West Ashtabula Crossing
West Ashtabula Crossing Campground is located on 23 developed acres adjacent to Lake Ashtabula in eastern North Dakota. It is very popular and fills up on most weekends. Lake Ashtabula was created by the construction of the Baldhill Dam on the Sheyenne River in 1944, and is situated in one of the most scenic river valleys in the region, offering visitors a wide range of recreation opportunities year-round. Summer activities include fishing, boating, swimming and picnicking, while Ice fishing and cross-country skiing are popular during winter months.
More like this: electric hookups in North Dakota · reservable in North Dakota · big rigs in North Dakota · pets allowed in North Dakota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 29 |
| tent only electric | 1 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
30 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Tent Only Electric | Back-in | 15 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Lakefront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
| 02 | Electric | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | No | Lakefront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
| 03 | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Lakefront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
| 04 | Electric | Back-in | 37 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Lakefront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
| 05 | Electric | Pull-through | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Lakefront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
| 06 | Electric | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Lakefront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
| 07 | Electric | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | Lakefront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard | |
| 08 | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Lakefront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
| 09 | Electric | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Lakefront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | Electric | Back-in | 39 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Lakefront | 8 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 55 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
West Ashtabula Crossing has 38 campsites, 26 of which offer electric hookups. The facility also features a boat launch, dump station, fishing pier, fish cleaning station and picnic shelter. Campers will find a swimming beach, playground and restaurant less than one mile away. The nearest town is Valley City, 15 miles south.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
The main route to the park is via Interstate 94 to Valley City exit 292. Follow the signs through Valley City to County Road 21. Travel North for 15 miles.
| Nearest town | Valley City, North Dakota |
| Coordinates | 47.1060° N, 98.0101° W · Directions ↗ |
Explore
Video
Lake Ashtabula campground construction upgrades
Public land it sits in
Tomahawk National Wildlife Refuge begins about 7.8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 7.8 miTomahawk National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 438 acres
- 13.8 miHobart Lake National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 2,006 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Alderman School District No. 78Building · Valley City · 1.2 mi
- All Saints' Episcopal ChurchBuilding · Valley City · 12.3 mi
- Amphitheater and Fieldstone WPA Features at Valley City Pioneer ParkObject · Valley City · 12.4 mi
Natural features
The campground is on a wooded hillside offering shade for most sites. It lies amidst the 'prairie potholes' region of glacially-carved lakes in North Dakota. Spring and fall bring bountiful views of migratory water birds to Lake Ashtabula, including the unique white pelican, which can be seen in large flocks during summer. The lake region also provides habitat for white-tailed deer, sharptail grouse, wild turkey and gray partridge.
Recreation
The name "Ashtabula" is a Native American word meaning "Fish River," which suits the lake's fish population; popular species include walleye, northern pike, white bass, yellow perch and black bullhead. With seven boat ramps, three accessible fishing piers and four automated fish cleaning stations, the lake is very convenient for anglers. Nearly 3,000 acres of land around the lake is managed as wildlife habitat by the Corps of Engineers and open to the public for wildlife viewing, birding, hiking and hunting. Hunters and anglers should contact the North Dakota Game and Fish Department for seasons, restrictions and licenses; fishing licenses and bait may be purchased from concessionaires around the lake. Campers can also reach the 63-mile Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway nearby and access the North Country National Scenic Trail from the campground.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at West Ashtabula Crossing?
Sites at West Ashtabula Crossing are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at West Ashtabula Crossing?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does West Ashtabula Crossing have?
31 sites, including 29 standard sites with power and 1 tent only electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at West Ashtabula Crossing?
The longest site here provides 55 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does West Ashtabula Crossing have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at West Ashtabula Crossing?
The facility also features a boat launch, dump station, fishing pier, fish cleaning station and picnic shelter.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at West Ashtabula Crossing?
Yes, pets are allowed at West Ashtabula Crossing. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at West Ashtabula Crossing?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at West Ashtabula Crossing?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at West Ashtabula Crossing?
The name "Ashtabula" is a Native American word meaning "Fish River," which suits the lake's fish population; popular species include walleye, northern pike, white bass, yellow perch and black bullhead. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to West Ashtabula Crossing?
Valley City, North Dakota.
Source: Getting there
What if West Ashtabula Crossing is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Eggerts Landing (0.7 mi), East Ashtabula Crossing (3.6 mi), and Mel Rieman Rec (5.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby