6 Best Places to Paddle Board in North Dakota (ND)

Welcome to the serene landscapes of North Dakota.

Have you ever considered exploring the vast lakes and rivers in this northern state?

Some of the best places to paddle board in North Dakota are just waiting for your discovery.

Join us as we uncover the hidden gems of North Dakota’s waters.

Ready to embark on a thrilling adventure?

Map

Planning Your Paddle in North Dakota

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from May through September. July is the warmest month, averaging 82 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.

Where to Paddle Board in North Dakota

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Sakakawea Lake

MatthewUND, Garrison-LakeSakakawea, Scaling by stand-up-paddling.org, CC BY-SA 3.0

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Garrison Dam Tailrace (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm waters, can be windy at times
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Walleye, Northern Pike, salmon, Roosevel elk, white-tailed deer
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Garrison Dam, Lewis and Clark State Park
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Use caution in windy conditions, adhere to local boating rules

Sakakawea Lake, the largest reservoir in North Dakota, offers a vast expanse of water to paddle through. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes, it’s a great spot for a paddleboarding adventure.

Explore the numerous bays, inlets, and wildlife that call this lake home, or venture towards Lewis and Clark State Park for additional natural beauty.

#2 Red River

🏖️ Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Shelley Park, Fargo (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle currents, calm waters
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Pike, catfish, various bird species
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Urban parks, nature reserves
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be aware of boat traffic, follow local river regulations

The Red River, which forms the border between North Dakota and Minnesota, offers a tranquil yet refreshing paddleboarding experience. With numerous parks and nature reserves along the way, it’s perfect for enjoying a leisurely paddle alongside picturesque scenery.

Starting from Shelley Park in Fargo, you can embark on a serene journey along the water, taking in all the beauty that North Dakota and Minnesota have to offer.

#3 Riverdale High Lodge

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Riverdale Park Day Use Area (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, occasional winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Pike, white-tailed deer
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Riverdale High Lodge, wooded areas
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious of boat traffic, follow local guidelines

Located along the shoreline of Lake Sakakawea, Riverdale High Lodge offers a tranquil environment for paddleboarding among lush wooded landscapes. With a gentle shoreline and calm waters, it’s ideal for a peaceful paddle.

Set off from the Riverdale Park Day Use Area and immerse yourself in the natural beauty surrounding you as you glide through the pristine waters.

#4 Devils Lake

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Grahams Island State Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, occasional winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Walleye, perch, Pike
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Devils Lake State Park, wooded areas
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious of boat traffic, follow local guidelines

Devils Lake is the largest natural body of water in North Dakota and offers a serene paddle boarding experience. Known for its fantastic fishing, it’s surrounded by beautiful wooded areas and wildlife.

Launching from Grahams Island State Park, enjoy a pleasant paddle on the calm waters of Devils Lake.

#5 Missouri River

🏖️ Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Sertoma Park, Bismarck (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle currents, calm waters
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Catfish, pike, various bird species
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Bismarck parks, nature reserves
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be aware of boat traffic, follow local river regulations

The mighty Missouri River offers an enjoyable paddleboarding experience as it flows through Bismarck, North Dakota. With numerous parks and nature reserves located on its banks, the river provides both stunning views and a serene atmosphere for paddlers to enjoy.

Start your adventure at Sertoma Park and take advantage of the beautiful surroundings as you paddle along the calm waters of the Missouri River.

#6 Harmon Lake Recreation Area

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Harmon Lake Recreation Area (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, occasional winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Various bird species, white-tailed deer
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Rolling hills, wooded areas
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Follow local guidelines, respect wildlife

Harmon Lake Recreation Area is a peaceful spot for paddleboarding, featuring calm waters surrounded by rolling hills and woods. The area provides a serene environment for both beginners and experienced paddlers to enjoy the beauty of North Dakota’s outdoors.

Launch your paddleboard at the recreation area and take in the calming sights as you glide across the tranquil waters of Harmon Lake.

North Dakota is prairie water: big reservoirs, few trees and wind that arrives without warning. Devils Lake is the best known, Missouri the southern neighbour and Iowa the one after that.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case