kelly N.
Ranger
RangerJamestown Campground
Wonderful park
This is the second time we’ve stopped at this park. Very well maintained- great bathroom facilities- dog park- playground and a tunnel of trees to meander through.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Fort Ransom, ND
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Fort Ransom State Park Campground accommodates pets throughout its diverse camping options, including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, yurts, and glamping setups. The park maintains well-kept grounds with picnic tables and fire rings at most sites, allowing campers and their dogs to enjoy the natural setting together. Leashed pets are welcome in the campground areas and on many of the trails, though owners must clean up after their animals. The campground features multiple access types including drive-in, boat-in, and walk-in sites, making it versatile for different camping styles with pets. Little Yellowstone County Park and Clausen Springs Park Campground also welcome pets, with the latter offering spacious, secluded sites that provide privacy for campers with active dogs.
The Sheyenne National Grassland provides excellent opportunities for dispersed camping with dogs, offering a unique oak haven with beautiful trails and friendly rangers. Dogs enjoy exploring the interconnected trail systems that link with the North Country National Scenic Trail. Campers report the area is particularly peaceful for overnight stays with pets, though farm dogs occasionally visit campsites. Most campgrounds in the region maintain standard pet policies requiring leashes and proper waste disposal. The area's campgrounds typically feature grassy areas suitable for dog walking, with some offering dedicated pet exercise spaces. Weather considerations are important when camping with pets in this region, as North Dakota's seasonal temperature variations can affect outdoor activities with dogs.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Fort Ransom (39)
1. Fort Ransom State Park Campground
"This is a year round multi-use state park along the forest-lined Sheyenne River and near the Sheyenne National Grasslands."
"Stayed at a site in the open field near to the road. (last site available) only down side was that you got to feel the ND winds (10-30mph+) all the time..... "
from $15 - $150 / night
Check Availability2. Little Yellowstone County Park
"Got a great spot near the stream. Playground was nice & neat to see some of the secluded tenting spots on our walk - they look awesome!"
"Nice campground, we camped near the brook. Got there later in the evening and left early in the morning to start a hiking trip."
from $25 / night
Check Availability3. Clausen Springs Park Campground
"The area is very scenic and well kept, with a stream running throughout that feeds into a multi-use lake, unique and expansive campsites, groomed trails, multiple amenities and the laidback solitude and"
"We stayed one night after a long day of driving, there were a lot of people here but some sites are out away from the others. We stayed in the parking lot by the lake and left early the next morning."
from $20 - $25 / night
Check Availability4. Barnes County Park Clausen Springs Recreation Area
"Hiking trails and places for kids to play on playground equipment and access to the lake with very nice docks and the North country trail goes through. One can hike or bike long if you want."
"Trails and sites were very well maintained and there is a small creek running though the camping area. Everything has the look of being well taken care of."
from $20 - $25 / night
Check Availability5. Sandager Park
6. Kathryn RV Park
from $20 / night
Check Availability7. Moon Lake
"I parked right next to the lake and watched the ducks. The overnight was very quiet and dark, perfect for sleeping. There are trees surrounding the little campground."
"This tiny campground is right next to a lake with a boat ramp and a covered picnic table. In the far left corner (if you're facing the lake) is a little nook surrounded by trees and shrubs."
8. Dead Colt Creek Rec Area
"The lake is very pretty. The swimming area is very nice. They have full bathrooms with showers. A number of different camp sites to be at."
9. Sheyenne National Grassland
"Beautiful sites,trails,very friendly and knowledgeable ranger. Took our 40' through the 1212 trail and was quite concerned I had gotten a little bold with following an unknown gps destination."
"We dispersed camped for 1 night while walking along the North Country trail."
10. Lamoure County Memorial Park
"If they are full, you can go a few miles up the scenic drive to Dicky and stay there for the night. There are a few different dump stations.
It may say online they have a laundry but they do not."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 14 min from Fargo, ND
- 2 hrs 7 min from Grand Forks, ND
- 2 hrs 14 min from Bismarck, ND
- 3 hrs 19 min from St. Cloud, MN
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Fort Ransom, ND
15 Photos of 39 Fort Ransom Campgrounds
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Fort Ransom State Park Campground
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Moon Lake
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Jorgen's Hollow Campground — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands
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Brewer Lake Rec Area
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Fort Ransom, ND
166 Reviews of 39 Fort Ransom Campgrounds
- MMychaela
GuideMel Rieman Rec
Beautiful site, with good amenities
Stopped here on our way through North Dakota, perfect site with flushable bathrooms, good water and a beautiful sunrise.
- JJohn
TravelerSheyenne National Grassland
Unique Oak Haven
My first and not going to be the last campout here. Beautiful sites,trails,very friendly and knowledgeable ranger. Took our 40' through the 1212 trail and was quite concerned I had gotten a little bold with following an unknown gps destination. It worked out but was very close as was also pulling a car hauler. Just for your info i was also traveling east to west. Definitely a pleasant adventure out here in North Dakota. I have to say a little paradise can be found here. I am doing the dispersed camping right in the oak valley next to the 1212. John
Teresa T.
LegendPrairie Haven Campground
I'm not sure this is a camping area
I'm not exactly sure I'm in the right place nor am I sure that this is actually a campground of some kind. It's definitely a fishing access it's a big open spot next to Island Lake which is a legit lake in North Dakota. It's very flat but there's equipment parked here and a sign that says this is fishing access so I think if you tried to camp here you'd end up with somebody knocking on your door. Last the GPS spot is not correct that takes you to a corner of a road and this spot does not match the directions so I'm going to go one more mile up and see if the directions actually take me to a campground and I'll post that as well.
MickandKarla W.LegendEggerts Landing
Good Privacy Between Most Sites
The website instructions say to take exit 292 off I 94 but our RV GPS and Google Maps showed exit 294, which is probably a new exit. Coming from the east, exit 294 was the better option, but either exit would work as they both will lead to the turn to take you down to Eggerts Landing plus other COE areas as identified on the signs. The campground(CG) area was easy to find and we got potable water at the dump station conveniently located as we entered the CG area. The RV sites here are all 30 AMP electric and we proceeded to back-in spot 20, which was easy to back into off the turn. Site 20 is plenty long and we really liked the privacy between sites due to the vegetation and trees. This CG has a lot of mature trees so satellite would not be an option for most sites. We got 2 bars on Verizon and 2 on T-Mobile. The sites in the front of the CG are more open where you could get a satellite signal. The sites at the far end of the CG are more private with little trails weaving around. There are no sites that are truly on the lake, but several have paths to the water. There are trash cans smartly placed around the CG plus water spigots and vault toilets. Towards the front of the back loop, there’s a shower house. There is also a fishing pier near the CG area entrance. There’s a camp host, but they were only working weekends when we were there in September. However, park rangers patrolled the CG. This COE is about 15 minutes north of Valley City where amenities can be found. Check out Babb's Coffee House in Jamestown. Great place to have lunch after visiting the tourist spots in Jamestown and the coffee is very good too. If you are looking for gifts made in North Dakota, check out the Dakota Store, also in Jamestown, which is a great place to shop. We enjoyed our 3-night stay during the midweek.
- Teresa T.Legend
Brewer Lake Rec Area
Very nice county campground
This is a well maintained well cared for well laid out county campground. A number of sites kind of exposed to the sun but hookups and bathrooms available. Tiny Lake for fishing and a beach for swimming. And good for North Dakota there's a large tree claim th at helps keep the wind off of you. I barely have Verizon service so if I was going to try to work I would probably have to use my satellite system but other than that it's adorable I wish it had more hiking.
Jo OutdoorsRangerFaust Park
Primitive camping at Faust Park, Barnes County, N.D.
This park is maintained and managed by the Barnes County Wildlife Club and North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Camping is free and allowed for a maximum of 10 consecutive days. There is plenty of open lawn within this park area which can definitely fit multiple tents and the parking lot/gravel driveway can accommodate travel trailers/RVs/Vans.
It is a well-maintained, simple, camping area offering a picnic table, fire ring/pit, built-in charcoal grill, waste receptacles and a vault toilet. (As of early October the county was able to erect a picnic shelter) There is also some informative signage covering the local history, and that of the the river and land. (Not as far back in time as it should though.)
The Sheyenne River runs along one side of this camp area - There is a kayak/canoe in/out access area here and access points for fishing along with a bridge. If you are filtering H20 yourself, you have access to flowing river water for drinking!
Quite isolated and quiet here, people may periodically stop by to fish, drop in a kayak, run their dogs or stretch their legs. Overall it’s a secluded and peaceful area. There are train tracks that run along the river in close proximity; they usually don't "toot" more than a time or two as they pass the crossing. I can't say how many in a night.
There are plenty of areas to enjoy the sun, but also large, mature trees for plenty of shade as well. Pretty decent area to have access to camp at for FREE that feels like you're "beyond getting what you paid for!"
- Faust Park is also about 4 miles SW from the Mel Rieman Rec Area/Campgrounds (COE) which has a swimming area, playground, showers & bathroom facilities, drinking water, garbages, grills, and a bar/small grill/ice cream shop & water sports rentals on site. This is all very seasonal of course.
-Faust Park is located along a maintained gravel road, less than a ½ mile off of the River Road and about 6 miles outside of Valley City. There is a farmstead on the other side of the river/wooded area, otherwise no other nearby neighbors. It is also 6 or so miles up off of I-94 if folks approach it from that direction.
- Samantha B.
ScoutEggerts Landing
Great place to camp
This Army Corp campground is out favorite, there are three other Army Corp campgrounds around Lake Ashtabula but this one is the best. Spots are secluded and shaded. Beautiful beach for swimming and a nice playground to keep the kids entertained. Spots are gravel so there is no mud to deal with. They also have a great fishing pier. Only negative thing I can say is the rules are not enforced when it comes to pets on leashes, while I walking my pup, (on a leash) we had dogs run at us from two different camp sites. One was right in front of the host and nothing was said to the dog owner. It was frustrating because the rest of our stay I didn't dare walk my pup, she needed to stay at camp on her lead. This is a common problem at campgrounds I have found.
- TTinaGuide
Jamestown Campground
Really Nice
This was a really nice campground. It was right off the highway, but the noise wasn't too bad. It is down a dirt road about a mile long, but that wasn't a problem. Our site was easy to get into and there was a bit of space in between the sites. The sites are positioned such that your door opens to your neighbor's door, but this is better than having your picnic table next to your neighbor's sewer hose. They had a big grass field for walking dogs, which was great. Wifi was really fast. Owners were super nice. I'd definitely stay here again if in the area.
Guide to Fort Ransom
Fort Ransom State Park sits in the Sheyenne River Valley with an elevation range of 1,100 to 1,300 feet, creating a distinct forested landscape in North Dakota's prairie region. The park connects to the North Country National Scenic Trail system, offering hikers extended route options. Winter temperatures regularly drop below 0°F while summer camping often sees 80-90°F days with moderate humidity.
What to do
Hiking and trail exploration: The North Country Trail passes through Fort Ransom State Park Campground and connects to numerous local paths. "This is a year round multi-use state park along the forest-lined Sheyenne River and near the Sheyenne National Grasslands. There are miles of trails through all kinds of habititats from forest to prairie to riparian shores and the water trail," notes one visitor.
Seasonal activities: Winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing on designated trails. "In winter there is great cross country skiing and snowshoeing and summer of course has camping, canoeing, hiking, and nature watching," states a camper who visited Fort Ransom State Park.
Historical exploration: Explore pioneer history at Little Yellowstone County Park with its interpretive displays. "This park had a surprising amount of space and amenities for a county park. It is on the Shyanne River National Scenic Byway," mentions a visitor who appreciated the historical context.
Water recreation: Canoe or kayak rental is available directly from Fort Ransom State Park. "We really wished we had rented a canoe or kayak (from the park) but it was a holiday weekend so they were all gone by the time we sauntered out of the tent near noon," reports one camper who recommends securing rentals early.
What campers like
Privacy in primitive areas: Clausen Springs Park Campground offers secluded sites away from crowds. "We stayed at site 41a which was up on a hill with nice views of the water and land in the distance and a very large site," shares one visitor who found an ideal private location.
Family-friendly activities: The area campgrounds provide structured seasonal events. "Sodbuster Days, Halloween in June and Christmas in July is a must. Also the historical building in the area is a cool thing to see!" notes a Fort Ransom visitor who enjoyed the themed celebrations.
Tent camping options: Multiple campgrounds offer walk-in tent sites with water access. "The tent area did not have its own water source though, so you do have to walk across the river bridge to the main campground to get water," mentions a camper describing Fort Ransom's tent area setup.
Budget-friendly options: Many area campgrounds maintain affordable rates. "Only $15 for a tent site. Hot showers too," reports a visitor to Clausen Springs, highlighting the value for overnight stays.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Prepare for temperature extremes and sudden changes. "Only downside was that you got to feel the ND winds (10-30mph+) all the time," notes a camper who stayed at an exposed site in Fort Ransom State Park.
Campsite selection strategy: Sheyenne National Grassland offers dispersed camping but requires planning. "I am doing the dispersed camping right in the oak valley next to the 1212," shares a visitor who found an ideal spot among the oak trees.
Reservation timing: Fort Ransom State Park fills quickly during holiday weekends and special events. "We arrived around midnight and we decided to camp in our cars in the parking lots since it was so dark, some of the sites were hard to see," notes a camper who arrived late at Clausen Springs.
Insect preparation: Bring insect repellent during summer months. "LOTS OF BUGS! Bugs went away a little after twilight but it was bad!" warns a camper who visited Clausen Springs during warmer weather.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Moon Lake offers swimming areas and wildlife viewing opportunities. "Spending the night here was very calming and serene. I parked right next to the lake and watched the ducks," describes a visitor who enjoyed the peaceful setting with wildlife.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play structures for children. "My kids spent hours playing in the creek. Lots to explore," shares a Clausen Springs visitor whose children found natural play areas.
Educational opportunities: Fort Ransom State Park offers nature programs specifically designed for children. "The camp staff were especially great with lots of stories to entertain the preschooler and grandma!" notes a visitor who appreciated the staff's child-friendly approach.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning provides the best wildlife spotting opportunities. "We saw an incredible amount of wildlife in our one day stay," reports a spring visitor to Fort Ransom who arrived early in the season.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Sandager Park accommodates bigger RVs with dedicated utility hookups. "Parked in a shaded spot. Very quiet and well kept," notes a visitor who found comfortable RV accommodations.
Electric hookup availability: Fort Ransom State Park offers electric hookups but limited sewer connections. "No water or sewer hookups," confirms a camper who needed to plan accordingly for utility limitations.
Parking considerations: Some campground roads have navigation challenges for larger vehicles. "Took our 40' through the 1212 trail and was quite concerned I had gotten a little bold with following an unknown gps destination. It worked out but was very close," warns an RV owner who navigated Sheyenne National Grassland.
Seasonal closures: Many pet friendly camping options near Fort Ransom, North Dakota have limited operating seasons. "We came in on a Sunday night and loads of spots were available," notes a camper who visited during the shoulder season when crowds were lighter.
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