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Best Campgrounds near Dickinson, ND

331 Reviews

The western North Dakota landscape surrounding Dickinson features a mix of established campgrounds and recreational areas that serve as gateways to the badlands region. North Park Campground and Camp On The Heart provide full-hookup options within city limits, while Patterson Lake Recreation Area offers year-round camping with lake access just southwest of town. Most local campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with varying levels of amenities. The proximity to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, approximately 35 miles west in Medora, makes Dickinson a strategic basecamp for exploring the region's dramatic badlands terrain and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this region. Summer temperatures regularly reach the 90s despite the northern latitude, with limited shade at many sites. As one camper noted about Patterson Lake, "None of the campsites are very close to the lake... and there's a train track right nearby with trains that run pretty much throughout the night." Winter camping is possible at year-round facilities, though amenities may be reduced. Many campgrounds operate with limited services during off-season months (typically October through April), with some facilities like showers and flush toilets closed until the main season begins in May.

Wildlife viewing opportunities rank among the top experiences mentioned by visitors to the region. Campers at Theodore Roosevelt National Park frequently report bison walking through campgrounds, along with sightings of elk, deer, wild horses, and prairie dogs. The landscape transitions from prairie to badlands, offering distinctive camping environments. "Buffalo were common visitors while having coffee in the morning," noted one camper at Cottonwood Campground. Sites with river or lake views tend to fill quickly during peak season. Noise considerations vary by location, with some campgrounds affected by nearby industrial facilities, train tracks, or highway sounds, while others provide more secluded experiences, particularly at dispersed sites in the national grasslands west of Dickinson.

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Best Camping Sites Near Dickinson, North Dakota (41)

    1. North Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Dickinson, ND
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 227-8498

    "The owner happened to still be there about to leave, and opened back up to check us in, and guided us to our site, giving us close access to the Laundry we were badly in need of."

    "We were able to stay hooked up to our truck to make the exit in the morning speedy."

    2. Patterson Lake Rec Area

    5 Reviews
    Dickinson, ND
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 456-2074

    "Nice park on the lake. Electric and water on the west side, dump station there too.$26 The two site on either end are 50 amp the rest are 30 amp. East side is dry camping at $16."

    3. Camp On The Heart

    2 Reviews
    Dickinson, ND
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 225-9600

    "My only complaint would be the very rough gravel entrance road. Just go slow and all will be fine!"

    4. Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    71 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 623-4466

    $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."

    5. American RV Park

    1 Review
    Belfield, ND
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 370-5792

    $35 - $40 / night

    6. Patterson Lake Boat Ramp

    2 Reviews
    Dickinson, ND
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 456-2074

    7. Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    54 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 227-7800

    "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."

    8. Medora Campground

    44 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 623-4435

    $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."

    9. The Crossings Campground

    6 Reviews
    Belfield, ND
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 501-3344

    $42 / night

    10. Sully Creek State Park — Sully Creek State Recreation Area

    30 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 623-2024

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Dickinson, ND

68 Photos of 41 Dickinson Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Dickinson, ND

331 Reviews of 41 Dickinson Campgrounds

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    Lots of space. Be careful ..

    ...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.

  • Mark The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    Newly added site numbers

    This 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.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    American RV Park

    Great campground

    Nice 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!

  • Maddy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    West River Rd Medora ND Dispersed

    Cow Country

    Beautiful 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.

  • James W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    Spectacular

    This 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.

  • James W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Bison

    Cottonwood 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.

  • B
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Medora Campground

    Theodore Roosevelt South Unit Medora Campground

    large sites, very helpful & friendly staff & volunteers Large large shade trees Convenient to town, walk or bike ride A really nice place

Guide to Dickinson

Camping near Dickinson, North Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or a base for outdoor adventures, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park: This park is just a short drive from Dickinson and offers stunning views and wildlife. One camper mentioned, "We saw a ton of buffalo on the north side and we have already spotted buffalo, seen prairie dogs and wild horses from the road."
  • Visit Medora: The town of Medora is nearby and has attractions like the Medora Musical and delicious dining options. One reviewer said, "Super easy to walk over to the NP or into Thiel for coffee, breakfast, dinner."
  • Hiking and biking: Trails around the area, especially in places like Sully Creek State Park, provide great opportunities for hiking. A visitor noted, "The trail makes for awesome hiking and biking."

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities. A review from Cottonwood Campground highlighted, "Clean toilets with running water. Drinking water spigots throughout."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites that provide privacy. One camper at Sully Creek State Park mentioned, "Spacious sites, very quiet."
  • Friendly staff: Campground hosts are often noted for their helpfulness. A visitor at Medora Campground said, "The staff are so helpful and kind."

What you should know

  • Limited services at some campgrounds: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at Cottonwood Campground pointed out, "This campground has very limited services. There is a water filling station... but no dump station for RVs."
  • Noise from nearby roads: Some sites are close to highways, which can be noisy. A review noted, "You can hear the main park road easily and when the breeze dies down you can hear the interstate."
  • First-come, first-served sites: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, which can be tricky during peak seasons. A camper mentioned, "Seemed odd numbers were reservation and even numbered sites were first come."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose sites with shade: If camping in warmer months, look for shaded spots. A camper at Sully Creek State Park said, "If it’s hot, all have plenty of shade."
  • Plan for activities: Bring games or outdoor activities to keep kids entertained. One family enjoyed the "community pool right at the campground" at Medora Campground.
  • Check restroom locations: Some campgrounds have restrooms that are a bit of a walk from the sites. A camper at Cottonwood Campground noted, "Bathrooms are a distance off from walk-in sites."

Tips from RVers

  • Level your site: Some sites can be uneven, so bring leveling blocks. A review from Boots Campground mentioned, "Site 7 is very hard to get level."
  • Check for hookups: Make sure to confirm if your site has the necessary hookups. A camper at Red Trail Campground said, "The price for all the amenities provided was excellent!"
  • Be prepared for limited cell service: Some areas have spotty reception. A visitor at Sully Creek State Park noted, "We received no OTA channels and satellite connection was not an issue."

Camping around Dickinson, ND, has its quirks, but with the right preparation, it can be a fantastic experience for everyone involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Dickinson, ND?

The Dickinson area offers several quality camping options. Patterson Lake Rec Area is right in Dickinson, providing convenient water access and basic amenities. For those willing to drive a bit further, Heart Butte Reservoir (Lake Tschida) offers five primitive campgrounds with wells and vault toilets, plus excellent fishing opportunities for walleye, catfish, perch, bass, and more. The area is known for its fishing but campers should note that facilities are basic. Many campers also use Dickinson as a base to explore nearby Theodore Roosevelt National Park and its surrounding recreation areas, where you'll find more developed camping options.

What RV parks are available near Dickinson, North Dakota?

RV travelers near Dickinson have several good options to choose from. Red Trail Campground in nearby Medora offers full hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer connections. It's conveniently located near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, making it popular for exploring the area. For those seeking a quieter experience, The Crossings Campground near Belfield provides water hookups and can accommodate larger rigs. Many RV parks in the region operate seasonally, with some offering limited services during shoulder seasons. Reservations are recommended during summer months, especially for weekend stays, as these facilities can fill quickly during peak tourism season.

How much does camping cost in Dickinson, ND?

Camping costs around Dickinson vary based on amenities and location. Camp On The Heart offers full hookup sites for $30 per night, with great views of Heart River for short-term campers. Budget-conscious campers can find more affordable options at North Park Campground near Dickinson, which provides basic amenities at lower rates. For those willing to forgo amenities, dispersed camping on nearby public lands offers free or low-cost options. Some campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from late spring through early fall, with rates sometimes increasing during peak summer months. Most campgrounds accept cash and major credit cards, with some offering weekly or monthly rates for extended stays.

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