Map showing campground location near Dickinson, North Dakota

Camper submitted image from Patterson Lake Rec Area

Patterson Lake Rec Area

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Train horns cut through the night at Patterson Lake Rec Area, a municipally run campground on the edge of Dickinson, North Dakota. The tracks run less than a football field from the sites, and multiple reviewers confirm trains pass through regularly between midnight and 5 a.m. That detail alone shapes the experience here more than any amenity on the list.

The campground splits into two distinct zones. The west side provides electric, water, and sewer hookups alongside a dump station, with two end sites wired for 50-amp service and the rest running 30-amp. The east side is dry camping at a lower nightly rate. Tent sites sit on individual grass pads, though RV spaces run small and can feel tight for larger rigs. Shade is minimal during daytime hours, arriving only in the evenings as the sun drops. Mosquitoes are a reliable presence in summer.

Despite the name, Larry H. notes that "none of the campsites are very close to the lake," and the water stays visible but not accessible from most sites. An industrial facility sits adjacent to the property. Showers are available on the modern side, though primitive campers will need to walk across the campground to reach them. The Patterson Lake Boat Ramp is a short distance south for those arriving by water.

The campground operates year-round, accepts reservations, and allows pets. Campers who want more options in the area can browse campgrounds around Dickinson before committing to a site. If the noise and open layout suit your style, the low crowds and on-site staff make it a workable overnight base.

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Map & DirectionsPatterson Lake Rec Area is located in North Dakota near Dickinson

Public Campground

Directions

Located 3 miles west and 1 mile south of Dickinson, ND on old Highway 10 or take Exit 59 off I-94 south.

Coordinates

46.86800095 N
102.84300067 W

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Connectivity

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 7/31/26
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Excellent Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 7/31/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 21 min from Bismarck, ND
2 hrs 39 min from Minot, ND
3 hrs 32 min from Rapid City, SD
4 hrs 46 min from Grand Forks, ND

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Patterson Lake Rec Area

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

3.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

A lakeside campground with decent hookups and tent areas, but visitors frequently mentioned train noise and close site spacing. Staff received positive feedback, though pricing opinions were mixed at $16-27 per night.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Robin W.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 2, 2026

Okay to get by

The train literally runs past less than a football field away. You cannot stay more than 14 days. Little to no shade except for in the evenings.

Siteprimitive

Month of VisitJuly

(9) View All

Bene G.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 20, 2025

Basic - If you take the primitive campground

20$ for the primitive camping is basically okay. 5$ for firewood too. The showers are on the other side of the campsite at the modern sites. Lot of mosquitoes but let’s be honest, no ones fault. Other than that it was a pleasant stay, we were completely alone.

Siteprimitive - 12

Month of VisitAugust

connie P.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2019

Great little spot .but bathroom

Great spot tent's are on there own grass spot the rv spot's that i seen looked small if you had bigger rig would be very tight . The guy that lives on site was very nice when i bothered him with question's at home while making dinner twice .Also the public access restroom's were not open and the only bathroom in the tent area was very nasty with fly's and completely full so we had to ride are motorcycle to the rv site bathroom that also had shower's .This was the more costly camp out of the 3 we stayed at at 27.oo not bad for one night there were train's but no other campers so did get good nights sleep

Month of VisitAugust

(8) View All

Chris O.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 27, 2019

Yikes

Looking at a map, you’d think this place would be great. It’s off the main road and by a lake. However, none of the campsites are very close to the lake. Instead, they occupy a short block away from the lake and though the parking spaces are lined with trees, the sites themselves are not so you are a good 20ft from the camp next to you. Oh, and did I mention that there’s a huge industrial factory right next door? I thought I might wake up a super hero...(or villain 😏). OH! And did I mention there’s a train track right nearby with trains that run pretty much throughout the night, tooting their horns to warn all of the people NOT driving on this random back road between the hours of midnight and 5am that they are barreling through?

Yeah, steer clear.

Larry H.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 25, 2019

Nice little surprise.

Nice park on the lake. Electric and water on the west side, dump station there too.$26 The two site on either end are 50 amp the rest are 30 amp. East side is dry camping at $16. Near some train tracks but they don't seem to blow the horn as much at night. The staff was friendly.

Sarah H.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 11, 2018

Just an OK Campground

There are showers and a playground, but the sites are too close to each other and too high in price. The lake seems to get the akgae every summer as well so no swimming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find a map of Patterson Lake Campground?

Maps of Patterson Lake Campground are available at the campground entrance and from staff on-site. The layout includes separate areas for the west side (with hookups) and east side (primitive camping). For planning purposes, it's helpful to know the campground is arranged in a block-style layout not directly on the lakeshore. Contact the campground directly or check with the Dickinson Parks & Recreation Department for the most current official map before your visit.

What camping facilities are available at Patterson Lake Recreation Area?

Patterson Lake Recreation Area offers diverse camping options. The west side features electric and water hookups ($26) with a dump station available. Most sites are 30-amp with two 50-amp sites at each end. The east side provides more primitive dry camping at a lower rate ($16-20). Facilities include showers, a playground, and public restrooms (though availability may vary seasonally). Tent campers enjoy dedicated grassy sites, while RV spots can be somewhat tight for larger rigs. Firewood is available for purchase at around $5.

Are there photos or reviews available for Patterson Lake Recreation Area?

Yes, photos and reviews for Patterson Lake Recreation Area are available on various camping websites, including The Dyrt. These resources can help you see the campground layout, lake views, and camping sites before your trip. Photos typically show the campsite areas, facilities, and lake views. The visual resources can give you a better understanding of the site spacing, which tends to be somewhat close together, and the distance between campsites and the lake itself.

Where is Patterson Lake located in North Dakota?

Patterson Lake is located in Dickinson, North Dakota. The recreation area is situated just outside the city, offering a nearby getaway for locals and travelers. The lake serves as a recreational hub for the area, though it sits a short distance from the actual campground sites. The location is near train tracks but remains a popular destination for those visiting the Dickinson area.

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