This summer we are taking a break from our regular posts to highlight attractions in our area that we have enjoyed with our families.

If you have a location you would like to highlight or share for our mini series, we’d love to hear from you! Please reach out at unexpected.ever.afters@gmail.com to inquire into including your recommendation on the Unexpected Ever Afters blog.

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There are few things I enjoy more than being next to water. The cool breeze wafting off the water while the sunshine warms my face combined with the sounds of the water lapping against the shore and birds singing in the background, it really is my favorite place. I could sit on the shore or relax in a boat for hours and feel more grounded and connected to nature than any place else I have been. 

When most people think of large bodies of water, they often think of the ocean. And, honestly, I do love the ocean. However, I grew up in North Dakota, home to the geographical center of North America, literally as far away from any ocean as you can get in North America.  So, when I think of bodies of water, I think of my childhood spending summers at the river and lake in my home state. The Missouri River, the longest river in the country, flows right through North Dakota and offers many opportunities for water outings. Growing up, many weekends were spent boating on the river, fishing for walleye, and swimming in bays near my home area around Bismarck and Mandan. From pontoons parking on the sandbars with shade tents and full coolers, to fishing boats trolling along the shores, this river really offers something for everyone. (If you visit, please take special note: Don’t swim directly in the main channel of the Missouri, due to the strong, unpredictable current, it is not safe.) 

Missouri River North of Bismarck

However, as beautiful as the Missouri River is, my favorite body of water to visit in North Dakota is Lake Sakakawea. Located in West Central North Dakota, the lake is over 368,000-acres with hundreds of miles of shoreline.  I grew up tent-camping in different campgrounds around the lake, although there are also options for camper hook-ups and cabin rentals in the area. Lake Sakakawea State Park near Pick City, ND is a good place to start. For more primitive camping, but a beautiful part of the lake, I recommend Deepwater Bay near Parshall, ND. 

Lake Sakakawea is known for its good fishing; you can expect to find walleye, northern, and even salmon. My family typically fishes for walleye (my first 5+ pound walleye came out of this lake), but this summer when we brought my daughter for the first time the very first fish she caught was a salmon! My fishing advice: I recommend pulling cranks along the shores, watching for the walleye chop. However, even if the fish aren’t biting, the views around the lake are spectacular from sunrise to sunset. 

Lake Sakakawea near Pick City

Lake Sakakawea is also a great spot for water play. I learned to tube and water ski on this lake and have spent many happy hours enjoying the water on my family’s boat. The lake is large enough to accommodate a wide range of activities, from fishing to watersports to swimming.  But be sure to watch out for the strong ND winds as the lake can get some large white-caps and make it less fun, and less safe, to travel by boat for long distances. 

Lake Sakakawea near Deepwater Bay

If you are looking for a chance to get away, avoid the crowds, and enjoy some beautiful North Dakota scenery, the Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea are two great options for water-based places to visit in the Upper Midwest!

Jessica is a wife, mom, social worker, and writer.  She is co-author of the blog The Unexpected Ever Afters.

Photo Credit: Personal Photos