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Best Tent Camping near Bismarck, ND

135 Reviews

Tent camping options near Bismarck, North Dakota include several established and dispersed sites along the Missouri River corridor. Little Heart Schmidt Bottoms and Graner Bottom offer primitive tent camping experiences within a short drive of the city, while Mckenzie Slough State Game Management Area provides dispersed camping opportunities approximately 25 miles northeast of Bismarck.

Most tent sites in the Bismarck area feature minimal amenities. Little Heart Schmidt Bottoms and Graner Bottom lack picnic tables, showers, and trash collection services. Campers should bring all necessary supplies, including drinking water and waste disposal bags. Danzig Dam, located west of Bismarck, offers vault toilets but no other facilities. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, particularly at sites like Graner Bottom where fires are not permitted. Drive-in access is available at Mckenzie Slough State Game Management Area, though space is limited.

The tent camping experience near Bismarck varies by location and season. Cross Ranch State Park's Sanger Campground, situated about 30 miles north of the city, provides more developed tent sites with picnic tables, toilets, and trash collection. This area offers access to hiking trails along the Missouri River. Sites at Mckenzie Slough provide opportunities for wildlife viewing but offer minimal space. According to one visitor, the area has "very small spots" with "maybe room for 4 RVs next to a very dusty gravel road." Badger Bay and Prairie Knights Marina offer additional tent camping options south of Bismarck, though neither provides showers or hookup services.

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Best Tent Sites Near Bismarck, North Dakota (9)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Bismarck, ND

135 Reviews of 9 Bismarck Campgrounds

  • Mary S.
    Aug. 8, 2018

    Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground

    Beautiful park - fantastic place to explore with children

    What a great park for families! That was my first thought. It just looks like a great place for kids to play. There's a playground, wide open spaces, easy trails, a river, and remnants of the fort and an Indian village. There's a paved bike path that you can take from the campground all the way to Bismarck (10+ miles). Or you can ride over to the cavalry and infantry areas of the fort and to the Indian village.

    There is a separate $7/day entrance fee in addition to the camping fee. We chose a primitive site (no water, no electric) because those sites are along the river, and the fee was $17. Sites with electricity and water are $25. There are also a couple tipis for $35 and two cabins for $60. There is a clean shower facility plus other restrooms. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, and there's a dump station. We have camped at so many Forest Service sites that all these amenities make it feel like glamping!

    My only complaint is that there is no path from the primitive sites to a restroom other than the road. It would have been nice if there were a few paths between sites. No one wants to take a long route to a restroom in the middle of the night. And cutting through an occupied site is poor camping etiquette.

  • Cullen C.
    Jul. 2, 2024

    Primitive Campground

    Great place for a weekend getaway

    Stayed one night in one of the numerous walk-in primitive sites. I reserved the site online, and received great help and flexibility from the park rangers when I needed to change the reservation date due to poor weather. There are multiple drive-in tent sites along the road to the walk-in sites. There were a few people camped in the drive in sites, but we had the walk-in section all to ourselves. The camp hosts provided wagons in the parking area for easy transport of camping supplies. I highly recommend staying in a site along the river for a great water view right from your site. The tall cottonwood trees provide great seclusion, and we didn’t hear anyone all night. There is a pit toilet next to the parking area, but we opted to drive to the ranger station/help desk for running sinks and toilets. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Highly recommend staying here!

  • Kelly
    Jul. 6, 2021

    General Sibley Park

    Good car camping

    Great spot for stopping on a long drive. Plenty of car/tent camping spots that don’t need or take reservations. Just pull into a grassy area by a firepit and picnic table and you’re good to go!

  • Heather W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2025

    Eagles Park Campground

    Great spot just north of Bismarck

    This is an interesting tiny campground run by the city of Bismarck. In a a Friday in July, we are one of four campers here. There a few 50 amp sites and several posts with 20 amp. Some 20amp are next to a traditional back in site. Others are in a grassy field and can be shared. That is what we chose. The 20 amp runs what we need. None of the sores have water or sewer and there is no dump station. However, there is a spigot with water. We filled our fresh tank before arriving. There are picnic tables and fire rings scattered throughout. It seems you could park out pitch a tent any where. There are 2 well maintained portolets and a dumpster. The location is right on the Missouri River and close to a state historic site. We originally booked 2 nights then decided to stay longer. For $12 per night, what is not to love!!

  • Stephanie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2020

    Sweet Briar Lake

    Great, spacious campsites right off the freeway

    This place was great! Only stayed here one night passing through on our way back to MN. Very well maintained and clean, huge campsites that are well spaced from others. There are campsites all around the lake/park, some in their own little private nook. Great sunset and the bugs were minimal too. Very surprised that a place as nice as this one is free. The freeway is somewhat close just across the lake and can be heard, but it didn't bother us at all. Campsites have a picnic table and fire ring. Vault toilets are scattered around the lake, and there are water spigots too. Happy we found this place!

  • C
    Aug. 30, 2020

    Sweet Briar Lake

    Scenic spot right off the highway

    Multiple places to pull off and set up around a scenic lake. A few minutes off the highway on well maintained roads- you can’t ask for a better spot than this on a road trip! Water pump at the first boat ramp you pass, pit toilets scattered around, picnic shelters, fire rings, and picnic tables, dumpsters. No fee. The spot marked on this map is under a cell tower, but there are plenty of spots when you drive around the lake.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2023

    Beaver Creek

    Lovely waterfront campground

    Stayed 3 days, due to not wanting to drive in the storm the last day. First 2 days were lovely and just the right amount of shade from the trees. Only 2 vault toilets, 1 in each of the RV and Tent areas. Could have done with a regular clean, but there were only 2 sites taken when we stayed. An extra 2 toilets and shower block by the boat ramp. Also a playground. (Note: Drinking water and showers are seasonal, so check the website if you need these to be operational) Each of the RV sites had their own grill and picnic table. Looked like the tent sites may share these facilities. Lots of locals visit to fish, and seemed to be quite lucky as well with Catfish and Walleye. Lovely place to visit for a few days. Also note, if you have an annual parks pass, you may get up to a 50% discount when booking.

  • S
    Aug. 29, 2023

    General Sibley Park

    A nice dependable campsite for a stopping point

    Stayed here as an overnight stop and it was perfect for what I needed! The tent camping loop is a road through a large field with some picnic tables and trees. You can pull off and pitch your tent anywhere you like. The grass was very plush and I slept very well.

    For a tent site, it was $12 cash in the drop box because I got there after hours (not sure if they accept card during office hours).

  • Karen Z.
    Oct. 13, 2018

    Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground

    Wonderful campground

    Clean Campground. Tent area and multiple camper pads. Vault toilets available. Ranger programs available. Right in the heart of Ft. Abraham Lincoln. Lots to do--visit the Block houses, Gen. Custer's home, commissary, etc. Close to Mandan and Bismarck (State Capitol)

Guide to Bismarck

Tent camping near Bismarck, North Dakota, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the great outdoors. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to pitch your tent and unwind.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $20

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy hiking and exploring the scenic trails at Graner Bottom, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • Fishing and boating opportunities abound at Prairie Knights Marina - Sioux Tribe, making it a great spot for water lovers.
  • Experience the beauty of nature while picnicking at Danzig Dam, where you can relax by the water.

Tent campers should check out Sanger Campground

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bismarck, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bismarck, ND is Mckenzie Slough State Game Management Area with a 2-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Bismarck, ND?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Bismarck, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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