Best Tent Camping near Kensal, ND

Tent camping near Kensal, North Dakota offers limited but distinct options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking primitive experiences. McHenry City Park Campground accommodates tent campers about 20 miles northwest of Kensal, while the Backcountry Campsite provides a more remote experience approximately 30 miles southeast. Valley City National Fish Hatchery, located about 40 miles southeast, rounds out the available tent camping options in this sparsely populated region of eastern North Dakota.

Most tent sites in the Kensal area feature basic amenities with minimal development. The Backcountry Campsite requires hikers to walk in, making it suitable for backpackers traversing the North Country Trail near Lake Ashtabula. This site includes picnic tables and primitive toilets but no drinking water. McHenry City Park offers drinking water and trash disposal but lacks toilet facilities. Fire regulations vary between locations, with fires permitted at both McHenry City Park and the Backcountry Campsite, while Valley City National Fish Hatchery prohibits campfires entirely. Campers should bring sufficient water supplies when heading to most sites in the region.

Tent campers can expect varying levels of solitude depending on location and season. The Backcountry Campsite provides a genuine wilderness experience along hiking trails. A visitor commented that "the primitive toilet even had a mailbox with toilet paper," highlighting thoughtful touches even in remote locations. Valley City National Fish Hatchery presents uncertainty for campers, as recent visitors noted access restrictions. According to one review, "There is a small campground but I'm guessing it is for a girl scout group or something like that. It didn't seem very well used and was locked tight." Campers should call ahead before planning stays at this location. For families seeking accessible tent camping experiences, the Backcountry Campsite has received positive reviews from parents hiking with children along the North Country Trail.

Best Tent Sites Near Kensal, North Dakota (3)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Kensal, ND

1 Photos of 3 Kensal Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Kensal, ND

107 Reviews of 3 Kensal Campgrounds


  • Jo Outdoors The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2021

    Parkhurst Campground - Pipestem

    Affordable Prairie Campground with Great Trail System & Water Access

    The first thing I think of when I think of Parkhurst Campground/Pipestem Lake rec area are the trails. This area encompasses about 140 acres and contains the 5.5 mile North Ridge Trail, 8 mile Pipestem Creek Trail, and equine trails. The first two are geared towards mountain biking, and hiking. Very pretty prairie hiking as well as lush, wooded tracts. There's easy access to these trails from the campgrounds and they are also very well maintained by the county. There are families who have ATVs with also, as there is some separate land they can have access too.

    Parkhurst's campgrounds are tidy and well-kept. There are also typically plenty of regulars camping there who are pretty happy to help if you have questions. This is an Army Corps of Engineers/ County ran campground within a rec area; it's located alongside the Pipestem Creek/Lake. There is a $10/night fee on an honor system, where upon arrival you select your campsite and then fill out a slip and submit your payment at the campground entrance. There are no reservations and it is first some first serve. (Every time we have stayed here there have been plenty of sites available, but I cannot speak for traditionally busy, holiday weekends)

    This is a primitive campground that has access to picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, waste receptacles, non-potable water, a dump station, shelters, boat docks and ramps, lake/reservoir beaches for swimming, as well as mountain biking, hiking and equine trails. If you needed water on the spot, there is is non-potable water access as well as river/lake water if you filter it yourself.  A neighboring farm which you'll drive by sells firewood, as well as several places within Jamestown. Since there is an equine trail there is of course an equine area with corrals, tether lines, and space for trailers.

    The sites here aren't labeled specifically, so you have to gauge your equipment, vehicles, and how much space you'd typically be taking up. It allows for some flexibility and I haven't seen groups overflowing. Parkhurst is quite expansive in that the northern most end starts at a bit higher elevation, and the southern-most end is a bit lower, and along the lakeside. This is a pretty open campground, across a large large area with dividing roads and trees throughout. Even though spots aren’t secluded typically, and there isn’t site division by trees, we still haven’t been forced to come into contact or interact with neighbors and the rest of the campground.(I mention this knowing that it is something some folks really take into consideration.) Though not a wooded campground, there is still a lot of shade, and the breezes really help with some bug control.

    Parkhurst is off of HWY 281 and about 5 miles from the outskirts of Jamestown, a quick and easy drive. When you are navigating to Parkhurst/Pipestem Reservoir area there is south end rec area entrance and then also the campground entrance on the north end, where you would come across the registration area as you head south. Pipestem creek/lake connects from the south to the James River/Jamestown Reservoir which is on the outside of Jamestown. (Plenty of options for groceries, gas, dining, hardware stores etc.)

    We really like staying here, whether in a tent or camper. The trails are addicting, personally! If you are camping with a couple groups, it's pretty easy to find neighboring/close campsites as well.

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

    Faust Park

    Primitive camping at Faust Park, Barnes County, N.D.

    This park is maintained and managed by the Barnes County Wildlife Club and North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Camping is free and allowed for a maximum of 10 consecutive days. There is plenty of open lawn within this park area which can definitely fit multiple tents and the parking lot/gravel driveway can accommodate travel trailers/RVs/Vans.

    It is a well-maintained, simple, camping area offering a picnic table, fire ring/pit, built-in charcoal grill, waste receptacles and a vault toilet. (As of early October the county was able to erect a picnic shelter) There is also some informative signage covering the local history, and that of the the river and land. (Not as far back in time as it should though.)

    The Sheyenne River runs along one side of this camp area - There is a kayak/canoe in/out access area here and access points for fishing along with a bridge. If you are filtering H20 yourself, you have access to flowing river water for drinking!

    Quite isolated and quiet here, people may periodically stop by to fish, drop in a kayak, run their dogs or stretch their legs. Overall it’s a secluded and peaceful area. There are train tracks that run along the river in close proximity; they usually don't "toot" more than a time or two as they pass the crossing. I can't say how many in a night. 

    There are plenty of areas to enjoy the sun, but also large, mature trees for plenty of shade as well. Pretty decent area to have access to camp at for FREE that feels like you're "beyond getting what you paid for!"

    - Faust Park is also about 4 miles SW from the Mel Rieman Rec Area/Campgrounds (COE) which has a swimming area, playground, showers & bathroom facilities, drinking water, garbages, grills, and a bar/small grill/ice cream shop & water sports rentals on site. This is all very seasonal of course.

    -Faust Park is located along a maintained gravel road, less than a ½ mile off of the River Road and about 6 miles outside of Valley City. There is a farmstead on the other side of the river/wooded area, otherwise no other nearby neighbors. It is also 6 or so miles up off of I-94 if folks approach it from that direction.

  • R
    Jun. 14, 2022

    James River Bay Area Camping

    Good Boondocking

    Scenic lil boat launch not far from Jamestown. A few fire rings dispersed around the area. There was a water pump that looked to be broken. Vault toilet and a storage shed housing the picnic tables if you wanted to use one. The lake is beautiful. Got to watch storm pass thru while cows grazed on rolling hills across the water. Lovely.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2018

    Pelican Point Landing

    Poorly behaved campers

    Have to give this a low review from the experience we had while staying the night of July 6th. It was a full campground and might of been nice with the exception of several groups staying at the campground. Teens staying up till 3pm being loud and racing around on a golf cart. Intoxicated adults taking lap after lap around the campground in the back of a pickup yelling and swearing at campers that didn't wave back to them. Another group in the campground setting off fireworks until midnight. Zero attempts by camp host to quiet these individuals. Our group of Scouts were besides themselves and have no desire to ever camp in North Dakota again. Other wise this might have been a nice place to stay.

  • 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.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 14, 2023

    Faust Park

    Just 1 night if need be

    Well, not the best place we stayed at. Arrived to trash bags beside the bin, half a rib cage (skeleton) of some animal (which we found the rest of the deer .5m down the road) and the 2 vault toilets need of a decent clean / toilet paper, but they didn't smell and were adequate for the night. We were the only people here, but locals dropped by for dog walks or rest stops. Area did have a grill, firepit, one picnic table in the open and 2 tables under a large cover. 2 gravel slopes go down to the river, but could imagine with the sediment at the river edge, car wheels may become stuck. Trains / rail crossing was 100yards away, as previously mentioned in other reviews, and our observations were as follows.....9 trains from mid afternoon  to early morning next day, 4 of which at night. Apart from the  3‐4 long horn blasts each time one came by, the actual train passing was not disturbing... 

  • 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.

  • Lady Phyre  ☆.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Moon Lake

    Beautiful secluded spot

    This tiny campground is right next to a lake with a boat ramp and a covered picnic table. In the far left corner (if you're facing the lake) is a little nook surrounded by trees and shrubs. It's perfect for pitching a tent or parking a car or van if you want some privacy. I saw 2 other campers during the 2 days I stayed. There's a 10 day limit.

  • B
    Jun. 25, 2024

    James River Bay Area Camping

    Simple, low key, primitive

    Good campsite, located in a huge field set pretty far off the river. It says there's room for 10 tents but really you could host a festival there. There's a couple picnic tables and fire pits and one trash can. There is no bathroom next to the tent sites. There is a pit toilet close by. When you reach the "Camp Rules" sign turn right for the camping and left for the pit toilet.


Guide to Kensal

Tent camping near Kensal, North Dakota, offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the simplicity of outdoor living. With a variety of campgrounds available, you can find the perfect spot to pitch your tent and unwind.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At McHenry City Park, you'll find essential amenities like drinking water and the freedom to have fires, making it a great choice for a comfortable camping experience.

Some prices for tent camping are free

  • The Backcountry Campsite offers a free camping experience, perfect for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors without breaking the bank.

Tips for tent camping near Kensal

  • If you're considering a unique camping experience, the Valley City National Fish Hatchery provides a scenic boat-in access, ideal for adventurous campers looking to explore the area by water.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Kensal, ND is McHenry City Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Kensal, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.