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.
$10 - $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."
"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."
"Very Close to National Park access.
A handful of spots on the top of the ridge."
$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."
"Pretty decent location. Slept in my tent with the perfect view of the lake in the morning."
$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."
TravelerWe camped here for four days on Memorial weekend. The sights are level and easy to park. There are no restrooms or dumpsters on site. All the neighbors and campers were friendly. Wi fi worked great.
ScoutGreat place with lots of great spots to camp! Not cramped but not all alone❤️
ScoutSeems like it would be nice in pleasant weather. Just a few sites and spaced well. You can hear the highway traffic on I94, but it isn't bad.
TravelerThere are plenty of spots available with even ground and fire pits. Be aware of current fire conditions posted on the NPS billboard at the bathrooms. No amenities but a great place to stay for a few days for free. 14 day limit on camping.
GuideWhat a beautiful place and from the highway its only a 20 minute drive into the park to get to the campground. They had water to do dishes with (not drinkable). Clean bathrooms. Also they have recycle and trash which is great. Its $10 a night but you can get a site close to the river. We stayed in site #9 and it had a walking trail to the water and it overlooked the mountains. We also saw wild horses running through the prairie. Also the petrified forest hike is a must!
LegendClose to Teddy Roosevelt National Park! The grounds are nice and the office has a small store with some souvenirs and camp essentials. Bathrooms were clean and the campground was overall pretty quiet. We don’t have the biggest camper, but it was big rig friendly for sure. Highly recommend the nearby pitchfork steak fondue place for dinner! I believe that you can rent covered wagons here to sleep in as well if you are looking for a truly unique and western experience. Maybe not authentic to the Oregon trail days since you will have a real house door, but still super neat that they offer this! Campground close enough I was able to walk into the national park one morning. I would compare this place to like a KOA or something of that sort. It has more of that RV park kind of feel to it. You can see in the last photo the empty site next to mine with another small camper on the other side of that. The photo of the map can also give you an idea of how packed the sites are. If you are looking for some space and privacy, look into other options. If you are looking for convenience to the national park, stay here!
TravelerI went June 23rd, 2024. We got there near sunset and was able to find a spot after driving for a bit. Had a gorgeous sunset and it was very quiet.
RangerMedora Campground boasts a prime location near Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the charming town of Medora. With spacious sites along the Little Missouri River, it’s a tranquil spot with easy access to hiking, wildlife viewing, and the Medora Musical. Amenities are basic but sufficient, and the views of the surrounding badlands make it a picturesque choice for nature enthusiasts.
A little pricey for our taste, but the hook ups in the August heat were worth it.
LegendGeneral: Small (37-site) forest service campground in two loops near Theodore Roosevelt National Park. No hookups or cell service (despite proximity to the highway). We arrived on a Thursday afternoon in late August with no reservation and had no problem securing a site, although it filled almost to capacity by evening.
Site Quality: Many are in direct sun, but we found one that had some afternoon shade. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. All camper pads are paved.
Bath/Shower house: There were six vault toilets (two by the entrance and two in each loop) that had sinks but no soap; they were reasonably clean. Two showers were in the other loop from where we stayed, and we did not use them.
Activities: There is access to the Buffalo Gap Trail, but we did not hike it as this was an overnight stop for us and quite hot. It is not far from the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
It was hot when we were there (high 80s) so we just kind of collapsed upon arrival and took off the next day. The good news is you are close to the highway, but you will hear some road noise. $20 or$10 with the senior pass makes it a good deal. Cash or check if you cannot register online (no service with Verizon).
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
According to TheDyrt.com, Dakota Prairie National Grasslands offers a wide range of camping options, with 42 campgrounds and RV parks near Dakota Prairie National Grasslands and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dakota Prairie National Grasslands is Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park with a 4.6-star rating from 67 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Dakota Prairie National Grasslands.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 parks near Dakota Prairie National Grasslands that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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