Tent campsites near Hazen, North Dakota span across Morton, McLean and Oliver counties. The region sits within the Missouri Plateau with elevations ranging from 1,700 to 2,000 feet and features gently rolling prairie landscapes interspersed with occasional wooded areas along waterways. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, with spring and fall experiencing considerable temperature fluctuations that can challenge unprepared campers.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Brekken, campers can access the lake for northern pike fishing with a small boat launch area. Similar fishing can be found at Rice Lake County Park where, according to camper Sherry P., "The lake is small just northern pike. There are some homes around the lake."
Hiking trails: BLM Schnell Recreation Area offers maintained walking paths through native prairie. Teresa T. notes, "Small maintained trails and really pretty. It is a wet year and everything is very green... The trails are well marked and easy to follow."
Morning runs: Several campgrounds provide suitable terrain for morning exercise. Kate H. at Sweet Briar Lake Campsites mentioned, "Safe for the dog to run around, nice paths to go for my own run in the morning."
Wildlife observation: The region offers opportunities to view native prairie wildlife, though visitors should be prepared for insects. As Moonyen S. warns about Schnell Recreation Area, "There were a lot of TICKS! But I found the few that were on me before they latched."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many tent campers appreciate the spacing between campsites in the area. At Schnell Recreation Area, Teresa T. commented, "Only a handful of spots but they are nicely separated with some privacy."
Quiet atmosphere: The region offers peaceful camping environments away from urban noise. Kate H. described her experience at Sweet Briar Lake Campsites: "This was a nice surprise right off 94! It was dark so I just drove down a few roads before I found a whole unoccupied area with a picnic table, fire pit, lovely shade and totally quiet and dark (a bit of freeway noise from 94 not far away was all)."
Accessibility from interstate: Several campgrounds offer convenient stopping points for travelers. Kate H. noted Sweet Briar Lake Campsites is "a gem if you're looking for a sweet place to stop on a road trip in this area."
Self-selection of sites: Campers appreciate the flexibility at some campgrounds. As noted by Saleana S., some areas offer "Free camping. Pick your own spot, whatever is open."
What you should know
Maintenance varies significantly: Campground conditions can differ dramatically, even within the same property over time. At Schnell Recreation Area, Tod W. observed, "Ten years ago the campground was clean, weed free, well maintained and now it is an embarrassment of what it once was... Walk to Slater pond and work your way through the unkept, weed infested trail of Canada Thistle and Leafy Spurge."
Weather preparedness: The region experiences unpredictable weather patterns including severe storms. Bill P. reported about his stay at Schnell Recreation Area: "Lovely place to stay, clean with trash cans and vault toilets. Unfortunately we had 5 hail storms that night."
Insect protection: Ticks are prevalent in spring and summer months. Moonyen S. cautioned about Schnell Recreation Area: "My friend had at least twenty on her; luckily, they didn't latch to her either. Because it was early spring, it looked pretty 'dead.' I could see how pretty it would be later in the year."
Limited facilities: Most tent campsites offer minimal amenities. Sherry P. noted about Rice Lake County Park: "There is few campsites that are free. No water or electric hookups. For a weekend getaway close to Minot this may be the spot."
Tips for camping with families
Look for shaded areas: When camping with children, prioritize sites with natural shade. Kate H. found at Sweet Briar Lake Campsites "a picnic table, fire pit, lovely shade and totally quiet."
Choose campgrounds with defined boundaries: For families with young children or pets, select areas where movement can be contained. Kate H. mentioned Sweet Briar Lake was "Safe for the dog to run around, nice paths to go for my own run in the morning."
Consider proximity to facilities: Some campgrounds like Sanger Campground offer electric hookups and toilet facilities, which can make family camping more comfortable.
Prepare for limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the region have spotty or nonexistent cellular coverage, requiring advance planning for emergency communication.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Most campgrounds near Hazen offer primitive camping with few or no hookups. Morning Star Campground in Riverdale provides electric hookups but lacks water and sewer connections.
Site selection considerations: RVers should scout locations carefully for level ground. When visiting tent campsites near Hazen, North Dakota that also accommodate RVs, arrive early to secure the most suitable spots.
Weather monitoring: RVers should track weather forecasts vigilantly. As Bill P. experienced at Schnell Recreation Area: "Lovely place to stay, clean with trash cans and vault toilets. Unfortunately we had 5 hail storms that night."
Advance planning required: RVers should prepare for self-sufficiency as amenities are limited across most campgrounds in the region.
