Best Campgrounds near Center, ND

Center, North Dakota offers a diverse range of camping options along the Missouri River corridor. Cross Ranch State Park, located approximately 10 miles from Center, provides the most developed camping experience with RV sites, tent camping, and unique lodging options including tipis, yurts, and cabins. Nelson Lake offers free primitive camping with basic fire rings but no facilities. Several RV-specific campgrounds exist within city limits, including Center RV Park and Ball Park RV Park, which primarily serve travelers and workers needing electrical hookups.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this region. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F, while spring and fall can bring unpredictable weather patterns. Most developed campgrounds remain open year-round, though winter camping requires preparation for potentially harsh conditions. Cross Ranch State Park maintains plowed roads to its main campground during winter months. Primitive sites at Nelson Lake and Sweet Briar Lake offer little protection from winds that sweep across the open prairie landscape. As one camper noted, "Nelson Lake has several grassy areas with a garbage can and sometimes a fire ring, but no services."

Missouri River access represents a primary draw for campers in the region. Cross Ranch State Park provides river views and water recreation opportunities, with several visitors highlighting the paddling experiences. "We rented a canoe and kayaks and were transported to Washburn and floated our way to Sanger boat launch. It took us about 3 hours and was beautiful," noted one review. The park's trail system offers hiking through cottonwood forests along the river corridor. Many campgrounds feature spacious sites with shade trees, providing relief from summer heat. While some campgrounds like Center RV Park lack privacy with sites positioned "back to back right beside one another in the sun," others such as Cross Ranch offer more secluded options, particularly in the walk-in primitive camping areas where tall cottonwoods provide natural screening between sites.

Best Camping Sites Near Center, North Dakota (63)

    1. Sweet Briar Lake

    15 Reviews
    Center, ND
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 667-3363

    $25 - $100 / night

    "We’re traveling thru North Dakota to Montana & just needed a place to rest overnight. The very few campgrounds around were all full & it was looking like we were staying at Walmart."

    "Gorgeous lake/reservoir, fish were jumping all night. Drove in with our 34' bus and had no issue finding a nice level spot with a fire ring and picnic table. Good seperation between spots."

    2. Cross Ranch State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Hensler, ND
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 794-3731

    "The spots, well they were close but situated in a way that you weren’t sitting staring at your neighbor. There were trees and foliage between the rows so it was comfortable."

    "Beautiful, well-groomed, shaded hiking paths everywhere. Playgrounds. Big fields. Clean water access to the river for swimming, dogs, fishing. Good sized sights, well sheltered by trees."

    4. Ball Park RV Park

    1 Review
    Center, ND
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (701) 794-3502

    "It is close to the road so I'm assuming you get road noise and I'm also assuming that during the summer of the park can be heavily used."

    5. Sakakawea Park

    4 Reviews
    Stanton, ND
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 745-3202

    "It is also close to The Knife River sites. I made the mistake of thinking I could get to one of the trails from here and you can't you'd have to actually go all the way back out and back in again."

    "We visited the Knife River Historic Site and had planned to drive the 25 miles north to the COE campground. We stopped here on a whim to check it out. It is in a very nice setting."

    6. Center RV Park

    1 Review
    Center, ND
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 794-3502

    7. Sweet Briar Lake Campsites

    2 Reviews
    Center, ND
    17 miles

    "Safe for the dog to run around, nice paths to go for my own run in the morning. This is a gem if you're looking for a sweet place to stop on a road trip in this area."

    8. Harmon Lake Rec Area

    6 Reviews
    Mandan, ND
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 667-3363

    $10 - $20 / night

    9. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Bismarck, ND
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 667-6340

    $15 - $85 / night

    "Planning a hike to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in North Dakota motivated me to learn more about the diverse landscapes and natural wonders of the U.S. national parks."

    "We were right next to comfort station which was well maintained. Kid Park was new and close to our site. There was lots of bike and walking trails."

    10. Governors Centennial Loop Campground — Cross Ranch State Park

    1 Review
    Hensler, ND
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 794-3731

    $17 - $125 / night

    "There are a lot more trails then show on the map so happy exploring. While you are right next to the river, can't really see it from most of the RV campsites."

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Recent Reviews near Center, ND

188 Reviews of 63 Center Campgrounds


  • Cable A.
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Lake Sakakawea State Park Campground

    Very large and busy, good experience.

    Nice state park campground. Large camp sites and most amenities available. Good views and multiple lake access points. Come with all of your supplies, there is a small town but everything will cost you double.

  • Kody Bear A.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    A Prairie Breeze RV Park

    Resting

    It's a nice little Park was $40 a night full hookups nice Wi-Fi laundry showers I haven't seen what the showers look like yet but it's pretty spaced out I'll pull throughs I love that we're here for two days and I'd recommend it it's I believe 240 a month I mean a week and over 700 for a month but they're closing on November 1st so this is definitely nearing the end of their season and it was a self-check in cash or check only and the lady was very friendly everything works just fine it's clean

  • h
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Bismarck KOA

    What you expect from a KOA

    We needed a site for a night in the middle of a trip. This was it. Typical KOA. Clean, close to major roads. Easy to find. Easy to book online. Most of the sites are pull throughs in trees. It appeared that big rig spots were mostly back in. The bathrooms, which we utilize frequently since we are in a 15 foot Aliner, were well lit, clean, and the showers were hot!

  • Mitchell F.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Sakakawea Park

    Nice park close to knife river NHS

    There are 10 level RV sites with electric and water hook ups for $20 a night. There were concrete pads plenty long enough for our 5ver. $10 a night for primitive spots. Nice large grassy area with kid toys as well as a basketball court.

    This is within 2 miles of the Knife River National Historic Site and is a great jump off point

  • Jeffrey H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Mckenzie Slough State Game Management Area

    Very Quiet Spot

    We stopped here to spend the night and worked well for us. Very quiet spot and saw a beautiful sunset. The gravel road is dusty and a little bumpy, but the spot is nice.

  • Tiffany L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Mckenzie Slough State Game Management Area

    Nice quiet stop

    It’s a pretty flat square parking lot that does the trick for a quick stop to rest. It’s about 2 miles off the highway and about a mile down gravel road. It was quiet and no one was there but I imagine it may get busier during hunting season as hunting is allowed there. Bigger rigs may have a harder time parking there

  • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground

    Really nice campground!

    Really nice campground. A bit out of town from Mandan& Bismark. Nice spot. Lots of historical stuff on the fort. Campground has lots of trees but also feels breezy and open. It’s right on the Heart river where it then meets the Missouri River. Good hiking trails from the campground, which is always a bonus. We would return.

  • L
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Sakakawea Park

    Beautiful campground near Knife River Historic Site

    We visited the Knife River Historic Site and had planned to drive the 25 miles north to the COE campground. We stopped here on a whim to check it out. It is in a very nice setting. The sites are huge and the bathrooms are clean and nice. The dump station is actually in town near the bank. Very quiet and can’t be beat for $20 water and electric.


Guide to Center

Camping opportunities near Center, North Dakota extend beyond the Missouri River corridor to include lakeside options and county parks. This region sits at approximately 2,000 feet elevation with summer highs commonly reaching 85-95°F and winter lows frequently dropping below 0°F. Strong prairie winds impact camping experiences year-round, particularly at exposed locations like Sweet Briar Lake where highway noise can be noticeable.

What to do

Hiking trails: Cross Ranch State Park offers extensive hiking paths through cottonwood forests. "Very nice State park, any kind of camping you could want," notes one visitor, who appreciated the diverse trail system.

Water recreation: Harmon Lake Recreation Area provides multiple water activities. "Swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayak," states one reviewer, while another adds, "Love the fact that this little body of water has a great beach and idle speed rule. Paddleboard and kayak rentals."

Historical exploration: Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park connects campers with regional history. "The park has a nice visitor center with terrific displays, many about Lewis and Clark, also a reconstructed Mandan encampment, plus the home and barracks of Custer and his cavalry," explains one visitor who appreciated the educational aspects.

Fishing: Nelson Lake offers fishing opportunities with minimal facilities. The lake attracts anglers with its accessible shoreline and relatively calm waters. "This is run by the county and there are a number of spots to stop and camp. There's no services but fire rings," explains one camper about the primitive setup.

What campers like

Spacious sites: Sweet Briar Lake campsites provide ample room between neighbors. "Large, open, well spaced campgrounds with fire pits and picnic tables. Beautiful lake and scenery and absolutely free," writes one reviewer about this popular overnight spot.

Unique accommodations: Cross Ranch State Park Campground offers distinctive lodging beyond standard tent sites. "Great experience camping in an authentic Tipi. The Tipi has a wood floor and cots, with plenty of room. It kept us and our things dry during a rainstorm," explains one visitor who stayed in the specialized accommodation.

Convenient location: Ball Park RV Park serves travelers passing through Center. "This is the campground for travelers coming through town. It is very nice and at the city park," notes one camper about this conveniently located option within city limits.

Clean facilities: Sakakawea Park maintains well-kept grounds and restrooms. "Beautiful spot right by the river with large camp spots and grass lawn by every spot. Large playground, clean bathrooms," writes one visitor about this riverside camping area.

What you should know

Free camping options: Sweet Briar Lake provides no-cost camping with basic amenities. "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," writes one reviewer who was impressed with the quality despite no fee.

Limited services: Nelson Lake offers primitive camping without facilities. "This is run by the county and there are a number of spots to stop and camp. There's no services but fire rings. And you simply pull in and park next to your site," notes one camper about the straightforward setup.

Reservation needs: Campgrounds fill quickly during summer months, particularly weekends. "The campground was CROWDED. Every spot was full," reports one visitor to Cross Ranch State Park during peak season.

Weather considerations: Strong winds affect many campsites in the region. "Plenty of fishing spots even has a fishing dock. Only real down side is that it's right off the interstate so there's some traffic noise," mentions one camper at Sweet Briar Lake, noting the exposed location.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Harmon Lake Rec Area provides recreational facilities for children. "Great playground that the kids loved! The swimming beach was awesome - sand & great water & view," shares one family camper about their experience.

Educational opportunities: Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park offers historical learning experiences. "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," explains one visitor.

Protected swimming areas: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming zones safe for children. "The swimming beach was awesome - sand & great water & view," notes a family who appreciated the well-maintained beach area at Harmon Lake.

Bug preparation: Insect protection is essential, especially in wooded areas. "Tons of flying ants and ticks everywhere, but we managed!" warns one camper at Cross Ranch State Park.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Sakakawea Park Campground provides essential services for RVs. "There are 10 level RV sites with electric and water hook ups for $20 a night. There were concrete pads plenty long enough for our 5ver," notes one RVer about this affordable option.

Dump station access: Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park maintains clean waste disposal facilities. "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," explains one visitor.

Worker-focused parks: Center RV Park primarily serves long-term occupants. "This is really more of a man camp for permanent campers then a weekend camper spot. You have full hookups and no bathrooms or other services. There's probably 15 sites back to back right beside one another in the Sun," cautions one visitor looking for a temporary stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Center, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, Center, ND offers a wide range of camping options, with 63 campgrounds and RV parks near Center, ND and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Center, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Center, ND is Sweet Briar Lake with a 4.6-star rating from 15 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Center, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Center, ND.