When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool and greening in the Turtle Mountain woodlands, with migrating birds and wet trails.
Pack Rain shell, layers, and waterproof footwear for the soft post-snowmelt trails.
Summer
Warm and pleasant in this wooded northern park, with kayaking, birding, and family programs.
Pack Bug spray, water, and sun protection; wood tick awareness on brushy trail segments.
Fall
Crisp with strong color in the mixed forest and open wetlands, good birding through October.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp for shorter days, and footwear for leaf-covered paths.
Winter
Cold and snowy, a destination for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing on the lakes.
Pack Insulation, ski or snowshoe gear, and ice-fishing equipment; several cabins are open year-round.
Top things to do
Old Oak Nature Trail
North Dakota's first National Recreation Trail, a 3-mile self-guided interpretive loop built in 1974 through forest and wetlands with wildlife checklist plants and a two-hour hiking pace.
East Side multi-use trail network
Eight miles of looping trails through forested, grassland, and wetland terrain, open year-round for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Moose and pine martens have been spotted.
Osprey Cabin backcountry experience
The park's most distinctive lodging: a primitive cabin on the east shore of Lake Eramosh, reached only by a 2-mile hike or a 1.5-mile canoe or kayak paddle with a short portage.
Anchor the day around Old Oak Nature Trail
Lock the boat, ferry, tide, or water access first, then fit the route list around that schedule. For one day in Lake Metigoshe State Park, make Old Oak Nature Trail the non-negotiable, add East Side multi-use trail network only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Osprey Cabin backcountry experience as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Old Oak Nature Trail: North Dakota's first National Recreation Trail, a 3-mile self-guided interpretive loop built in 1974 through forest and wetlands with wildlife checklist plants and a.
- 2Add East Side multi-use trail network: Eight miles of looping trails through forested, grassland, and wetland terrain, open year-round for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Moose and.
- 3Use Osprey Cabin backcountry experience as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Lake Metigoshe's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Lake Metigoshe State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Lake Metigoshe State Park packing list
0 of 23 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Lake Metigoshe State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
23 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Lake Metigoshe
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Lake Metigoshe
The buying guides that match what Lake Metigoshe asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
The park offers a wide range of lodging: four named cabins (Slemmen Lodge, Loon Lodge, Kingfisher, White Pelican), two simpler yurts (Blue Heron, Cormorant), and the Osprey backcountry cabin on Lake Eramosh. All require a two-night minimum stay. Standard camping has 84 modern sites with electricity and water, 39 primitive sites, and 3 group sites. Reserve through Reserve North Dakota Parks.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Book Lake Metigoshe cabins and campsites through Reserve North Dakota Parks.
Lodging here ranges from full-service lakeside cabins to primitive backcountry huts, with a standard campground for RVs and tents. Reserve cabins up to a year ahead; campsites up to 95 days ahead.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Campsites can be booked 95 days in advance. Cabins, yurts, and the Osprey backcountry cabin can be reserved up to 365 days ahead.
- 84 modern sites with electricity and water, 39 primitive sites, and 3 group sites in the main campground.
- Six lodging units (cabins and yurts) are available for overnight rental with a two-night minimum stay.
- Osprey Cabin on Lake Eramosh is hike-in or paddle-in only; water must be packed in.
Where to book or verify
Official reservation portal for Lake Metigoshe campsites, cabins, and yurts.
Official park page for trails, lodging, rentals, and seasonal programs.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Washegum, Maid O'Moonshine, and Primitive Campgrounds
Details- Booking
- Up to 95 days ahead through Reserve North Dakota Parks.
- Season
- Open seasonally; verify dates with the park.
- Sites
- 84 modern sites with electricity and water, 39 primitive sites, and 3 group modern sites; showers and flush toilets on site.
- Connected to the trail network and near the swim beach and canoe and kayak rental area.
Getting there and practical info
Treat the vehicle plan as part of the itinerary.
Road distance, road surface, fuel, and daylight can matter as much as the final trail or viewpoint.
Getting there
Get to Lake Metigoshe State Park, then make the road plan honest.
- Access rhythm
- Car required
- Region
- North Dakota
Arrival note
Lake Metigoshe State Park is 14 miles northeast of Bottineau, near the Canadian border in the Turtle Mountains, about two and a half hours north of Minot.
Car strategy
A car is essential for reaching the park and moving between the campground, lodging units, and trailheads.
Local movement
The International Peace Garden on the US-Canada border is about 20 miles east and worth pairing with a trip to Metigoshe.
Pair this with lodging: the closest bed is not always the simplest one if road time, road quality, or fuel stops dominate.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
North Dakota has no film office and no general filming permit; Tourism handles film inquiries and permitting is local, with federal sites the main exception.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: you can photograph what is visible from public space in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lake Metigoshe State Park known for?
It is known as one of North Dakota's most popular year-round vacation destinations: clear kettle lakes for kayaking, canoeing, and ice fishing, 13 or more miles of forested trails open to hiking, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing, and a variety of cabins and a yurt for overnight stays near the Turtle Mountains.
Can you cross-country ski at Lake Metigoshe in winter?
Yes. The park is a winter destination with groomed cross-country ski trails across its East and West Side trail networks. The park also rents skis, snowshoes, kicksleds, and skishoes, and the warming house stays open during the ski season.
Are there cabins at Lake Metigoshe State Park?
Yes. There are four named cabins (ranging from the four-person Kingfisher to the eight-person Slemmen Lodge), two yurts with lake views, and the remote Osprey Cabin on Lake Eramosh that is only reachable by hiking or paddling. All require a two-night minimum stay.
How do you get to Lake Metigoshe State Park?
The park is about 14 miles northeast of Bottineau in the Turtle Mountains, near the Canadian border. Drive north on ND-14 from Bottineau and follow the signs. The drive from Minot takes roughly two and a half hours.