Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Grassy Butte, ND

Grassy Butte Community Park accepts pets at all campsites with electric hookups, picnic tables, and drinking water available for campers and their dogs. Summit Campground near Grassy Butte permits pets throughout its grounds with fire rings and picnic tables at each site, though no water hookups are available. Both campgrounds accommodate tent and RV camping with pets, making them convenient options for travelers with dogs exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Juniper Campground in the park's North Unit and Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit both welcome pets on leashes no longer than 6 feet, with bison frequently wandering through the camping areas. Campers report buffalo walking within 10 yards of tents, requiring vigilant pet management.

The Maah Daah Hey Trail accessible from CCC Campground provides extensive hiking opportunities for campers with dogs, offering panoramic views of the North Dakota Badlands. Medora Campground features a dog park directly on site, allowing pets to exercise off-leash after exploring the nearby trails. Campers should prepare for wildlife encounters, as bison, elk, deer, and snakes are commonly spotted throughout the area's campgrounds. Veterinary services are available in Watford City, 17 miles north of Juniper Campground. During summer months, the red dirt at many campgrounds can become dusty, potentially irritating to pets, while limited shade at Cottonwood's walk-in sites means pets need extra water and cooling options during hot weather.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Grassy Butte, North Dakota (38)

    1. Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    32 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    14 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."

    "We showed our Access Passes to get into the park and then proceeded to mile marker 5, where the CG is located."

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

    17 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    14 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."

    "Deer and prairie dogs."

    3. Magpie Campground

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

    $6 / night

    "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."

    "They said they had good trails, but we didn’t have much time to explore. Beautiful views and very peaceful. Only downfall was the long drive on the rough/ unpaved roads."

    4. Summit Campground

    5 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 225-5151

    "Right on the highway so loud traffic all night. 1 pit toilet, 4 sites with picnic tables. Easy walk to a great view of the badlands."

    "One spot that is a loop turn around. I have a 2500 crew cab and 21' trailer parked without a problem. Could accommodate a little bigger trailer.

    There is steady road noise from I-85."

    5. Grassy Butte Community Park

    2 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    0 miles
    +1 (701) 863-6906

    "We explored the area - close to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit and National Grasslands. Lots of trees for shade."

    6. Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    71 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 623-4466

    $20 - $60 / night

    "Elk, deer, wild horses were common as well as hawks and prairie dogs.  "

    "I visited this campground for 1 night while driving across North Dakota. It's super easy to access from I-94, but you feel like you're a million miles away from the interstate."

    7. Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    55 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 227-7800

    "It was easy to come from Medora, North Dakota to the site, but it appears that you only get an entrance and exit on the Medora side."

    "It’s a little bumpy so take it slowly, but I had no problem and I drive a 2WD hatchback.

    A quick word of warning: rattlesnakes could be in the bushes!"

    8. Juniper Campground Group Site — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    1 Review
    Grassy Butte, ND
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 842-2333

    $60 / night

    "Really beautiful site here with lots of easy and moderate trails to explore with lovely sunrise/sunset and wildlife! Similar feel to Badlands with some fewer crowds."

    9. Medora Campground

    44 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 623-4435

    $30 - $60 / night

    "Convenient location for exploring Medora. It has a city pool right on site that is heated, a dog park beautiful grounds with huge trees."

    "Our site was a pull in from one road, and the neighbors sites was a pull in from the parallel road, leaving us to share space - literally two picnic tables next to one another."

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

    30 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    37 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."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Grassy Butte, ND

380 Reviews of 38 Grassy Butte Campgrounds


  • James W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    Spectacular

    This is one of my favorite campsites to date. It’s totally dispersed camping, and there’s a lot of dirt road dust, however our site was super quiet and dark for beautiful stargazing. The other five star reviews are in my opinion legitimate. It was easy to come from Medora, North Dakota to the site, but it appears that you only get an entrance and exit on the Medora side. We almost went here for a second night, but got a first come first serve site inside the park for the next night.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Medora Campground

    Medora the Beautiful

    This is our first time staying at a public campground, so I was thinking, maybe it wouldn’t be that great… This place has everything you need and more! Convenient location for exploring Medora. It has a city pool right on site that is heated, a dog park beautiful grounds with huge trees. Great playground, It has a little store connected to the office that has little goodies that you might need for your stay. While in Medora, you must get a caramel roll from Country Cafe (I think that’s the name, cash only and right behind the Badlands motel) best caramel roll I have ever had in my life!

  • 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.

  • Jackie F.
    Aug. 11, 2022

    Medora Campground

    Best Choice for the Area

    Tried to stay inside TRNP next door but learned quickly there weren’t any hookups. This place had some harsh reviews on Campendium app however we found it delightful. The biggest woe here is that the sites are extremely tight. Our site was a pull in from one road, and the neighbors sites was a pull in from the parallel road, leaving us to share space - literally two picnic tables next to one another. Other than that though, gorgeous scenery well maintained sidewalks that you can hike or bike right into town. A public dog park at the end of the street. And our section was brand new. The electric poles were new. The sewer hookup at our site seemed a bit big but we have an adapter. Overall would highly recommend if in Medora!

  • D
    May. 23, 2021

    Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Where the buffalo roam

    Camped late April for 5 days, so it was offseason one pit toilet open one water spigot open in the campground.  There are two loops, the south look which is tenting and smaller sized trailer sites but it was not yet open while we were there,  The North Loop is mainly pull through sites and can handle larger sized RV's.  This is dry camping, there are no hookups.  You can experience some nice hiking and opportunities for wildlife viewing.  Buffalo were common visitors while having coffee in the morning.   Elk, deer, wild horses were common as well as hawks and prairie dogs.  Currently Western North Dakota is experiencing a drought, and being early in the season for the campground, it was dry and dusty but did not prevent us from hiking and exploring the park.  There is a convenience store in Medora ND right outside the park entrance that you can purchase basics but there was no grocery store.  Part of the scenic loop drive is closed due to road erosion but you can still travel most of it though its an out and back with turnarounds for larger vehicles. We would defiantly camp there again, but if you need the luxuries of an RV "park", you will not find that here.  The campground is well maintained and clean.

  • Stephanie Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2016

    Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Nice NP Campground Convenient to I-94

    I visited this campground for 1 night while driving across North Dakota. It's super easy to access from I-94, but you feel like you're a million miles away from the interstate. Arriving at the Teddy Roosevelt NP main entrance late in the day, the booth was closed and the "Campground Full" sign was up. I decided to check for myself and I'm glad I did. They sometimes put the campground full site up when the ranger leaves for the night- always check for yourself.

    The campsites were basic- picnic table, fire ring, and close proximity to some basic bathrooms. My site was grassy and easy for a tent. The campground didn't allow hammocks or anything attached to trees. The rangers were very friendly and actively patroling the campground. There were NP events at the campground each night.

    The cost for a site was $16 (and 20$ to enter the park if you don't have a pass). You cannot get change from the ranger and you cannot use a credit card to register. The closest place to get change, firewood, gas, etc. is Medora which is about 7 miles away. The convenience store there has anything you might want.

    There are lots of great hikes accessible in the park, but the park is not crowded like other National Parks, so be sure to get a trail map and directions for hiking as all trails are not well marked.

  • Bradley H.
    Jul. 31, 2020

    Camp On The Heart

    Nice park for a short stay

    $30.00 a night gets you full hook up and a nice place to park your rig. Nomad campers have a separate section apart from the long term campers. Short term have the best view of Heart River. My only complaint would be the very rough gravel entrance road. Just go slow and all will be fine!

    Medora, North Dakota, 40 minutes west, is Home to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Medora Musical Theatre. I highly recommend both and the Musical will renew your passion for our great country!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • 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.

  • SwitchbackKids
    Jul. 27, 2017

    Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Quaint, quiet, scenic campground oasis in the prairies of North Dakota

    Cottonwood Campground was a very welcome oasis in the prairies of North Dakota. Along our year-long trip, we slept in a lot of campgrounds, but Cottonwood stands out as just what we needed at the time: quiet, spacious, and beautiful sites, nestled right up along the Missouri river, perfect for taking a dip at the end of a long day of hiking.

    We spent four days at Theodore Roosevelt National Park: two in the south unit and two in the north unit. (We also loved Juniper Campground in the north!)

    Cottonwood Campground was a great place to crash for two nights. It was cheap, comfortable, and quiet. It allowed great access to the heart of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We even ran into a Teddy impersonator at the Visitor Center!

    In the south, near Cottonwood Campground, we loved the beautiful scenic drive, the views from Buck Hill, Wind Canyon Overlook, and the Petrified Forest (a bit of a drive around the park).

    You can read much more about our four days in the park on our blog: Switchback Kids (Theodore Roosevelt)


Guide to Grassy Butte

If you're looking for a pet-friendly camping experience near Grassy Butte, North Dakota, there are several great options that welcome your furry companions while offering beautiful scenery and outdoor activities.

Dog owners appreciate spacious sites and natural beauty

Tips for camping with dogs near Grassy Butte

  • Always keep your dog on a leash at Little Missouri State Park Campground to ensure their safety around wildlife and other campers.
  • Bring plenty of water and snacks for your pet, as facilities like Watford City Tourist Park may not have potable water available for dogs.
  • Make sure to clean up after your pet to maintain the natural beauty of places like Killdeer City Park, where responsible pet ownership is appreciated by fellow campers.

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Grassy Butte

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Grassy Butte, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Grassy Butte, ND is Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Grassy Butte, ND?

TheDyrt.com has all 38 dog-friendly camping locations near Grassy Butte, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.