A beautiful lakeside location, gorgeous scenery, and a wide range of recreational activities — that's what you can expect when you camp in Lake Sakakawea State Park. Located 40 miles west of Mercer, this much-loved North Dakota park boasts miles of pristine shoreline around this 368,000-acre lake.
Fishing and boating are two of the most popular activities in Lake Sakakawea State Park, as you'd expect, but great hiking and birding opportunities are also on offer. Best of all, there's a huge modern campground where you can stay for a night, a week, or even more in your rental RV.
If this sounds like your idea of camping nirvana, keep reading to find out how to plan your ideal visit to Lake Sakakawea.
Tell us where in Lake Sakakawea State Park you want to pick up or have your RV delivered
Sort by vehicle type, date, price, and amenities
Learn more about your favorite RV and the best local destinations
Send a request directly to the host and start preparing for your adventure
With 368,000 acres of lake to explore, visitors to Lake Sakakawea State Park often can't get out on the water soon enough. The park has its own full-service marina to cater to the needs of boaters and anglers, with 74 slips available for boats up to 72 feet in length. The marina also features a convenience store, a gas dock, and camper and boat storage.
Two boat ramps ensure easy access to the lake. The first is a multi-lane ramp near the western edge of the park, while the second is a single-lane ramp in the park's southeast. Lake Sakakawea is best known as a fishing destination, with northern pike, walleye, and chinook salmon just a few of the species that can be caught here in abundance.
But there are other ways to enjoy the water if you're not an angler. For some visitors, that means making the most of North Dakota's windy conditions to explore the lake on a windsurfer or in a sailboat. For others, there's nothing better than spreading out a towel on the park's swim beach and taking a dip in the water whenever the summer sun gets too hot.
There's plenty of other dry-land activities to enjoy in the park as well, with kids' playgrounds, horseshoe pits, and sand volleyball courts all provided. However, no visit to Lake Sakakawea State Park would be complete without setting out to traverse one of the park's hiking trails.
Hikers have four trails to choose from, with the Shoreline Trail a particular favorite at just under three miles long. Even better, the park is the terminus for the North Country National Scenic Trail. If you're looking to explore a section of this epic trail, what better place to start than right here?
If you want to enjoy a few days (or more) RV camping at Lake Sakakawea State Park, book a camper in Mercer County and then find yourself a spot in the park's pretty campground. Site options include:
The campsites are distributed around five separate camping loops, so check out a campground map before choosing a site to reserve. Sites are spacious, with many also boasting excellent water views. However, bugs can be a problem at times, so don't forget to pack your insect repellent.
Pets are welcome in the campground provided they're kept on a leash. Two seasonal camping cabins are also available for rent.
When your Lake Sakakawea State Park RV camping vacation comes to an end, you'll be pleased to discover several other great attractions nearby. Instead of heading straight home, you might like to take a few detours along the way to check out some of the best of them.
For example, if you'd like to check out another great state park on the shores of Lake Sakakawea, Fort Stevenson State Park is just a 45-minute drive away.
If you love fishing, you'll probably want to make the short drive to Riverdale to check out the Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium, where great fishing, hiking, and camping are all on offer.
Of course, if you'd like to head somewhere a little more populated, Bismarck is less than an hour and a half to the southeast. While you're there, be sure to sample a brew or two at the city's locally owned breweries. If you're traveling with little ones, a day at the Dakota Zoo is sure to delight. History buffs will also want to experience the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum.
Whatever type of experiences you want to enjoy on your motorhome camping vacation, you'll find plenty to enjoy in this part of the world. Rent an RV near Lake Sakakawea State Park and get ready to experience everything the park and its surrounding areas have to offer.
We care about the protection of your data. Read our privacy policy
August, 2024
June, 2023