On the south shore of the third-largest man-made reservoir in the nation, lies Lake Sakakawea State Park. The park is surrounded by miles of lakeshore, providing stunning views. Visitors can spend time at the swim beach, camping beneath the trees, hiking on the trails, or out on the lake. Sail boaters and windsurfers can take advantage of North Dakota’s fabled wind on this 368,000-acre lake.
Lake Sakakawea is known for its premier fishing. The lake is home to walleye, northern pike, and chinook salmon. Anglers can find a full-service marina, a convenience store, and a fish cleaning station. Boat ramps in the park offer deep water access to some of the best salmon fishing on the lake.
The park is also home to the Western Terminus of the North Country National Scenic Trail, a trail stretching 4,800 miles over eight states from Lake Sakakawea State Park in North Dakota to Vermont. The trail also passes through Fort Ransom State Park.
Lake Sakakawea State Park is home to two seasonal camping cabins. The cabins are located in the Sanish Campground and are both accessible.
Camping Cabins
Price: $70-85 per night (two-night minimum stay required)
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If you're looking for an economical getaway, our camping cabins are a great choice. Open seasonally, these one-room cabins are air-conditioned and come with a small refrigerator. The cabins sleep five with one full bed and 3 twin beds, set up bunkbed style.
- Guests are expected to do general cleaning before vacating, including sweeping, wiping down surfaces and collecting and bagging trash.
- Check-in is after 4 pm, check-out is at noon.
- Smoking is not allowed in any cabins.
- Game or fish cleaning in or around cabins is not allowed. Please contact park staff for other arrangements.
- Pets are not allowed in cabins.
- Bedding and towels are not provided.
- Find answers to other common questions about reservations here.
Campground Type
140 Modern Campsites
(electricity & water)
Price: $25-30 per night
10 Modern Group Campsites
(electricity, water and the ability to put multiple units on one site)
Price: $25-30 per night, per unit
43 Primitive Campsites
Price: $15 per night, per unit
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Campground Map
Full Park Map
- Campsites can be booked 95 days in advance from the date you wish to stay.
- Reservations can be made online or by calling 800-807-4723.
- Check-in is at 4:00 pm on the first day of the reservation and checkout is at 3:00 pm on the last day of the reservation.
- Pets are welcome but must stay on a leash. Most parks have off-leash areas or dog parks for your four-legged friends.
- Find answers to other common questions about reservations here.
Lake Sakakawea Marina
The marina has a functional elevation range from 1805 msl to 1855 msl and is protected by a concrete breakwater. Marina facilities are supported by Lakeshore convenience store, a gas dock, pump-out service, and boat and camper storage. A total of 74 slips ranging in size from 24-72 feet in length are available for seasonal rent.
Slip Rental Information
For questions concerning the marina or slip rentals, contact the park directly by at (701) 487-3315 or e-mail at lssp@nd.gov.
Marina Maps
Marina Store
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day Lakeshore store sells hand-dipped ice cream, ice, beverages, pizzas, bait, tackle, clothing, camping gear and ND products. WiFi is available inside the store and extends to the near-by dock areas. Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) are offered on loan for both adults and children.
Boat Ramps
Lake Sakakawea State Park has two boat ramps available for use. One is a multi-lane ramp located on the west side of the park, and one is a single lane on the southeast side of the park. Courtesy docks are available at both ramps. Designated parking, a vault toilet, fish cleaning station, marina and a floating gas pump is located nearby.
Picnic Shelters
Lake Sakakawea State Park has two small shelters (no electricity) that hold 30-40 people each. They also have a special events shelter (electricity and lights) that can hold up to 300 people. To book a picnic shelter please call the park at (701) 487-3315.
North or South Shelter (small shelters). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25/day
Special Events Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $75/day
- Boat ramp
- Concessions
- Dump station
- Fish cleaning station
- Full-service marina
- Horseshoe pits
- Picnic shelters
- Playgrounds (2)
- Sand volleyball courts
- Sewer and electrical hookups
- Showers and flush toilets
- Swim beach
- Visitor center
Pontoon boat rentals are available for $400-450/day and seat 10. Life jackets are included with rental fee.
Call the park office at 701.487.3315 to make your reservation.
The park is the terminus of the North Country National Scenic Trail which stretches 4,800 miles from Vermont to Lake Sakakawea State Park. Several multi-use trails in the park are perfect for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Hikers are encouraged to take in the scenic beauty of the completed segments of the North Country National Scenic Trail found in this park.
North Country Trail
Distance: 1.78 miles
Open to: hiking, mountain biking
The North Country Trail is one of this park’s highlights. Beginning in Vermont the trail crosses eight states before ending at the western terminus of Lake Sakakawea State Park. The NCT is the longest continuous hiking trail (4,800 miles) in the U.S. The trail can be accessed just outside the Visitor Center where a large sign rises from the hill prairie with a backdrop of Lake Sakakawea, affording a nice place for photos. This shortgrass prairie is home to a myriad of native flowers and pollinators. The trail continues through mature elm/ash coulees where deer, pheasants, and numerous birds may be sighted. The trail climbs in elevation as it hooks up with Whitetail Trail and continues down to the south end of the park where there is a good view of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Intake Structure leading to the Garrison Dam.
Shoreline Trail
Distance: 2.7 miles
Open to: hiking, mountain biking
The Shoreline Trail traverses the entire length, north-south, of the park and is the longest distance trail at this site. Beginning at the east side of the Sanish Group sites the trail follows where the waters of Lake Sakakawea meet the land. One will experience the many outcroppings of scoria formations, along with petrified trunks of ancient trees. There are several coal veins that strongly contrast against the red scoria rocks. The trail’s southern end encompasses several quieter bays where shorebirds and waterfowl may be seen.
Whitetail Loop
Distance: 0.22 miles
Open to: hiking, mountain biking
Whitetail Loop is the park’s shortest loop, but rich with a variety of mature elm, juneberry, ash, and Buffaloberry tree species. This is a favorite site for watching Yellow Warblers, Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, Rufus Tohee, and other native birds. This trail hooks up with The North Country Trail on the west side of this loop. There is a moderate climb in elevation along this loop.
Overlook Trail
Distance: 0.36 miles
Open to: hiking
The Overlook Trail begins just past the Visitor Center and the edge of a shaded coulee where Chokecherry trees fill with fruit in late August. The trail continues towards the lake where there is a breathtaking overlook, girdled with unadulterated prairie containing mature Yucca, Blazing Star, Prickly Pear Cactus, Leadplant, and a host of other native forbs and grasses. This point also is a photo paradise as the Main Intake Structure for the Garrison Dam is in full view. This trail also accesses the North Country Trail, Whitetail and Shoreline trails as it travels east towards the lake.
Trail Maps:
- A PDF Map of the trails is available here.
- All North Dakota State Park and Recreation Area trail information is available on the OuterSpatial App.
- Paper park maps are also available at the park.
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