Best Dispersed Camping near Center, ND
Dispersed camping opportunities exist around Mitchell Lake near Center, North Dakota, approximately 60 miles southeast of the city. Mitchell Lake allows primitive camping with minimal restrictions and serves as one of the few documented dispersed camping areas in this region of North Dakota. This secluded area permits both tent and RV camping in undesignated sites near the lakeshore. Mckenzie Slough State Game Management Area, located about 35 miles south of Center, also permits tent camping but offers significantly limited space.
Access to Mitchell Lake involves navigating rural roads that may require careful driving during poor weather conditions. The area features picnic tables, trash service, and fire rings, making it more developed than typical dispersed sites while remaining free to use. No drinking water, electric hookups, or toilet facilities are available, requiring campers to bring all necessary supplies and practice proper waste disposal. Alcohol is permitted at Mitchell Lake, unlike some other public lands in the region that prohibit it. Pets are allowed at both Mitchell Lake and Mckenzie Slough.
Mitchell Lake provides quiet lakeside camping with fewer restrictions than many public lands. The area remains relatively uncrowded, especially on weekdays and during shoulder seasons. Visitors appreciate the unexpected amenities for a free site. One camper noted, "It was beautiful, quiet, there were two picnic tables including one under a portico and even a dumpster." Another visitor highlighted the cleanliness, stating it had "Lots of room, grills, dumpster and cleanest porta potty I've ever seen." In contrast, Mckenzie Slough offers minimal space, with one reviewer describing it as "Very small spot. Maybe room for 4 RVs next to a very dusty gravel road."
