Escape To Lake Sakakawea For A Beautiful North Dakota Nature Scene
By Tori Jane|Published November 12, 2021
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Nestled in central North Dakota is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States; it’s called Lake Sakakawea – after the Lemhi Shoshone woman of the same name – and it’s a stunningly beautiful escape that, depending on where you’re located, may not even be terribly far from home. It’s home to its very own state park (the appropriately-named Lake Sakakawea State Park) and it’s truly the perfect escape from real life for the person who loves natural beauty. This beautiful lake in North Dakota might be man-made, but over the decades it’s become a stunning testament to the beauty of wild North Dakota.
Lake Sakakawea spans more than 1,550 miles across six counties. It's a formidable - but always pleasant - sight.
It's the largest lake entirely within North Dakota, and the second-largest in the United States (by area). It sits just 50 miles away from the town of Bismarck and is a site beloved for not just its beauty but its recreational value.
The area is popular - well, as popular as anywhere in quiet ol' North Dakota gets, anyway - among folks who enjoy activities like boating, swimming, and fishing.
The lake is also beloved among campers; it has 149 modern campsites (with water and power), 10 group campsites, and 42 primitive campsites available for use. There are also two camping cabins available at just $60 per night; reservations must be made well in advance, as the cabins are popular.
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Sakakawea is breathtaking year-round; in the winter, parts of it freeze over and help create a surreal, magical vibe.
Sometimes, during times of the year when the water is warmer than the air around it, you'll be able to see steam rising from the surface of the lake - and sometimes, even better still, a calm fog rolls over the water and brings about an overall sense of peace. It's a wonderful spot to sit and stay awhile, even if you don't plan on camping or staying overnight.
There aren't a lot of things more fun than watching the sun vanish over the water after a day full of activities on the lake before settling down to camp overnight with friends or family.
Lake Sakakawea State Park is located on the southern shore of the lake.
There's a swim beach, hiking, and plenty to do there as well. We suggest a multi-night camping adventure in the middle of the week, when there will be much fewer campers and vacationers onsite.
Whether you bring someone along or take a nice, quiet weekend all to yourself to relax and unwind, this stunning lake in North Dakota is the perfect destination to do so at.
How about any others? Which is your favorite? Tell us all about it in the comments! For more great places in North Dakota to enjoy this state at its best, check out this list of ten unique things about this place that make us unique!
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