Lake Metigoshe State Park

Located about 26 miles northwest of Dunseith, and sharing a border with Canada, Lake Metigoshe is North Dakota’s largest state park. Encompassing an area of more than 1,500 acres in the Turtle Mountains, the park was established in 1938 as a year-round retreat. Prior to settlers arriving in the area, this forest and lake country was home to indigenous Blackfoot, Hidatsa and Assiniboine peoples. The name Metigoshe is derived from a native phrase translated “clearwater lake of scrub-oaks.” While the park contains numerous lakes, which can be explored by foot or paddle, most of the facilities and activities can be enjoyed on or near the shores of Lake Metigoshe. Summer activities include fishing, boating, paddling, swimming and hiking; winter activities include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding. Lake Metigoshe State Park offers numerous tent and RV camping areas, including the Washegum and Maid O’ Moonshine campgrounds, as well as several primitive camping areas. The wooded campgrounds feature more than 80 pull-through and back-in sites with electricity and water hookups. Some of these sites are ADA accessible. These campgrounds provide water, flush toilets, and showers; a dump station is located between the two sites. The primitive tent areas are dispersed near the shore of Lake Metigoshe, and feature 40 drive-in and walk-in sites. These areas provide vault toilets only. The park also offers three group campsites, two group dorms, and several cabins. Other amenities in the park include an Outdoor Learning Center, kids’ playgrounds, amphitheater, dog park, and picnic shelters. Campsites are $17–25/night; group sites are $25/night; cabins and dorms range from $60–$125/night. There are plenty of things to see and do during a camping vacation at Lake Metigoshe. Summer months offer plenty of water activities: catch some rays or take a dip at the park’s swim beach, fish for bass, crappie, walleye and perch, or rent a kayak or canoe and go for a paddle. Try the park’s 2-mile water trail that links four lakes togethers (some portages required). For exploring the woods and wetlands by foot, there are 15 miles of multi-use trails available for hikers and mountain bikers. Pick up an interpretive brochure to learn about the park’s flora and fauna on the 3-mile Old Oak Trail, or head out on any of the other paths to look for moose, deer, pine martens and grouse. Many of these trails are open in winter months for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. There is also a 3.7-mile snowmobile trail. Trail maps are available at the park’s visitor center.