Lake Sakakawea State Park — Attraction in Stanton

Our family spent a weekend at Lake Sakakawea State Park, set on the south shore of North Dakota’s vast reservoir near Garrison Dam, and it quickly became one of our favorite outdoor destinations. Pulling into the park, we were immediately impressed by the clean, spacious layout and the calming blend of prairie and lakeshore.

The campground offers a variety of options. We chose a lakeside spot with full hookups, which was roomy, well-maintained, and pleasantly quiet even when the park was busy. Morning views over the water were beautiful, and in the evenings, cool breezes from the lake made for perfect campfire weather.

The park’s amenities exceeded our expectations. There is a full-service marina with boat slips, ramps, a convenience store, fuel dock, and a fish-cleaning station—making fishing and boating easy for both beginners and enthusiasts. We rented a pontoon for an afternoon and enjoyed exploring the shoreline and catching sight of the dramatic scoria cliffs. The swimming beach was a hit with the kids, though there were no lifeguards, so we kept a close eye on them.

We explored several of the well-marked trails, including the Overlook Trail and a stretch of the North Country National Scenic Trail, which starts right at the visitor center. These trails provided panoramic views of the lake, the canyons, and the distant Garrison Dam. Trails were suitable for hiking, biking, or even winter skiing, so there’s something for everyone no matter the season.

Fishing was a highlight—our family caught walleye and northern pike, and we heard from others about the occasional perch and Chinook salmon. The marina staff were helpful with advice and bait, and we enjoyed both the experience and the success of our outing. Wildlife sightings, including deer, raccoons, and a variety of birds, added an extra layer of enjoyment.

The facilities were excellent: flush restrooms, showers, dump stations, potable water, and picnic pavilions with grills were all clean and well-stocked. We also appreciated reliable cell service and Wi-Fi at key locations, which made it easier to keep in touch and manage the kids’ devices.

A few tips for future visitors: Summer evenings can get breezy, so bring layers. The beach is unsupervised, so vigilance is important if you have younger swimmers. If you want a lakeside campsite, it’s best to reserve well in advance—these sites fill quickly. The park has quiet hours from 10 pm to 7 am, which helps maintain a peaceful environment.

Overall, Lake Sakakawea State Park offers everything a family needs for an outdoor getaway: clean and spacious camping, plenty of water and land activities, scenic hiking, excellent fishing, and family-friendly facilities. Whether you’re in an RV or pitching a tent, it’s a top choice for enjoying North Dakota’s wide-open spaces, fresh air, and...

This campground has first-come first-served sites and offers both electric/water hookups for $25 per night and non-hookup sites for $17 per night. Every site has a picnic table and a fire ring. This campground is pet-friendly. The pads in the non-hookup loop (we were in Fishing Point) are grassy and not entirely level, but easily workable with a few blocks.

The non-hookup loops and dump station area have potable water and threaded faucets. The water itself tasted a little funky during our stay, but it wasn't bad. The on-premises dump station is very large and surprisingly clean with four lanes for your dumping pleasure. Be warned if you stay here on a holiday weekend and need to dump-leave early or be prepared to wait.

During our stay the grounds were clean and well maintained. The grass was cut and the roads were free of major pot holes. The rangers came by every few hours to make sure everything was okay. Unfortunately, they didn't seem intent on enforcing the rules, as a quite a few of them drove by our neighbors who had all three of their dogs (and all four of their toddlers) off-leash and mostly unsupervised for the entire weekend.

We had excellent cell and data reception with 4 solid bars of Verizon LTE and 5 bars of Verizon 3G. We were able to stream videos and run updates the entire time we were there and had no interruption in service. We often avoid state parks because they sometimes charge extra fees in addition to their camping fees. This place is no exception. Non-hookup sites are listed at $17, but you are also charged an additional $5 day-use pass per vehicle. But for a lakeside campground with amenities, the total nightly cost is still very reasonable. We'd easily stay there again the next time we are...

​Lake Sakakawea State Park is a fantastic destination for anyone looking for a peaceful and scenic getaway. The park is situated on the shores of one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the country, and the views of the vast lake are absolutely stunning. It’s a boater's and angler's paradise, with a marina and great access for fishing, but even if you're not into water sports, there's plenty to enjoy.

​The campground is well-maintained with spacious sites, many of which offer a beautiful view of the water. We loved taking a stroll down to the swim beach and walking a segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail, which runs right through the park. It's a peaceful slice of North Dakota that feels both expansive and serene. It's the perfect place to relax, watch a sunset over the water, and truly disconnect from the hustle and bustle...