North Dakota / Barnes County

West Ashtabula Crossing

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground operates from early May through September 30. Due to staffing limitations, weekday camping is closed and sites are only available Friday through Sunday, plus extended summer holiday weekends including Fourth of July and Labor Day. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

About

West Ashtabula Crossing Campground is located on 23 developed acres adjacent to Lake Ashtabula in eastern North Dakota, created by the construction of Baldhill Dam on the Sheyenne River in 1944. The campground sits on a wooded hillside offering shade for most sites and is one of the most popular camping destinations in the region, filling up on most weekends during summer. The campground features 38 sites, with 26 offering electric hookups. Facilities include a boat launch, dump station, accessible fishing pier, fish cleaning station, and picnic shelter. The lake's name, Ashtabula, is a Native American word meaning Fish River, which suits its excellent population of walleye, northern pike, white bass, yellow perch, and black bullhead. Anglers benefit from seven boat ramps around the lake, three accessible fishing piers, and four automated fish cleaning stations. Nearly 3,000 acres of land around the lake is managed as wildlife habitat by the Corps of Engineers, open for wildlife viewing, birding, hiking, and hunting. The prairie potholes region attracts migratory waterfowl, including white pelicans visible in large flocks during summer. The area also provides habitat for white-tailed deer, sharptail grouse, wild turkey, and gray partridge. Campers can reach the 63-mile Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway and access the North Country National Scenic Trail directly from the campground. A swimming beach, playground, and restaurant are available less than one mile away.

Directions

From Interstate 94, take exit 292 at Valley City. Follow signs through Valley City to County Road 21. Travel north for 15 miles to reach the campground.

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