Lake Sakakawea is the largest body of water in North Dakota and the second-largest manmade lake in the entire country. It covers over 300,000 acres and has more miles of coastline than the entire state of California. Needless to say, it’s huge, and it’s a fantastic spot for summer recreation. If you want to know where the best spots are to visit Lake Sakakawea, you’re in luck because there are quite a few! Check out these 5 different parks and recreation areas all around this one giant lake in North Dakota:

  1. Lake Sakakawea State Park - Pick City

NDPRD/Flickr

NDPRD/Flickr Lake Sakakawea State Park seems like a no brainer! This park is, as you’d expect, surrounded by the lake and located directly north of Pick City. It includes everything you’d want for a fun day at the lake. Swimming beach, picnic areas, trails, boat ramps, campgrounds - you name it. The area is gorgeous, so the trails are worth checking out. It’s even one of the endpoints of the North Country National Scenic Trail. That trail spans over 4,600 miles and goes all the way to New York.

Click here for more information about this park.

  1. Lewis & Clark State Park - Epping

NDPRD/Flickr

NDPRD/Flickr This park is truly stunning. The rugged terrain surrounding the lake makes for a picturesque backdrop. It includes plenty of day-use facilities and, of course, a swimming beach and boat ramps. Lake Sakakawea is known for its exceptional fishing, and this area is a great place to take advantage of that.

Click here for more information about this park.

  1. Crow Flies High State Recreation Area - New Town

William Harjo/Google

Robert Fossum/Google Crow Flies High offers quite a scenic overlook of the lake and the impressive Four Bears Bridge that spans it. It’s entirely free to visit and you’ll want to bring your camera to capture the fantastic views from the top of the hill.

Click here for more information about this park.

  1. Fort Stevenson State Park - Garrison

NDPRD/Flickr

NDPRD/Flickr Right across the lake from Lake Sakakawea State Park is Fort Stevenson State Park. This park is known for its marinas as well as its fort history. There is a reconstructed fort you can visit while you’re there. It has all the other essentials for a good state park - campgrounds, trails, facilities, and more. Fishing enthusiasts should put this place on their bucket list.

Click here for more information about this park.

  1. Government Bay - Riverdale

Darren Mernitz/Google

Darren Mernitz/Google This spot has some of the most epic views of North Dakota that you wouldn’t expect to find in North Dakota! The jagged land jutting out from the water in Government Bay look like something from an oceanic coast. Though the natural land bridge that dazzled people fell into the water not long ago, the arches and tunnels still enchant people to this day. This area is great for fishing and boating or simply taking in the sights.

Where is your favorite place to spend a day at Lake Sakakawea? There is no shortage of beautiful sights around the lake, and these aren’t the only places you can check out. If you love this lake, then you’ll also love these other lakes in North Dakota.

NDPRD/Flickr

Lake Sakakawea State Park seems like a no brainer! This park is, as you’d expect, surrounded by the lake and located directly north of Pick City. It includes everything you’d want for a fun day at the lake. Swimming beach, picnic areas, trails, boat ramps, campgrounds - you name it. The area is gorgeous, so the trails are worth checking out. It’s even one of the endpoints of the North Country National Scenic Trail. That trail spans over 4,600 miles and goes all the way to New York.

Click here for more information about this park.

This park is truly stunning. The rugged terrain surrounding the lake makes for a picturesque backdrop. It includes plenty of day-use facilities and, of course, a swimming beach and boat ramps. Lake Sakakawea is known for its exceptional fishing, and this area is a great place to take advantage of that.

Click here for more information about this park.

William Harjo/Google

Robert Fossum/Google

Crow Flies High offers quite a scenic overlook of the lake and the impressive Four Bears Bridge that spans it. It’s entirely free to visit and you’ll want to bring your camera to capture the fantastic views from the top of the hill.

Click here for more information about this park.

Right across the lake from Lake Sakakawea State Park is Fort Stevenson State Park. This park is known for its marinas as well as its fort history. There is a reconstructed fort you can visit while you’re there. It has all the other essentials for a good state park - campgrounds, trails, facilities, and more. Fishing enthusiasts should put this place on their bucket list.

Click here for more information about this park.

Darren Mernitz/Google

This spot has some of the most epic views of North Dakota that you wouldn’t expect to find in North Dakota! The jagged land jutting out from the water in Government Bay look like something from an oceanic coast. Though the natural land bridge that dazzled people fell into the water not long ago, the arches and tunnels still enchant people to this day. This area is great for fishing and boating or simply taking in the sights.

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Address: Lake Sakakawea State Park, Pick City, ND, USAAddress: Fort Stevenson State Park, 1252A 41st Ave NW, Garrison, ND 58540, USAAddress: Lewis and Clark State Park, 4904 119th Rd NW, Epping, ND 58843, USAAddress: Crow Flies High State Recreation Area, 10031 ND-23, New Town, ND 58763, USAAddress: Government Bay Boat Ramp, Coleharbor, ND 58531, USA