RV sites near Williston, North Dakota accommodate campers in the northwestern corner of the state where the rolling plains meet the Missouri River watershed. The region features dramatic seasonal temperature variations with summer highs reaching the 80s while winter temperatures regularly drop below zero. Camping options range from 20 miles east to nearly 50 miles south, with most sites positioned near Lake Sakakawea or smaller water bodies like Blacktail Dam.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Blacktail Dam provides shore fishing access for northern pike, walleye, and sunfish. "It's a smaller lake with housing all around it. They keep the facilities clean," notes one camper at Blacktail Dam.
Water recreation: Lewis and Clark State Park offers boat launching facilities and beach access. "We always drop in our boat here. There are 2 good size lanes so a horrible backup person like myself has no problem!" writes Jackie R. at Lewis & Clark State Park.
Nature viewing: Many campgrounds provide access to wildlife viewing, particularly during dawn and dusk hours. "The Aurora borealis in the background. So beautiful," reports one visitor at Lewis and Clark State Park who experienced the northern lights during their stay.
Local trails: Several campgrounds feature walking paths and hiking trails suitable for day use. "There are plenty of trails and the dogs love swimming in the lake," mentions Matt B. about his experience at Lewis and Clark State Park.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campsites at many parks allow for reasonable distance between neighbors. "We had our choice of tent sites, and were right on lake front," writes Deborah C. about her August camping experience at Lewis & Clark State Park.
Campground maintenance: Regular cleaning schedules keep facilities in good condition throughout the summer season. "The bathrooms are thoroughly cleaned every night and the park staff are very friendly and helpful," notes a repeat visitor at Lewis and Clark State Park.
Water access: Most sites at Blacktail Dam provide water views, though vegetation can sometimes limit direct lake access. "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 Leah N. at Blacktail Dam.
Ranger presence: Staff at some parks maintain regular security patrols and provide emergency information. "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 grateful camper.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most RV parks near Williston operate on limited seasonal schedules. White Buffalo RV Park (now RD RV Park) runs from "April 1 to October 15," according to their listing at White Buffalo RV Park.
Self-contained RV needs: Some parks lack amenities for short-term campers. "This facility is for long term guests that are fully self contained. There are no showers, toilet or water," reports Wayne K. about his experience at White Buffalo RV Park.
Crowding during peak periods: Holiday weekends bring significant visitor numbers to smaller parks. "Around the 4th of July can get super busy," warns a regular visitor to Blacktail Dam, while another notes, "We stayed over the 4th so it was very busy but still enjoyable."
Campsite sharing: Electric hookups at some locations may be shared between neighboring sites. At Blacktail Dam, "Each site has electric that you share with your neighbor," which campers should factor into their power needs planning.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks feature dedicated children's play areas. "They have a nice playground for the kids, some picnic shelters, bathrooms and garbage cans," reports Leah N. about Blacktail Dam.
Educational programming: Some parks offer ranger-led presentations suitable for children. "There is a theater area with educational presentations for the kids," mentions Matt B. about his family experiences at Lewis and Clark State Park.
Swimming areas: Dedicated beaches provide safe water access for younger campers. "It's nice and sandy and great for the kiddos," writes a visitor about the swimming beach at Blacktail Dam, though they note it's "not a big beach area so busy days it can be a little crowded."
Evening treats: Some parks feature special nighttime amenities for families. "There is an ice cream truck that comes through the campground at night," reports a regular visitor to Lewis and Clark State Park.
Tips from RVers
Limited overnight facilities: RV travelers seeking single-night stays should verify amenities availability. "RD RV Park is not really setup for overnight campers. I put a $30 check in a drop box, plugged into the electric and slept there," explains Wayne K. about his experience at White Buffalo RV Park.
Hookup variations: Electric-only sites are common at some parks, requiring water tank filling before arrival. "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 a camper about their experience at Lewis and Clark State Park.
Campsite selection: Seasonal timing affects both availability and comfort at RV sites near Williston, North Dakota. "We were lucky as we camped here in late August 2018, the week prior they had record highs of 109!" reports one camper about their timing at Lewis and Clark State Park.
