A little over two miles north of the border with South Dakota, Bowman Haley Lake is known for year-round outdoor recreation opportunities. The Bowman-Haley Dam was completed in 1970 by the Army Corps of Engineers to prevent flooding and preserve the local fish and wildlife. The resulting reservoir is a V-shaped lake popular for fishing, boating, and swimming.
The lake totals over 1,700 acres and offers visitors 17 miles of shoreline to navigate. It's formed where the North Fork Grand River, Alkali Creek, and Spring Creek meet. Surrounding the lake you'll find roughly 7,000 acres of wilderness full of wildlife. There are creeks and uplands and well as a growing number of trees.
There are COE campgrounds available at Bowman Haley Lake to accommodate large RVs. There are options for both campsites with electric hookups and other amenities or primitive, secluded sites with few amenities. Due to its location, Bowman Haley Lake is a fantastic road trip destination for travelers exploring the local attractions. You can easily visit three different states in one trip. Within North Dakota you can experience the beauty of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. In under 100 miles you can marvel at the majestic trees of the Custer National Forest which stretches into both South Dakota and Montana.
Getting to Bowman Haley Lake in the spring, summer, and fall is straightforward. It's south of Bowman and roads are well-maintained and paved.
If you're thinking about traveling to Bowman County, North Dakota in the winter, this area can present some weather-related challenges. Watch out for snow, ice, and high winds, which can all impact your ability to reach your destination, unless you have winter-appropriate gear.
Parking is available at all three recreation areas and within the campgrounds. Parking large vehicles and trailers at the primitive camping ares is especially easy as they are wide-open spaces.
Available on a first-come, first-served basis, there are many acres of primitive camping areas at both the South Shore Recreation Area and The Point Recreation Area. There are no hookups available here and the primitive camping areas are generally wide open and unstructured totaling over 7,000 acres.
At the South Shore, you'll find a boat ramp and two sets of vault toilets as the only real amenities. At The Point, the only real convenience is one set of vault toilets.
The main draw with these two primitive camping areas is the seclusion that comes from getting away into the wilderness. You will trade some features but for vacationers looking to relax, staying at one of these quiet, primitive sites can be very refreshing.
Campers wanting to stay within the boundaries of Bowman Haley Lake can head to the North Shore Recreation Area. Camping is permitted here within 51 sites with electric hookups. There are also additional primitive campsites available at a lower cost. Rigs up to 45 feet can stay the night and there are three more campsites near the Marina where you'll find a restaurant and mini-store.
The North Shore Campground at this COE lake features both vault and flush toilets along with a dump station. There are also taps for drinking water and showers onsite. Don't forget to bring your boat with you since there is a boat launch within the recreation area.
This pet-friendly campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. In the high summer season, get there early to secure your ideal site.
Located in Bowman, the Pioneer Trails Regional Museum is the perfect stop for a rainy day or during the offseason. The museum conducts research and houses items from within no more than 100 miles of Bowman. They also showcase many local artists, guest speakers, and offer rotating historical exhibits.
Often a good place to start your trip, this museum is a major cultural hotspot in the area and offers regional archaeological and paleontological research findings. A current schedule of the events offered here is available directly from the museum.
Bowman Haley Lake provides thousands of acres to explore on foot. While out in this magnificent wilderness, make sure you keep your eyes open for the local wildlife.
There is an abundance of waterfowl around the lake and extremely lucky visitors may catch a rare glimpse of the endangered whooping crane. They travel through North Dakota on their migration in the spring and fall. The migration route goes from Texas to Canada's Wood Buffalo National Park and back.
Hikers are more likely to spot grazing mule and white-tailed deer, pheasants, and beavers. They might even cross paths with a coyote. Have your camera handy so you don't miss the perfect shot.
In total, Bowman Haley Lake has 17 miles of shoreline that offers wonderful water views. Carve out a little water-side area for you and your group and enjoy an outdoor feast.
For picnickers who like a more structured dining experience, try one of the recreation areas. All three areas have picnic facilities but both the North and South Shore have a boat launch as well. These could be a great place to set up for the day to enjoy both water sports and a picnic.
There are no designated swimming beaches at Bowman Haley Lake but that doesn't mean that visitors can't get in the water. Head to the shores of the lake and set up your towel for a refreshing summer dip. Many areas of the shoreline are grassy and suitable for a comfortable day of sunbathing.
Since swimming here is unsupervised, make sure you keep an eye on younger swimmers and always swim with a buddy.
Getting your boat in the water is simple at Bowman Haley Lake. There are boat ramps at both the South Shore and North Shore Recreation Areas. Although small, this COE lake can be a great place to spend the day out on the water.
Bring your fishing gear to fish from your boat or simply paddle the shoreline in your canoe or kayak. The average depth of the lake is about 11 feet and the deeper sections are up to 30 feet.
Watch out for obstructions when boating. The US Army Corps of Engineers actively adds vegetation to the lake, like dead trees, to improve fish habitats.
The most common catch at Bowman Haley Lake is walleye and some reports confirm the walleye size of up to six pounds. Anglers are also most like to catch northern pike and smallmouth bass. For visitors who enjoy bowfishing, the carp at this COE lake is a good option as a target.
You can enjoy fishing from shore or by boat. Another option is at the South Shore Recreation Area where there's a fishing dock for those who prefer to stay on land or don't have access to a boat.
Additional catches here can include largemouth and white bass, perch, bluegill, and both brown and rainbow trout. It's easy to see, with all this diversity, why fishing at Bowman Haley Lake is so popular. If you happen to be in the area in the winter, you can also try your luck at ice fishing.
