsite is a good 25 min off the highway on a dirt road so don't plan to go back-forth a lot. But it's worth it for the peace and surrounding beauty. That's what you came for right?
We stayed Sat-Mon in late June and it wasn't crowded at all. I think the most we saw were two other camp sites filled. Even if it was at capacity, you wouldn't hear or see much of others. The sites are spaced apart and surrounded by trees.
The water pump is a blessing since it was in the 90s when we visited. You really have to work the old fashioned pump but the crisp water is worth it. The pit bathroom is cleaned and was stocked with toilet paper.
We wandered around the hiking area (Magpie Trail starts nearby) which follows a small creek.
My wife and I come here a couple of times every summer. It’s a great place to brings the dogs. There are plenty of trails and the dogs love swimming in the lake.
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. Also, there is an ice cream truck that comes through the campground at night.
It is a very great campground. Great fishing, great spots, awesome fire pits and very family friendly.. and the rangers are very helpful
Went all the way down the road to the lake. When we got to the end there was a closed sign. Appears they are flooding badly. Wish they would have had a sign at the train tracks considering the road only leads to the lake. Appears no other way to get to the lake.
This is hot spot for the area. While it has some pros there is a huge con
Pros: Great Lake with best fishing you can get Activities such as swimming, trails, basket ball, geocaching and lots of activities put on by the park Cabin rentals Swimming beach Small craft rentals such SUP 2 playgrounds Dock/ boat launch/ boat storage
Cons: There is absolutely no space or privacy. Expect to be feet away from your neighbor.
Very few trees except for the older lane nearer the lake. The newer loop has no trees, shelter or shade. Prepare the bake.
People books spots for week and months. Getting a “good” space is pretty dismal.
There a few trees in the older part
This is one of our favorite places to camp because 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
Cute spot to go fishing or boating, but I wouldn’t camp here. The pervious review said the water is dirty... it comes off the confluence and Yellowstone at a fast pace. I wouldn’t say it’s dirty to swim in or fish in. I’ve done both & have a great time out there... except for camping, I need more privacy then what they offer.
No fish!
A little difficult to access if you’ve never been but worth it. Direct access to 100+ miles of the Maah Daah Hey trail!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Watford City, ND?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Watford City, ND is Lewis & Clark State Park — Lewis And Clark State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 15 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 7 glamping camping locations near Watford City, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.
