Admittedly, North Dakotans have a narrow window of opportunity to soak up the joys of summer.
Perhaps that’s why summer is - hopefully – so greatly valued. Each sunny day is a treasure. A day of light breeze is a godsend (granted, some may say it’s also a miracle).
That’s not saying North Dakota’s weather is akin to the bitter weather that can blanket the Arctic or blistering, melting jungle heat.
It’s just to say that, yup, North Dakota has its four distinct seasons and each one is short. After all, it’s hard to cram the fresh re-birth of spring into three months, just as it’s hard to cram the joy of playing in the snow into another three months or the special treat of autumn’s hunting season into its colorful three months.
It’s equally hard to cram summer’s splash into three months.
But, as North Dakotans, we try.
One neat thing about North Dakota’s state parks is they greatly assist in that challenge. In several cases, they can even make it a reality if a person doesn’t have the necessary gear to, for example, test their skills on a stand-up paddleboard.
And you don’t even have to bring your own lifejacket. Want to rent a stand-up paddleboard and the lifejacket is part of the deal.
Taking a peek at some of the area state parks reveals an interesting diversity of fun-in-the-sun rental options:
Cross Ranch State Park | North Dakota Parks and Recreation:
Tucked on the west shore of the Missouri River, the park has four canoes along with two single and two double kayak rentals.
Plus, they offer two options for Missouri River transport services. Paddlers can take the nine-mile run from Washburn (north of the park) south to the Sanger boat landing or the two-mile run from Cross Ranch’s main campground launch south to Sanger.
Contact the park, (701) 794-3731, for transport fees, details, and arrangements.
Fort Stevenson State Park | North Dakota Parks and Recreation:
Three miles south of Garrison, the park is geared up for an array of water and land-based activities. Fat tire bicycle rentals ($8 an hour or $50 per day) even include the use of a helmet.
It’s hard to beat splashing on an AquaPad and the price is $20 an hour or $80 per day. Canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, and stand-up paddleboards are also available for rent.
Fear not if a person wants to be on the water and doesn’t have a boat because Fort Stevenson can help with that, as well. The park rents 16- and 17-foot boats ($105 and $115 per day) along with a 22-foot pontoon for $350 per day.
Lake Metigoshe State Park | North Dakota Parks and Recreation:
North of Bottineau, Lake Metigoshe State Park offers a different kind of water compared to the vast expanse of Lake Sakakawea. The park’s small lakes hidden among its Turtle Mountain woods are great for paddle sports like canoeing and kayaking.
Eight canoes along with two single and four double kayaks are available to take on its small lakes.
Lewis & Clark State Park | North Dakota Parks and Recreation:
Heading back to Lake Sakakawea, Lewis & Clark State Park east of Williston could possibly have some access issues for large boats this summer because of the lake’s lower-than-
normal elevations. However, its two canoes, two single and a double kayak, and two stand-up paddleboards are still available for water lovers to rent and enjoy.
And, just like at Fort Stevenson, Lewis & Clark has fat tire bike rentals with helmets for land lovers.
Rental fees for canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, and stand-up paddleboats are standard at the state parks - $8 an hour or $50 per day. Paddles and lifejackets are included in the fee for all of the paddle sport rentals and boat, pontoon, and paddleboat rentals include lifejackets.
