North Dakota is a vast Great Plains state in the northern United States, renowned for the rugged badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the sweeping prairies, rich Native American heritage, and the largest contiguous waterfowl nesting habitat in North America. Bismarck serves as the capital, while Fargo is the cultural and commercial hub. The state surprises visitors with world-class museums, frontier history, and dramatic landscapes that few tourists know about.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in North Dakota.
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- Sandy swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Marina
- Campground
- Picnic shelters
- Restrooms with showers
Lake Sakakawea State Park Beach
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- Sandy beach
- Swimming area
- Boat launch
- Campground
- Restrooms
- Picnic tables
Devils Lake Sandy Beach
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- Swimming beach
- Paddleboat rentals
- Campground
- Fishing dock
- Picnic shelters
- Restrooms
Prairie Rose State Park Lake
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- Swimming area
- Boat launch
- Campground
- Fishing
- Picnic areas
- Vault toilets
Roughrider Area Lake Ashtabula
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- Wildlife viewing
- Fishing
- Non-motorized boats permitted
- Vault toilets
Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.