Cabin camping near Williston, North Dakota centers around Lake Sakakawea, a reservoir created by Garrison Dam on the Missouri River. The lake stretches 178 miles with 1,530 miles of shoreline, providing extensive fishing opportunities with walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons experience cooler weather with overnight temperatures sometimes dropping below 50°F.
What to do
Fishing access points: Blacktail Dam offers direct water access from most campsites, though vegetation can create challenges. "Cute place to go camp... decent fishing for pike, walleye and sunfish. We haven't camped here yet, but I would love too. We go out fishing for day trips," notes one visitor to Blacktail Dam.
Boating options: Lake Sakakawea provides excellent launch facilities. "We always drop in our boat here. There are 2 good size lanes so a horrible backup person like myself has no problem!" shares one regular at Lewis & Clark State Park.
Swimming areas: While not available at all locations, some campgrounds offer designated swimming beaches. "There is 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," explains a camper from Blacktail Dam.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: The areas around cabins offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. "The trails and the beach were quite exciting as the nights that were clear had the Aurora borealis in the background. So beautiful," mentions a visitor at Lewis & Clark State Park.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives positive feedback. "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 camper at Lewis & Clark.
Evening entertainment: Some campgrounds provide special activities. "An ice cream truck comes through the campground at night," shares a reviewer about Lewis & Clark State Park, while another notes that Tobacco Garden Rec Area offers "Wonderful management. Beautiful lake. Great sunsets. Stayed on 4th of July and it was amazing."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Some facilities close during off-peak months. "Everything was closed, I'm here in April so I would have been the only camper had I stayed. But the bathrooms aren't open and the water is not on yet," cautions a spring visitor to Blacktail Dam.
Campsite privacy: Site layouts vary considerably between campgrounds. "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," shares one camper about their experience at Lewis & Clark State Park.
Ranger presence: Security and emergency planning vary by location. "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," explains a camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "There is a theater area with educational presentations for the kids," mentions a Lewis & Clark visitor, while Tobacco Garden Rec Area provides "Playgrounds, boat landing, grocery store and restaurant, fishing, cabins, showers, allows insured atv and utv's, bait."
Crowding considerations: Smaller recreation areas can become congested during peak times. "Blacktail Dam is a popular destination for most area people. It is a small dam so it does tend to get quite busy, with minimal camping spots. Most of the land around the lake is privately owned lots," notes one reviewer.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer learning experiences for children. "There is a theater area with educational presentations for the kids," shares a Lewis & Clark State Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookups: Availability varies between campgrounds. "Sites were nice with water and electric hookups. Decently spread out," notes a Lewis & Clark visitor, while at Blacktail Dam, "Each site has electric that you share with your neighbor."
Water access: Filling stations can be limited. "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 RVer at Lewis & Clark State Park.
Site selection: Campgrounds offer different site configurations. "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," explains a Blacktail Dam visitor.
