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Best Tent Camping near Cannon Ball, ND

113 Reviews

Tent camping options surrounding Cannon Ball, North Dakota include several established campgrounds along the Missouri River reservoir system. Prairie Knights Marina, operated by the Sioux Tribe, offers tent sites directly in Cannon Ball, while Cattail Bay Recreation Area provides boat-accessible tent camping near Linton. Both locations serve as gateways to the expansive water recreation opportunities of the region.

Most tent campgrounds in this area feature minimal amenities, with varying levels of development. Cattail Bay offers some basic facilities including picnic tables, reservable sites, and toilet facilities, though potable water is limited. Prairie Knights Marina provides more primitive camping conditions with fewer amenities. Tent campers should prepare for self-sufficient camping, especially regarding water supplies and waste disposal. Sites are generally situated in open terrain with limited natural shade, exposing campers to both sun and wind coming off the water.

Sweet Briar Lake Campsites, located northwest of Cannon Ball, provides a higher-rated tent camping experience with multiple sites spread throughout the area. Mckenzie Slough State Game Management Area offers dispersed tent camping options in a wildlife management setting with pet-friendly policies. These areas provide quiet alternatives to the busier waterfront locations. The small camping areas make for peaceful overnight stays, though some locations may have limited space for multiple tents. According to one visitor at Sweet Briar Lake, "This place was so peaceful, quiet and relaxing. One of my favorite so far. Free camping. Pick your own spot, whatever is open."

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Best Tent Sites Near Cannon Ball, North Dakota (10)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Cannon Ball, ND

113 Reviews of 10 Cannon Ball 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.

  • 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!

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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).

  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2024

    Raleigh Reservoir

    Free campground with electricity

    This is actually a campground with vault toilets, picnic tables, and trash receptacles. There is a beautiful lake. ( no swimming).

  • 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!!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2020

    Sweet Briar Lake

    Gem of a campsite

    Why is this free?! Perfect overnight on our road trip. Spacious, easy and the cleanest pit toilet I’ve ever used!

    • Easy to get to. We followed Waze to “Sweet Briar Lake” and looked at Apple Maps to get a sense of the layout. From the highway there are signs to the lake recreation area. Lots of site choices with fire rings and picnic tables. Looking at the map, the little lakefront loops have sites. We arrived after dark and had no problem finding a great waterfront spot.
    • Lots of space, super clean and, when we were there Thurs night early Sept, we saw a camper on the far end of “our” loop and one across the lake. That’s it and that’s about how we like it.
    • Very clean pit toilet with tp. No water or electric, per another reviewer (we weren’t looking for it).
    • Bonus: Great stars with the Milky Way spread out above. Sunrise was gorgeous. Big fish jumping in the lake.
    • Light highway rumbling but nothing to keep you awake (not at all like most KOAs :)

    Edit: Drove 10 mins towards town and got a flat tire. Can’t tell how or why. Probably not anything we picked up by the lake but worth mentioning.

Guide to Cannon Ball

Cannon Ball, North Dakota, offers a unique experience for tent campers looking to immerse themselves in nature. With a variety of campgrounds nearby, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy fishing, community vibes, and beautiful landscapes.

Tips for tent camping near Cannon Ball

  • At Cattail Bay, you'll find a welcoming small-town atmosphere and plenty of fishing spots to explore.
  • For a more rustic experience, consider Langeliers Bay, where you can enjoy off-grid tent camping and the freedom to have a campfire.
  • If you're looking for a quiet spot, Graner Bottom offers a secluded environment perfect for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle.

Tent campers should check out Cattail Bay

  • Cattail Bay features picnic tables and sanitary dump facilities, making it a convenient choice for families.
  • The campground allows pets, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure at Langeliers Bay.
  • For those who enjoy fishing, Badger Bay is a great spot, although it lacks some amenities like firewood and trash disposal.

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

  • Camping at Cattail Bay is budget-friendly, with no reservation fees and a welcoming community atmosphere.
  • Graner Bottom offers a no-frills camping experience, perfect for those looking to save money while enjoying nature.
  • At Little Heart Schmidt Bottoms, you can camp for free, but be prepared for a more primitive experience without amenities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cannon Ball, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cannon Ball, ND is Cattail Bay with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Cannon Ball, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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