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Official

Established Camping

Cottonwood Group Site — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Cottonwood Group Site is located in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, near open plains and scattered trees. Temperatures can range from highs in the 80s°F during summer to lows in the 10s°F in winter. Visitors can explore the nearby Painted Canyon and the Little Missouri River, offering opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing.

Description

National Park Service

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Overview

For people visiting the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Cottonwood Campground is a great place to stay. Located five miles (8 km) from the entrance to the South Unit of the park, the campground is open year-round. This reservation section is for reserving the group site at the Cottonwood Campground. Reservations for the group campsite go on sale March 1 for the camping season. If you are interested in reservations for an individual camp site at the Cottonwood Campground please see the Cottonwood Campground (ND) section. The group site serves as a great central camping area providing easy driving access to a varitey of locations and activities.

Recreation

Hikers can access the estimated 70 miles (21 km) of trails within a short distance of the campground. Visit the Hiking and Trail Information page on the park website or stop at a Visitor Center for more details. Located immediately adjacent to the Little Missouri River and filled with Cottonwood trees bird watching in the campground can be a rewarding experience. Watch for Bison that can be seen traveling through the campground on their way to a stop at the river. Just a few miles from the campground is the Peaceful Valley Ranch. A former ranch from Theodore Roosevelt's time, the location also serves as one of the best sites in the park for outstanding night sky viewing.

Natural Features

The Little Missouri River is the central, unifying feature of this wild and broken land where, as a young man, Theodore Roosevelt ranched and hunted in the 1880s. The park is part of both the Northern Great Plains and the West, blending a rich natural beauty with diverse human history. The rugged topography, with its flora and fauna, also provides an opportunity to discover the badlands environment as Roosevelt once did. It is a place to experience a land and way of life that helped shape Theodore Roosevelt's attitudes and philosophy regarding conservation. Cottonwood trees surrounding the campsite turn golden in the fall. Although the campground is moderately forested, most of the campsites are in partial to full sun but visitors can cool off in the cold river when temperatures peak during summer.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Medora has shopping, restaurants, amenities and the Medora Musical is located approximately five miles (8 km) to the south. The Little Missouri National Grassland is the largest National Grassland in the nation at 1.03 million acres (416,826 ha). It is located in western North Dakota and is managed by the Medora Ranger District in Dickinson, ND and the McKenzie Ranger District in Watford City, ND. The National Grassland provides additional recreation opportunities in the area.

Fee Info

Group Site Rate - $30.00 One night in the Cottonwood Campground Group Site by groups of 7 to 20 people. By reservation only. Passholder discounts do not apply. Reservations can be made beginning March 1, at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time, of the desired year.

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Location

Cottonwood Group Site — Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in North Dakota

Detail location of campground

Directions

DIRECTIONS Enter the South Unit in Medora. Travel 5.5 miles on the scenic drive (East River Road). Cottonwood Campground is on the left.

Coordinates

46.952633 N
103.529666 W

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Cottonwood Group Site — Theodore Roosevelt National Park have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Cottonwood Group Site — Theodore Roosevelt National Park has water hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Cottonwood Group Site — Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

    Cottonwood Group Site — Theodore Roosevelt National Park allows vehicles up to 45 feet.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Cottonwood Group Site — Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Cottonwood Group Site — Theodore Roosevelt National Park. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Cottonwood Group Site — Theodore Roosevelt National Park, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

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    There are 1 campsites at Cottonwood Group Site — Theodore Roosevelt National Park and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts