Army Corps of Engineers · North Dakota
West Ashtabula Crossing
Army Corps of Engineers · North Dakota, United States
- Sites
- 31
- Hookups
- 30 electric
- Season
- May 14 to September 30
- Max RV length
- 60 ft
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,381 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T weak · Verizon good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Ashtabula Lake
- Nearest town
- Valley City
- Address
- 2630 114th Ave SE, Valley City, ND, 58072
- Phone
- 701-845-2970
- Activities
- Camping, Cross Country Skiing, Hiking, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing
31 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
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.
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.
Facilities
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.
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18° | 1° | -26° | 39° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 25° | 3° | -31° | 54° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 36° | 20° | -12° | 64° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 45° | 28° | 11° | 71° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 65° | 45° | 32° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 75° | 58° | 45° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 82° | 63° | 51° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 77° | 62° | 52° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 72° | 54° | 40° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 55° | 39° | 19° | 73° | 7 of 10 |
| November | 39° | 25° | 3° | 62° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 28° | 15° | -25° | 45° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Eggerts Landing · Army Corps of Engineers · 1 mi · 41 sites
- East Ashtabula Crossing · Army Corps of Engineers · 4 mi · 37 sites
- Mel Rieman Rec · Army Corps of Engineers · 6 mi · 28 sites
- Tourist Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 13 mi · 27 sites
- Page City Park Campground and RV Park · City, County & Regional Parks · 21 mi · 8 sites
All public campgrounds in North Dakota · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.