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This campground has primitive tent sites and a few modern (electric sites).
Cross Ranch State Park is located along some of the last free-flowing and undeveloped stretches of the Missouri River. While exploring Cross Ranch State Park, visitors may find themselves traveling back in time, catching a glimpse of the landscape as it appeared to Native Americans inhabiting the area hundreds of years ago, or hearing the echoes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition making its way to the Pacific coast along the Missouri River.
Cross Ranch has nearly 17 miles of trails that cater to the adventurer all year long. This extensive trail system can be explored either on foot or cross-country skis during the winter months. The trail system allows access to a 5,000-acre nature preserve with mixed prairie grass, river bottom forests, woody draws, and roaming bison.
A boat ramp is available for those wishing to explore this scenic segment of the river. Anglers will find walleye, trout, catfish, salmon, pike and bass in its waters.
$17 - $125 / night
$5 / night
This recreation area is part of Sakakawea Lake
Legend
General: Approximately 100-site US Army Corps of Engineers campground in three loops; there are paths connecting each loop. All sites have paved camper pads and electric hookups.
Site Quality: All sites appeared level and had a decent amount of separation between sites. There are some trees to provide shade to some sites.
Bath/Shower House: Loops One and Two have more modern bathhouses; each with two sinks, two stalls, and two showers. They were clean. Note that the lights are motion-detected; if you are in a stall too long, the light will go out! Loop Three has vault toilets and I have seen cleaner ones. There is also a bathhouse with two all-in-one (shower, toilet, sink) each for men and women.
Activities: Fishing is very popular here. There are also two short hiking trails (part of the Lewis and Clark and North Country trails). Loops One and Two have playgrounds; the one in Loop Two appears more modern so if you have kiddos who like playgrounds, I would recommend this loop. There is an amphitheater between Loops Two and Three but I’m not sure it has been used in a while as it looked a bit overgrown. There are opportunities for bird and wildlife watching.
We initially checked out the nearby state park but for less than half the price (with our senior discount), this campground was a better fit for us. The only downside was the number of yellow jackets that chased us inside our van to eat dinner!
Guide
We spent two nights here as one of the days the wind was blowing 50 miles an hour with gusts to 70. Pretty impressive site to see across the lake. We stayed in the Sanish campground and liked it because it seemed to be enclosed by more trees to help block the wind. Spaces were nicely spread apart. We arrived in 1 October and they had shut off the water so the bathrooms and showers were not functioning. Space was pretty level. Great hike along the shoreline Trail, and also apparently north country Trail, and here that goes all the way across to Vermont. 
Guide
Just off I94 this location has multiple campsites, picnic tables, fire pits, a few pit toilets and picnic tables all along a lake. Depending on the wind direction you will hear highway noise, but it appears to be well maintained and not busy during the weekday. Great one night spot for thru travelers
Legend
This is managed by the county and has a lot of privacy. Has only electrical hookahs bat has a dump station.
ScoutSites a larger than most campgrounds we’ve been to. Grounds are well kept. Only electrical service at the sites. Potable water is available at the dump site on the way in to the campground.
GuideLoved how spaced the sites are. There are not many bathrooms (pit toilets). Has a small swing set by the boat lunch. The sites are grass or dirt. Has places to put trash. You can heat the interstate traffic all night. To me it was just noise and had no problems falling asleep. I will be back. With the lake and the wildlife it was just relaxing.
AT&T and Verizon have good coverage.
Ranger
This is my second time staying here while on a road trip. The thing that has changed since the last time is the addition of the rumble strips on the road. It makes it a little noisy. I’d still stay here again. Cheap (tent=$6.00) easy to pay for via Apple Pay, the pit toilets are clean and the other campers are really quiet. It seems to be popular with seasonal workers in the area that stay in their RVs.
Scout
We were on site 35 and it was not fit for a camper. Very Hilly and goose droppings everywhere. Will not camp there again with our camper. We ended up leaving it unleveled while camping.
Guide
Beautiful spot right by the river with large camp spots and grass lawn by every spot. Large playground, clean bathrooms. Cheap
Guide
Stayed one night in one of the numerous walk-in primitive sites. I reserved the site online, and received great help and flexibility from the park rangers when I needed to change the reservation date due to poor weather. There are multiple drive-in tent sites along the road to the walk-in sites. There were a few people camped in the drive in sites, but we had the walk-in section all to ourselves. The camp hosts provided wagons in the parking area for easy transport of camping supplies. I highly recommend staying in a site along the river for a great water view right from your site. The tall cottonwood trees provide great seclusion, and we didn’t hear anyone all night. There is a pit toilet next to the parking area, but we opted to drive to the ranger station/help desk for running sinks and toilets. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. Highly recommend staying here!
Scout
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. It is remarkable to see the diversity of environments protected in these parks, from rugged mountains to vast deserts and dense forests. As I prepare for my outdoor adventure at Fort Abraham Lincoln, I am inspired to consider future trips to explore the beauty and biodiversity preserved in the US National Park system, which I learned more about by reading https://www.agmglobalvision.com/u-s-national-parks. Each visit promises an unforgettable experience of immersing yourself in the splendor of nature.
Legend
This review is from an overnight versus destination point of view. However, this could easily be a destination park if you want to stay in the area and check out Bismarck. The campground (CG) is about a mile off I-94 and easy to find. Check-in was quick and easy, and we proceeded to pull through site 11 right past the check-in office, store, showers, and laundry facility. The gravel site was pretty level, with utilities placed mid-pad. As our next stop was dry camping, I asked for propane, which they gladly picked up our tanks, had them filled, and returned to our site. There’s no cable TV, but we did receive OTA channels, plus we had a good shot to the north sky for our Starlink. There are a lot of mature trees here, so that satellite could be iffy depending on the site. WiFi speed wasn’t very good, but we didn’t need to use it. We got 4 bars on Verizon. The water pressure was good. They have a nice fenced dog area. This is one of the nicer KOAs we’ve stayed in, with a very nice tent area. We enjoyed our overnight stay.
GuideGorgeous 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. Even though it's close to the highway which is handy there was very little traffic noise.
ScoutStayed 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).
Traveler
I found this yesterday. I’ll check it out fishing spots. It says you can stay for up to 14 days in a row each month for free. They have a large parking lot for RVs as well as grass camp spots for tents.
Traveler
At arriving, there is plenty of shade. To be the only ones there, with the exception of an occasional visitor to the park. Dumpster close for getting rid of any trash! Water spigot works.... but this like the picnic tables and porta potty were covered in webs, bring something to dust! Bathroom is stocked appropriately and easy to find past the covered picnic tables. Had a nice secluded spot for ourselves. If you're looking for electric-they have it! Downside, it may not work.... it didn't for us. Woke up to a beautiful sunrise!
Traveler
The campground isn't a resort, but it's well-kept and the FHU site worked for me. The sites are laid out so the poles are shared in the middle, which makes for a bit of a tight fit for big rigs. No one on either side during our stay (with no slide outs), so had plenty of room. It's about 15 minutes to Bismarck, so a good place for restocking. Nothing at the exit -- you have to go 10 minutes or so down the highway for gas and groceries. Laundry was small, but just $1.25/$1.00 for wash and dry. Self-checkin with cash or check, which was fine. I think the trailer at the end on one corner is the host, but I never needed him, so I didn't ask. My only complaint-- #21 was underwater after an overnight rain. A pond of about 2-3 inches of water completely surrounded my rig. I looked around and I seemed to be the only one with that much water. Luckily I had seen the forecast and had hitched up the night before. But that's something the owners need to address.
RangerThis is our first visit here, North Dakota does a great job with their state parks campgrounds. Our 3rd SP visited on this trip ( Lake Metigoshe & Sully Creek were the others).
Huge, well spaced campsites. Pretty much in immaculate condition. The park was busy, hardly any vacant spots but still very quiet. Plenty of folks had their boats, & plenty of room to park them. Very scenic area.
We've been to plenty of state parks across the USA. Looks like North Dakota might have the best ones.
GuideThis park is beautiful. The restrooms are clean and the showers are very nice as well. Lush green grass and friendly rangers
Traveler
Lovely place to stay, clean with trash cans and vault toilets. Unfortunately we had 5 hail storms that night.
Guide
There are 8 electric RV sites according to the map but it looks like there's a few more here. The sites are grass. We found sites pretty level on the way but on the south side they are steep, better for tents. There are bathrooms and a shower but they were in terrible shape, I wouldn't use them. Otherwise it's nice and quiet. Disc golf, playground and a ball field are here.
Guide
Small city park at edge of town. There's a bicycle path to the Lewis and Clark center and the town diner and museum are close enough to walk to. There is a train but I've only heard it once. Neighbor dog barks a lot. Still not bad for $25 per night with FHU.
ScoutTen years ago the campground was clean, weed free, well maintained and now it is an embarrassment of what it once was. Once having the American flag flying, no more. Once practically weed free, no more. Ten years ago it offered information of the region now that is gone. Stand by the Register and enjoy the Canada Thistle growing at your feet. Walk to Slater pond and work your way through the unkept, weed infested trail of Canada Thistle and Leafy Spurge. What a disappointment in such a short period of time. I can see my money is not well spent.
Guide
8 back in gravel RV spots that aren't very level but not too bad. Electric hookups only. There is a water spigot at one end of the park and dump station at the cenex in town. Park is between elevator and rail tracks. Elevator started up early but only one train a day. Can't beat $11/night though. There's a good cafe in town too.
Traveler
We stopped here for a night while camping across the US with our 2 dogs, and young toddler. Very friendly staff. You have to get a fire pit and fire wood from the check in office but that was no big deal. They have a small playground and a basketball hoop with a tote of different types of balls to play with which was great for keeping the toddler out of the way while setting up camp. Showers/ bathrooms are small but the shower stall is narrow but long so there was plants of room just a tad awkward. We were so thankful for the shower as we had days of sunscreen and bug spray to wash off us.
Town is only a few minutes down the road and you can not ahead the highway from there.
LegendWe came in on a Saturday and it was packed...spots a little close together for my liking, but it was quiet overall. Lots of family enjoying family time with their kids. Once Sunday afternoon hit, everyone cleared out getting ready for the workweek.
The park staff was super friendly, bathrooms were the cleanest I have seen. I uploaded pictures. I had an awesome shower. Trail access from the campsites and of course the history!!
We walked the on a slant village, the forts overlooking the Missouri river and of course General Custer's house and the barracks. Such a neat parks with lots to do!
Mosquitos were bad when we were here surprisingly. I was getting bit every second, so I got a gazebo shelter so we could enjoy the outdoors without getting bit to death. Had a fire our final night which also helped.
ScoutNeeded a place to crash on the way back east. Phoned about 100 miles away and had a reservation in minutes.
Camping near Center, North Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure-filled trip, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping around Center, North Dakota, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Center, ND?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Center, ND is Sanger Campground — Cross Ranch State Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Center, ND?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Center, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.
