Storms force campsite closures at Lake Ashtabula

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, has closed several campsites at its Lake Ashtabula campgrounds near Valley City, North Dakota, due to storm damages from this past weekend in eastern North Dakota.

The storm knocked down numerous trees throughout Lake Ashtabula. Fortunately, there were no injuries and minimal damage to infrastructure. The campgrounds impacted by the storm damage include Mel Rieman, East Ashtabula Crossing and West Ashtabula Crossing, and Eggert’s Landing. Park rangers are actively working to clean up the sites. The current goal is to have Mel Rieman and West Ashtabula Crossing fully reopened by the end of the week, and East Ashtabula Crossing open by July 2. Eggerts Landing is closed, but the park rangers hope to have a few sites available later next week.

“We are incredibly grateful that nobody was injured as a result of the storms,” said Scott Tichy, Lake Ashtabula site manager. “Our entire team is working as fast as we can to get the campsites restored to safely allow campers. We kindly ask that people refrain from visiting the site until the debris is cleared to avoid any safety issues.”

Park rangers will notify anyone with existing reservations that are impacted by these changes. All reservations will be refunded in full.

The Lake Ashtabula camping season is open now through September 30.

The Corps of Engineers is the nation’s leading federal providers of outdoor recreation. The St. Paul District operates 49 recreation areas, ranging from public boat landings along the Mississippi River to visitor centers at our locks to full-service campgrounds. 

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