Best Tent Camping near Center, ND

Tent campgrounds near Center, North Dakota offer primitive camping experiences in the rural Midwest landscape. Sweet Briar Lake Campsites provides free tent camping with picnic tables and fire pits in a quieter setting just off Interstate 94. BLM Schnell Recreation Area, located near Richardton, offers tent sites with more amenities including drinking water, trash collection, and vault toilets within a natural prairie setting approximately 45 miles southwest of Center.

Most tent sites in the region feature basic amenities with varying levels of maintenance. Sweet Briar Lake sites have fire rings and picnic tables but lack drinking water and restroom facilities, requiring campers to pack in their own water supplies. Schnell Recreation Area provides vault toilets and trash collection, though campers report maintenance can be inconsistent. One visitor noted, "It was a nice surprise right off 94 with picnic tables, fire pits, and lovely shade." The camping season typically runs from late spring through early fall, with some sites accessible year-round but offering minimal winter services.

Tent campers in this region should prepare for potential weather challenges and insects during peak season. The prairie landscape creates exposure to wind and storms, with one camper at Schnell Recreation Area reporting experiencing "five hail storms in one night." Sites at Sweet Briar Lake offer more tree coverage for shade and wind protection. Trail access varies by location, with Schnell featuring maintained hiking paths through native grasslands despite occasional issues with ticks in taller vegetation areas. The primitive nature of these tent campgrounds appeals to those seeking quiet experiences away from developed areas. Sites are generally well-separated, creating privacy between campsites. Campers frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere as a highlight, with one reviewer describing Sweet Briar Lake as "peaceful, quiet and relaxing. One of my favorites so far."

Best Tent Sites Near Center, North Dakota (13)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Center, ND

182 Reviews of 13 Center Campgrounds


  • Cullen C.
    Jul. 2, 2024

    Primitive Campground

    Great place for a weekend getaway

    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!

  • Mary S.
    Aug. 8, 2018

    Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground

    Beautiful park - fantastic place to explore with children

    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. There's a paved bike path that you can take from the campground all the way to Bismarck (10+ miles). Or you can ride over to the cavalry and infantry areas of the fort and to the Indian village.

    There is a separate $7/day entrance fee in addition to the camping fee. We chose a primitive site (no water, no electric) because those sites are along the river, and the fee was $17. Sites with electricity and water are $25. 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. We have camped at so many Forest Service sites that all these amenities make it feel like glamping!

    My only complaint is that there is no path from the primitive sites to a restroom other than the road. It would have been nice if there were a few paths between sites. No one wants to take a long route to a restroom in the middle of the night. And cutting through an occupied site is poor camping etiquette.

  • Kelly
    Jul. 6, 2021

    General Sibley Park

    Good car camping

    Great 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!

  • Tim
    Sep. 7, 2020

    COE Lake Sakakawea Downstream Campground

    Nice spot for a rest on our drive across country.

    Nice spot. Had site 117 on loop 4. “Primitive” site. Mostly quiet and peaceful. Group of RVs had the end of the loop and had generators going, but steady wind blowing that way kept the noise down. Acceptable pit toilet. Lovely easy walk down a path to the river with sandy banks. Clean, well kept sites w picnic tables and fire rings. Very windy so definitely glad to be here protected below the dam and not up next to the reservoir!

  • Stephanie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2020

    Sweet Briar Lake

    Great, spacious campsites right off the freeway

    This place was great! Only stayed here one night passing through on our way back to MN. 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. Great sunset and the bugs were minimal too. Very surprised that a place as nice as this one is free. The freeway is somewhat close just across the lake and can be heard, but it didn't bother us at all. Campsites have a picnic table and fire ring. Vault toilets are scattered around the lake, and there are water spigots too. Happy we found this place!

  • C
    Aug. 30, 2020

    Sweet Briar Lake

    Scenic spot right off the highway

    Multiple places to pull off and set up around a scenic lake. A few minutes off the highway on well maintained roads- you can’t ask for a better spot than this on a road trip! Water pump at the first boat ramp you pass, pit toilets scattered around, picnic shelters, fire rings, and picnic tables, dumpsters. No fee. The spot marked on this map is under a cell tower, but there are plenty of spots when you drive around the lake.

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

    Heart Butte Reservoir (Lake Tschida)

    Busy boat launch but friendly and respectful campers

    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!

  • S
    Aug. 29, 2023

    General Sibley Park

    A nice dependable campsite for a stopping point

    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).

  • Heather W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2025

    Eagles Park Campground

    Great spot just north of Bismarck

    This is an interesting tiny campground run by the city of Bismarck. In a a Friday in July, we are one of four campers here. There a few 50 amp sites and several posts with 20 amp. Some 20amp are next to a traditional back in site. Others are in a grassy field and can be shared. That is what we chose. The 20 amp runs what we need. None of the sores have water or sewer and there is no dump station. However, there is a spigot with water. We filled our fresh tank before arriving. There are picnic tables and fire rings scattered throughout. It seems you could park out pitch a tent any where. There are 2 well maintained portolets and a dumpster. The location is right on the Missouri River and close to a state historic site. We originally booked 2 nights then decided to stay longer. For $12 per night, what is not to love!!


Guide to Center

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.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Danzig Dam, you'll find basic facilities like toilets, making it a straightforward choice for those looking to escape into nature.
  • Brekken offers drinking water, ensuring you stay hydrated during your camping adventure.
  • For a more rustic experience, Lake Shore Park provides essential amenities without the frills, perfect for those who want to connect with nature.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Unique features of local campgrounds

  • Graner Bottom is a well-reviewed spot that offers a secluded atmosphere, ideal for those seeking solitude.
  • At Lake Holmes, you can enjoy a picturesque setting with plenty of opportunities for photography and relaxation.
  • Steinke Bay provides a peaceful environment, perfect for stargazing and enjoying the night sky away from city lights.

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 Sweet Briar Lake Campsites with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Center, ND?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Center, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.