The Killdeer area sits at approximately 2,300 feet in elevation where the rugged North Dakota badlands meet the rolling prairie grasslands. Camping near Killdeer, North Dakota offers diverse terrain with deeply eroded buttes, ravines, and grassland plateaus shaped by centuries of wind and water erosion. Road conditions in this region can change rapidly, particularly after rainfall when unpaved access roads to more remote sites can become challenging for vehicles without four-wheel drive.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: access at Little Missouri State Park Campground provides riders with extensive trail networks. According to Jessica S., "The horse and hiking trails are unbelievable. The campgrounds themselves are quiet. You'll experience starry skies and the howls of coyotes."
Maah Daah Hey trail system: explore one of North Dakota's premier hiking routes from CCC Campground, which serves as a trailhead. Joseph N. notes, "One of my favorite car camping spots. Perfect gateway to the north unit of Teddy and has some good trails of its own. The sites are nicely spaced and well maintained."
Night sky viewing: observe the stars without light pollution. At Little Missouri State Park Campground, Angie B. reports, "This place is a steal for the price they charge! I watched the sun rise over the ND badlands! The Campground was immaculate, the ranger on duty was super helpful."
What campers like
Proximity to Theodore Roosevelt National Park: benefit from campgrounds outside the national park when it fills. Nicole C. at CCC Campground shares, "We spent two nights at this campground in early October. We had it nearly to ourselves. The Maah Daah Hey and Long X trails start at this campground. We did a great 11ish mile mountain bike loop."
Budget-friendly options: save money at free camping areas. Emma A. comments about Summit Campground, "This is a pretty spot with 3 boondocking sights with picnic tables, 2 have canopies over them. Parking for hiking. One spot that is a loop turn around."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: encounter native species throughout the camping areas. Jillian C. observed at Juniper Campground, "Great little campground. Friendly hosts, clean, plenty of spots and didn't even fill up for the holiday weekend. Bison will definitely stroll through your sites if you're over by the field like we were."
What you should know
Water availability constraints: plan ahead as potable water is limited at many sites. At CCC Campground, Eric G. notes, "This place is very well kept. Vault toilets and hand pump for water. The views are just awesome. 360 deg. Large sites spaced far apart. 40 plus sites. Host said never full."
Weather extremes: prepare for significant temperature fluctuations. Nicole C. warns about CCC Campground, "October can be cold! It got down below freezing in the first week of October. It gets windy. There's a site in the B loop that offers a good amount of protection from wind from most directions."
Small town amenities: stock supplies before arrival as local services are limited. Beth B. advises about staying at Medora Campground, "Medora is a small town, easy to bike or walk. No grocery store, only small convenience store so make sure you stock up if you are staying for a few days."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: utilize family facilities at select campgrounds. Tyler C. recommends Little Missouri State Park: "We really enjoyed this site. The views were great. Park will be even better in the future with all the new trees they have growing. Kids loved the horses that people brought to ride."
Educational opportunities: attend ranger programs when available. Lee L. shares about Juniper Campground, "Plenty of trees provide privacy in this nice National Park campsite that's just a short walk to the banks of the Little Missouri River. Has the standard National Park features, but our kids especially enjoyed the ranger presentation on prairie dogs."
Swimming options: cool off during summer heat at the municipal pool. Amber W. mentions about Medora Campground, "This place has everything you need and more! Convenient location for exploring Medora. It has a city pool right on site that is heated, a dog park beautiful grounds with huge trees. Great playground."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: scout your site carefully before setting up. Holly E. shares about CCC Campground, "When we visited the North Unit of Roosevelt National Park, their campgrounds were closed, so we had to seek one outside the park. The sites are large and mostly level."
Generator restrictions: note that some campgrounds have noise limitations. Jennifer K. explains about Juniper Campground, "Generators are allowed 60 decibels at 50 feet. Lots of wildlife came through the camp. Sites are spread apart. Bathrooms are clean."
Dump station locations: plan your waste management strategy. At North Park Campground, Karen B. notes, "Perfect overnight stop for a quick on and off sleep on our way back to Michigan from Glacier National Park. The site was perfectly level and with full hook-ups for $42 a night! We were able to stay hooked up to our truck to make the exit in the morning speedy."
