How much does camping cost at Mel Rieman Rec?

Camping fees at Mel Rieman Rec range from $20-$40/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Mel Rieman Rec first-come first-served or reservation?

Mel Rieman Rec accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Mel Rieman Rec before I book?

Yes! Mel Rieman Rec has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Mel Rieman Rec?

Mel Rieman Rec is open May 01 to September 30. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Mel Rieman Rec?

Yes, Mel Rieman Rec has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Mel Rieman Rec have?

Mel Rieman Rec has 27 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Mel Rieman Rec?

Yes, pets are allowed at Mel Rieman Rec. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Mel Rieman Rec?

Mel Rieman Rec offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed, Camp Store. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Mel Rieman Rec?

Popular activities at Mel Rieman Rec include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Mel Rieman Rec

3.88

183 reviews

2630 114TH AVE SE

Summer Destination

Featured in:Pet-Friendly Campgrounds North Dakota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,335 ft

Price

$20 - $40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

27 campsites

Season

The campground is op...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,335 ft

Price

$20 - $40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

27 campsites

Season

The campground is op...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Mel Rieman Rec

$20.00 - $40.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC-355769: $40.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC: $26.00; TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC: $20.00; WALK TO: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation...

Hike and Bike Site Fee$20.00

Group Site Fee$40.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

701-845-2970

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Mel Rieman Rec

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Campground Map

2630 114TH AVE SE

Mel Rieman Rec

2630 114TH AVE SE

Nearby places

Valley City (10 miles, approximately 15-minute drive)

Weather at Mel Rieman Rec

Best Time to Camp at Mel Rieman Rec

Best season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliable weather and full access to Lake Ashtabula and campground facilities, making it ideal for boating, swimming, fishing, and long evening sunsets. Expect daytime highs commonly in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F (24–30°C) with cool, comfortable nights around 55–65°F (13–18°C), light prairie breezes, and long daylight for paddles and hikes. Wildlife and migratory birds are highly active in early summer, but expect higher weekend crowds in July — midweek stays are the Peak months: July, June, August, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

May–Sep open; summer offers best weather, swimming, fishing and boating per reviews.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 01 to September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: The campground is open from May 1 to September 30 for reservations.

About Mel Rieman Rec

Mel Rieman Recreation Area sits on the shore of Lake Ashtabula near Valley City, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This small campground in North Dakota's foothills offers electric hookups, showers, and a dump station for tent and RV campers. Visitors fish, swim, and hike during the seasonal operating window, with spacious sites and lake views drawing repeat guests.

Mel Rieman Campground offers options including tent camping, RV camping with electric hookups, and walk-in sites.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliable weather and full access to Lake Ashtabula and campground facilities, making it ideal for boating, swimming, fishing, and long evening sunsets. Expect daytime highs commonly in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F (24–30°C) with cool, comfortable nights around 55–65°F (13–18°C), light prairie breezes, and long daylight for paddles and hikes. Wildlife and migratory birds are highly active in early summer, but expect higher weekend crowds in July — midweek stays are the Peak months: July, June, August, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation1335 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a transition zone where prairie potholes meet the Sheyenne River Valley. Glaciers carved this landscape into a mosaic of wetlands, rolling hills, and small lakes that attract white pelicans, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, sharptail grouse, and gray partridges. The surrounding mix of woodlands and grasslands frames Lake Ashtabula's shoreline. Migratory birds are especially active in early summer, using the prairie potholes as stopover habitat.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere is no mention of hotel-style lodging or accommodations within the Mel Rieman Campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo specific cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights. Total stay within 30 days cannot exceed 14 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Standard limits apply for campsite occupancy.

Groups

No detailed information on group camping facilities is available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov (online, app, or contact center).

AccessibilityAccessibility information is limited. Some user reviews mention accessible parking and pathways, but detailed accessibility features are not described.

Site SizeSites are described as 'generous' and capable of accommodating larger setups, including Class A RVs (Jennifer N).

PrivacyReviews highlight varying levels of privacy, with some campsites offering quiet and secluded experiences (Darci M, Jacob M) while others lack separation and privacy (Karen B).

Total Campsites27 campsites

Recommended SitesSites 17, 18, 19, and 20 are recommended for adults seeking quieter spaces. Site 02 is noted as having the best lake view.

Best CampsitesSites 02, 17, 18, 19, and 20 earn high marks in reviews for views, shade, and relative privacy. Site 02 is specifically recommended for seclusion. Sites vary widely in privacy overall, with some offering quiet, separated spots and others feeling cramped.

Need help booking Mel Rieman Rec?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

The Mel Rieman Campground offers a variety of amenities: 27 campsites, with 15 of them featuring electric hookups. Drinking water is available on-site, as are showers and flush toilets. Reviews indicate mixed satisfaction with these facilities. For example, flush toilets and showers exist but are described as being 'a ways away' from some campsites (Joanne Bokinskie) and occasionally 'nasty' on busy weekends (Terry Conner). Reviews also highlight the addition of shaded areas and the presence of picnic tables and fire pits at certain sites.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Mel Rieman Campground offers various recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The adjacent day-use area features a playground, picnic facilities, concessions, fishing spots, and a boat ramp.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Winter Activities

Water Sports

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Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Mel Rieman Rec

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From Booking Sources

3.9

183 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Mel Rieman Rec has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for the Mel Rieman Campground are mixed, with an average sentiment rating of 3.646. While some visitors praise the campground's cleanliness, spacious sites, and scenic views, others criticize maintenance issues, lack of privacy, and problematic trash management.

Review Summaries

Based on 183 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include clean restrooms, spacious campsites, friendly hosts, and beautiful lake views. Several users enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and convenient amenities like picnic tables and...

Based on 183 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include ticks, algae in the lake, overflowing trash bins, inconsistent shower cleanliness, and tight roads within the campground.

Based on 183 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Campsites 02, 19, and 20 are frequently mentioned as preferred spots due to their views and privacy. Campsites 24 and 21 received negative comments regarding layout and lack of privacy.

Based on 183 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend reserving spots ahead of time for weekends, choosing secluded sites like 02 for privacy, and preparing for limited cell service. Some users suggest bringing additional firewood due...

Based on 183 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews highlight the beauty of the lake and the availability of swimming and fishing activities. Winter reviews focus on ice fishing and cross-country skiing but are less frequent.

Based on 183 reviews

Camper Quotes

Multiple direct quotes include: 'The camp spots are very generous. Neighbors are not on top of you.' (Joanne Bokinskie) and 'The lake needed to be raked, it was covered in algae.' (PapaNMama Bearz).

Based on 183 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility reviews are limited but indicate a need for better signage and maps to navigate the campground.

Based on 183 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Mixed reviews regarding pets. Some users noted ticks as a concern for pets (Zach DeWald), while others appreciated the freedom to walk pets near the lake (Marilyn Malousek).

Based on 183 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want a clean, spacious lakefront site with electric hookups and full restroom facilities during peak season.

Skip if

You need reliable cell service or prefer campgrounds open beyond the summer months.

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Campgrounds

Ashtabula Lake

Mel Rieman Rec

About Ashtabula Lake

Context for the broader area surrounding Mel Rieman Rec, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

The Baldhill Dam, Lake Ashtabula Project is located in eastern North Dakota, in the heart of the prairie pothole country. It is a multipurpose project, providing flood protection, augmenting water supplies during dry years, and offering wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities year-round. One of the unique seasonal wildlife visitors to the project is the white pelican, which can be seen in many areas around the lake.

Directions

Take the Valley City exit #292 from I-94, follow signs to county road 19, northeast about 12 miles.