Dispersed camping sites near Arnegard, North Dakota offer access to the badlands terrain at elevations ranging from 1,900 to 2,500 feet. The area features prairie grasslands, buttes, and river valleys with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F. Camping options include both established campgrounds and primitive sites with varying levels of amenities for pets and their owners.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at dawn/dusk: Juniper Campground provides excellent opportunities to observe bison herds that regularly move through the area. "Great little campground. Friendly hosts, clean, plenty of spots and didn't even fill up for the holiday weekend. Bison will definitely stroll through your sites if you're over by the field like we were," notes Jillian C.
Stargazing at night: The remote location of Magpie Campground offers exceptional dark sky viewing with minimal light pollution. Jenny K. mentions, "The campsite is a good 25 min off the highway on a dirt road so don't plan to go back-forth a lot. But it's worth it for the peace and surrounding beauty."
Hiking the Maah Daah Hey Trail: Access over 100 miles of trails directly from several campgrounds in the area. "From there, either head west towards Devil's Pass or east towards the ice caves. At dusk, be sure to listen for coyotes barking in the distance," recommends Cullen C. about trail access from Magpie Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing and natural barriers at certain campgrounds. Laura C. notes about Magpie Campground, "The sights have a picnic table and a metal fire ring with a grill attached. The stars were beautiful and the camp was so quiet."
Educational ranger programs: CCC Campground serves as an excellent base for exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park. "This campground is only about 1/4 mile from the entrance to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There are plenty of pit toilets, potable water, and electric. The views from the park are amazing!" explains Scott D.
Affordable camping options: Summit Campground provides budget-friendly pet accommodations. "Free camp spot with just a few sites and a vault toilet. Near the main road, so quite a bit of road noise and late arrivals/passersby. Okay cell service, but great with a booster. Hiking trail nearby to stretch the legs or exercise the dog," reports Meghan B.
What you should know
Time zone confusion: The location of some campgrounds can cause unexpected issues. Deborah C. shares about Juniper Campground: "The park rangers here were awesome and so helpful. No shower facilities, but flushing toilets with running water was fine. Lots of great trails and bison roam freely. Funny tidbit, the campground is on the border of the time zone border, so my devices would change times."
Limited water quality: Water availability varies significantly between locations. Chris A. warns, "There is a dump station, but no potable water for RV tanks. Drinking water is available at the wash house. The drinking of the water at the fill station is discouraged due to high levels of fluoride."
First-come availability challenges: Watford City Tourist Park offers pet-friendly camping within the town limits but has specific considerations. "This park was clean and would work well if attending the adjacent fair. Right on a main road. We passed on staying as it had little character or appeal for a 2 night stay and at $35 a night electric only," notes Heather H.
Tips for camping with families
Ranger presentations for kids: Utilize educational opportunities at established campgrounds. Lee L. mentions, "Plenty of trees provide privacy in this nice National Park campsite that's just a short walk to the banks of the Little Missouri River. Has the standard National Park features, but our kids especially enjoyed the ranger presentation on prairie dogs."
Pet supervision with wildlife: When bringing dogs camping near Arnegard, maintain constant vigilance. "We had a great spot in the juniper camp ground. There are no hookups here. Generators are allowed 60 decibels at 50 feet. Lots of wildlife came through the camp," reports Tammy P.
Historical sites nearby: Fort Buford State Historic Site offers educational value for families camping with pets. "Amazing place to learn about history of North Dakota. This is where Sitting Bull and his son surrendered and Lewis and Clark Trading Post. They do demonstrations on old time trades," explains Tonya T.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Pet-friendly camping near Arnegard requires careful navigation for bigger vehicles. Bob M. advises about Juniper Campground, "First time we ever boondocked in our 5th wheel. This place is nice & peaceful, well except for the 2 steer that went through our site lol. When this place was built, they never envisioned large rigs. So if you have one over 30 feet, just be aware you might have to wiggle your way into a site."
Generator restrictions: Different campgrounds have varying rules about generator use. "The sites are large and mostly level. There must be horse trails out of this area as there were quite a few horse trailers camping. We would definitely consider this a good back-up in the future if the NPS campground is full," notes Holly E.
Water management: RVers with pets need to plan accordingly for limited facilities. "The only water is a well that you have to pump yourself with a handle, so come with your black/grey tanks empty and water tank full. They do allow generators, but it would be nice if they didn't," advises a camper about preparing for limited resources.
