Beaver Lake State Park

Beaver Lake State Park in North Dakota is located on the western shore of Beaver Lake, just 17 miles SE of Napoleon. The park is beautifully maintained as a natural and scenic area and offers an abundance of activities for outdoor enthusiasts from mid-May through Labor Day in September. Summertime temperatures range from the cool 50s at night to the very comfortable mid-80s during the day. The tranquil terrain of Beaver Lake State Park is largely rural with rolling prairie land, marsh grasses and local flowers, such as boxelder, chokecherry, hawthorne and juneberry, all bordering along the Beaver Lake. The views are both stunning and peaceful.

Outdoor enthusiasts find much to do in this small but very active park. Hikers enjoy the serenity of the prairies with leisurely walks along well-marked hiking trails. Bird watching includes sightings of pelicans, kingbirds, herons, hawks, whistling swans and grebes. Among the wildlife often seen are fox, deer and raccoons. And you may spy an occasional skunk or two. Just be still and let them go past! Two camping cabins are available for rental from the Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. Each cabin can sleep 5 comfortably and are equipped with bunk beds, electricity, heat and a deck from which to enjoy the gorgeous views. Showers, sinks and toilets are located outside the cabins in the nearby comfort stations. Any cooking must be done outside the cabins, but a grill and picnic table are provided. There are 25 campsites which have electrical hookups, water and sewer amenities, plus a playground area for the kids. Reservations may be made in advance for the two picnic shelters available for family or group gatherings. There is a lovely beach area for swimming plus boat ramp access for canoeing, water skiing and fishing.

Activities and special events begin on Memorial Day weekend and last late into the fall season. During Military Appreciation Day on Memorial Day, the park offers free admission to everyone in honor of all service personnel, both past and present. National Trails Day is held in early June with a hike guided by one of the park’s knowledgeable Rangers. An Annual Bullhead Fishing Tournament/Visitor Appreciation Day is held, complete with hot dogs, various chips, watermelon and sodas. Volunteers are requested for National Public Lands Day in late September to help with many various Beaver Lake State Park projects. Other special activities and programs include such topics as Campfire Cooking, Fire Starter Making, Campfires Songs, Stories and S’mores, Pioneer Living, which includes sessions on make-your-own Pioneer Toys and Pioneer Games for the Family. Survival of the Fittest is a popular event, where participants make an emergency survival kit, learn fire building skills, rope knotting and compass reading. You may even make your own compass. Have a budding entomologist in the family? Learn all about insects, spiders, butterflies and other creepy crawlers during a Buggy Weekend event.

Nearby attractions you might want to include in your visit to Beaver Lake State Park are Lawrence Welk’s Home, Whitestone Battlefield State Historic Site, and the Slade & Long Land National Wildlife Refuges.

Beaver Lake State Park has much to offer everyone in the way of activities, special events and educational programs. The beauty of the clear blue skies meeting the majesty of the tranquil lake, surrounded by swaying green prairie grasses and colorful local flowers, offer a wonderful respite from the every day routine. For more information contact: Beaver Lake State Park, 3850 70th Street, SE, Wishek, North Dakota, 58495. Phone: 701-452-2752. Email: [email protected].