Icelandic State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Icelandic State Park is located on the north shore of Lake Renwick, five miles west of Cavalier in North Dakota. Covering 912 acres, the state park also includes the Pioneer Heritage Center, Gunlogson Homestead and Nature Preserve, and restored historic buildings, offering visitors a glimpse into North Dakota's homesteading heritage. The state park was named to preserve evidence of North Dakota's Icelandic heritage, after G. B. Gunlogson donated 200 acres of his family's lands to the state in 1963.
These days, the Icelandic State Park is a popular recreational hub for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and cross-country skiing. Its landscape is dominated by mature elm and basswood that lie along both banks of the Tongue River. It also serves as the perfect habitat for many animals, including rare species such as the Piliated Woodpecker, Northern Waterthrush, and Mourning Warbler.
Summer can attract daytime temperatures as high as 79°F, while winter temperatures can fall to as low as -5°F, making some outdoor activities extremely difficult. If you’re planning a trip to this region, you’ll certainly need to come prepared. Keep reading to find out all there is to know about campgrounds, in-park activities, how to get here, and more.
Spring 13°F - 66°F
Summer 52°F - 79°F
Fall 17°F - 68°F
Winter -5°F - 19°F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Icelandic State Park
Looking to camp within Icelandic State Park? While the park provides both tent and RV camping, we recommend visiting this stunning place in an RV to have access to your own cozy bed, fully-stocked kitchen, and a private bathroom. If you don’t own one, you can easily rent an RV fromRVshare.com to suit your budget and needs. All rentals come with nationwide insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and a world-class team dedicated to helping you succeed.
Icelandic State Park has both a modern and primitive campground, offering plenty of space to park your RV or set up a tent. The primitive camping areas are grassy back-in spaces containing a fire ring with a grate and a picnic table. Vault toilets are also available. The modern campground offers full amenities, including electrical hookups, modern comfort stations with showers and a sewage dump station.
There are also several campgrounds and RV parks located outside of the state park, three of which we’ve listed below.
Walhalla Park Riverside Campground
The Walhalla ParkRiverside Campground is just over a 20-minute drive north of the state park. It features 35 campsites with electric and water hookups, as well as a long list of other helpful amenities. The park is open from the 3rd weekend of May to September 30th. Nightly fees range from $15 - $25.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: no
Wifi: no
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: toilets, showers, dump station, playgrounds, heated swimming pool, picnic shelters.
Leistikow Park Campground
The Leistikow Park Campground is just over a 40-minute drive south of the state park. This family-friendly facility offers full hookups, as well as a 1.5-mile trail system, 18-hole disc golf course, paddle boat, canoe, and kayak rentals, and more. The nightly rate for RV sites is $28.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: restrooms, showers, visitor center, laundry facilities, snack / beverage vending machine, hiking trails, 18-hole disc golf course, outdoor swimming pool, basketball court, tennis court, playground, picnic shelters.
Mount Carmel Dam Recreation Area
TheMount Carmel Dam Recreation Area is a 45-minute drive from the state park and has been described as the region’s best-kept secret. This peaceful and secluded camping area offers 200 RV sites with electric, sewer, and water hookups, as well as other much-needed amenities to help you and your family have a comfortable stay.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: N/A
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: showers, restrooms, storm shelter, fish cleaning station, dump station, boat ramp, swimming access, picnic shelter.
What to Do at
Icelandic State Park
Inside Icelandic State Park
While Icelandic State Park is popular due to its camping, it’s also a widely visited region because of the number of fun recreational activities on offer. With its picturesque trails, historic homesteads, and access to the stunning Lake Renwick, you certainly won’t be bored during your time here.
Hiking : Within the state park’s nature preserve is four miles of hiking trails, which wind through the park and the historic 200-acre Gunlogson Nature Preserve. These include the Hillman Trail, Bluebird Trail, Old Settlers Trail, Basswood Trail, Wildwood Trail, Shady Sprints Trail, and Cavlandic Trail.
Biking : Some of the park’s trails also allow mountain biking, including the Hillman Trail, Bluebird Trail, and Cavlandic Trail, which connects cyclists to the nearby city of Cavalier.
Winter activities : Winter is the perfect time to enjoy activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Be sure to ask about current conditions at the visitor center before you set out.
Fishing : Fishing season in northeast ND is year-round and Lake Renwick within the state park is one of the most popular fishing destinations for anglers. Here, you can try your luck with species such as yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, catfish and tiger muskie.
Swimming : Lake Renwick has a swimming beach, which is located near the primitive camping area. Near here, you’ll also find a parking lot, vault toilet, playground, and a concessionaire, as well as plenty of shaded, grassy spots to set up a picnic.
Boating : Canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards can be rented from the park for $8 an hour or $50 per day. Paddles and life vests are included in the rental fee.
How to Get to
Icelandic State Park
The state park is located 5 miles west of Cavalier on ND Highway 5. Turn right onto 135th Ave NE and the state park is on the right.
Entering Icelandic State Park
All vehicles entering the state park must purchase a daily vehicle permit for $7.
Icelandic State Park Vehicle Permit : $7.0
We’re very excited you’re planning a trip to Icelandic State Park. Once you’ve finished exploring all the park has to offer, there are also some incredible opportunities waiting for you outside of its gates! During or after your stay, we encourage you to tag us in any of your social media posts, or share your photos and experience with us at [email protected]. We may even feature your story on our blog or social media channels. Happy camping!
Frequently Asked Questions About Icelandic State Park
The park is most enjoyable to visit during the summer between June and August. There are more daylight hours and milder temperatures. Various animals are more active and visible, too.
The temperature in the summer can go as high as 79 degrees Fahrenheit, while in the winter, it can get as low as -5 degrees. Be sure to consider the forecast and pack your bags accordingly.
The park is home to many species of animals, including the pileated woodpecker, purple finch, and boreal owl. Walk quietly through the woods, and you might even catch a glimpse of some of these creatures in their natural habitat.
You can bring your pet to the park, but they must always be on a leash. Please clean up after your pet and properly dispose of their waste in provided receptacles.
There are three seasonal camping cabins in Icelandic State Park: the Pine Cabin, Aspen, and Oak Cabin. It would be best if you call in advance to reserve a spot.
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