Established Camping
Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Juniper Campground, near Watford City, North Dakota, is a fantastic base for exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This campground offers a peaceful atmosphere with spacious, paved sites that are perfect for both tents and RVs, though be mindful that larger rigs may need to navigate a bit to find a suitable spot.
Visitors rave about the clean facilities, including restrooms with running water and flush toilets. The campground is known for its stunning night skies, where you can catch a glimpse of the Milky Way and even spot shooting stars. One camper shared, “Be sure to look up at night…the stars are amazing!”
Wildlife is a big draw here, with bison often roaming through the area, adding to the unique experience of camping in the park. The campground is conveniently located near scenic drives and hiking trails, making it easy to immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of the North Unit. Just remember, it’s first come, first served, so arriving early can help you snag a prime spot.
Description
National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Overview
For groups visiting the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Juniper Campground Group Site is a great place to stay. Located four miles (6.4 km) from the entrance to the North Unit of the park, the Group Site is open from May through October.
Recreation
Hikers can access the Achenbach Trail and Little Mo Trail directly from the facility. The Achenbach Trail (17.7 miles/28.5 km), climbs from river bottomland up through the Achenbach Hills, drops to the river again, climbs to Oxbow Overlook along the way of a spur trail, and returns north of the river to the campground. Ask about the conditions of the river crossing before hiking. The Little Mo Trail (1.1 miles/1.8 km) is a self-guiding nature trail that begins at Juniper Campground and goes through river woodlands and badlands. Visit the Hiking and Trail Information page on the park website.
Facilities
Toilets, drinking water and picnic tables are provided at this facility. The site can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. The group site can accommodate between seven and 60 people with a maximum of 20 passenger vehicles. There are no hookups; a dump station is available for campers. All wheeled vehicles and trailers must remain on roadways or pads.
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 Watford City has shopping, restaurants, amenities and a theater is located approximately 15 miles (24 km) to the north. 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.
Reservation Info
Only the Juniper Campground Group Site may be reserved, May through September. Reservations begin each year on the first business day in March at 8:00 am MST. Reservations must be made at least 5 days in advance.
Location
Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in North Dakota
Directions
The North Unit entrance is along U.S. Highway 85, approximately 14 miles (22.5 km) south of Watford City, ND and 50 miles (80 km) north of Belfield, ND. The distance by road from Medora to the North Unit is approximately 70 miles (113 km). Interstate 94 travelers can access U.S. Highway 85 at Exit 42 in Belfield, ND.
Address
208 SCENIC DRIVE
Watford city, ND
Coordinates
47.5941667 N
103.3338889 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Stay Connected
- WiFiGood
- VerizonPoor
- AT&TGood
- T-MobileAvailable
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly