Searching for the best camping near Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, ND? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Find the best campgrounds near Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, ND. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
$20 - $60 / night
"I visited this campground for 1 night while driving across North Dakota. It's super easy to access from I-94, but you feel like you're a million miles away from the interstate."
"Cottonwood Campground was a very welcome oasis in the prairies of North Dakota."
"It was easy to come from Medora, North Dakota to the site, but it appears that you only get an entrance and exit on the Medora side."
"The road in was fairly flat, and basically right off the highway. You can have the option of lots of privacy as well. Most of the sites are quite a distance away from each other."
$30 - $60 / night
"There's a picnic table, but it was very hot outside without shade. There's a great creek within walking distance that you can cool off in and let the dogs run around."
"Medora Campground boasts a prime location near Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the charming town of Medora."
"It was right next to an equestrian area, so some horses being trained and whinnying just next door."
"We had total privacy, a fire pit that you could see the bluff from, trees all around, and the only thing you heard were horses from the horse camp area."
$20 / night
"General: Small (37-site) forest service campground in two loops near Theodore Roosevelt National Park. No hookups or cell service (despite proximity to the highway)."
"Isolated Some camp sites are real gems A variety of sites depending on what you want- camp on the hill in grassland if you want to watch sunset/sunrise- or get one of the camp sites that are nestled behind"
$27 - $46 / night
"We stayed at Red Trail campground in Medora, ND in September 2021. This is a great little park right outside Theodore Roosevelt National park."
"Walking distance to downtown and very short drive to the national park! The site was kind of unlevel but the laundry machines were great!"
"Close to interstate. Which you can hear. Heard a train go by a few times. Lake gets a few fisherman throughout the day. Only 4 spots which filled up before dark. No water or dump."
"The highway can be a bit loud but it’s not that bad. It looked like 4 spots and decent enough size. Great views of the lake."
$40 / night
"The location is great as the park entrance is just a few miles away, along with the gateway town of Medora. Reservation and check in was all digital which was nice."
"Very close to neighbors and site 7 is very hard to get level. We had to buy more leveling blocks. We're pro members and couldn't figure out how to get the pro discount. No tables or fire rings."
"Well off the beaten path. The campground was completely empty when my wife and I stayed the night. There’s a nice trail with the trailhead right next door. Also has a water well. Will stay again."
"There is a short trail right from the site that leads up to great viewing spot complete with a bench. I believe the fee is $6 a night, bring exact cash or a check, no change to be made."
TravelerFairly nice sites most have some privacy I’m on the back in side, so these are smaller spots and some are pretty small so I’m glad I have a small class B
Guide...the hill is pretty steep and a couple sharp turns. If you are towing just make sure you are comfortable with that. It's a one lane road up the ill with blind spots so go slow and yield. Remember you'll have to come back down! Beautiful views though nicely spaced out spots.
TravelerCampsites are marked, a bit crowded so get there early to get a desired spot. Overall views are stunning.
TravelerThis area is also known as Scoria Boondocking on Campendium. Workers came through on Aug 29th 2025 and put up site numbers. Indicated they were trying to get control of where people park. We were at the new #5 site with a 35' 5th wheel. Site is unlevel the further into the site you go but we were able to level pretty easily more towards where you enter the site. We were happy with our site location and views. You could hear road noise from I94 but it wasn't too bad. Also had a view of fireworks from the Medora music show each night around 9:35. Not sure how many sites they ended up marking further up the gravel road. There is no west bound reentry onto i94 from this exit (23). You have to go east bound back to exit 24 to go west again.
GuideThis turns out to be one of my favorite state parks. The views are absolutely amazing. Several hiking trails, from short hike to longer trails. Some fairly easy and others are more moderate.
ScoutNice no frills campsite in a small town. Jason was a very gracious host! He met us when we arrived and gave us information about the site and the town. We stayed a week while sightseeing in the area. Highly recommend!
GuideBeautiful but confusing. I originally went to dispersed camping on the other side of the highway but it was completely full!
Despite the one negative review, I decided to scope out west river. There wasn’t a closure like they mentioned so I thought I was in the clear. But when I pulled into what I thought would be a spot, the road was deserving a 4WD. I went anyway and crossed paths with a couple of locals out there shooting. It didn’t scream safety.
Looking back, I’m sure it could be multi-use and fine to camp. Either way, I ended up the road car camping in what was essentially a turnout. I was awoken to the mooing of cows bright and early.
GuideThis is one of my favorite campsites to date. It’s totally dispersed camping, and there’s a lot of dirt road dust, however our site was super quiet and dark for beautiful stargazing. The other five star reviews are in my opinion legitimate. It was easy to come from Medora, North Dakota to the site, but it appears that you only get an entrance and exit on the Medora side. We almost went here for a second night, but got a first come first serve site inside the park for the next night.
GuideCottonwood Campground is a very nice flat campground with many sites. Some allow for pull through others for back ends. There’s also a nice tent space. The cost for a back and was only 20 bucks for the night which we thought was pretty good. There’s a picnic table and a charcoal grillavailable. There is no fire pit. I’m able to get some good signal with Starlink despite some of the trees. There are bison in the area, including one that was roaming in the campsite. It’s a beautiful park and a beautiful campground. There is water, but I have not yet found a dumping station at this site.
Camping near Dakota Prairie National Grasslands offers a unique experience filled with stunning landscapes and a chance to connect with nature. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there are several campgrounds to choose from, each with its own charm.
Camping near Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, North Dakota, provides a great mix of adventure and relaxation. With the right preparation, you can enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer!
Frequently Asked Questions
What trails and areas are shown on the Little Missouri National Grassland map?
The Little Missouri National Grassland map typically highlights the Maah Daah Hey Trail system, which spans over 140 miles through the badlands, connecting the north and south units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The map also shows key areas like the Burning Coal Vein, Bennett Creek, and Wannagan Creek regions. Dispersed camping areas are marked, including Scoria Pit dispersed sites which offer excellent stargazing opportunities. Coal Creek Campground is also featured, located about 10 miles south of Medora on a well-maintained dirt/gravel road.
Where is Buffalo Gap Campground located in Dakota Prairie National Grasslands?
Buffalo Gap Campground is located in the Little Missouri National Grassland section of Dakota Prairie National Grasslands in southwestern North Dakota. The campground is situated approximately 20 miles south of Medora, making it a convenient base for exploring both the grasslands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The campground is accessible via Highway 85, with a turn onto a well-maintained gravel road leading to the site.
What amenities are available at Wannagan Campground in Dakota Prairie National Grasslands?
Wannagan Campground offers basic facilities typical of more rustic Forest Service campgrounds. Amenities include vault toilets and potable water access. The campground provides picnic tables and fire rings at each site. There are no electrical hookups or shower facilities available, making it best suited for tent camping or self-contained RVs. For those seeking more amenities, nearby Red Trail Campground in Medora offers full hookup sites with water, electric, and sewer connections, though it tends to be dustier during windy conditions.
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