Tent camping near Larimore, North Dakota centers primarily around small fishing reservoirs and public recreation areas. The region sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation with a continental climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Most camping areas remain primitive without established boundaries, creating self-defined camping experiences where visitors typically find ample space and privacy.
What to do
Fishing access: Kolding Dam/Upper Turtle Reservoir provides a boat ramp and shoreline access for anglers seeking local fish species. A camper noted, "Pulled in at dusk rainy Sept evening- beautiful spot but deep grass, no real defined campsite stayed just off road -couple of trains passed" (Kolding Dam/Upper Turtle Reservoir).
Wildlife observation: The natural areas around tent camping sites offer opportunities to observe native wildlife. At Kolding Dam, campers report coyote sightings and various bird species, particularly during morning and evening hours.
Hiking trails: The Backcountry Campsite connects to the North Country Trail system along Lake Ashtabula, providing trail access for day hiking. One visitor shared, "My kids and I enjoyed this site on our hike along the NCT on Lake Ashtabula" (Backcountry Campsite).
What campers like
Solitude and space: Matejeck Dam Recreation Area offers drive-in tent camping with minimal development, allowing campers to select their own sites with considerable distance from others (Matejeck Dam Rec Area).
Cost-free camping: Several areas around Larimore offer no-fee camping options. One camper at Kolding Dam appreciated that "The camping is free I haven't quite figured out who is the owner of the land or the dam."
Unstructured camping experience: The lack of designated sites appeals to independent campers. As one Kolding Dam visitor explained, "There's nothing formal about it there's a handful places to camp some with pretty great views if you have a vehicle that can get to them."
What you should know
Water supply requirements: No reliable drinking water exists at most primitive camping areas near Larimore. Visitors must bring their entire water supply, planning for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene needs.
Site selection considerations: At locations like Crystal City Park, campers must identify suitable spots without formal site markers (Crystal City Park). Look for level ground with natural wind protection, particularly important during spring and fall when winds intensify.
Limited facilities: Most camping areas provide no toilets, trash service, or other amenities. The Backcountry Campsite proves an exception with its primitive toilet that one camper discovered "even had a mailbox with toilet paper!"
Tips for camping with families
Toilet accommodations: When camping with children at sites lacking facilities, bring a portable camping toilet or establish a designated bathroom area with appropriate supplies for sanitation and waste management.
Weather preparation: North Dakota experiences rapid weather changes. At Kolding Dam, one family noted they "parked up on the hill as you can see in the picture so that the wind break behind us with the trees kept the blow off of us" during a particularly windy April visit.
Activity planning: The Backcountry Campsite connects to hiking trails suitable for children, with picnic tables for meals and defined fire areas for evening activities (Central Park Campground).
Tips from RVers
Access limitations: Most tent camping areas near Larimore have limited access for larger vehicles. The unpaved roads leading to Kolding Dam become challenging after rain, with several spots requiring high-clearance vehicles.
Parking considerations: When tent camping from a vehicle at Kolding Dam, one visitor advised it's "literally just a place to park but it's also a place that you will probably have to yourself the entire time you stay there."
Seasonal access: Spring conditions often create muddy access routes to primitive camping areas. Late summer through early fall typically provides the most reliable ground conditions for vehicle-based tent camping near Larimore.
