If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Center, look no further. The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect tent campsite for your North Dakota camping adventure.
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
This recreation area is part of Sakakawea Lake
Scout
Stayed 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).
Scout
stayed here while traveling across ND. the tent sites were really big and the campground and bathrooms were clean. not much privacy between sites though.
ScoutGreat spot for stopping on a long drive. Plenty of car/tent camping spots that don’t need or take reservations. Just pull into a grassy area by a firepit and picnic table and you’re good to go!
TravelerThis is a great spot! They always have tent sites available (no electric) for $12. This was our last night of a very long trip, and were very pleased to find a spot on Labor Day weekend. Clean showers and bathrooms also!
Ranger
While there were very few tent sites available, we had our choice of sites as we were the only tent campers. Bathrooms were great, the trails around the lake were great and the food at the marina was OK. This park is surrounded by beautiful lakes and fields of wheat. Shower was great.
Ranger
First visit here, nice campground and layout. Park staff was very nice and friendly. Beautiful views of Missouri River. We stayed in the TeePee this visit but plan on coming back for tent camping. Only complaints were the long haul from the parking area, the vaulted toilets smelt very bad but could of been from the heat! (Vaulted toilet, no sink) And the bugs!!! Tons of flying ants and ticks everywhere, but we managed!
Guide
We are on a two month long cross country road trip this summer, towing a 30ft travel trailer. We needed a place with full hook-ups as we'd been boondocking for several days and this place was perfect. Reservations were taken care of with one call, but none are needed as they also offer 24 hour first-come, first-serve spots, too. There are tent camping, no-hookup and just electric/water hookup options also available and all sites are pull through. This is a simple place but right off I-94 and very easy to access.
Legend
This is a nice park that is worth an overnight to learn about expedition history, native Mandan culture, and more. The park is a stop of. the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail , which was the draw for us. The park has a nice campground, with RV sites set back jn the trees and large tent sites right in the Missouri River! There are also camper cabins to rent. The park has a nice visitor center with terrific displays, moany aboutLewis and Clark, also a reconstructed Mandan encampment, plus the home and barracks of Custer and his cavalry. Running through the park is a cool trolley that takes you to historic points within the park, then on into the town of Mandan 6 miles away. The campgrounds have nice bath houses, plus a playground for kids and naturalist programs with an enthusiastic staff. Nice experience!
Ranger
This was a quick one night stop for me along the road. It’s very nice and quiet. There is a camp host but I didn’t meet them. Super amazing quick way to pay via a QR code and Apple Pay!! Although, you could do it the old fashioned way as well with a sealed envelope. I stayed at a tent site. They are in the open grass and I presume each “site” is designated by a picnic table. I was the only tent camper. There were about 3 RVs there. There isn’t a lot to do in the area but it’s great for a nice quiet night sleep if you’re on a road trip like I am.
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!
Legend
We’re putting in long miles on our way home and start looking for a place to stay. Nobody has reviewed this campground on The Dyrt. A Google search shows some mixed comments. Then we read a recent one that says there is a new owner and it’s a great place. We’re tired and this sounds promising so we stopped by.
The owner, Tobias, drove up as we did. He hurried over and invited us in to the office. He’s a carpenter so we got to talking about my teardrop camper. He suggested we camp in one of the tent sites. It’s fully shaded and near a field for the dog to play in. He walked all the way to the site just to show us how to back our teardrop in to the tent spot - it fit perfectly! There is a light pole with a bug zapper on it. He showed us the switch and pointed out the bathhouse. Two showers and a separate place to wash dishes. Our neighbor walked over to talk and said he is staying all summer. If we had more time we would take advantage of being so close to Bismarck.
The RV spots seem close together and most didn’t have much shade. People staying in them enjoy them. There was a group that got together to hang out - they kept at it all day. Tobias was telling me how many campers are repeat customers. Some are retirees and others are in the trades and others just like it here. That speaks highly of the positive vibe I felt before I even set up camp. There are a variety of sites depending on what you are looking for. Take the time to find your perfect site. Tobias said they are working to fix things up so this place should get better and better. He even asked for suggestions on things I’ve seen that make a campground better. I’m impressed by his drive to make this a welcoming place.
This campground demonstrates that the quality as well as the feel of a place can change. This is a great place to stop on your journey or perhaps for a longer visit.
Ranger
This 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.
TravelerThis is my favorite campground in North Dakota ! Always clean and neat. The waters are beautiful. National fish hatchery nearby, along with the Garrison dam. Breath taking views from the Elbowwoods loop!
Legend
Five primitive campgrounds with wells and vault toilets. The two stars are for how this place is taken care of. Not well kept.
Decent fishing for North Dakota. Try your hand at catching crappie, walleye, catfish, perch, white bass, pike, bluegill, large and smallmouth bass. Bait store nearby!
ScoutPlanning 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.
Ranger
Like others before me said - how is this free!? 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. But thanks to this nifty app, we were introduced to this very nifty spot! It’s right off the 94. Is there a little highway noise, yes. Did it bother us? Nope. We were in a huge spot right on a lake ! The view was so peaceful & it was otherwise super quiet. In fact , there are several spots all around the lake & hardly anyone at all. This place is actually better than some campgrounds we’ve paid too much for . No hook ups , of course , but that’s what a generator is for ! So glad places like this exist.
ScoutVery clean, with water and facilities. Separate RV and tent areas. Very inexpensive. Tent area nice and flat and grassy- perfect.
Only downside is the proximity to a small airport with a 24hr rotating beacon, rail line across the street, and road intersection with rumble strips. All quieted down after 10 pm or so, so still has a good nights sleep. Position your tent carefully to place trees between you and the airport beacon, and you’ll be happier.
Still, very nice municipal campground.
ScoutThis is a very well kept campground with clean bathrooms and showers, well maintained tent, camper, and RV sites, and excellent mountain biking and hiking trails. It also has lake front camping sites for both tents and campers. There are multiple swimming beaches on property, playgrounds, an ice cream and general store, and boat rentals available. Very enjoyable camping experience.
TravelerGreat camping facilites. Tent and camper sites. Yurts available and cabins available. Great hiking area, playground, ranger presentations.
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.
LegendWe were passing through on our way between Minnesota and Glacier and needed a place to stay. Pulled in at 8pm in the summer and there were lots of places open. The tent side ($12/night) is one large green grassy area with tables here and there with nice tall trees. There's a gross pit toilet on the tent side, or if you walk on a pathway just a little bit you'll make it to the nicer bathroom on the RV side that has showers and flush toilets. Nice playground. Lots of bees.
Scout
Stayed for free, but I really dont think it was supposed to be based on the county website... oops lol but the sheriff that passed by my tent paid us no mind. The sounds of the river were great, but ruined by the sounds of the vehicles going further south to the fishing and boat docks. About 1am is when the vehicles going by stopped until about 7am so that wasn't too fun. I would stay here again, but not in the middle of summer in a tent. It didn't get cold enough to sleep until 2am
ScoutI was there from July 22nd 2017 till July 30th 2017 There care many different camping sites that are off the reservoir. We were at the Hidden Shelter this site is about 6 miles off the main road. There are 4 sites there but we were the only ones there all week. There is a vault toilet and picnic area at this picticular site. Very quiet during the week. Busier on the weekends. Water was nice but did have blue algae during our stay since it was so very dry out there. Sites are large, had a 20ft RV, two room tent, two person tent and a screened in tent in our spot. There is not alot of shelter does gets pretty hot from about noon till 4pm. Off the main road there is the office with a dumping and filling station, showers that were very clean, flushable toilets and sites with electricity. I perterva site that is off the beaten path and the stars every night were just amazing.
TravelerNice tent area and plenty of camper pads. Day use areas available with shelters and playgrounds. Disc golf course. Vault toilets. Close to Bismarck and all it has to offer.
Guide
They have 9 tent spots and it’s 360 view from the mountain. Priceless and can see the Milky Way. Fav site
ScoutA number of good spots to camp is a little hilly as trying to find a tent spot out of the open is challenging but fun. 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.
TravelerClean Campground. Tent area and multiple camper pads. Vault toilets available. Ranger programs available. Right in the heart of Ft. Abraham Lincoln. Lots to do--visit the Block houses, Gen. Custer's home, commissary, etc. Close to Mandan and Bismarck (State Capitol)
Tent camping near Center, North Dakota offers a chance to immerse yourself in the serene landscapes and natural beauty of the region. With several campgrounds catering to tent campers, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and 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.
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TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Center, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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