Camping in North Dakota

A complete guide to camping in North Dakota

Stargazing in North Dakota's dark skies at Little Missouri State Park by Intricate Explorer

Photo Credit: Intricate Explorer

Overview

North Dakota camping builds around Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the western badlands, where painted canyon walls and bison herds create the most dramatic landscape between the Black Hills and Glacier. The park splits into a North Unit near Watford City and a South Unit near Medora, connected by the Little Missouri River. Medora, a tiny town preserved in Old West character, serves as the primary base for South Unit camping.

The rest of North Dakota's camping spreads across state parks, Corps of Engineers reservoirs, and the open prairie. Lake Sakakawea, one of the largest man-made lakes in the country, stretches across central North Dakota with camping along its irregular shoreline. Garrison and the dam area provide the most developed access. The Turtle Mountains near Bottineau in the north-central region and the Sheyenne National Grassland in the southeast add modest terrain variety. The state's extreme climate compresses camping into a May-through-September window, with July the only reliably warm month.

Browse All RV Parks & Campgrounds in North Dakota

Best Seasons to Camp in North Dakota

Spring

Mar-May

High 47°F · Low 35°F

Snow clears by April. Prairie greens up. Campgrounds begin opening in May. Migrating birds return. Temperatures reach the 50s and 60s. Wind is constant. The badlands landscape is dramatic after snowmelt.

Summer

Jun-Aug

High 73°F · Low 61°F

The camping season. Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Lake Sakakawea campgrounds operate at capacity in July. July averages 70 degrees but temperatures above 90 are common. Afternoon thunderstorms. Long daylight hours.

Season	Months	Avg High	Avg Low	Conditions
Spring	Mar-May	47°F	35°F	Snow clears by April.
Summer	Jun-Aug	73°F	61°F	The camping season.
Fall	Sep-Nov	47°F	35°F	September extends summer conditions.
Winter	Dec-Feb	21°F	9°F	January averages 12 degrees with wind chill far below zero.

Camping Regions in North Dakota

Region	Terrain	Key Areas
Theodore Roosevelt Badlands	Plains	Medora, Watford City, Beach, Killdeer
Lake Sakakawea	Lakefront	Garrison, Riverdale, Beulah, New Town
Turtle Mountains	Forest	Bottineau, Dunseith, Rugby
Missouri River and Eastern Prairie	Plains	Jamestown, Mandan, Valley City, Lisbon

Theodore Roosevelt Badlands

Plains · Medora, Watford City, Beach, Killdeer

The western badlands along the Little Missouri River. The South Unit near Medora and North Unit near Watford City bracket the most scenic terrain in North Dakota. Painted canyon walls, petrified forest, and free-roaming bison define the landscape. Medora's historic downtown adds Old West character. Red Trail Camp Grounds in Medora and Tobacco Gardens Resort and Marina near Watford City serve the South and North units of the park.

Lake Sakakawea

Lakefront · Garrison, Riverdale, Beulah, New Town

One of the largest reservoirs in the US, stretching 178 miles across central North Dakota behind Garrison Dam. State parks and Corps of Engineers campgrounds line the irregular shoreline. Fishing for walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass drives the camping. Garrison and Riverdale serve as access towns. Sakakawea RV and Stoney Hill RV Park in Garrison, and Morning Star Campground in Riverdale serve the dam and reservoir access area.

Turtle Mountains

Forest · Bottineau, Dunseith, Rugby

A forested island of terrain in the north-central prairie near the Canadian border. Lake Metigoshe State Park and International Peace Garden provide camping among aspen and birch at the highest elevations in the northern half of the state. Bottineau serves as the base town. A different landscape from the prairie and badlands. Pelican Sandy Lake Recreation Area near Bottineau provides the primary public camping in the Turtle Mountain lake country.

Missouri River and Eastern Prairie

Plains · Jamestown, Mandan, Valley City, Lisbon

The Missouri River corridor and the drift prairie east of it. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park near Mandan combines camping with Custer-era history. Jamestown and Fort Ransom state parks provide eastern alternatives. The Sheyenne National Grassland in the southeast adds the state's only federal grassland camping. Jamestown Campground in Jamestown and Colonial RV Park in Mandan serve the Missouri River corridor and eastern access.

Camping Tips for North Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit campground (Cottonwood) is first-come with no reservations. Arrive by early afternoon in summer. The North Unit (Juniper) is smaller and less crowded.
North Dakota wind is relentless. Stake tents thoroughly. Use wind-resistant designs. The badlands and prairie offer almost no natural windbreak.
Bison roam freely through Theodore Roosevelt National Park campgrounds. Maintain 25 yards distance. They are faster than they appear and weigh up to 2,000 pounds.
Rattlesnakes inhabit the badlands and western grasslands. Watch where you step, especially near rock outcrops and along the Little Missouri River.
Lake Sakakawea water levels fluctuate with dam operations. Check current levels before planning waterfront camping. Shoreline campgrounds may be far from the water in low-water years.
North Dakota state parks are affordable and well-maintained. Vehicle permits are required. Camping fees are modest compared to most states.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

June through September. July and August bring the warmest temperatures. September offers cooler weather, fall color along the Little Missouri, and fewer crowds. Spring (May) is green but windy. The park roads stay open year-round but campgrounds close by late October.

Do I need reservations for badlands camping?

Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is first-come, first-served with no reservations. Arrive by early afternoon in summer. The North Unit's Juniper Campground is smaller and usually has availability. Both are modest in size and fill on peak summer weekends.

How cold does North Dakota get?

January averages 12 degrees statewide, but wind chill can drop below minus 30. The camping season realistically runs May through September. Shoulder months (May and September) can see freezing nights. Summer days occasionally reach the 90s. The temperature range across the year is over 130 degrees.

Is dispersed camping available in North Dakota?

The Little Missouri National Grassland in the western badlands permits dispersed camping. The Sheyenne National Grassland in the southeast also allows it. No fee or permit required. State parks and Corps of Engineers campgrounds require designated sites. North Dakota has more federal grassland than most people expect.

What wildlife will I see at Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

Bison, wild horses, elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and prairie dogs are the most visible species. Bison roam through campgrounds. Wild horses in the South Unit are descendants of ranch stock. Golden eagles and ferruginous hawks patrol the badlands. Rattlesnakes inhabit rocky areas.