North Dakota has a wide range of ponds, lakes, and rivers that people love to visit every year. They range from places like the Prairie Pothole region of landscapes dotted with water, to the Little Missouri River that carved out the beauty of the badlands. Not to mention all of the favorite lakes that thousands of people will fish on year round, both on a warm summer day or in the middle of winter on the ice.
North Dakota’s biggest lake, and the third largest reservoir in the US, is Lake Sakakawea. It was created from the Missouri River by the Garrison Dam in the 1950s. Two state parks are located along its banks, allowing for tons of recreational fun.
If you want a great vacation destination in North Dakota to enjoy a weekend out, this is where you want to be:
Two popular spots along the banks include Lake Sakakawea State Park, shown below.
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And Fort Stevenson State Park.
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Sailing and boating are very popular here, with a wide expanse of water to take on.
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Beach-goers stay busy here all summer long. Lake Sakakawea has more coastline than the entire state of California!
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A weekend getaway here is easy. There are plenty of quaint cabins, large resorts, or you can even pitch a tent at the many campgrounds along its banks.
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The fun doesn’t end in the winter. Fishing is huge here year round, both on the water or on the ice. Walleye are abundant here, and one reason people love to fish on this lake.
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If you’re more interested in other animals besides fish, there is great bird watching, animal spotting, and hunting here, too. Deer, bison, even moose on occasion. Tons of waterfowl also call this place home.
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It’s a huge lake, and with that comes endless opportunities to enjoy it!
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Have you been on vacation to Lake Sakakawea? What is your favorite thing about it?
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