Best Campgrounds near Belfield, ND

Camping areas surrounding Belfield, North Dakota provide access to badlands scenery and prairie landscapes with several established facilities and dispersed options. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, approximately 15 miles west, serves as the region's centerpiece with Cottonwood Campground offering tent and RV sites without hookups. The Little Missouri River corridor contains multiple campgrounds including Medora Campground and Red Trail Campground, both providing full hookup options for RVs. Dispersed camping is available at Scoria Pit on public grasslands, while smaller private facilities like The Crossings Campground in Belfield itself provide basic amenities for travelers.

Seasonal considerations heavily influence camping experiences near Belfield, with most campgrounds operating between May and September. Winter weather makes many sites inaccessible, while summer brings potential for thunderstorms and high temperatures across the open terrain. Developed campgrounds in Medora typically charge $30-35 per night for full hookup sites, while Theodore Roosevelt National Park sites run $14-20 per night without hookups. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with most dispersed sites having limited or no connectivity outside town boundaries. A visitor noted, "This is one of my favorite campsites to date. It's totally dispersed camping, and there's a lot of dirt road dust, however our site was super quiet and dark for beautiful stargazing."

Camping experiences in the region frequently center around proximity to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and its wildlife viewing opportunities. Buffalo, elk, deer, and wild horses regularly move through campgrounds, especially in the park's Cottonwood Campground. One camper reported, "I woke up one morning with a buffalo walking 10 yards from my tent." Most established campgrounds feature picnic tables and fire rings, though visitors should note that fire restrictions may apply during dry periods. Travelers seeking solitude often prefer the dispersed grassland sites over the more developed options in Medora. For travelers passing through, several RV parks offer overnight accommodations with varying levels of amenities, though sites tend to be close together during peak season when the area hosts tourists visiting the national park and attending the popular Medora Musical.

Best Camping Sites Near Belfield, North Dakota (45)

    1. Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    71 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 623-4466

    $20 - $60 / night

    "I visited this campground for 1 night while driving across North Dakota. It's super easy to access from I-94, but you feel like you're a million miles away from the interstate."

    "Cottonwood Campground was a very welcome oasis in the prairies of North Dakota."

    2. Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    57 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 227-7800

    "It was easy to come from Medora, North Dakota to the site, but it appears that you only get an entrance and exit on the Medora side."

    "The road in was fairly flat, and basically right off the highway. You can have the option of lots of privacy as well. Most of the sites are quite a distance away from each other."

    3. Medora Campground

    44 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 623-4435

    $30 - $60 / night

    "There's a picnic table, but it was very hot outside without shade. There's a great creek within walking distance that you can cool off in and let the dogs run around."

    "Medora Campground boasts a prime location near Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the charming town of Medora."

    4. Sully Creek State Park — Sully Creek State Recreation Area

    30 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 623-2024

    "It was right next to an equestrian area, so some horses being trained and whinnying just next door."

    "We had total privacy, a fire pit that you could see the bluff from, trees all around, and the only thing you heard were horses from the horse camp area."

    5. Red Trail Campground

    20 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 621-4317

    $27 - $46 / night

    "We stayed at Red Trail campground in Medora, ND in September 2021. This is a great little park right outside Theodore Roosevelt National park."

    "Walking distance to downtown and very short drive to the national park! The site was kind of unlevel but the laundry machines were great!"

    6. The Crossings Campground

    6 Reviews
    Belfield, ND
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 501-3344

    $42 / night

    7. Buffalo Gap Campground (ND)

    22 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 227-7800

    $20 / night

    "General: Small (37-site) forest service campground in two loops near Theodore Roosevelt National Park. No hookups or cell service (despite proximity to the highway)."

    "Isolated Some camp sites are real gems A variety of sites depending on what you want- camp on the hill in grassland if you want to watch sunset/sunrise- or get one of the camp sites that are nestled behind"

    8. North Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Dickinson, ND
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 227-8498

    "The owner happened to still be there about to leave, and opened back up to check us in, and guided us to our site, giving us close access to the Laundry we were badly in need of."

    "We were able to stay hooked up to our truck to make the exit in the morning speedy."

    9. Whispering Pines Campground

    2 Reviews
    Belfield, ND
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (701) 501-3344

    $25 / night

    10. American RV Park

    1 Review
    Belfield, ND
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 370-5792

    $35 - $40 / night

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Recent Reviews near Belfield, ND

387 Reviews of 45 Belfield Campgrounds


  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Elkhorn Campground

    Nice off-grid campsites

    Campsites in valley in Badlands. Nice and clean. No power, no dumps, hand pump for water

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Coal Creek Campground

    Quiet, secluded, scenic and well-maintained

    I was under the impression that this was a dispersed campground, but it is not ($10 per site). It is about 11 miles south of Medora and the TRNP.

    Sites are level, hard gravel with a firepit and picnic table. Sites are well separated with plenty of trees and brush between sites. Vault toilets are newer and clean. Last 8.6 miles of road is well maintained gravel and wide enough for all types of RV, but unsure if there are pull-through sites.

    Minimal flying bugs … no repellant required although we did set a citronella candle out.

    Elevation: 2710’. We had site #5 and had great views and privacy.

  • joel G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    National Park stay

    We got here late right before sunset. A lot of the number of sites taken, but we did find one. We stayed on lot 12, and it worked for and overnight. Great sunset. Not as secluded we like but was quiet.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    Quiet, scenic solitude

    A red dirt road with a series of pull-in spots large enough to accommodate a camper or RV. Spots are spaced out a couple hundred feet. Other than your fellow boondockers, there’s no one else in sight. The views are picturesque.

  • a
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Camel's Hump Lake

    Camel Hump Lake

    Accessible and easy to find. It has sites with fire pits and tables. No camping on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    Lots of space. Be careful ..

    ...the hill is pretty steep and a couple sharp turns. If you are towing just make sure you are comfortable with that. It's a one lane road up the ill with blind spots so go slow and yield. Remember you'll have to come back down! Beautiful views though nicely spaced out spots.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Small Campground but Simple

    This campground is in the north unit of the park. It has 50 primitive sites available on first come first serve basis. We were here on Labor Day weekend and campground was full for the first time in 2 years. Pads are asphalt and smallish. There are public washrooms, but no showers. 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. While we were camped here, 2 small herds of bison grazed through the camp.


Guide to Belfield

Camping near Belfield, North Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Just a short drive from Belfield, this park is perfect for hiking and wildlife watching. One camper mentioned, “We saw a ton of buffalo on the north side and we have already spotted buffalo, seen prairie dogs and wild horses from the road” at Cottonwood Campground.
  • Visit Medora: This charming town is close to several campgrounds and offers attractions like the Medora Musical and delicious dining options. A reviewer said, “Super easy to walk over to the NP or into Thiel for coffee, breakfast, dinner” when staying at Medora Campground.
  • Hike the Maah Daah Hey Trail: This trail is known for its stunning views and is accessible from various campgrounds. One camper noted, “The sites are relatively spread out... easy access to the world-renowned Maah Daah Hey Trail” at Magpie Campground.

What campers like:

  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds, like Sully Creek State Park, offer wide-open spaces. A camper shared, “Spacious sites, very quiet,” making it a great choice for those seeking peace.
  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities. One review stated, “The shower house was always clean” at Sully Creek State Park.
  • Friendly hosts: Many campgrounds have welcoming staff. A visitor at Buffalo Gap Campground remarked, “Camp host was incredibly nice/friendly.”

What you should know:

  • Limited services: Some campgrounds, like Cottonwood Campground, have few amenities. A camper noted, “This campground has very limited services,” so be prepared for a more rustic experience.
  • Noise from roads: Campers at Buffalo Gap Campground mentioned, “Pretty loud road noise from the highway,” which might be a concern for light sleepers.
  • First-come, first-served sites: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, like Cottonwood Campground. A reviewer advised, “Choose your tent only walk-in site carefully,” to ensure you get a good spot.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose shaded sites: Families should look for sites with shade to keep cool. A camper at Sully Creek State Park mentioned, “If it’s hot, all have plenty of shade.”
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to have a list of family-friendly activities. One camper at Medora Campground suggested checking out the “community pool right at the campground.”
  • Bring earplugs: If staying near busy roads, earplugs can help. A camper at Cottonwood Campground advised, “Bring earplugs and you’re fine.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site dimensions: RVers should confirm site sizes before booking. A reviewer at Cottonwood Campground mentioned, “We reserved site 3 but were very disappointed... the campground host allowed us to switch to another site that was available!!”
  • Use local dump stations: Some campgrounds lack dump stations. A camper at Medora Campground noted, “They allowed us to use their dump station for a $5 fee.”
  • Bring leveling blocks: Many sites may not be perfectly level. A camper at Cottonwood Campground shared, “Spot wasn't overly level so we used our blocks and we got perfectly level after that.”

Camping near Belfield, North Dakota, offers a variety of experiences, from stunning views to family-friendly activities. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at the Belfield ND campground?

Campgrounds in the Belfield area offer varying amenities depending on the location. Camp On The Heart provides full hookups for RVs with nice views of Heart River, though access is via a rough gravel entrance road. For those seeking more rustic options, Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking offers quiet, undeveloped sites with excellent stargazing opportunities but no facilities. Most campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities like water and toilets, while the more developed RV parks may offer electrical hookups, dump stations, and shower facilities. Be prepared for limited cell service at some of the more remote sites.

Where is the Belfield campground located in North Dakota?

The Belfield area offers several camping options in western North Dakota. The Crossings Campground is located in Belfield itself, providing convenient access for travelers along Interstate 94. Nearby, CCC Campground offers beautiful panoramic views of the North Dakota Badlands and is situated within the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands. Belfield is strategically located just east of Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, making it an excellent basecamp for exploring the region's natural attractions while avoiding the higher costs and crowds of staying directly in Medora.

How much does it cost to stay at the Belfield campground?

Camping costs in the Belfield area vary by location and amenities. Camp On The Heart charges approximately $30 per night for full hookup sites. At Red Trail Campground near Medora, prices range from primitive sites to full hookup options with electric, water, and sewer connections. For budget-conscious travelers, CCC Campground in the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands offers a more affordable alternative to staying in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Dispersed camping options in the area are typically free but require self-sufficiency as they lack amenities. Always check current rates directly with the campground, as prices may have changed since these reports.