Tent camping near Fargo, North Dakota encompasses flat prairie terrain with sites located within 75 miles of the city. The region experiences distinct seasons with winter temperatures dropping well below freezing and summer bringing occasional thunderstorms with high humidity. Most primitive tent campsites remain open from late spring through early fall, with closures common during the snowy North Dakota winter months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Tent campers at Beers Hike-In Site can enjoy shoreline fishing right from their campsite. "There is a nice fire pit and good area for fishing right at the site," notes a camper who found this location ideal for combining outdoor activities with tent camping.
Community orchard exploration: Arthur Park offers a unique educational experience with its community orchard featuring various fruits. A visitor explains, "This camping spot is located within a really sweet little town park that is beautifully kept, lovely grounds, nice playground and ballfields nearby, picnic shelter, pretty gardens and a very unique educational community orchard that features a whole variety of different grapes, berries, apples, and more."
Cycling adventures: The Northern Cass Pass Bike Trail connects to Arthur Park, creating opportunities for weekend cycling trips. Tent campers can set up base at the park and access the trail that runs north to Hunter, ND, making this location practical for cyclists looking to explore the area without moving their camp.
What campers like
Easy access for beginners: The walk-in camping at Beers Hike-In Site provides an approachable introduction to backpacking. One reviewer mentioned, "Surprisingly there was toilet paper there!" indicating basic necessities sometimes exceed expectations at this primitive site.
Well-maintained grounds: Tent campers appreciate the upkeep at Arthur Park despite its limited camping amenities. A visitor noted it has "a lovely sheltered grassy spot to set up tents, and a place to grill and get water at the picnic shelter," providing comfortable tent sites in a clean environment.
Group camping potential: The open layout at many tent sites accommodates families or organized groups. A camper suggested Brushvale Bridge Primitive Canoe Campsite offers "just a moderately flat spot" with space for setting up multiple tents, though it lacks amenities and is primarily used by river travelers.
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect availability: Several campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Wyndemere Rock Garden County Park lists an official season from April to October, but recent visitors question whether it remains operational. A camper reported, "I don't think this is open... There are technically 2 campgrounds in windmere. The GPS Coordinates for the rock garden are the other campground, but neither seem to actually be at least RV camping."
Reservation requirements vary: Not all tent sites accept advance bookings. Arthur Park requires weekday calls to the city office to secure a spot, while primitive canoe sites like Brushvale operate on a first-come basis with no reservation system.
Facility limitations: Many tent sites near Fargo provide minimal facilities. Brushvale Bridge campsite is described as having "virtually nothing here. Accept some flat ground... No spots, no services. Just a place to park and in between two fairly busy roads." Campers must prepare accordingly with sufficient supplies.
Tips for camping with families
Scout for playground access: Families with children benefit from choosing locations with recreational facilities. Arthur Park includes "nice playground and ballfields nearby," providing entertainment options for younger campers during daytime hours.
Consider walk-in difficulty: Meadow Lake Campsite and similar walk-in locations require evaluating trail difficulty against children's hiking abilities and gear transportation needs. Sites with "an easy walk" prove more suitable for families with small children or those new to tent camping.
Bathroom facilities matter: Tent sites with vault toilets reduce common family camping challenges. One parent appreciated that Beers Hike-In Site offers "a picnic table and a vault toilet," essential amenities when camping with children not accustomed to primitive conditions.
Tips from RVers
Limited designated RV options: Most tent camping locations near Fargo lack RV-specific amenities. A visitor to Mooreton City Park noted the absence of designated RV parking, hookups or dump stations, making these locations impractical for larger recreational vehicles.
Consider tent camping from RVs: RV owners sometimes use these locations for tent setup while parking vehicles at designated access points. The parking area at Beers Hike-In Site "has enough room to park 1 (maybe 2) vehicles," allowing RV owners to park nearby while enjoying tent camping experiences.
Accessibility challenges: Road conditions affect RV access to remote tent camping areas. The primitive nature of many sites means unpaved access roads that may become difficult during wet conditions or winter months.
