Williston’s Jeff Keller says Williams, McKenzie and Mountrail counties have plenty to offer for camping this summer.

Keller is he natural resource manager for the Army Corps of Engineers’ Williston office and said campers should take care of the land they visit. Area corps campgrounds include Tobacco Gardens and American Legion Park in McKenzie County, White Earth Bay in Mountrail County and Little Beaver Bay, the Trenton Indian Service Area, Trenton Lake, Lewis and Clark State Park and Lund’s Landing, also known as White Tail Bay, in Williams County.

Most of the campgrounds have amenities that include electric hookups and sanitation services for garbage and sewer, said Keller.

“In recent years, the counties and the Williams County Water Resource District have put a lot of money into developing, a lot of funding into developing these camping and recreation areas, and making them into class areas. They have all the amenities that any park would have,” Keller said.

Each area is known for offering a variety of recreation opportunities, he said. Trenton Lake is known for its water skiing, fishing and a nice swimming beach, Keller said, while Lund’s Landing is known as a good place to fish. “Lund’s Landing has some wonderful rental cabins,” he said.

Lewis and Clark State Park offers boat-dock rentals and Little Beaver Bay is good for hiking, boating and shore fishing, Keller said. The campgrounds are popular each summer, and this summer won’t be any different. Because Lake Sakakawea has risen over 20 feet this year and is nearing normal operating levels, campers are certain to flock to those located on the big lake, he said.

There are some things campers need to keep in mind, however, when staying on corps’ land. All-terrain vehicles aren’t allowed on campgrounds and open fires aren’t allowed outside designated campground areas, Keller said. Camping is also only allowed in designated areas as this helps cut down on litter, he said.

There’s been a push toward developed recreation areas, Keller said, because of sanitation and sewage problems, which is why the corps is enforcing more policies on undesignated camping areas.

“Our budgets aren’t suited to take care of sewage problems and garbage problems in undeveloped areas,” Keller said.