Camels Hump Lake is a hidden gem in the North Dakota Badlands – a small but surprisingly deep lake near Sentinel Butte in Golden Valley County, with a diverse fishery that even includes stocked trout. Set in the rugged buttes of far western North Dakota near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, this little wildlife-management-area lake rewards anglers who venture off the beaten path. This guide is part of our growing North Dakota Lakes Database.
- Camels Hump Lake at a glance
- A deep little lake in the Badlands
- Fishing Camels Hump Lake
- Camping, access and recreation
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Know before you go
- Frequently asked questions
- What fish are in Camels Hump Lake?
- How deep is Camels Hump Lake?
- Can you camp at Camels Hump Lake?
- Where is Camels Hump Lake?
Camels Hump Lake at a glance
- Surface area: small (~45-53 acres), but deep for its size
- Depth: average ~15 ft, maximum ~36 ft
- Elevation: ~2,700 ft, in the western North Dakota Badlands
- Location: Golden Valley County, near Sentinel Butte and Beach (a wildlife management area)
- Top fish: largemouth & smallmouth bass, walleye, bluegill, rainbow & brown trout
A deep little lake in the Badlands
What makes Camels Hump remarkable is its depth for such a small lake – up to about 36 feet, with a 15-foot average. That depth keeps the water cool enough to support trout alongside warmwater species, a rare combination in western North Dakota. Set among the buttes and breaks of the Badlands near Sentinel Butte, it’s a scenic, out-of-the-way spot.
Fishing Camels Hump Lake
The lake offers an unusually varied catch for the region: largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, bluegill, and stocked rainbow and brown trout (added in 2024). A North Dakota fishing license is required. The depth and structure reward anglers who fish the right water for each species. It’s a quiet, productive fishery and a good ice-fishing lake in winter.
Camping, access and recreation
Camels Hump Lake is a wildlife management area with a free public access site that includes a boat ramp/dock, a parking area, and a handful of primitive campsites with tables and fire rings for overnight stays. It’s a peaceful base for fishing and exploring the Badlands, with Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit nearby. Facilities are basic, so come self-sufficient.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Camels Hump Lake is near Sentinel Butte and Beach in Golden Valley County, far western North Dakota, off I-94 near the Montana line. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (South Unit at Medora) and the North Dakota Badlands surround it.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a North Dakota license is required.
- Trout in the Badlands: its depth supports stocked trout – a rarity out west.
- Primitive camping: free WMA campsites with tables and fire rings; bring your own supplies.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Camels Hump Lake?
Largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, bluegill, and stocked rainbow and brown trout – a diverse mix for western North Dakota.
How deep is Camels Hump Lake?
It averages about 15 feet and reaches roughly 36 feet at its deepest – deep for such a small lake.
Can you camp at Camels Hump Lake?
Yes – the wildlife management area has free primitive campsites with tables and fire rings, plus a boat ramp.
Where is Camels Hump Lake?
In Golden Valley County near Sentinel Butte and Beach, far western North Dakota, off I-94 near the Montana line.
Related: explore the small lakes of North Dakota, or head back to the North Dakota Lakes Database.