The best lakeside camping in North Dakota

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With more than 400 lakes and rivers, including the mighty Missouri River, landlocked North Dakota has its fair share of lakeside beaches and fish-filled waters to explore. A short drive from Bismarck, the state's largest man-made lake, Lake Sakakawea, has swimming beaches, water sports, and several campgrounds and RV parks, while further west, Lewis and Clark State Park offers lakeside camping against a backdrop of the Badlands. Lake camping isn't just a summer affair—check into a cozy cabin at Lake Metigoshe State Park, and you can hike, bike, and fish through summer, or try cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing in winter. Or if you're looking for the state's best fishing, head to Devils Lake (renowned for its perch fishing and home to Grahams Island State Park), Fort Stevenson State Park (the "walleye capital of North Dakota"), or Lake Oahe, which is brimming with walleye, pike, and smallmouth bass.

Top-rated campgrounds near North Dakota

Icelandic State Park

1. Icelandic State Park

100%
(7)
159 sites · Cavalier, North Dakota
Discover Icelandic State Park's rich heritage and diverse outdoor activities.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Garrison Dam & Lake Sakakawea

2. Garrison Dam & Lake Sakakawea

60%
(5)
430 sites · Buchanan, North Dakota
Discover the splendor of Garrison Dam & Lake Sakakawea's diverse recreation.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Fort Stevenson State Park

3. Fort Stevenson State Park

91%
(17)
1 site · Garrison, North Dakota
Discover Fort Stevenson State Park's marinas, trails, and rich history.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Lake Metigoshe State Park

4. Lake Metigoshe State Park

132 sites · Bottineau, North Dakota
Discover Lake Metigoshe State Park's year-round outdoor bliss and cozy retreats.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Lake Sakakawea State Park

5. Lake Sakakawea State Park

142 sites · Pick City, North Dakota
Discover Lake Sakakawea State Park's scenic trails, fishing, and camping.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Bowman-Haley Dam & Lake

6. Bowman-Haley Dam & Lake

103 sites · Scranton, North Dakota
Discover Bowman-Haley Dam & Lake: A Haven for Water Sports and Fishing.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Grahams Island State Park

7. Grahams Island State Park

157 sites · Fort Totten, North Dakota
Discover Grahams Island State Park's wooded campsites and fishing havens.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Ashtabula Lake and Baldhill Dam

8. Ashtabula Lake and Baldhill Dam

144 sites · Sibley, North Dakota
Discover Ashtabula Lake and Baldhill Dam's natural beauty and recreational fun.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Beaver Lake State Park

9. Beaver Lake State Park

37 sites · Napoleon, North Dakota
Discover the serene beauty of Beaver Lake State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Lake Oahe

10. Lake Oahe

61 sites · Fort Pierre, South Dakota
Become king of the wild frontier at this huge reservoir with plenty to do.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets

With more than 400 lakes and rivers, including the mighty Missouri River, landlocked North Dakota has its fair share of lakeside beaches and fish-filled waters to explore. A short drive from Bismarck, the state's largest man-made lake, Lake Sakakawea, has swimming beaches, water sports, and several campgrounds and RV parks, while further west, Lewis and Clark State Park offers lakeside camping against a backdrop of the Badlands. Lake camping isn't just a summer affair—check into a cozy cabin at Lake Metigoshe State Park, and you can hike, bike, and fish through summer, or try cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing in winter. Or if you're looking for the state's best fishing, head to Devils Lake (renowned for its perch fishing and home to Grahams Island State Park), Fort Stevenson State Park (the "walleye capital of North Dakota"), or Lake Oahe, which is brimming with walleye, pike, and smallmouth bass.

Top-rated campgrounds near North Dakota

Icelandic State Park

1. Icelandic State Park

100%
(7)
159 sites · Cavalier, North Dakota
Discover Icelandic State Park's rich heritage and diverse outdoor activities.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Garrison Dam & Lake Sakakawea

2. Garrison Dam & Lake Sakakawea

60%
(5)
430 sites · Buchanan, North Dakota
Discover the splendor of Garrison Dam & Lake Sakakawea's diverse recreation.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Fort Stevenson State Park

3. Fort Stevenson State Park

91%
(17)
1 site · Garrison, North Dakota
Discover Fort Stevenson State Park's marinas, trails, and rich history.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Lake Metigoshe State Park

4. Lake Metigoshe State Park

132 sites · Bottineau, North Dakota
Discover Lake Metigoshe State Park's year-round outdoor bliss and cozy retreats.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Lake Sakakawea State Park

5. Lake Sakakawea State Park

142 sites · Pick City, North Dakota
Discover Lake Sakakawea State Park's scenic trails, fishing, and camping.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Bowman-Haley Dam & Lake

6. Bowman-Haley Dam & Lake

103 sites · Scranton, North Dakota
Discover Bowman-Haley Dam & Lake: A Haven for Water Sports and Fishing.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Grahams Island State Park

7. Grahams Island State Park

157 sites · Fort Totten, North Dakota
Discover Grahams Island State Park's wooded campsites and fishing havens.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Ashtabula Lake and Baldhill Dam

8. Ashtabula Lake and Baldhill Dam

144 sites · Sibley, North Dakota
Discover Ashtabula Lake and Baldhill Dam's natural beauty and recreational fun.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
Beaver Lake State Park

9. Beaver Lake State Park

37 sites · Napoleon, North Dakota
Discover the serene beauty of Beaver Lake State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Lake Oahe

10. Lake Oahe

61 sites · Fort Pierre, South Dakota
Become king of the wild frontier at this huge reservoir with plenty to do.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field