Campgrounds near Epping, North Dakota offer diverse terrain across the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park areas. Located in Williams County, most sites sit at elevations between 1,900-2,200 feet with summer temperatures regularly reaching 90°F. The region experiences significant temperature drops at night, often cooling by 30-40 degrees, which affects camping comfort during spring and fall seasons.
What to do
Hiking the Maah Daah Hey Trail: Access this scenic trail directly from Ccc Campground, providing excellent hiking opportunities for all skill levels. "The Maah Daah Hey and Long X trails start at this campground. We did a great 11ish mile mountain bike loop by heading up Maah Daah Hey and down Long X," reports Nicole C.
Fishing at local dams: Cast for multiple fish species at Kota Ray Dam where seasonal fishing conditions vary. "Perch are hot right now. 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," notes Kori P.
Wildlife observation: Scout for native wildlife throughout the badlands area. "When we camped here it was the off season and we only had to share the campground with 3 other groups of people. It is a close drive to Theodore Roosevelt National Park which is nice because we could spend all day at the park," says Kalene H. about CCC Campground.
What campers like
Spacious, well-separated sites: The dog friendly campgrounds near Epping typically offer good site spacing. "Large sites spaced far apart. 40 plus sites. Host said never full," writes Eric G. about CCC Campground.
Affordable camping options: Budget-friendly sites provide good value for travelers with pets. "A cheaper alternative to TRNP's Juniper Campground. This campground offers beautiful panoramic views of the North Dakota Badlands," mentions Brittny A. about CCC Campground.
Accessibility to water recreation: Several pet-friendly campgrounds feature water access points. "All camp spots are right on the water, though most of them have cat tails and thick vegetation making it difficult to get to the water," explains Leah N. about Blacktail Dam.
What you should know
Time zone considerations: The camping region straddles time zone boundaries. "The park rangers here were awesome and so helpful. No shower facilities, but flushing toilets with running water was fine. Funny tidbit, the campground is on the border of the time zone border, so my devices would change times," shares Deborah C. about Juniper Campground.
Water quality varies: Water availability and quality differs significantly between campgrounds. "There's a well here, but the water looked pretty brown. We boiled it," warns Nicole C. about CCC Campground's water supply.
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations require proper planning. "October can be cold! It got down below freezing in the first week of October. It gets windy," notes Nicole C. about seasonal conditions at CCC Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access for children: Certain dog-friendly areas include swimming options for families. "It's a smaller lake with housing all around it. Around the 4th of July can get super busy. They keep the facilities clean!" mentions Jackie R. about Blacktail Dam.
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "We love Kota Ray. Its small, the swimming beach is pretty decent, the campsites aren't too terrible, the bathrooms are usually cleaned well and they have lots of picnic shelters," reports Leah N.
Wildlife education opportunities: Families can experience wildlife safely with proper guidance. "I arrived very late in the night, but I'm so happy I stayed here! There were plenty of first come first serve sites. 49 was where I stayed and it was tucked away enough that I had privacy. The campground was very quiet until a herd of bison came through," writes Stephanie W. about Juniper Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection and leveling: RV campers should check site conditions carefully. "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," cautions Kerry K. about Kota Ray Dam.
Water and hookup planning: Many pet-friendly campgrounds near Epping have limited hookups. "There are no hook-ups, and no dump station. The only water is a well that you have to pump yourself with a handle, so come with your black/grey tanks empty and water tank full," advises Holly E. about CCC Campground.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful navigation. "The road in (1 mile) is well maintained," notes Scott D. about CCC Campground, while Kerry K. cautions about 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."
