Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-233550
When Mel Rieman Rec reopens
Mel Rieman Rec's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
0
Openings · last 90 days
13
Only 13 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · May 1 – May 3, 2027 · of 28 monitored sites
Of the 84 tracked site-dates (May 1 – May 3, 2027): 84 open for online reservation.
Where the open windows are
0% of tracked site-dates are not currently open for online reservation. 84 of 84 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
May 1 – May 3, 2027Not open online0%
Open site-dates84 / 84
Reserved (of online inventory)0 / 84
Weekday openings27
Weekend openings54
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 27 fall on weekdays and 54 on weekends (Fri–Sun). The split covers the 81 open site-nights on mapped sites; 84 site-dates are open across all monitored inventory.
Open dates by month
May 2027 – May 2027May holds the most room. 84 of 84 site-dates are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 27 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Day | FRI May 28 | 0 | None open |
| SAT May 29 | 0 | None open | |
| SUN May 30 | 0 | None open | |
| MON May 31 | 0 | None open |
Memorial Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
Holiday windows — day use
Units open per date · of 1 day-use unit| Window | Date | Units open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Day | FRI May 28 | 0 | None open |
| SAT May 29 | 0 | None open | |
| SUN May 30 | 0 | None open | |
| MON May 31 | 0 | None open |
Memorial Day: no online availability on any tracked date.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 01 | 3 |
| 02 | 3 |
| 03 | 3 |
| 04 | 3 |
| 05 | 3 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Availability by day-use unit
Most open reservation dates · tracked window| Unit | Open reservation dates |
|---|---|
| 28 | 3 |
This day-use unit currently has 3 reservation dates available.
Tracked window
CoverageCampsite Sniper's data for this facility starts May 1, 2027. That is about 180 days after the current snapshot was taken, so dates before May 1, 2027 are not covered by what Campsite Sniper tracks here — they are not known to be unavailable. The site-dates shown on this page describe May 1, 2027 onwards only. Check Recreation.gov for earlier dates.
Stays and site detail
81 open site-nights across 27 sites at Mel Rieman Rec, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
27 overnight sites and 1 day-use unit are represented in the current inventory. Day-use inventory is excluded from every night-based figure on this page — site-nights, longest runs, multi-night stays, holiday stays and RV fit; its reservation dates are listed separately below.
Multi-night stays. 27 2-night, 27 3-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest May 1, 2027 at site 01.
RV length. Longest recorded site here is 80 ft. 20 sites take 25 ft, 18 sites take 35 ft, 18 sites take 40 ft. 7 sites of 27 have no recorded maximum and are not counted.
All 27 sites with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 41 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 02 | 45 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 03 | 54 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 04 | 45 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 05 | 45 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 06 | 50 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 07 | 77 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 08 | 50 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 09 | 52 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 10 | 25 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 11 | 80 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 12 | 25 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 13 | 57 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 14 | 54 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 15 | 45 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 16 | 50 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 17 | 50 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 18 | 46 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 19 | 60 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 20 | 57 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 21 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 22 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 23 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 24 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 25 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 26 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 27 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
Day-use inventory
3 available reservation dates across 1 day-use unit. Day-use inventory is reserved by the date, so it carries no stay length.
All 1 day-use unit with current availability
| Unit | Open reservation dates | Consecutive dates | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 3 | 3 dates | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
About Mel Rieman Rec
Overview
The Mel Rieman Campground and Recreation Area is a 70-acre facility on the shoreline of Lake Ashtabula in eastern North Dakota. The campground is known for its spectacular sunset views. It is close to the Baldhill Dam and within walking distance of the Mel Rieman day-use area, where visitors can swim, fish and picnic.
Lake Ashtabula was created by the construction of the Baldhill Dam on the Sheyenne River in 1944, and is situated in one of the most scenic river valleys in the region. Visitors can choose from a wide range of recreation opportunities year-round, including ice fishing and cross-country skiing during winter months.
Recreation
There is no shortage of recreation opportunities and outdoor fun in and around the lake. The day-use area is adjacent to the campground and has a visitor center, playgrounds, picnic facilities, concessions, fishing spots and a boat ramp.
The name "Ashtabula" is a Native American word meaning "Fish River," which suits the lake's fish population; popular species include walleye, northern pike, white bass, yellow perch and black bullhead. With seven boat ramps, two accessible fishing piers and four automated fish cleaning stations, the lake is very convenient for anglers.
Nearly 3,000 acres of land around the lake is managed as wildlife habitat by the Corps of Engineers and open to the public for wildlife viewing, birding, hiking and hunting. Hunters and anglers should contact the North Dakota Game and Fish Department for seasons, restrictions and licenses; fishing licenses and bait may be purchased from concessionaires around the lake.
Campers can also reach the 63-mile Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway and access nearly 35 miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail within a short drive.
Facilities
Mel Rieman Campground has 27 campsites, 15 of which offer electric hookups. The facility also provides drinking water, showers and flush toilets. The nearest town is Valley City, 10 miles away.
Natural Features
The lake area lies amidst the 'prairie potholes' region of glacially-carved lakes in North Dakota. Bountiful migratory water birds flock to Lake Ashtabula, including the unique white pelican, which can be seen in large quantities during summer. The region also provides habitat for white-tailed deer, sharptail grouse, wild turkey and gray partridge.
28 monitored sitesRVs up to 80 ft20 with hookups27 shadedWaterfrontLakefrontPets OKFire pitsMax party 8
Getting there
The main route to the park is via Interstate 94 to Valley City exit 292. Follow the signs through Valley City and turn left onto County Road 19. Travel for 10 miles.
2630 114Th Ave Se, Valley City, ND 58072701-845-2970
CampingFishingHikingPicnickingSwimming Site
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-233550 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-233550 · Mel Rieman Rec · Valley City ND12 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Mel Rieman Rec?
Reservations for Mel Rieman Rec are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 84 of 84 tracked site-dates are open (100%), though availability can change. Campsite Sniper has also detected 13 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site or unit on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this facility for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Nov 2, 2026 16:20 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Mel Rieman Rec?
Campsite Sniper detected 13 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Mel Rieman Rec?
27 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts May 1, 2027 at site 01. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which sites at Mel Rieman Rec fit a 35-foot RV?
18 of the 27 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 80 ft. 20 of those 27 sites have a recorded maximum length and 7 do not; they are not counted as fitting.
Which month has the most availability at Mel Rieman Rec?
May 2027, with 84 open site-dates in the current snapshot of 84.
When is the next open date at Mel Rieman Rec?
Campsite Sniper cannot answer that from the current snapshot. The availability data held for Mel Rieman Rec begins May 1, 2027 — about 180 days after this snapshot was taken, so any earlier dates are outside what Campsite Sniper is tracking here rather than known to be unavailable. Check Recreation.gov for dates before May 1, 2027.
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