49 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The northwestern North Dakota landscape surrounding Epping features a mix of prairie and badlands terrain with several camping options within a 30-mile radius. Epping RV Park provides basic amenities with electric hookups, sanitary dump, and sewer connections, operating seasonally from early May through mid-October. Within driving distance, Lewis & Clark State Park near Riverdale offers more developed facilities including tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping options with access to Lake Sakakawea. Other nearby options include Kota Ray Dam near Ray and several facilities in Williston, creating a network of established campgrounds that serve both recreational travelers and those working in the region's energy sector.
Camping in this region requires awareness of seasonal conditions and limited facilities. Many campgrounds lack shade, with visitors noting the summer heat can be intense, particularly at sites like CCC Campground in the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands. A unique geographical feature affects some campgrounds near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where campers report their devices switching between time zones unexpectedly. As one visitor noted, "I didn't realize I was exactly right on the line where the time zone changes. I wanted to get to the visitor's center right when they opened but ended up there an hour after they opened!" Water availability varies significantly between locations, with some offering full hookups while others provide only basic pump wells.
Wildlife viewing opportunities rank highly among camper experiences in the region. Bison sightings are common near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, with one camper reporting, "The campground was very quiet until a herd of bison came through." Night sky viewing receives consistent praise, with visitors mentioning exceptional stargazing conditions. Lake access at sites like Lewis & Clark State Park provides recreational opportunities including fishing, swimming, and boating. Park ranger presence is notably appreciated at some locations, with a visitor at Lewis & Clark State Park commenting, "We had one storm while we were there and they gave us the emergency plan as fast as they could." Site spacing varies considerably between campgrounds, with some offering privacy while others place campers in close proximity.
"They did patrols all the time around and were super friendly! We had one storm while we were there and they gave us the emergency plan as fast as they could."
"Close access to Lake Sakakawea, within walking distance."
from $15 - $85 / night
Check Availability"Along with a few other species in this little lake. Fun place to go for the weekend far enough out of town to feel like a getaway."
from $10 - $15 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful lake. Great sunsets. Stayed on 4th of July and it was amazing."
"I wanted to amend my report because we walked around and there are three places to camp. One is down by the water in primitive campsites which are very nice. Two is the little Campground I stayed in."
TravelerDrove in on a Friday at the start of Labor Day - 2 of the 13 or sites were occupied. Very good site for putting in a boat or parking a larger rig. Some sites have power, but not water.
But not lovely
TravelerAccurately described in 2021 Out of the way fishing spot with two campsites. Very nice
TravelerThis campground is a National Forest Campground. There are 18 sites with 5 requiring reservations and the rest are FCFS. There are also 5 or 6 horse sites with small corrals at each site. There are several pit toilets that are very clean and appear to have been repainted this year. The toilets are ADA friendly. The sites are spacious with 15/30/50 amp service. The tent or smaller camper sites have 15/30 amp service. There are a couple of community water faucets set up around the campground. There is no dump station. This campground is about 1 mile from the entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit. Just across the Little Missouri River. The views from this campground into the badlands is spectacular. There are a couple of trails for hiking and horseback riding from the campground. The cost is $10 per night and $5 if you have the senior pass.
GuideFree camping at a state historic site. Campers who check in at the Confluence Visitor Center can access sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and trash cans. Sites are shaded or open, and the campground rarely fills up. Cell service is available. Nearby, Confluence Access provides another option along the same stretch of river. History is the main draw here, with Fort Buford and Fort Union both within reach, making this a good fit for history-focused travelers passing through western North Dakota. It was pouring rain the first night I arrived so I spent the night in the Confluence Visitor Center parking lot. I spent 2 more nights in the campground and only 2 other campers showed up while I was there. There is plenty of room for any size camper. I attended the Fort Union Frontier Days Rendezvous at the fort a few miles away which was very interesting.
GuideConvenient location with full hookups. Very clean bathrooms/showers. Basic campground with no other amenities.
GuideNice little campground. Flush toilets and running potable water is a bonus. Campground is clean and friendly
GuideGreat owner. Great showers. Nice site
GuideWe stayed 14 days and had a fantastic time despite the very hot weather. Loved having the lake.
GuideI truly enjoy this location. It’s quiet, clean and well kept. There is a lot of space between the spaces. Pit toilets, no showers but easily accessible from the highway. Conveniently located just a mile outside of the North Theodore Roosevelt NP.
Camping spots near Epping, North Dakota offer visitors access to Lake Sakakawea, the third largest man-made reservoir in the United States with over 1,500 miles of shoreline. Winter temperatures in this region can drop below -30°F while summer highs frequently exceed 90°F, creating distinct camping seasons. Most campgrounds operate from May through mid-October with limited services available in shoulder seasons.
Fishing opportunities: Blacktail Dam provides shore fishing access for pike, walleye and sunfish. Kori P. notes, "Cute place to go camp... decent fishing for pike, walleye and sunfish" at Blacktail Dam.
Boating access: Lake Sakakawea offers extensive water recreation with designated boat launches. Jackie R. mentions at Lewis & Clark State Park, "We always drop in our boat here. There are 2 good size lanes so a horrible backup person like myself has no problem!"
Beach activities: Several campgrounds provide swimming beaches when water levels permit. At Little Beaver Bay Campground, Teresa T. observes, "The water is much lower and farther away so there's a big beach to play on that wouldn't be there normally."
Consistent ranger presence: Park staff maintain regular patrols at some locations. Matt B. appreciates that at Lewis & Clark State Park, "The bathrooms are thoroughly cleaned every night and the park staff are very friendly and helpful."
Water recreation variety: Multiple lakes support diverse activities. Sarah H. values Tobacco Garden Rec Area because "This campground has a little of everything. Playgrounds, boat landing, grocery store and restaurant, fishing, cabins, showers, allows insured atv and utv's, bait."
Spacious camping areas: Many sites provide good separation between campers. Stephanie B. comments about Tobacco Garden, "This is basically 3 separate campgrounds. Great open spaces. Not close together. Wonderful management."
Inconsistent camp host availability: Some campgrounds have limited staff presence. Leslie B. reports at Lewis & Clark State Park, "Sites were nice with water and electric hookups. Decently spread out. Unfortunately, camp hosts were ghosts. Supposedly 4 hosts. Walked by 2 of them and they were off duty."
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven terrain. Kerry K. warns about Kota Ray Dam, "Picked a site online from the website. Looked like a nice long back in by the lake. Turns out it had a big hump in the middle of it and the power was on the wrong side a to far away to reach."
Seasonal insect populations: Bugs can be problematic during warmer months. Deborah C. found at Lewis & Clark State Park, "We were lucky as we camped here in late August 2018, the week prior they had record highs of 109! We had our choice of tent sites, and were right on lake front. Facilities were acceptable. Lots of bugs and flies, but we managed!"
Playground access: Several campgrounds include play areas for children. Leah N. mentions that Blacktail Dam has "a nice playground for the kids, some picnic shelters, bathrooms and garbage cans."
Educational programs: Some parks offer structured activities. Matt B. notes at Lewis & Clark State Park, "There is a theater area with educational presentations for the kids. Also, there is an ice cream truck that comes through the campground at night."
Swimming beach quality: Beach areas vary by location. Leah N. describes Blacktail Dam's beach: "It's not a big beach area so busy days it can be a little crowded. It is nice and sandy and great for the kiddos, though."
Road condition awareness: Access roads to some campgrounds may be rough. Kerry K. observed at Kota Ray Dam, "The road in if you can call it that was pretty worn out. First part was bumpy and patched tar. The rest was gravel so had to go slow."
Water access planning: Many campgrounds lack direct water hookups. Leah N. advises for Kota Ray Dam, "Only electric at sites, no water hookups," while Bran P. suggests at Lewis & Clark State Park, "Fill up your fresh tank at the dump station before going to your site because there are very few accessible spigots near the camp sites."
Weather preparedness: Summer temperatures can reach extreme highs. The temperature contrast is significant, as Deborah C. experienced at Lewis & Clark State Park when camping "the week prior they had record highs of 109!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Epping, ND?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Epping, ND is Lewis & Clark State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 17 reviews.
Keep Exploring
