North Dakota markets itself with the slogan "Be legendary," and most visitors think of badlands and bison at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. But the state's quieter claim to fame is its lakes — big, small, and mostly empty of tourists. A recent roundup highlighted ten of the best, and they cover everything from windswept reservoirs the size of small seas to pocket-sized swimming holes.
The headliners are enormous. Lake Sakakawea in the west spans 368,000 acres with more than 1,300 miles of shoreline — longer than California's Pacific coast — making it the third-largest manmade reservoir in the US. Steady breezes draw windsurfers and sailors, and swimming is available at the state park or quieter stretches (watch for ticks off the trail). Lake Oahe, the nation's fourth-largest reservoir, runs 232 miles along the dammed Missouri from Bismarck down to Pierre, South Dakota, with Beaver Creek Recreation Area a solid base for swimming and boat launches. Devils Lake in the east, the state's largest natural lake, covers 160,000 acres with over 200 miles of shoreline, a reputation as the "Perch Capital of the World," and a relaxed beach at Grahams Island State Park.
Smaller lakes have their own appeal. Lake Metigoshe, on the Canadian border, is a year-round favourite whose many islands and bays make it easy to find calm water for paddling; swimming is best late June through August, and Turtle Mountain State Forest next door adds trails and secluded camping. Icelandic State Park on 204-acre Lake Renwick doubles as a history stop, with homesteading-era buildings on site alongside a clean family beach and kayaking. Beaver Lake State Park in the state's south pairs a modest beach with a boat ramp, a historic cairn, and a stone caretaker's cabin.
Near Fargo, Lake Elsie is about an hour south and draws praise for its clean sand, picnic tables, grills and trailer parking — though the water can run cold enough to warrant a wetsuit. Also handy to Fargo is 125-acre Brewer Lake, a budget-friendly kayaking spot that fills up on nice weekends, so arrive early. Jamestown Reservoir offers 2,000 acres and seven boat ramps near the frontier-flavoured "Buffalo City" — just note the southern beach is pebbly rather than sandy. And for solitude, 43-acre Clausen Springs Lake in the southeast is a local-only sort of place with a small beach, kayak launch and adjacent wildlife land.
Practical notes apply across most of these: expect no lifeguards, and beaches generally open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pack your own safety gear, check water conditions, and don't count on rental infrastructure at the smaller sites. For travellers who like their water sports without crowds, North Dakota's lake country is one of the most under-the-radar summer options in the US.
Story first reported by Islands.
