Best Equestrian Camping near Fairfield, ND

Roundup Group Horse Camp at Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers equestrian campsites near Fairfield, North Dakota. This dedicated horse camping facility includes picnic tables, fire rings, and direct access to the extensive trail system within the national park. Reservations are required for camping with horses from May 1 through October 31. The campground is specifically designed to accommodate riders and their mounts, with ample space for horse trailers and tethering areas. Trail riders from across the region visit the area specifically to access the Maah Daah Hey Trail, a renowned long-distance route stretching over 100 miles through the badlands landscape. The campground remains relatively uncrowded even during peak season.

Located 25 minutes from the highway on dirt roads, Magpie Campground connects directly to the Maah Daah Hey Trail system, allowing equestrians to explore over 100 miles of trail open to horseback riders. The campground features secluded sites spaced well apart among trees, providing privacy for campers with horses. An old-fashioned water pump provides fresh water for both riders and their horses. The $10 cash fee includes access to clean pit toilets and established camping areas with picnic tables and fire rings with attached grills. Sites accommodate horses and trailers with sufficient space for tethering. Riders particularly value this location for its direct trail access into the heart of the badlands, with routes heading toward Devil's Pass in one direction and the ice caves in the other.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Fairfield, North Dakota (14)

    1. Medora Campground

    45 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    24 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."

    2. Magpie Campground

    9 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 225-5151

    $6 / night

    "Small and private, only one other group there who were visiting with their horses. They said they had good trails, but we didn’t have much time to explore. Beautiful views and very peaceful."

    "The part I like most about this campground is the easy access to the world renowned Maah Daah Hey Trail: >100 miles of trail open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders."

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

    30 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    25 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."

    4. Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    32 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 842-2333

    $30 / night

    "Especially against the terrain that surrounds it. The campground is low on amenities but high on scenery, and it is very clean.

    The hiking in the North unit is amazing. There is so much wildlife."

    "The weather was amazing. we spent the day in the town of Medora which has so much to do and so filled with history .back at the campground, which we located a spot right next to the river ,the boys went"

    5. Buffalo Gap Campground (ND)

    22 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 227-7800

    $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)."

    "Very close to the entrance to Teddy Roosevelt NP, it was perfect for our camper.  Big rigs would be fine there, but I did not see any drive through sites."

    6. Ccc Campground (Nd) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

    17 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    28 miles
    +1 (701) 842-8500

    $10 / night

    "This campground offers beautiful panoramic views of the North Dakota Badlands. Additionally, you can access the Maah Daah Hey Trail and explore the Badlands from here."

    "When we visited the North Unit of Roosevelt National Park, their campgrounds were closed, so we had to seek one outside the park. This was extremely close to the park and had great views!"

    7. Wannagan Campground

    2 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 225-5151

    "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."

    9. Elkhorn Campground

    3 Reviews
    Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 225-5151

    "Close to clean pit toilet. Hand pump was hard to pump which produced light brown water which wasn't something we wanted to drink, so bring in your own water."

    10. Boots Campground

    5 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    25 miles
    Website

    $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."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Fairfield, ND

181 Reviews of 14 Fairfield Campgrounds


  • H
    Sep. 22, 2020

    Little Missouri State Park Campground

    Off the beaten path

    We stayed at this park because the Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l Park North Unit campgrounds were closed for renovations. I mistakenly thought this park was close to the park, but it is actually a 90 minute drive. We had a reservation for 2 nights but only stayed one and moved to the CCC Campground to be closer to the park. The only real sites with a view are those that back-up to the Little Missouri River. All others are just looking at a prairie. This is also primarily a campground for horse people, which we are not. You do need to pay the additional North Dakota State Park fee if camping here.

  • B
    May. 12, 2019

    Ccc Campground (Nd) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

    A Cheap Alternative

    A cheaper alternative to TRNP’s Juniper Campground. This campground offers beautiful panoramic views of the North Dakota Badlands. Additionally, you can access the Maah Daah Hey Trail and explore the Badlands from here. The campground is well kept and is typically pretty quiet. There are no showers, but there is toilets and accessible drinking water.

  • Tucker B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2021

    Sully Creek State Park — Sully Creek State Recreation Area

    Small Tent Area within Equestrian Campground

    This site was massive and would've had room for 5 or 6 tents (not sure on limits though).

    It was right next to an equestrian area, so some horses being trained and whinnying just next door.

    No cell service (AT&T at least) but quick proximity to Medora and Teddy Roosevely National Park!

  • Matt S.
    Sep. 4, 2016

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Now I know why Teddy Roosevelt loved North Dakota! Check out Juniper to camp!

    I have already posted my review for the Theodore Roosevelt South campground - Cottonwood. I won't repeat myself too much. Believe it or not, but I would put the North unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park even ahead of Yosemite.

    The trees and the canopy in the Juniper campground is really cool. Especially against the terrain that surrounds it. The campground is low on amenities but high on scenery, and it is very clean.

    The hiking in the North unit is amazing. There is so much wildlife. Never have I been so close to so many animals in the wild. I saw a lot of wildlife in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, but not as much as I did here.

    I never thought I would ever want to visit North Dakota. Honestly, I cant wait to go back. This place will blow your expectations, especially if you take an adventure on a hike or two. In the North unit, I highly suggest stopping at the River Bend Overlook and hiking down to the CCC shelter for some amazing views. Then drive to the end of the road and take a quick hike to Sperati Point.

  • Matthew B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 4, 2024

    Coal Creek Campground

    Perfect out of the way campground

    A wonderful little USFS campground about 10 miles south of Medora and the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The road turns to dirt/gravel just after leaving town, but is smooth and well maintained for the oil/gas companies. The campgrounds in the NP were full so we were worried people would spill out into this spot, but there was nobody here when we got in on a Sunday morning in early June, and only a handful of other campers came and went during our weeklong stay. Road nearby is very quite, with only the occasional oil/gas work truck basically. The trailhead had a few people in and out. Almost every site has a good view of the surrounding colorful North Dakota badlands, but the sites on top of the hill (5-10) have a better vantage point. Overall a great peaceful spot to detox, relax, and serve as a basecamp for the south unit of Teddy Roosevelt. Definitely adding this to our go to places when visiting TRNP or even just passing through NoDak.

    Facilities: Pair of vault toilets near the check-in kiosk, clean and well stocked; spur to access the Maah Dah Hey trail from the campground; campground is fully fenced with cattle guard at entrance to keep out larger animals

    Cell Service: Surprisingly great for both Verizon and T-mobile, more than enough to work with

    Starlink: While we didn't need to use it, every site has a good open view of the sky

    Solar: Every site has a good open view of the sky to rake in the rays

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Little Missouri State Park Campground

    Cool spot

    It's more RV and equestrian focused but you can tent camp as well. Large grassy areas to set up camp. Fire pits, showers, bathrooms. Seems popular as well. Making reservations would be a good idea. I stayed at spot 31. It's at the end of the road that goes downhill. There are lots of flies because it has horse corrals and the mosquitos are vicious. They may be different at other spots. Nice spot for views and hiking. I would come back here.

  • Angie G.
    Sep. 17, 2022

    Sully Creek State Park — Sully Creek State Recreation Area

    Bluff at Sully Creek

    I booked a tent site in the Cedar area of the Sully Creek State Park Campground and it was so much better than the ones at TRNP! 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. I was going to put up my hammock by the firepit but heard the hum of bees in a stump close by so I didn’t do it. This sites has room for 2 tents (one on each side of it). Bathrooms were a short walk and showers were coin-operated and clean. I loved this park!

  • Mac M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Sully Creek State Park — Sully Creek State Recreation Area

    Mesa views on Little Mo at Medora

    A perfect campground for equestrian campers or those visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Just 3-4 miles from Medora ND and park entrance. Open views, good trails, great birding. The sites have electric, accessible water and dump site. Showers snd vault toilets kept very clean.

  • Jessica S.
    Mar. 18, 2017

    Sully Creek State Park — Sully Creek State Recreation Area

    Sully Creek State Park

    Gorgeous park. Very small with limited camping spots. The Little Missouri River is right here and the trailheads for the Maah Daah Hey Trail and Maah Daah Hey II (The Deuce) are in this tiny park as well. Great views of the surrounding badlands, exceptional horse and hiking trails. A variety of amenities are offered incuding some electrical, water, pay showers and vaulted toilets and horse corrals. No paved roads. Very close to Medora.


Guide to Fairfield

North Dakota offers a unique experience for horse camping enthusiasts, with several campgrounds providing excellent amenities and access to stunning trails.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • At Magpie Campground, you can easily access the renowned Maah Daah Hey Trail, which boasts over 100 miles of scenic paths for horseback riding.
  • The Roundup Group Horse Camp is located within Theodore Roosevelt National Park, providing direct access to trails specifically designed for equestrian use.
  • Sully Creek State Park features ample open spaces and trails that are perfect for horseback riding, along with beautiful views of the Little Missouri River.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Wannagan Campground offers a peaceful setting with picnic tables and toilets, making it a convenient stop for horse campers.
  • At Little Missouri State Park Campground, equestrian facilities include corrals and easy access to trails, catering to horse riders and their needs.
  • Coal Creek Campground provides a quiet atmosphere with well-maintained vault toilets and a fenced area to keep larger animals out, ensuring a safe environment for your horses.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and corrals

  • Buffalo Gap Campground features direct access to the Buffalo Gap Trail, making it a great choice for those looking to ride in the area.
  • Elkhorn Campground is situated near the Elkhorn Ranch Unit trail, providing a unique opportunity to explore the historical site on horseback.
  • Boots Campground offers full hookups and is conveniently located near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, making it an ideal base for equestrian adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Fairfield, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Fairfield, ND is Medora Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 45 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Fairfield, ND?

TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Fairfield, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.