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Marinas · North Dakota

Marinas in North Dakota

Cruise 11 marinas across North Dakota. Maps, hours, contact info, photos, and verified operator profiles, all in one place.

Theodore Roosevelt badlands, the Missouri Coteau, and the Red River Valley.

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About North Dakota

Nobody puts North Dakota on a boating shortlist, until they see Lake Sakakawea. The Missouri River System dominates the state's water, with Sakakawea and the upper reaches of Lake Oahe stacking up thousands of miles of shoreline between them. These reservoirs cut through rolling prairie and badlands, and the effect from the water is startling: broken bluffs, open sky, and almost nobody else out there. It's cruising, fishing, and watersports on a scale that has nothing to do with crowded coastal water.

Devils Lake is the other headline, a big natural saline lake with a reputation among anglers that far outruns the state's profile. Its water levels rise and fall over the years, which keeps redrawing the map: flooded bays, submerged structure, new water to learn every season. Smaller lakes and reservoirs are scattered across the rest of the state, but Sakakawea and Devils Lake are why boaters who want empty water and long horizons keep coming back.

Marinas are fewer here than in busier boating states, but they sit where they're needed. Transient dockage, fuel, and basic provisions are available at key points along Lake Sakakawea and Devils Lake, generally near communities like Garrison, New Town, and Devils Lake city. Fishing guides run strong charter operations on both systems and know the water in a way no chartplotter does. The distances between facilities are real, though. Plan services ahead rather than counting on the next dock over the horizon.

Best time to go

When to cruise in North Dakota

Full seasonality
Peak season Jun–Aug
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May through October.

  • June–September: the reliable warm-water season
  • Spring water is dangerously cold, so wear a life jacket
  • Big lakes build steep waves fast, so watch the wind

11 on the map

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Quick facts

Boat launches mapped
138
Rivers mapped
63
Marinas listed
11
Best season
May through October

At a glance

Marinas in North Dakota at a glance

The first 10 of 11 marinas listed in North Dakota, in the same order as the full list below. Ratings and review counts are from Google. A blank cell means we do not have that detail yet.

Marinas in North Dakota at a glance
MarinaCityActivitiesRating
Bayshore ResortValley City4.927 Google reviews
De Trobriand Bay MarinaGarrison5.04 Google reviews
Devils Lake Marine & Sports CenterDevils LakeFishing, Marina Services, Rentals4.741 Google reviews
Ft Stevenson State Park-MarinaGarrison4.949 Google reviews
Lake AudubonColeharbor
Lake AudubonColeharbor
Lake OaheCannon Ball
Lake Sakakawea MarinaPick City4.846 Google reviews
Lakewood MarinaMandan5.03 Google reviews
McKenzie Bay MarinaMandaree4.863 Google reviews

Water Explorer

Boat launches across North Dakota

Tap a launch to pinpoint it on the map, then open it for ramp type, fees, and the nearest marina.

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11 marinas

across North Dakota

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Plan your trip

Plan your trip to North Dakota

Signature Waters

North Dakota's primary boating destinations are Lake Sakakawea, Lake Oahe (northern reaches), and Devils Lake. These vast inland seas offer diverse conditions, from wide-open expanses to sheltered bays. Smaller lakes and reservoirs provide additional, often quieter, options.

Boating Season

The recreational boating season typically runs from early May through late October, depending on ice conditions. Peak activity occurs from June to August, when water temperatures are warmest and all services are fully operational.

Slip and Transient Dockage

Transient dockage is available at most major marinas on Lake Sakakawea and Devils Lake, but availability can be limited during peak summer weekends. Advance reservations are highly recommended, especially for larger vessels.

Fuel and Pump-Out Access

Fuel docks and pump-out stations are available at larger marinas. Due to the vastness of some lakes, plan your fuel stops carefully and carry extra fuel if venturing far from services. Confirm availability with individual marinas before your trip.

Weather and Wind Considerations

North Dakota weather can change rapidly, with strong winds being a common factor, particularly on large, open waters like Lake Sakakawea. Monitor marine weather forecasts closely, as high winds can quickly create hazardous conditions for boaters.

Confirm current requirements with the state agency before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

  • Boater Education Requirement

    Youths ages 12 to 15 must complete a North Dakota Game and Fish Department-approved boating safety course to operate a motorboat of more than 10 horsepower on their own; otherwise they must be accompanied on board by someone at least 18. There is no boater-education requirement for operators 16 and older.

  • Boat Registration

    All motorized vessels (motorboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats fitted with a motor), operating on North Dakota waters must be registered with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department; non-motorized and manually propelled craft are exempt. Out-of-state boats must be registered in their home state and comply with North Dakota's reciprocal agreements.

  • Life Jacket Requirements

    All vessels must carry a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board. Children 10 years of age and younger must wear a properly fitted life jacket when a vessel less than 27 feet in length is underway. Additionally, anyone operating or riding on a personal watercraft must wear a life jacket.

  • Fishing License

    Anyone 16 years of age or older must possess a valid North Dakota fishing license to fish in the state's waters. Various license types are available for residents and non-residents, including short-term options. Verify specific regulations for species and limits.

  1. 01

    Choose Your Waterway

    Sakakawea for sheer scale, Devils Lake for the fishing, or a smaller lake for a quieter day, pick the water, then scout its marinas and access points.

  2. 02

    Verify Boater Education and Registration

    Operators born after 1985 need North Dakota's boater education requirement covered, and your vessel must be registered here or in a home state with reciprocal agreements.

  3. 03

    Plan Dockage and Services

    Call marinas well ahead to hold a transient slip, especially in summer, and ask about fuel, pump-out, and provisions, the next service point can be a long way off.

  4. 04

    Monitor Weather Conditions

    Wind is the story on this open water. Check the marine forecast before and during your trip, and treat a building breeze as your cue to think about shelter.

  5. 05

    Pack Appropriately

    Beyond the standard safety gear, bring extra water, sun protection, and layers, prairie temperatures swing hard. Fishing? Have a valid North Dakota license aboard.

01How many marinas are listed in North Dakota?
Boating Hubs lists 11 marinas in North Dakota: wet slips, fuel docks, dry storage, charter operators, and full-service yards.
02What kind of boats are best suited for North Dakota's waters?
On Sakakawea and Devils Lake, the open water and ever-present wind favor larger fishing boats, pontoons, and runabouts. Smaller lakes take everything from kayaks to canoes comfortably, but on any water here, the forecast decides the day.
03Are there any boat rental or charter options available?
Yes. Larger marinas on Lake Sakakawea and Devils Lake rent pontoons and fishing boats, and independent guides run plenty of fishing charters, walleye and northern pike are the main draws. Book ahead.
04What are the typical operating hours for marinas?
It depends on the season. Peak summer brings extended hours for fuel and services; spring and fall run shorter, and some services are strictly seasonal. Confirm directly with the marina rather than assuming.
05Is it safe to boat at night on North Dakota lakes?
It's legal, but these are big lakes with unmarked hazards and water levels that move. Run proper navigation lights, stay on water you know, and if in doubt, anchor somewhere safe before dark instead of feeling your way home.
06What wildlife might I encounter while boating?
Pelicans, gulls, and waterfowl are regular company on the water, and the shorelines, especially the remote stretches, turn up deer, coyotes, and other prairie wildlife. Keep your distance and let them go about their business.
07Are there specific rules for personal watercraft (PWC)?
Yes. PWC riders must wear a life jacket at all times, and there are rules on operating hours, minimum age, and required distances from shore, swimmers, and other vessels. The ND Game and Fish Department regulations spell out the details.

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