Camping in North Dakota State Parks
Camping in North Dakota state parks is available all year round. All state parks have campsites offered on a first-come, first-served basis. But many of them also have campsites open to reservation, including but not limited to Lewis & Clark State Park, Icelandic State Park, and Grahams Island State Park.
Making Camping Plans
Camping in North Dakota state parks can be fun or relaxing or both, depending on where and when you camp. Either way, do make sure that you plan your camping trip in advance to ensure you’ve got your campsite ready when you arrive.
Check out weather forecasts.
It’s not that fun to go camping during rainy weather. It might even be better if you camp during winter rather than risk a rainstorm while sleeping inside your tent.
Make reservations.
In most cases, you can make your reservations either by calling the park office or by booking it online. If you are not sure whether or not the park offers reserved campsites, call the park office anyway. There’s nothing to lose.
Also, be aware that online reservations are usually for RV and primitive camping only. If you wish to reserve cabins and function rooms for large groups, a direct call to the park office is required.
Know the types of facilities and amenities provided.
It’s important to know what kind of facilities and amenities are provided by the state park as this will have a direct effect on what you’ll be packing for the trip as well as how much you’ll enjoy the trip itself. If you love the idea of sleeping under the stars but you’re not that enamored of rough living then you should at least look for a state park that offers modern comfort and shower areas.
What about cooking? Are there areas which offer free use of portable stoves and grills for backpackers? Or should you bring your own cooking equipment?
Find out if you can take your pet with you.
There may be some parks that do not allow campers to take their pets with them. If you do not wish to leave your pet behind then be sure to contact the park office directly and inquire about their policies for pets. If you are allowed to take your pet with you, make sure you act responsibly as its owner and keep your pet under control at all times.
Ultimately, however, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the applicable policies for camping and adhere to them. Then and only then can you concentrate on the joys of camping.
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