Grafton, North Dakota sits at 825 feet above sea level in the fertile Red River Valley. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F, making it ideal for camping from May through September. Winter camping isn't common as temperatures often drop below freezing with significant snowfall.
What to do
Hiking trails near Pembina Gorge: Located within driving distance of Grafton, the trails offer varying difficulty levels through diverse terrain. "This would be an interesting park for birders, and as some other reviewers have said it is like an oasis in the prairie, a forested enclave," notes Janet R. about Turtle River State Park Campground.
Water activities on Lake Bronson: About an hour from Grafton, the lake provides opportunities for boating, swimming and fishing. "The beach was nearby as was the boat rentals. The bathrooms and showers were clean and maintained daily. The bathroom and shower house at the beach was exceptionally well maintained," says Scott G. about Lake Bronson State Park Campground.
Explore historical sites: Many campgrounds feature preserved historical structures. "This was a really cool park to go to, there's a couple historical building for those interested in history and mills. Many trails to walk on and there's a beach area for those who like to swim," writes Rudy W. about Old Mill State Park Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "The restrooms and showers were genuinely clean— no bugs, no bad smells, and consistently hot water... unless someone next to you opens a faucet. Pro tip: the family shower room has reliably hot water at all times," reports Denis P. about Icelandic State Park Campground.
Spacious sites: Most campgrounds offer ample room between sites. "Nice sites large and level. Some good lake views," notes Dave H. about Lake Bronson State Park. This makes for comfortable camping experiences even when parks are busy.
City conveniences: Some campgrounds provide urban accessibility without sacrificing camping atmosphere. "If you did not want to cook, there are 4 restaurants within 3 blocks of your campsite. And a Cabelas within 4 blocks, so if you forget anything, it's close," explains Scott G. about Red River State Recreation Area.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds open May through October with limited winter accessibility. "I'm always looking for a campsite late in the afternoon. And this one turned out to be perfect. Because it's October, the place is almost empty," shares David T. about Red River State Recreation Area.
Utility hookups vary: RV campers should research hookup specifications before arrival. "Good: green, lots of trees, big dog park, adjacent city park and trail, cute town. Bad: hook-ups are awful—they are behind your RV spot, shared with the RV behind you; shared power pedestals so only one gets 50amp, whoever gets there first," warns Bella S. about Leistikow City Park.
Wildlife awareness: Keep food secured and pets leashed to avoid wildlife encounters. "The park is beautiful and large, and the canoe-in site is spacious and very pleasant. There's some noise from speedboats and fishing boats during the day, but you get the lake to yourself once the sun sets and everyone else goes home," reports Ian Y. about Lake Bronson.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds available: Many parks offer child-friendly recreation areas. "Nice, quiet, paved trail, and always see deer up close there!" says Brittany about Lake Bronson State Park Campground. Many sites include swing sets or more elaborate playground equipment.
Swimming options: Several parks feature designated swimming areas with clean beaches. "Very beautiful park for a day trip or weekend camping. The trails aren't exhaustingly long but are very dynamic and have an abundance of wildlife," notes Samantha about Old Mill State Park Campground.
Nature programs: Scheduled ranger activities provide educational opportunities. "We have stayed here twice and will definitely go back again. They have different kids activities worth the Park Rangers and some theme weekends," explains Stacy B. about Icelandic State Park.
Tips from RVers
Level your rig: Some sites require additional equipment for stabilization. "Some sites are very uneven so check closely before reserving all in all nice," advises Rob P. about Icelandic State Park Campground.
Extended stays available: Workers often use certain campgrounds for longer periods. "I saw this from the freeway and thought I would stop and look. It's a sizable campground for people who work on the sugar beet in the fall but available the rest of the year," observes Teresa T. about Drayton Campground.
Pet friendly considerations: Many campgrounds welcome pets with designated areas for exercise. "Kinda cool that there's a campground just plopped in the middle of a city park. Nice that it's a quick walk to playground, trails (and the pumpkin patch/corn maze in the fall!)" mentions Ashley I. about Leistikow City Park, which offers pet-friendly camping near Grafton, North Dakota.
