Free Camping Collection with

Camper submitted image from Nelson Lake - 1

View Photos

Unlock Planning Tools in App

Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Nelson Lake

2 Reviews

Description

Nelson Lake offers free primitive campsites. It is approximately 573 square acres in size with 13 miles of shoreline. With depth reaching 35 feet at its deepest, but averaging about 16 feet deep. You can find a variety of fish in Nelson Lake including Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and white Crappie.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Nelson Lake is located in North Dakota

Address

2301 35th Ave SW
Center, ND

Coordinates

47.08535700704779 N
101.23634769155228 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented by T-Mobile Satellite

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More

Presented by

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Sweet Briar Lake Campsites

30 min away

Mitchell Lake

1 hr away

Drive Time

Presented by

34 min from Bismarck
1 hr 21 min from Minot
3 hrs 5 min from Fargo
3 hrs 53 min from Grand Forks

Connectivity

Presented by T-Mobile Satellite

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

Trash
Phone Service
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

Contact

General Info

Visit Website

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented by

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Lauren M.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 18, 2025

free camping along lake

Take the road past the boat ramp and you will come across several grassy areas with a garbage can and sometimes a fire ring.

Month of VisitJuly

Teresa T.

Legend

Reviewed May. 1, 2025

Free primitive camping

This is run by the county and there are a number of spots to stop and camp. There's no services but fire rings. And you simply pull in and park next to your site. The lake is cute I'm guessing in the summer it's very busy it's very close to Center. There's no numbers no anything just open grassy spots.

Month of VisitApril