28 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Kenmare, North Dakota include several established campgrounds and recreational areas along the Mouse River (also called Souris River) valley. Renville County Mouse River Park offers electric and water hookups for RVs and tent camping areas nestled among trees alongside the river, with sites available for $15 per night. About 30 minutes northeast of Kenmare, Northgate Dam Recreation Center provides another camping alternative with electric sites, fishing docks, playgrounds, and basketball courts for $5-10 per night. The region primarily supports developed camping in designated campgrounds rather than dispersed backcountry camping, with most sites accommodating both tent and RV campers.
Weather conditions and seasonal availability significantly shape the camping experience in north-central North Dakota. Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through mid-October, with limited or no services available during winter months. According to one visitor, "Mouse River Park is a beautiful place and is surrounded by a National Wildlife Refuge!" The proximity to wildlife refuges means campers should be prepared for mosquitoes during summer months. Cell service varies throughout the area, with some campgrounds reporting limited coverage. Many sites offer electric hookups but may lack sewer connections, making planning for water and waste management essential for RV travelers staying multiple nights.
The campground landscape around Kenmare features several family-friendly options with recreational amenities. Northgate Dam Recreation Center receives consistently positive reviews for its fishing opportunities, with one camper noting it offers "excellent fishing for trout, walleye and blue gill." Many campgrounds in the region provide clean facilities, with several reviewers highlighting the well-maintained bathrooms and showers at established sites. Mouse River Park includes boat ramps, fishing docks, and walking paths according to visitor reports. Camping experiences vary between more developed sites with bar/convenience store access and quieter nature-focused locations. Train noise may impact some campgrounds in the region, particularly those near Burlington and Minot. Travelers seeking more remote experiences should consider Northgate Dam, which reviewers describe as "beautiful and peaceful" with "plenty of space."
"There is a small convenience store and bar, basketball courts, boat ramp, fishing docks, and walking paths. Animals welcome on leash"
"Mouse River is a beautiful place and is surrounded by a National Wildlife Refuge!"
"Half hour from Portal border crossing."
"The location was beautiful and peaceful. The campground was very clean. I wish we had been able to stay longer. The $10 fee is certainly reasonable!"
"I love this campground, it was like a breath of fresh air after getting lost in northeast north dakota and not seeing a soul for hours and sleeping on the side of the highway, driving up to Roughrider"
"The place is well kept and tucked away with beautiful sites next to the river."
from $20 - $695 / night
Check Availability"It has a little pavilion, a playground, “beach”, a couple cute bridges, a big grassy field for stargazing or throwing the ball around, a disc golf course, and of course you’re right on the river which"
"Tent sites are nicest as they are away from road. Tent sites are in separate area from rv sites. Expect road and rail noise at both."
"This can make your customers happier, earn you positive reviews, and spread the word about your business, which is a very simple way to grow it."
ScoutLook for this tiny campground by the town public pool. The lat and long. given are incorrect. There are 2 full hookup sites and 2 with electric and water only. Suggested donation of 20 dollars at unattended dropbox. 2 nice bathrooms with showers. .
ScoutMy husband and I stayed one night on our relocation trip from Alaska. The location was beautiful and peaceful. The campground was very clean. I wish we had been able to stay longer. The $10 fee is certainly reasonable!
GuideVery nice neat and clean campground. Nice showers with hot water. Laundry but didn’t use.
LegendThis is a clean little campground with easy access to US-2. It has free showers but it’s in the only bathroom which is a long walk from the camping sites.
LegendWe stopped and would have happily stayed. There's Electric there's bathrooms not sure if there's a dump station or water. The electric meters are all locked. You can't seem to reserve things online. I called the phone number I found and nobody answered. So we'll keep moving. Also remember it's 10 mi in and into a bay which is a dead end so 10 miles back out. Too bad would have been fun to get to know it.
TravelerEasy access plenty of space. Good Quiet and relaxing
LegendWe followed our GPS to the campground (CG). There were no signs for this CG off of US-2/US-52 at the turn. Check-in was quick and we proceeded to a very tight pull through site 95 with FHUs. What we were initially concerned about was threading our truck and 5th wheel through two trees that make this a pull through. Other reviewers had labeled this site a“back out.” We also saw that to dump our rear black tank we would need more than 25’ of sewer hose and, unfortunately, we needed to dump for this overnighter. We couldn’t maneuver the rig to get our black tank connectors more in the center. If we pulled up any further we wouldn't have been able to get our bedroom slide out because of the two trees. We went back up to the office and expressed our concerns and asked for another site. One of the office workers got rude with us and said the only other site available was 93. We made an attempt to get into this site but there was a sewer system obstacle that presented an issue getting into the site along with how far forward the rig right next to us was parked. Back at the office, we said we'd just take our original site and make it work. The worker let us know her co-worker told us to pull in the wrong way and we could clear the sewer obstacle. We weren't comfortable trying to make the tight turn with the way the other rig was parked in the next site. The other person at the office also said they have a dump station where we could dump. As we had reserved a FHU site, we were not happy with this option. We went ahead and pulled back into site 95 and set up. When we hooked up water we found that the water hose 2-way splitter we shared with the site next to us would not open all the way. Not wanting to deal with the office anymore, we filled our freshwater tank and used our water pump. We got 3 bars on Verizon. This CG has a lot of site options from crammed together to nicely spaced with good yards. There are also tent sites. Along with the different site configurations, there are full timers, transient workers, seasonal, and short stay. In the row we were in, you are definitely stacked in there and you are door to door with another rig. If you decide to stay here try to avoid row 90-96 as they are very tight, you share utilities, and you are door to door with your neighbor. Needless to say, we will not be back.
ScoutThere is a small convenience store and bar, basketball courts, boat ramp, fishing docks, and walking paths. Animals welcome on leash
ScoutWe had a magical stay in our tent. The place is well kept and tucked away with beautiful sites next to the river.
Camping spots near Kenmare, North Dakota include both established campgrounds and community parks throughout Renville County and the surrounding region. The area sits within the Prairie Pothole Region where the Missouri Plateau meets the Mouse River valley at approximately 1,900 feet elevation. Most camping facilities operate seasonally from May through October when temperatures range from 45-85°F, with summer thunderstorms common across the northern plains landscape.
Fishing opportunities: Northgate Dam Recreation Center offers excellent fishing experiences with multiple docks. As Kacie O. notes, "Great Family Area! Had to 2 play grounds, 4 little docks (1 fishing, for swimming area), Fish cleaning station!"
Walking trails: Mouse River Park features several paths along the river for nature viewing. According to Macy S., "There is a small convenience store and bar, basketball courts, boat ramp, fishing docks, and walking paths. Animals welcome on leash."
Disc golf: Old Settlers Park offers a complete disc golf course along with open grassy areas. Stefanie Z. mentions, "It has a little pavilion, a playground, 'beach', a couple cute bridges, a big grassy field for stargazing or throwing the ball around, a disc golf course, and of course you're right on the river which is cool."
Water recreation: Several campgrounds permit swimming and boating with designated access points. At Old Settlers Park, "Swimming is allowed at your own risk" according to Stefanie Z., while Northgate Dam Recreation Center has multiple water access points where one camper recommends you "Bring a kayak, canoe, or boat and enjoy excellent fishing for trout, walleye and blue gill!"
Affordable rates: Many campgrounds in the region offer camping at reasonable prices. Jim writes about Northgate Dam: "Such a nice camping spot. Clean and tidy, on a beautiful pond with lots of rec opportunities. Playground with basketball court; clean vault toilets; electric available at each site. Best part... $5 per night, $10 if you want electric."
Clean facilities: Roughrider RV Resort in Minot maintains well-kept amenities. Scott K. states, "Very nice neat and clean campground. Nice showers with hot water. Laundry but didn't use."
Spacious sites: Several campgrounds offer ample room between sites. According to Buck G. at Northgate Dam, there's "Easy access plenty of space. Good Quiet and relaxing."
Wildlife viewing: The proximity to wildlife refuges creates opportunities for nature observation. As noted about Mouse River Park, it "is surrounded by a National Wildlife Refuge" according to visitor reports.
Train noise: Several campgrounds near railroad tracks experience periodic noise disruption. At Old Settlers Park, Connie P. mentions, "nice park your away from the rv in your own slice of grass nice bathroom with shower's had no bug's at all was foggy and mist over in the am from the water," but rates it 3 stars noting "Train's" in the review title.
Limited services: Many campgrounds lack full hookup capabilities. At Northgate Dam, Kacie O. points out, "No dump area or water hook ups 😔."
Seasonal considerations: Campgrounds operate on limited schedules with varying amenities. At Minot AFB FamCamp, sherry P. notes, "Campground is nice with pads, electric and water hookups. The campground is close to the park. No showers, but I recommend going to the base gym."
Limited availability: Some parks have few sites for travelers. As Bradley H. explains about Mouse River Park, "There are many sites but most seam to be seasonal from local people who come here on weekends. So, there are limited sites for people looking to spend a few nights and move on."
Playground access: Minot AFB FamCamp offers family-friendly spaces near recreation facilities. Chris L. notes, "The park is relatively quite, but is used some early mornings for Unit PT and during the day for other unit and small group activities."
Swimming options: Some campgrounds offer designated swimming areas for children. At Northgate Dam Recreation Center, one visitor mentions they have "4 little docks (1 fishing, for swimming area)."
Sports facilities: Basketball courts and open play areas are available at several parks. Jim notes that Northgate Dam has a "Playground with basketball court" among its amenities.
Varied experiences: Not all campgrounds offer the same family experience. As Shandi C. candidly states about Mouse River Park, "I think this place is more for hanging out with friends and glamping and drinking. We are campers, so it's just not for us."
Site leveling: Minot AFB FamCamp has concrete pads that may present challenges. Chris L. warns, "Sites are concrete pads, but far from level."
Water connections: Check water availability before arrival. Chris L. further notes, "Site 1's water is not working, so we had to piggyback off or site 2 with our own splitter."
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of service. At Mouse River Park, Bradley H. explains, "$15.00 a night with water/30amp power but there is no sewer hook ups. They have community restrooms and showers."
Site selection: At Roughrider RV Resort, experienced campers recommend specific areas. According to MickandKarla W., "If you decide to stay here try to avoid row 90-96 as they are very tight, you share utilities, and you are door to door with your neighbor."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Kenmare camping sites?
Old Settlers Park offers electric and water hookups but no sanitation services. The park features nice bathrooms with showers, spacious sites, and separate areas for tent and RV camping. Renville County Mouse River Park provides a small convenience store, bar, basketball courts, boat ramp, fishing docks, and walking paths. Pets are welcome on leash. Other campgrounds in the area typically offer basic amenities like vault toilets, with some providing electric hookups, playgrounds, and picnic facilities. Minot AFB FamCamp has pads with electric and water hookups and is located near recreational facilities, though campers should note that shower facilities are available at the base gym rather than within the campground itself.
Where are the best campsites located near Kenmare?
The Kenmare area offers several excellent camping options. Northgate Dam Rec Center provides a beautiful setting on a pond with recreational opportunities and is just a half-hour from the Portal border crossing. The sites are clean, tidy, and affordable at only $5-10 per night. For RV travelers, Roughrider RV Resort offers full hookup sites and beautiful locations along the river, making it a popular choice. Other good options include Mohall City Campground with water and toilet facilities, and Antler Memorial Park which features approximately 25 campsites with electric hookups, suitable for both RVs and tents.
When is the best season for camping in Kenmare?
Late spring through early fall (May to September) is the optimal camping season near Kenmare. Mouse River Park and other river-adjacent campgrounds are most enjoyable during summer months when recreational activities are in full swing, though water conditions can vary. Early September at Bowbells RV Park and similar facilities can be surprisingly quiet, offering more privacy for campers who prefer less crowded conditions. The weather is typically most stable from June through August, with comfortable daytime temperatures and cooler nights. Be prepared for potential fog or mist in the mornings, particularly at waterside campsites. Winter camping is generally not recommended due to North Dakota's harsh cold season and limited campground operations.
Keep Exploring
