Just Over An Hour From Fargo Is A North Dakota Valley Lake Beauty With Camping, Fishing, And Swimming

With a small population and no major airport, North Dakota is largely off the radar for many travelers. However, those who visit will find an assortment of natural wonders from the Badlands (a National Geographic must-visit destination in 2026), to the Sheyenne River Valley. Within this natural wonder sits man-made Lake Ashtabula, where you'll find plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in a quiet corner of the Upper Midwest.

Lake Ashtabula was formed in 1950 after the Baldhill Dam was built on the Sheyenne River. It takes its name from the Algonquian language, meaning "fish river." The impounded river channel snakes its way for 27 miles, creating a diverse natural playground for visitors to have fun both on and off the water in all four seasons, with summer swims and ice fishing in the dead of winter. For visitors looking for more time under the blue skies, the lake has four primary campgrounds with major amenities including fire pits, water, and electricity, along with a handful of primitive walk-in camping areas. Recreation areas on the lake managed by the Army Corps of Engineers are open to all and are free to visit during the day.

The lake sits about an hour outside of Fargo, North Dakota's largest city and a major transportation hub for the region. Fargo Hector International Airport (FAR) is served by five major airlines and has connections across the country. Train buffs can hop on Amtrak's Empire Builder running between Chicago and Seattle; however, you will need to trek to the airport to rent a car to make the journey to Lake Ashtabula.

Lake Ashtabula's clear water and beautiful surroundings make it a great destination for a day outdoors. You'll likely want to base your day at one of three day areas dotting the lake: Mel Rieman, Eggerts Landing, or the Ashtabula Crossing Recreation Areas. All are well maintained and have swim beaches, showers, picnic areas, potable water, and boat ramps. Even though the water is normally calm, there are still undercurrents,  so the Corps of Engineers recommends wearing a life jacket. Visitors looking to cruise around on the water on a summer day can rent a pontoon boat or other "lake toys" from the Hungry Pelican at the Mel Rieman Recreation Area.

Anglers can access the lake's excellent fishing areas from over half a dozen boat ramps, where down below, walleye, northern pike, white bass, and yellow perch lurk. If you're planning to bring a rod and reel, we've found a few tips from Cody Roswick of Northland Fishing Tackle. He noted that the lake's "inside and outside turns are fish-holding areas" and in summer, he recommends fishing along the channel edges and weedlines. For the fall months, he fishes by vertical jigging and slow trolling along the channel near the dam. If you do fish during this time of year, keep your eyes peeled for migratory waterfowl overhead and along the shore. Travelers who have wildlife high on their list of things to see shouldn't miss venturing to the 14 wildlife management areas along the lake.

Lake Ashtabula's day areas all have RV-friendly campgrounds nearby which are open from May through September. However, you may want to opt for a different campground depending on your plans. For campers wanting to take in the beautiful views, Mel Rieman is within walking distance of the Hungry Pelican and the Baldhill Dam Overlook and is known for having beautiful sunsets. Eggerts Landing is noted to be the most popular campsite on the lake and has plenty to keep busy, including hiking trails and a playground for little ones. If you're looking to camp closer to the shore or prefer an alcohol-free campground, opt for the East Ashtabula Crossing campground. It's strongly recommended to make reservations on Recreation.gov in advance for all camping areas.

As popular as walleye is in North Dakota, you'll likely want to have more than just fish on your camping trip. Around Eggerts Landing, the seasonal Bayshore Restaurant serves a wide range of burgers, sandwiches, and wood-fired pizza on Saturday summer nights. Or, sit out and enjoy a sunset with a drink on the outdoor patio. For more options, nearby Valley City has several restaurants and local eateries serving pizza, hamburgers, and Asian food. You'll also find a small supermarket to grab groceries if you're planning to cook.  

While you're in the beautiful Sheyenne River Valley, don't miss taking a scenic drive in the area. Though not as long as some of these stunning, storied road trips across the U.S., the 63-mile long Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway leads travelers through beautiful rolling hills and an outdoor museum of local historical sites, including early cabins built by settlers and Native American burial mounds dating back nearly 2,000 years. If the road ahead leads you back to Fargo, stretch your legs for a bit and explore North Dakota's largest city that's full of intriguing attractions.