Nestled in the scenic Turtle Mountains along the U.S./Canadian border, Lake Metigoshe is one of the most popular year-round vacation spots in North Dakota. The small lakes within the park provide excellent opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and birding. Visitors can enjoy over 12 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails along with a three-mile self-guided interpretive hiking trail. The unique woodlands and wetlands of Lake Metigoshe State Park provide habitat for a wide variety of plant, animal, and bird species seldom seen elsewhere in North Dakota. Plant and bird checklists are available at the park office.
During the winter, visitors can spend their day cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, riding a fat tire bike, and ice fishing. A portion of the Peace Garden Snowmobile Trail is also found within the park.
The park is home to the Lake Metigoshe Outdoor Learning Center, which offers hands-on programming related to history, nature, and recreation. With a multitude of year-round facilities, Lake Metigoshe is an ideal location for special events.
Slemmen Lodge
Price: $115 per night
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Situated along the United States and Canadian border, this cabin makes a great getaway for larger groups. Slemmen sleeps eight with a queen bedroom and three queen futons in the living area. The cabin includes a gas fireplace, WiFi, full kitchen and 3/4 bathroom. This secluded cabin is located in the northern part of the park. Stepping off the front porch, you will find a number of trails maintained year round. On the weekends (Friday & Saturday) and holidays, a two-night minimum stay is required for the Slemmen Cabin.
White Pelican
Price: $105 per night
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White Pelican cabin is located along Hemerick Trail in the wooded Turtle Mountains. The White Pelican comfortably sleeps six with two bedrooms (one queen bed and two singles) and queen futon in the living area and includes a full kitchen and 3/4 bathroom. The cabin is also equipped with WiFi. Enjoy the deck and private grass area in the summer or cuddle up with a good book in the winter by the gas fireplace. On the weekends (Friday & Saturday) and holidays, a two-night minimum stay is required for the White Pelican Cabin.
Loon Lodge
Price: $95 per night
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The Loon Lodge is located just north of the Kings Highway trail system located in the Turtle Mountains. This cozy cabin sleeps four with two bedrooms, one with a bunk bed and another with a queen bed. This cabin comes with a gas fireplace, WiFi, full kitchen and 3/4 bathroom. On the weekends (Friday & Saturday) and holidays, a two-night minimum stay is required for the Loon Lodge.
Blue Heron Yurt
Price: $65 per night
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The Blue Heron Yurt sits on the edge of School Section Lake and offers beautiful views of this quiet lake. The Hemerick Point trail system runs right to the Yurt. This yurt sleeps four and has a bunk bed and a pullout futon. A gas fireplace, kitchen table and a small refrigerator are located inside the Blue Heron. A vault toilet is located on site and shower facilities are located in the main campground during the summer season.
Cormorant
Price: $60 per night
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Located in the wooded Turtle Mountains, the Cormorant Cabin offers stunning views of School Section Lake. This quiet cabin sleeps four. It has one bedroom with a queen size bed and a futon in the living room area that folds out into a full size bed. A vault toilet is located on site and shower facilities are located in the main campground during the summer season.
Osprey Cabin
Price: $60 per night
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The Osprey Cabin is perfect for the adventurous type. This primitive backcountry cabin is located along the east shore of Lake Eramosh. The cabin is only accessible by a 2-mile hike or a 1.5-mile canoe/kayak ride and short portage. This cozy cabin sleeps four with two full beds and two twins set up bunk bed style. The cabin includes wood, a wood burning stove, sleeping pads and a lantern with propane cylinders. A vault toilet is available onsite but water has to be packed in.
Group Dorms
Price: $6 per person/night ($125 minimum)
Call: (701) 263-4651
The group dorms are a great option for large groups coming to Lake Metigoshe State Park. The park has two dorms that each sleep 60 people each. The dorms are located next to a shower and restroom facilities and the kitchen/dining hall.
- Guests are expected to do general cleaning before vacating, including sweeping, wiping down surfaces and collecting and bagging trash.
- On the weekends (Friday & Saturday) and holidays, a two-night minimum stay is required for all full-service cabins.
- Full-service cabins check-in is after 4 pm, check-out is at noon.
- Smoking is not allowed in any cabins or yurts.
- Game or fish cleaning in or around cabins or yurts is not allowed, please contact park staff for other arrangements.
- Pets are not allowed in cabins or yurts.
- Bedding and towels are not provided.
- The full list of park fees can be found in the Fees & Facilities Brochure.
- The cancellation policy and reservation information can be found here.
Campsite Type
85 Modern Campsites
(electricity & water)
Price: $25/night
39 Primitive Campsites
Price: $17/night
3 Group Campsites
(the ability to put multiple units on one site)
Price: $25/night*
*Pricing is per night, per unit
Campground Maps
Full Park Map
- Campsites and seasonal lodging can be booked 95 days in advance from the date you wish to stay.
- Reservations can be made online or by calling the call center (800-807-4723).
- The full list of park fees can be found in the Fee's & Facilities Brochure
- Check-in is at 4:00 pm on the first day of the reservation and checkout is at 3:00 pm on the last day of the reservation.
- Pets are welcome but must stay on a leash. Most parks have off-leash areas or dog parks for your four-legged friends.
- The cancellation policy and reservation information can be found here.
Kitchen/Dining Hall
Kitchen/dining hall seats 140 people and has a fully equipped kitchen and WiFi. It is available year round and can be booked by calling the park at (701) 263-4651.
Kitchen/dining hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $250/day
Picnic Shelters
Lake Metigoshe has two small picnic shelters (Birch and Oak) and one medium shelter (Aspen) available for use. The small shelters each seat 48 people and the medium shelter seats 100 people. To book the picnic shelters please call the park at (701) 263-4651.
Birch & Oak Shelter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25/day
Aspen Shelter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50/day
If renting equipment for a larger group, contact the park ahead of time to ensure equipment is available.
Canoe Rentals
Canoe rentals are available for $8/hour or $50/day. Paddles and life vests are
included in rental fee. 8 canoes are available for rent.
Cross Country Skis
Cross-country ski rentals are available for $15/day. The park has 34 pairs of cross-country skis available for rent.
Kayak Rentals
Kayak rentals are available for $8/hour or $50/day. Paddles and life vests are
included in rental fee. Two single and four double kayaks are available for rent.
Skishoes
Skishoe rentals are available for $15/day. 8 pairs of skishoes are available for rent.
Snowshoes
Snowshoe rentals are available for $15/day. 35 pairs of snowshoes are available for rent.
- Boat ramp
- Dog park
- Fishing docks (4)
- Electrical hookups
- Outdoor Learning Center
- Geocaches
- Picnic shelters
- Playgrounds (2)
- Sewage dump station
- Showers and flush toilets
- Sledding hill
- Swim beach
- Warming house
Nestled in the scenic Turtle Mountains on the shores of Lake Metigoshe, Lake Metigoshe State Park was constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s and is one of the most popular year-round vacation spots in North Dakota.
Old Oak Nature Trail
Distance: 3 miles
Open to: hiking
This is North Dakota's first National Recreation Trail. Built by the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) in 1974, it was dedicated by Governor Arthur Link in 1976. This self-guided interpretive trail is approximately three miles in length and takes about two hours to hike. Interpretive brochures are available at the trailhead or at the park office.
East Side Multi-Use Trails
Distance: 8 miles
Open to: hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
These trails are open to hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife and vegetation. You might see Moose, White Tail Deer, a Pine Martin or Ruffed Grouse. Our trails run through forested, grass and wetland areas creating many unique viewing opportunities.
|
Loop |
Distance to Loop from Warming House Trailhead |
Loop Distance |
Round Trip |
|
Antelope (formerly Bobcat) |
0.9 miles |
0.7 miles |
2.5 miles |
|
Beaver Loop |
1.16 miles |
1.93 miles |
4.25 miles |
|
Coyote |
2.25 miles |
1.45 miles |
5.95 miles |
|
Deer |
2.75 miles |
2.55 miles |
8.05 miles |
|
Kings Highway Trail |
Additional trail and access point |
||
West Side Multi-Use Trails
Distance: 4 miles
Open to: hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
These trails are open to hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife and vegetation. You might see Moose, White Tail Deer, a Pine Martin or Ruffed Grouse. Our trails run through forested, grass and wetland areas creating many unique viewing opportunities.
|
Loop |
Distance to Loop from Warming House Trailhead |
Loop Distance |
Round Trip |
|
Cub |
1.2 miles |
0.35 miles |
2.75 miles |
|
Tenderfoot |
1.27 miles |
0.77 miles |
3.31 miles |
|
Scout |
1.34 miles |
0.67 miles |
3.35 miles |
|
Eagle |
1.67 miles |
1.22 miles |
4.56 miles |
|
Hemerick Point Trail |
Connects to loops from Warming House Trailhead |
||
Peace Garden Snowmobile Trail
Distance: 3.7 miles
Open to: Snowmobiling
A portion of the Peace Garden Snowmobile Trail is found within Lake Metigoshe State Park. This 3.7-mile section runs from the west side of the park, coming in from Lake Metigoshe, to the northeast park boundary and continues on to the International Peace Garden. Snowmobiles are to be registered and licensed according to ND state law and are only allowed on the snowmobile trail and designated roads within the park.
Trail Map:
- A PDF Map of the summer trails is available here.
- A PDF Map of the winter trails is available here.
- All North Dakota State Park and Recreation Area maps are available free on Avenza maps, download the free App here.
- Paper park maps are also available at the park.
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Contact
Lake Metigoshe State Park
2 Lake Metigoshe State Park
Bottineau, ND 58318
(701) 263-4651
lmsp@nd.gov
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