Best Tent Camping near Hillsboro, ND

Tent camping options near Hillsboro, North Dakota include several established sites within reasonable driving distance. Arthur Park in Arthur offers tent camping in a well-maintained town park setting with bathroom facilities and drinking water. Backcountry Campsite provides a more primitive experience with walk-in and hike-in access, located approximately 35 miles west of Hillsboro. Both locations permit tent setups, though amenities vary considerably between the maintained town park and more remote backcountry option.

Most tent sites in the region feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Arthur Park provides drinking water, toilets, and trash service in a sheltered grassy area suitable for tent setup. Fire rings are available at some locations, but not formalized fire pits at all sites. The Backcountry Campsite includes picnic tables and primitive toilet facilities with toilet paper sometimes available, but lacks drinking water sources. Campers should pack in their own water supplies, especially at the more remote locations. Sites generally have minimal development and preparation, with natural surfaces prevailing.

Walk-in tent sites at Arthur Park and the Backcountry Campsite offer separation from vehicle traffic and generally quieter camping experiences. The region's terrain provides varying levels of shade and protection from wind, with Arthur Park featuring established trees that create pleasant camping areas. Local lakes and rivers offer recreational opportunities, with some sites positioned to access water features. At Backcountry Campsite, tent campers can experience more solitude and connection with nature. A visitor noted, "My kids and I enjoyed this site on our hike along the NCT on Lake Ashtabula. The primitive toilet even had a mailbox with toilet paper!" For Arthur Park, reviews mention it works well for overnight stays, group camping events, or as a base camp for cyclists using the nearby North Cass Pass Bike Trail.

Best Tent Sites Near Hillsboro, North Dakota (7)

    1. Arthur Park

    1 Review
    Casselton, ND
    22 miles
    +1 (701) 967-8327

    "There are bathrooms available, and a lovely sheltered  grassy spot to set up tents, and a place to grill and get water  at the picnic shelter, but in terms of other camping amenities there really arent"

    2. Old Crossing Treaty Park

    4 Reviews
    Fertile, MN
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 253-2684

    "Sites had picnic tables and a place for a fire, although it wasn’t an actual fire ring. Trees by the sites are not well spaced for hammocks unless you have extra long straps."

    "We we where there during the mudweek in July there was only one orher person there so it was quiet, but there was evidence of weekend campers who didn’t practice “Leave no Trace” camping."

    3. Polk County Park

    2 Reviews
    Fertile, MN
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 574-2254

    "An affordable way to enjoy Maple Lake near Mentor, Minnesota. The park is located on the West side of Maple Lake. A nice sandy swimming beach is nice for the kids for lakeside playing and swimming."

    4. Backcountry Campsite

    1 Review
    John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake, ND
    44 miles
    +1 (701) 845-2970

    "My kids and I enjoyed this site on our hike along the NCT on Lake Ashtabula. The primitive toilet even had a mailbox with toilet paper!"

    5. Central Park Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Fertile, MN
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 281-1242

    $20 - $40 / night

    6. Mentor City Park

    1 Review
    Fertile, MN
    48 miles
    +1 (218) 637-2911
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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hillsboro, ND

3 Photos of 7 Hillsboro Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Hillsboro, ND

147 Reviews of 7 Hillsboro Campgrounds


  • T
    Jun. 30, 2021

    Old Crossing Treaty Park

    Great for an Overnight

    Stayed here one night while on a work trip, trying to maximize summer fun. For a free campground, it was fantastic. Sites had picnic tables and a place for a fire, although it wasn’t an actual fire ring. Trees by the sites are not well spaced for hammocks unless you have extra long straps. There is a boat launch to put into the Red Lake River, and the water was calm enough you could have had a leisurely paddle in a kayak either direction. Perhaps it is not normally that low/slow since I visited during a particularly dry spell. There was a drinking water pump, but I did not use it. Two vault toilets with a good stock of toilet paper, bring your own hand sanitizer. No electricity and cell service (AT&T) was available but very slow. The sunset was beautiful coming through the large trees in the park, and it was very quiet overnight.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 27, 2017

    Old Crossing Treaty Park

    Old Crossing Park

    I would agree with the previous poster, as a campsite this is no great shake. We we where there during the mudweek in July there was only one orher person there so it was quiet, but there was evidence of weekend campers who didn’t practice “Leave no Trace” camping. We bisited this park for historic reasons, due to the important regional treaty signed here and as it was a crossing point on the historic trade route to old Fort Pembina. There is a nice memorial to the treaty event, and it is a nice stopping point if you are following the route of the Pembina Trail. I wouldnt suggest it as a camping destination it snd of itself, but it is ok for camping as as stopover, or it would be good if you planned a couple day trips paddling on the river. It wiuld also be good as a spot for a group canping event, like a family reunion of scouting event, however I dont think you can reserve ahead of time and summertime likely has a lot of day use picnicers on weekends.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2022

    Eggerts 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.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2024

    Red River State Recreation Area

    City camping at ita best

    Not going to say anything that everybody else hasn't said in the reviews but I thought it was charming there's space between the campers and well there's no privacy there tends not to be in city campgrounds. Also it's right on the River trails so if you're a biker it's fun to do the loop that goes from both the North Dakota and the Minnesota side. The bike trails also connect you to the larger city and there's several other very charming parks and downtown neighborhoods or downtown houses to see. The walk-in sites near the river are quite nice I wouldn't come here if you wanted to be in a quiet state park but that's not the intent of the park and it's a good use of the green space. I'm fully self-contained so I didn't use the bathrooms I've heard their little bit older but there's water there's sewer there's electric sites their sites with electric only and then their sites for just camping also group sites.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2021

    Turtle River State Park Campground

    Unique spot

    Campground was set up a little funny but not hard to locate site once driving around about 3 minutes. Pretty wooded area in hell hole North Dakota. Will never be back here but did enjoy my stay at the hidden gem in a very very boring state.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2023

    Buffalo River State Park Campground

    Everything you need

    Good state park campground with everything you need. You can make your reservations online once you get there, and it’s nice because there’s no online transaction fee. But watch out that you pay the $7 daily state park entry fee as well as the camping fee, because otherwise you'll get a friendly visit from a ranger! 

     There are two loops, one slightly larger one with 50 and 30 amp power (no water or sewer) for $34, and one smaller one with no power for $24. We stayed in a power site because we couldn’t handle the heat anymore, otherwise the smaller one looked a little nicer and quieter and we would have stayed there. 

    Showers were nice and clean and free. Bathrooms were nice. 

    Very nice walking trails all around the campground and throughout the park as a whole. Trash dumpsters here as well as an assortment of segregated recycle bins. Good cell reception with Verizon and ATT. Firewood available at office for $8 and ice for $3. 

    Group camp is off from the main campground a ways, but connected via a little walking trail. There is a dump station and potable water fill at the campground exit. 

    No drinking allowed at any Minnesota State Park campground!

  • Jo Outdoors The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2021

    Eggerts Landing

    Has Not Failed to Please

    Love all of the large, mature trees and amount of wooded areas throughout. The campsites are all relatively private with a secluded feeling, some more than others of course. There is a good amount of brush and trees separating sites. We enjoy that you have access to sites that are right along the lake side, and the trail system that weaves throughout and around the campground is great. The swimming area is nice for kids or adults to enjoy, also a nice area to get some sun if you want, the campsites are fairly shaded (in an optimal way!)

    I will agree with everyone who mentions the clean restrooms/showers, everything has been in good condition during all of my stays.

    Until this weekend I had never had to seek out Campground hosts for anything, and when we did they were very accessible for assistance or answering questions. Our site which was right on the water (#37)  had a nice little access clearing for kayaking, we brought a few insect repellants to keep mosquitos at bay, but they really weren't bad. 

    Quite a large, walk-in site with parking nearby, and this campground's setup seems to prevent other campers from shortcutting through your site. Clean campsites (leave it better than you found it) and clean restrooms. A lot of sites are quite dark, later in the evening which we personally don't mind and just keep light sources handy. 

    When we've stayed at sites with hookups, they've been spacious and easy enough to set up your camper within, no issues so far. We still have plenty of outdoor living area and room for two vehicles as well.

    A pretty peaceful campground, even when most of the sites are filled.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 13, 2020

    Mentor City Park

    Small town campground near Hwy 2

    This is another typical small town campground located within a city park. The park has large shade trees, playground and picnic shelter, and shares ball fields with the adjacent school. It is clearly a nice outdoor community gathering space that also has an area where camping is allowed. The “campground” includes a horseshoe drive along which a few RV’s could park, but there are no hookups. There is an adjacent grassy tenting area that is very nice for tents, but be advised that the only “facilities” are a portapotty, albeit a clean and new one! This is of course would be a good place for a scout group overnight or a family reunion campout, but is not a vacation destination campground. If you are on a roadtrip travelling somewhere on Hwy 2 this would be a safe, clean, quiet spot to stop overnight, being convenient to highway access but far enough away not to hear road noise all night. The leafy setting is peaceful too, and you can get gas and supplies in town

  • Stephanie  W.
    Sep. 13, 2016

    Buffalo River State Park Campground

    Alright place to stay outside of city

    Very quiet not sure people allow real camping there. Paid way too much for just 8hrs. No alcohol allowed big downfall for campers. Wouldn't stay again.


Guide to Hillsboro

Tent camping near Hillsboro, North Dakota, offers a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature and the great outdoors. With well-maintained parks and unique amenities, campers can find the perfect spot to set up their tents.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $20

  • Enjoy a free stay at the Backcountry Campsite, where you can immerse yourself in nature without any fees.
  • The Old Crossing Treaty Park offers a budget-friendly experience, making it a great choice for those looking to camp without breaking the bank.
  • For a small fee, you can reserve a spot at Arthur Park, which features a lovely city park atmosphere.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Tent campers should check out Arthur Park

  • Arthur Park features a beautiful community orchard, perfect for a relaxing stroll among various fruits and plants.
  • The park includes a picnic shelter and grilling area, making it a great spot for family gatherings or scout troop outings.
  • With nearby playgrounds and ballfields, Arthur Park is an excellent choice for families looking to combine camping with recreational activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hillsboro, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hillsboro, ND is Arthur Park with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Hillsboro, ND?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Hillsboro, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.