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Lake Metigoshe
Overview
Lake Metigoshe State Park is one of North Dakota's most popular year-round destinations, nestled in the scenic Turtle Mountains along the United States-Canada border. This park offers a lush landscape dominated by aspen and oak trees, surrounding a sprawling lake that serves as a central hub for recreation. RVers will find a welcoming environment that balances **natural beauty** with essential modern conveniences, making it a standout choice for those traveling through the northern plains.
Location & Surroundings
Located just north of Bottineau, ND, the park provides a refreshing contrast to the flat prairie landscapes often associated with the region. The **Turtle Mountains** offer rolling hills and a dense forest canopy that creates a secluded, peaceful atmosphere for campers. Its position on the international border makes it a unique stop for travelers exploring the northern reaches of the Midwest, providing stunning views of the **wooded shoreline** and diverse wildlife habitats throughout the changing seasons.
Amenities & Park Features
The park caters well to RVers with several campground loops offering **electrical hookups** and easy access to fresh water. While the sites vary in size, many are spacious enough to accommodate modern rigs. Visitors can enjoy well-maintained facilities including modern comfort stations with showers and flush toilets. A **convenient dump station** is located within the park grounds. For those looking to get on the water, the park features multiple boat ramps, a swimming beach, and seasonal equipment rentals for kayaks and canoes.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Water activities are the main draw, with the lake being famous for its walleye and northern pike fishing. Hikers can explore the **Old Oak Trail**, which is the state's first National Recreation Trail, winding through the forest. Nearby, the **International Peace Garden** offers a world-class botanical display spanning the border. Visitors can also visit Bottineau to see Tommy the Turtle, the world's largest snowmobile-riding turtle statue, or explore the local winter sports scene during the colder months.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal fit for **outdoor enthusiasts** who enjoy being near the water and appreciate a wooded, hilly setting. It is perfect for families seeking a traditional summer lake vacation with swimming, fishing, and evening campfires. Because of its quiet, natural environment and proximity to diverse ecosystems, it also appeals to **birdwatchers and nature photographers** looking for a peaceful retreat away from the noise of major highways.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Wyatt W. Penke
Overall a very nice park. The highlight is obviously the Lake, that's why your here. It has a nice day use area, beach, and numerous ways to get on the water. It also has a wide variety of places to stay and camp. Down side is, the campground is cramped and the lake is super busy and developed being on one of the very few lakes in ND. The park is very small so there are limited trails, and the ones I hiked were underwhelming and full of poison ivy.
Andrea Gómez Ferguson
What a perfect place to stay for a large family gathering! We had plenty of beds, space, towels, and cooking items, not to mention 4 wonderful kayaks, a pontoon and a raft. It was so relaxing and the views are beautiful. We loved our time there.
Matt Burdick
First-time visitors. Primitive camped with my three boys. Park was clean and well maintained. Fishing docks could be updated, but otherwise, nice place. Park rangers and staff were very polite and courteous.
Stacy Kim
Beautiful place. Water was clean at the swimming area. Dogs allowed except the swimming and playground area. Some bathrooms are locked. Make sure you find the right one 😂
Elizabeth Brown
Campsites are adorable, having water and electricity at our site was really convenient. The bathrooms/showers were really nice too. We (kids 12 &9) rented a canoe and saw all sorts of cool animals. We ended up staying an extra day! OH and one of the nights an ice cream truck drove through the campground! It was really fun for the kids, and has an astonishing selection of ice cream - and it was really cheap, too! We also had a chipmunk nest in our site - so we had a camp buddy!