Camping options near Carpio, North Dakota offer varying levels of accessibility throughout North Dakota's continental climate zone, where winter temperatures frequently drop below zero and summer highs reach the 80s. Located in Renville County at approximately 2,060 feet elevation, Carpio sits in prairie landscape with limited natural shade. Most campgrounds in the region close between October and May due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Mouse River Park offers accessible fishing docks along the Mouse River, with convenience for both day trips and overnight stays. "There is a small convenience store and bar, basketball courts, boat ramp, fishing docks, and walking paths," notes camper Macy S. at Renville County Mouse River Park.
Disc golf course: Play a round at Old Settlers Park which maintains a course as part of its recreational offerings. One visitor described the park as having "a little pavilion, a playground, 'beach', a couple cute bridges, a big grassy field for stargazing or throwing the ball around, a disc golf course."
Winery visits: Take a short drive from Burlington to experience local fruit wines. "There's a decent North Dakota style winery (sweet fruit wines) a couple miles down the road with a lovely view and even some hikes. Worth a visit - Pointe of View," suggests a camper at Old Settlers Park.
Stargazing: Take advantage of the open prairie skies at night. Old Settlers Park offers "a big grassy field for stargazing or throwing the ball around," perfect for night sky viewing away from city lights.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. At Roughrider RV Resort, a camper reported, "Very nice neat and clean campground. Nice showers with hot water. Laundry but didn't use."
Affordability: County and city parks offer excellent value compared to private campgrounds. As one camper noted about Old Settlers Park, "I love county and city parks. They are always such a great value. This one does not disappoint."
Winter camping options: Unlike most seasonal facilities, Roughrider RV Resort remains open year-round, making it one of the few winter camping options in the region. The campground offers protection from harsh winter conditions while maintaining access to amenities.
Military camping: Active duty and retired military personnel can access Minot AFB FamCamp for extremely affordable rates. "Extremely affordable sites, with water and electric. Dump available. Only 6 sites total. Sites are concrete pads, but far from level," notes one military camper.
What you should know
Train noise: Railroad tracks run near several campgrounds in the area, creating potential noise disturbances. One camper at Old Settlers Park mentioned, "If you are a light sleeper or are bothered by trains this might not be the place for you."
Limited tent options: Most campgrounds primarily serve RVs, with fewer dedicated tent sites. When tent sites are available, they're often in separate areas from RV hookups.
Off-season water availability: Water systems at most campgrounds shut down during cold weather. At Surrey RV Park, a visitor noted, "We stayed here for one night in October. They had already turned off the water for the winter so there was only electric available."
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds close completely from mid-October through April due to harsh winter conditions. Sites like Minot AFB FamCamp operate only from "May 15th to October 15th."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. Mouse River Park has "several playgrounds if you have small kids," making it suitable for family outings.
Site selection for privacy: Weekday stays typically offer more privacy and space. "We stayed 3 nights in early September, Fri-Sun. I was a bit surprised at how few people were there - 2 or 3 long campers and we were the only tent campers. It was nice for privacy but felt a little eerie at times," reports one family at Old Settlers Park.
Safety considerations: Many campgrounds have regular security patrols. As one camper noted about Old Settlers Park, "It's patrolled by police throughout the day too," providing additional security for families with children.
Bathroom access: Consider proximity to facilities when selecting sites. One camper at Swenson Valley View RV Park reported, "The bathroom and showers and the laundry room were absolutely spotlessly clean and roomy," making it suitable for families.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric hookups are common, but full hookups are limited. At Roughrider RV Resort, "Great service, full hook ups, and kids/pet friendly. If you're camping in the area it is the best place BY FAR!!!"
Site levelness: Many RV sites require leveling equipment. At Minot AFB FamCamp, "Sites are concrete pads, but far from level," indicating the need for leveling blocks or jacks.
Maneuvering challenges: Some sites have tight access or obstacles. "We followed our GPS to the campground. There were no signs for this CG off of US-2/US-52 at the turn," reports an RVer about navigating to Roughrider RV Resort.
Sewer hose length: Standard 15-foot sewer hoses may not reach connections at some sites. One RVer at Roughrider noted they "would need more than 25' of sewer hose" at their assigned site, suggesting bringing extension hoses when camping in this area.
