Best Waterways in North Dakota

Trying to find the best waterways in North Dakota? Bivy has great hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, skiing, riding and more, with hand-curated trail maps, as well as detailed driving directions.

1

North Dakota, Mercer County

12 :01 hrs
15 mi
1.5999146 ft
SK III

Lake Sakakawea is a large reservoir located in the Missouri River basin and is the largest man-made lake in North Dakota and the third largest in the country. It lies in parts of six counties and is 14 miles wide at its widest point. Many summer camps are held here as well. This route leaves from the Red butte Bay Public Use Area and travels north along the west shore. This area displays the most prominent Badlands landscape on the lake. There are numerous coves to explore further. Tall buttes and rock formations, rolling hills, and native grasses provide gorgeous scenery.

2

North Dakota, McLean County

10 :16 hrs
22.8 mi
0.16595459 ft
I

Lake Audubon is in the Audubon National Wildlife refuge located on the far eastern end of Lake Sakakawea. Audubon Lak has 100 islands which provide nesting habitat for birds and over 3,000 acres of wetland habitat is crucial to numerous bird and mammal species. This route circles the lake, weaving between the many islands. Exploration on this lake is seemingly limitless.

3

North Dakota, Bottineau County

01 :36 hrs
3.6 mi
6.4768677 ft
I

Lake Metigoshe is a 1,544-acre lake located in Bottineau County. This lake is in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota and is adjacent to Lake Metigoshe State Park. A small portion of the lake extends northward into Manitoba, Canada. The views and scenery consist of stunning forested mountains. This is a popular place of recreation and many summer homes fill the shorelines. This is a Canoe Trail that connects several small lakes and ponds in Lake Metagoshe State Park.

4

North Dakota, Grant County

09 :44 hrs
21.6 mi
1.4199829 ft
I

Lake Tschida is located in Grant County. This lake is 3,235 acres in size and it has a maximum depth of 58 feet. It is the only sizeable body of water in the area and has become a popular recreation center. Picnicking, swimming, boating, camping, water skiing, and fishing are popular summer activities. In Fall and Winter many people enjoy hunting, cross country skiing, and ice fishing.

5

North Dakota, Bottineau County

02 :07 hrs
4.7 mi
1.1867065 ft
I

Long Lake is a 250-acre lake located in Bottineau County. It has a maximum depth of 26 feet and contains a wide variety of fish including bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch. The shorelines are gorgeous, filled with homes and thick forest. Views across the water are very pretty and Fall provides brightly colored foliage.

6

North Dakota, Bottineau County

04 :41 hrs
10.4 mi
6.3999634 ft
I

Lake Metigoshe is a 1,544-acre lake located in Bottineau County. This lake is in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota and is adjacent to Lake Metigoshe State Park. A small portion of the lake extends northward into Manitoba, Canada. The views and scenery consist of stunning forested mountains. This is a popular place of recreation and many summer homes fill the shorelines.

7

North Dakota, Bottineau County

03 :05 hrs
6.9 mi
2.760254 ft
I

Lake Metigoshe is a 1,544-acre lake located in Bottineau County. This lake is in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota and is adjacent to Lake Metigoshe State Park. A small portion of the lake extends northward into Manitoba, Canada. The views and scenery consist of stunning forested mountains. This is a popular place of recreation and many summer homes fill the shorelines.

8

North Dakota, Dunn County

05 :38 hrs
14.1 mi
6.5931396 ft
SK III

Lake Sakakawea is a large reservoir located in the Missouri River basin and is the largest man-made lake in North Dakota and the third largest in the country. It lies in parts of six counties and is 14 miles wide at its widest point. Many summer camps are held here as well. This is an especially beautiful area on the lake. The badlands scenery is spectacular and the innumerable coves make exploration easy and allow you to get close views of the magnificent bluffs and rock features.

9

North Dakota, Mercer County

06 :37 hrs
8.3 mi
11.192261 ft
SK III

Lake Sakakawea is a large reservoir located in the Missouri River basin and is the largest man-made lake in North Dakota and the third largest in the country. It lies in parts of six counties and is 14 miles wide at its widest point. Many summer camps are held here as well. Beulah Bay has many finger-like coves that are great for exploring and viewing the gorgeous prairie and rolling hill landscape.

10

North Dakota, Ransom County

02 :11 hrs
2.6 mi
1.9665222 ft
I

Sheyenne River is a major tributary of the Red River stretching 591 miles across North Dakota. The shoreline and terrain cuts through rolling hills, wide bottomland forests, open prairies and rich agricultural land. Fort Ransom State Park is a popular place to paddle offering river access. Many paddlers will put in and paddle upstream and float back down to the park. The park rents canoes and can provide a shuttle upstream for a fee.

See more adventures..

Explore complete list