Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Keene, ND

Juniper Campground in Theodore Roosevelt National Park maintains pet-friendly sites with accessible walking paths ideal for dog exercise. Pets must remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet throughout the campground area, with owners responsible for proper waste disposal. CCC Campground in Dakota Prairie National Grasslands provides another pet-friendly option with direct access to the Maah Daah Hey trail system where dogs can explore alongside their owners. The campground layout features spacious sites allowing adequate room for pets, with well-maintained pit toilets and potable water from a hand pump. Little Missouri State Park's bathrooms and grounds remain immaculately clean for both human and animal guests. Most campgrounds in the area permit both tent and RV camping with pets.

The Maah Daah Hey trail system accessible from CCC Campground offers extensive hiking opportunities for dogs and their owners, with multiple interconnected routes traversing the North Dakota badlands. Wildlife encounters necessitate keeping pets leashed and under control at all times, as coyotes can be heard howling in the distance at night. Summer temperatures frequently reach the high 90s, requiring ample water supplies for pets and ideally morning or evening exercise times. Most campgrounds near Keene lack dedicated dog parks but compensate with open spaces for controlled exercise. Little Missouri State Park combines equestrian facilities with hiking trails suitable for dogs, though the surrounding oil field activity creates some ambient light and noise. The nearest veterinary services require significant travel, so carrying a pet first aid kit is advisable when camping in this remote region.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Keene, North Dakota (21)

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Keene, ND

125 Reviews of 21 Keene Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Amurican L.
    Aug. 29, 2020

    Lewis & Clark State Park — Lewis And Clark State Park

    Rangers! Park Rangers Everywhere !

    Lewis and Clark didn’t seem like much, but as soon as we got settled in the Park rangers checked on us. They did patrols all the time around and were super friendly! We had one storm while we were there and they gave us the emergency plan as fast as they could. Most campgrounds could care less, they assume you know the deal. I commend the staff at this place, it’s what true North Dakota’s do for each other.

    We also had plenty of space in our campsites and the area is super clean. The trails and the beach were quite exciting as the nights that were clear had the Aurora borealis in the background. So beautiful.

  • Matt S.
    Sep. 4, 2016

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Now I know why Teddy Roosevelt loved North Dakota! Check out Juniper to camp!

    I have already posted my review for the Theodore Roosevelt South campground - Cottonwood. I won't repeat myself too much. Believe it or not, but I would put the North unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park even ahead of Yosemite.

    The trees and the canopy in the Juniper campground is really cool. 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. Never have I been so close to so many animals in the wild. I saw a lot of wildlife in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, but not as much as I did here.

    I never thought I would ever want to visit North Dakota. Honestly, I cant wait to go back. This place will blow your expectations, especially if you take an adventure on a hike or two. In the North unit, I highly suggest stopping at the River Bend Overlook and hiking down to the CCC shelter for some amazing views. Then drive to the end of the road and take a quick hike to Sperati Point.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2023

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Great Experience

    The National Park North Unit and Campground(CG) is easy to find off US-85. We showed our Access Passes to get into the park and then proceeded to mile marker 5, where the CG is located. We pulled up to the information and sign-in board for this first come, first serve CG at about 11:30 AM Mountain Time(interesting that when we got to the north unit area, our phones went back to central time, and after a quick Google search, we found out that the north unit runs on central time). A gentleman let us know that he had just pulled in and grabbed a campsite near the entrance/exit and that we’d probably only fit in site 8(this CG is all dry camping) as the perimeter campsites, both back-ins and pull-throughs, were too short for us. The other longer sites were already taken. We proceeded to pull through site 8, which is a long, quarter moon-shaped asphalt site. We maneuvered around to stay away from tree branches and stay on the pad. The picnic table and stand-up barbecue were on the driver’s side, but since the sites are nicely spaced out, this was not a problem. We then filled out our registration envelope, placed $14 cash(Access Pass discount) in the folder, put the tab on our post, and deposited the envelope in the registration area. We could have also written a check or used a credit card to pay. We got on and off 1 bar on Verizon. We did have a good shot north for Starlink. They have a vaulted toilet and flush toilet building along with potable water at the dump station. There are about a half dozen sites for longer rigs, such as 32, 42, and 43, 49, with 5 being the best site. We had our two dogs with us, and there was plenty of room to walk them around the CG. There was plenty of bison poop in the CG, but we didn't see any during our two-night stay. Watford City is 17 miles north and has your major amenities. We enjoyed using this CG as a base to explore the North Unit.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2021

    4 Bears RV Park

    Never again

    We couldn’t find the check in place and no one knew where to check in. We get to check in and have to drive around to find the RV spaces. They were so close together. The sewer connection didn’t work. We had to back up so close to the next row, it was nerve racking. The casino is walking distance, but really really really inconvenient because the entrance is on the opposite side of the building. There are employees driving around in golf carts, but no shuttle to the store or the restaurant in the casino. The only saving Grace was the water park nearby.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Summit Campground

    Summit Campground

    Free camp spot with just a few sites and a vault toilet. Near the main road, so quite a bit of road noise and late arrivals/passersby. Okay cell service, but great with a booster. Hiking trail nearby to stretch the legs or exercise the dog.

  • Cable A.
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Fantastic campground

    Great experience at this campground. Toilets, water, trash/recycling. Park Rangers provide educational classes from Thursday-Sunday evenings. Stunning views and wildlife experiences. Not a good park for walking dogs.


Guide to Keene

Campgrounds near Keene, North Dakota offer rural badlands camping with limited cellular service and summer temperatures reaching triple digits. The area's dramatic elevation changes create stunning vistas but demand preparation for exposed sites with little shade. Several campgrounds provide direct access to trail systems while accommodating both tent and RV campers.

What to do

Wildlife viewing at sunrise/sunset: Theodore Roosevelt National Park's Juniper Campground provides excellent wildlife encounters. "Plenty of wildlife came through the camp. Sites are spread apart. Bathrooms are clean," notes Tammy P. Bison frequently travel through the campground area, creating memorable experiences.

Stargazing opportunities: Summit Campground offers clear night sky viewing despite highway proximity. "Nice forest service campground with pit toilets. No fee, fire pits, picnic tables, only two of us here on a Sat night in August," reports Bob D. The free sites make this an economical option for astronomy enthusiasts.

Trail access from campsites: CCC Campground connects directly to multiple trail systems. "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," explains Brittny A. The trailhead location makes it ideal for hikers seeking immediate trail access.

Fishing at nearby lakes: Kota Ray Dam offers productive fishing opportunities during certain seasons. "Perch are hot right now. Along with a few other species in this little lake. Fun place to go for the weekend far enough out of town to feel like a getaway," shares Kori P. The small lake size makes it manageable for casual fishing outings.

What campers like

Rustic accommodations with basic amenities: Summit Campground provides primitive camping with essential facilities. "There are plenty of spots available with even ground and fire pits. Be aware of current fire conditions posted on the NPS billboard at the bathrooms. No amenities but a great place to stay for a few days for free. 14 day limit on camping," explains Brett D.

Spacious sites with natural separation: Juniper Campground offers well-spaced camping areas. "We had a great spot in the juniper camp ground. There are no hookups here. Generators are allowed 60 decibels at 50 feet. Lots of wildlife came through the camp. Sites are spread apart," reports Tammy P. This spacing provides more privacy than many developed campgrounds.

Clean facilities despite remote locations: Little Missouri State Park maintains excellent amenities. "Bathrooms and pay showers were in great shape. Kids loved the horses that people brought to ride," notes Tyler C. The park balances rustic surroundings with well-maintained facilities.

Pet-friendly environments with space to explore: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Keene allow pets with appropriate restrictions. CCC Campground's connection to trail systems provides exercise opportunities for pets and owners alike, making it one of the most pet-accommodating campgrounds in the area.

What you should know

Limited water availability: Water access varies significantly between campgrounds. "The only water is a well that you have to pump yourself with a handle, so come with your black/grey tanks empty and water tank full," advises Holly E. about CCC Campground. Some sites have restricted drinking water due to mineral content.

Weather extremes require planning: Summer temperatures demand preparation for intense heat with minimal shade. "It gets windy. There's a site in the B loop that offers a good amount of protection from wind from most directions," advises Nicole C.

First-come reservation systems dominate: Many campgrounds operate without advance reservations. "The absolute anxiety of getting here and not knowing whether we'd be able to get a spot or not is off the charts," cautions Jennifer K. about Juniper Campground. Arriving early in the day increases success rates, especially during peak season.

Cell service variability: Coverage ranges from moderate to non-existent. "Okay cell service, but great with a booster," notes Meghan B. about Summit Campground. Bringing a signal booster improves connectivity at most locations.

Tips for camping with families

Ranger programs enhance experiences: Little Missouri State Park offers educational opportunities. "Our kids especially enjoyed the ranger presentation on prairie dogs," shares Lee L. These programs provide structured activities for children while teaching about local wildlife.

Swimming areas offer cooling options: Kota Ray Dam includes water recreation areas for families. "The swimming beach is pretty decent, the campsites aren't too terrible, the bathrooms are usually cleaned well and they have lots of picnic shelters. The fishing is good and it's a great little pond for kayaks and paddleboards," recommends Leah N.

Wildlife viewing from safe distances: Juniper Campground provides close wildlife encounters requiring supervision. "Bison will definitely stroll through your sites if you're over by the field like we were," warns Jillian C. Children must maintain safe distances from wild animals at all times.

Weather preparation essentials: Extreme temperature changes require appropriate clothing and supplies. "October can be cold! It got down below freezing in the first week of October," cautions Nicole C. Pack for both hot days and cold nights, especially during shoulder seasons.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup availability: Few campgrounds offer complete services. "This facility is for long term guests that are fully self contained," notes Wayne K. about White Buffalo RV Park. Most sites require self-sufficiency for shorter stays.

Road condition challenges: Access roads may require slow travel. "The road in (1 mile) is well maintained," reports Scott D. about CCC Campground, though many other locations feature less maintained routes requiring careful navigation.

Site leveling considerations: Mountrail County Parshall Bay Recreation Area provides various accommodation types but sites may not be level. "I wish some of them were just a bit more level," mentions Leah N. about nearby Kota Ray Dam. Bringing leveling blocks is essential for most RV sites in the area.

Size restrictions limit larger rigs: Many campgrounds were designed before large RVs became common. "When this place was built, they never envisioned large rigs. So if you have one over 30 feet, just be aware you might have to wiggle your way into a site," advises Bob M. Pre-measuring turns and approaches prevents access issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Keene, ND is Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park with a 4.6-star rating from 33 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 21 dog-friendly camping locations near Keene, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.