Best Tent Camping near Carpio, ND

Tent camping options near Carpio, North Dakota include two notable lakeside destinations within reasonable driving distance. Rice Lake County Park and Buffalo Lodge Lake both offer tent-friendly sites in natural settings. Rice Lake County Park, located near Minot, provides boat-in tent camping access with basic amenities. Buffalo Lodge Lake, situated northeast of Carpio, offers more diverse access with walk-in, drive-in, and boat-in tent camping opportunities. Both locations provide primitive tent camping experiences with limited facilities but scenic water views.

Tent campsites at these locations feature minimal amenities, requiring self-sufficient preparation. Rice Lake County Park lacks drinking water, electric hookups, and trash services, though it does offer toilet facilities. Buffalo Lodge Lake provides slightly more amenities with electric hookups, picnic tables, and trash collection, but still lacks drinking water and shower facilities. Campers should bring their own water supply and camping essentials. Sites are generally first-come, first-served with no reservation systems in place. The primitive nature of these tent campgrounds means visitors should pack out what they pack in and prepare for basic camping conditions.

Weekday visits offer the most peaceful tent camping experience at these locations. According to reviews, Buffalo Lodge Lake remains "very peaceful for a small campground" during weekdays, though weekends can become crowded with no reserved spots available. Rice Lake County Park provides a "peaceful" setting with a small lake containing northern pike, making it suitable "for a weekend getaway close to Minot." Water activities are available at both locations, though campers have noted algae and crawdads in Buffalo Lodge Lake that might affect swimming enjoyment. The surrounding areas offer typical North Dakota prairie landscapes with lakeside views. These tent-only camping areas provide budget-friendly options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking simple accommodations in natural settings without the crowds found at larger, more developed campgrounds.

Best Tent Sites Near Carpio, North Dakota (2)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Carpio, ND

38 Reviews of 2 Carpio Campgrounds


  • B
    May. 4, 2021

    Roughrider RV Resort

    I love this campground, it was like a breath of fresh air after getting lost in

    I love this campground, it was like a breath of fresh air after getting lost in northeast north dakota and not seeing a soul for hours and sleeping on the side of the highway, driving up to Roughrider was like seeing an oasis in the desert. It is the nicest campsite we have been to in a while, $15/ night for primitive tent camping and pets allowed on leashes. The showers got hot INSTANTLY. We were welcomed so warmly after freezing in the car all night. 1000/10.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2024

    Renville County Mouse River Park

    Mouse River park

    There is a small convenience store and bar, basketball courts, boat ramp, fishing docks, and walking paths. Animals welcome on leash

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2021

    Antler Memorial Park

    Okay campground

    Decent campground with horse ring, stables, electric hookups, pavilions, 25ish campsites. Several very large 5th wheels, a couple of normal-sized pull behind campers, and of course tents. Not crowded at all, maybe around 25ish campers. 

    Had 1 bar with Verizon -- could send texts but calls drop after a couple of seconds. Dump station and restrooms here. No showers.

  • A
    Aug. 5, 2020

    Roughrider RV Resort

    Very friendly owners

    This site has both over night camping and long term lots for RV’s. It also has spots for tent camping so if you want a place to camp close to town this is great. The only downfall I would say, is that it is set up for more long term stay and if your looking for a great outdoor experience I would go more out of town but if you are here visiting family for a week or more this is perfect.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2024

    Roughrider RV Resort

    Roughride Describes Our Experience

    We followed our GPS to the campground (CG). There were no signs for this CG off of US-2/US-52 at the turn. Check-in was quick and we proceeded to a very tight pull through site 95 with FHUs. What we were initially concerned about was threading our truck and 5th wheel through two trees that make this a pull through. Other reviewers had labeled this site a“back out.” We also saw that to dump our rear black tank we would need more than 25’ of sewer hose and, unfortunately, we needed to dump for this overnighter. We couldn’t maneuver the rig to get our black tank connectors more in the center. If we pulled up any further we wouldn't have been able to get our bedroom slide out because of the two trees. We went back up to the office and expressed our concerns and asked for another site. One of the office workers got rude with us and said the only other site available was 93. We made an attempt to get into this site but there was a sewer system obstacle that presented an issue getting into the site along with how far forward the rig right next to us was parked. Back at the office, we said we'd just take our original site and make it work. The worker let us know her co-worker told us to pull in the wrong way and we could clear the sewer obstacle. We weren't comfortable trying to make the tight turn with the way the other rig was parked in the next site. The other person at the office also said they have a dump station where we could dump. As we had reserved a FHU site, we were not happy with this option. We went ahead and pulled back into site 95 and set up. When we hooked up water we found that the water hose 2-way splitter we shared with the site next to us would not open all the way. Not wanting to deal with the office anymore, we filled our freshwater tank and used our water pump. We got 3 bars on Verizon. This CG has a lot of site options from crammed together to nicely spaced with good yards. There are also tent sites. Along with the different site configurations, there are full timers, transient workers, seasonal, and short stay. In the row we were in, you are definitely stacked in there and you are door to door with another rig. If you decide to stay here try to avoid row 90-96 as they are very tight, you share utilities, and you are door to door with your neighbor. Needless to say, we will not be back.

  • sherry P.
    May. 26, 2022

    Minot AFB FamCamp

    B-52 camping

    Campground is nice with pads, electric and water hookups. The campground is close to the park. No showers, but I recommend going to the base gym. Close to the BX and Commissary. Very quite area.

  • J
    May. 22, 2021

    Northgate Dam Rec Center

    Great spot!

    Such a nice camping spot. Clean and tidy, on a beautiful pond with lots of rec opportunities. Playground with basketball court; clean vault toilets; electric available at each site. Best part... $5 per night, $10 if you want electric.
    Half hour from Portal border crossing.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 13, 2023

    Old Settlers Park

    Great price and sites

    I love county and city parks. They are always such a great value. This one does not disappoint. Nice electric and water hookups (no sanitation services). Sites are all large. Tent sites are nicest as they are away from road. Tent sites are in separate area from rv sites. Expect road and rail noise at both.

  • Stefanie Z.
    Sep. 8, 2020

    Old Settlers Park

    Small and cute, clean bathrooms

    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. That being said it was nicely maintained and I have to mention the bathrooms are replenished and cleaned daily and fully stocked with CHARMIN ULTRA toilet paper which is an absolute luxury at a simple campground lol. The showers are also pretty nice and the facility is heated. So appreciated. It has 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, and of course you’re right on the river which is cool. Swimming is allowed at your own risk. I’m giving it five stars mostly for how well kept the bathrooms were, but it did feel a little desolate at times. I get it’s the end of camping season though and it was a little cold at night so that’s probably why. There are a few stray cats and dogs wandering about at times. We are good sleepers and this didn’t bother us much but there are heavily trafficked train tracks a couple hundred yards away from the campground so if you are a light sleeper or are bothered by trains this might not be the place for you. Umm all in all it’s a cute and peaceful little park that made a nice home for a few nights. It’s patrolled by police throughout the day too. We’d probably stay there again if we ever happen to go to Minot. Oh! 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. Ok, done now I promise.


Guide to Carpio

Tent campsites near Carpio, North Dakota are located primarily in lakeside settings with minimal development. These primitive camping areas require self-sufficiency with most sites operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Seasonal access typically runs from May through September, with North Dakota's continental climate bringing hot summers and cold winters. Campers should prepare for potentially windy conditions and summer thunderstorms when planning overnight stays.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Rice Lake County Park offers smaller-scale fishing with primarily northern pike available. According to camper Sherry P., "The lake is small just northern pike" making it suitable for anglers seeking a focused fishing experience rather than variety.

Water recreation limitations: Buffalo Lodge Lake provides swimming access, but water conditions may affect enjoyment. Visitor A M. notes, "I wanted to go swim but there was so much algae in the water after you wade out that I'd be afraid to get caught in them. Plus, the baby crawdads clinging to my legs made me think twice about going any deeper than my knees."

Weekend excursions: Tent campsites near Carpio make practical bases for day trips to Minot, approximately 30 miles southeast. Rice Lake County Park specifically serves as a convenient "weekend getaway close to Minot," according to reviewer feedback.

What campers like

Weekday tranquility: Mid-week visits to Buffalo Lodge Lake provide noticeably quieter experiences. One camper reports, "We stayed Sunday through Tuesday, which was very peaceful for a small campground. I couldn't imagine this place on an actual weekend since there are no 'reserved' camper spots."

Budget-friendly options: The camping options near Carpio represent economical choices for overnight stays, with some sites available at no cost. A visitor specifically mentioned Buffalo Lodge Lake as "a free campground & close to Minot" that proved "convenient" for their needs.

Accessible locations: Rice Lake County Park receives positive mentions for its proximity to regional population centers, making it practical for quick escapes from urban areas without extensive travel time or planning.

What you should know

Facility maintenance: Campground facilities receive limited maintenance. At Buffalo Lodge Lake, a camper warns, "I was forewarned about the toilets, there are 2 and only get dumped twice a year (beginning & end), good thing we have a camper."

Weekend congestion: The non-reservation system at these tent camping locations creates uncertainty for weekend visitors. Buffalo Lodge Lake specifically can become crowded during peak periods with one visitor noting they "couldn't imagine this place on an actual weekend" due to the lack of reserved spots.

Residential proximity: Some camping areas share space with permanent structures. At Rice Lake County Park, visitors should be aware that "There are some homes around the lake," potentially affecting the wilderness experience some tent campers seek.

Tips for camping with families

Self-contained facilities: When camping with children near Carpio, bringing a camper with its own bathroom facilities can significantly improve comfort. One Buffalo Lodge Lake visitor specifically mentioned relief at having their own facilities given the limited maintenance of public restrooms.

Water safety planning: Parents should inspect swimming areas before allowing children in the water. Buffalo Lodge Lake reportedly has both algae accumulation and small crawdads that might startle young swimmers or make water entry uncomfortable.

Activity preparation: Since amenities are minimal at tent camping locations near Carpio, families should pack games, activities, and entertainment options. The rustic nature of these sites means no organized programs or developed recreation facilities exist on-site.

Tips from RVers

Electric hookup availability: While primitive in nature, Buffalo Lodge Lake does offer electric hookups for those needing to power essential equipment. These hookups provide basic functionality for small campers without offering full-service connections.

Site selection flexibility: The non-reserved system at campgrounds like Buffalo Lodge Lake allows RVers to "pull up and park anywhere," providing freedom to select the most level or appropriately sized spot for their particular setup.

Limited dumping facilities: RV campers should arrive with empty holding tanks and plan accordingly. No sanitary dump stations exist at the primary camping locations near Carpio, requiring self-contained waste management for the duration of stays.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Carpio, ND is Rice Lake County Park with a 3-star rating from 1 review.