The eastern North Dakota plains surrounding Leonard feature a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed camping opportunities within the Sheyenne National Grassland. Jorgen's Hollow Campground, located directly in Leonard, provides tent and RV sites with basic amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Just south of town, the Sheyenne National Grassland offers dispersed camping options with more primitive facilities. Within a 30-mile radius, campers can access additional options like Sheyenne Oaks with its 38 sites offering full hookups and cabin accommodations, or travel to nearby communities such as Fargo, Casselton, and Buffalo for more developed camping facilities with varying levels of amenities.
Camping in this region requires planning around North Dakota's distinct seasonal patterns. The primary camping season runs from May through October, with many facilities closing during the harsh winter months. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with limited connectivity in more remote grassland locations. As one camper noted about the Sheyenne National Grassland: "Beautiful sites, trails, very friendly and knowledgeable ranger. Took our 40' through the 1212 trail and was quite concerned I had gotten a little bold with following an unknown GPS destination." Gravel roads leading to some sites may become challenging after rain, and travelers should check ahead for site availability as reservation systems vary by location.
The natural landscape provides the main attraction for camping in the Leonard area. The oak-dotted grasslands create unique camping environments with opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, and stargazing. Campsites within the Sheyenne National Grassland receive consistently positive reviews for their privacy and natural setting. Visitors frequently mention the North Country Trail access as a highlight for hikers. Sites closer to Interstate 94 and major towns offer more amenities but may experience highway noise, as noted in reviews of Lindenwood Campground in Fargo: "Proximity to the interstate made for a pretty noticeable drone of vehicles." Water access varies by location, with some campgrounds offering lake or river proximity for fishing and paddling opportunities.
$10 / night
"This allowed for a pretty distanced visit and relatively quiet experience in the middle of the country. If it was full, it could have been loud."
"Arrived after dark picked a site and in the morning was happily surprised to find it had some trees surrounding it."
"Beautiful sites,trails,very friendly and knowledgeable ranger. Took our 40' through the 1212 trail and was quite concerned I had gotten a little bold with following an unknown gps destination."
"We dispersed camped for 1 night while walking along the North Country trail."
$30 / night
"North dakota. It is right on the Red River, which flows North. It is the only major river to flow into canada and out through the hudson bay. It's a very nice campground. The pavement is pretty pock."
"Lindenwood Park is a very nice campground with an abundance of shelters, children’s play areas, and walking/hiking trails."
$24 - $75 / night
"Great facilities, a nice state park close to Fargo, but overall plain and skippable unless you want something close by. I wouldn't go out of your way to check out this park. "
"Even though the site is close to highway, it felt like we were in a more isolated campsite. The campsite was clean and shady."
$25 - $125 / night
"Great big fire pit but street light is right next to the site and bugs were biting. Overall quiet, safe location in historic town. Next time would like to check out Old 10 Saloon."
"No bath house but full hookup and trashcan available. 5 min walk to Old 10 Saloon, nice inside good service.
Use city registration site to reserve site, no sign in at front area needed."
$30 - $35 / night
LegendThis is essentially the city campground in Fargo. North dakota. It is right on the Red River, which flows North. It is the only major river to flow into canada and out through the hudson bay. It's a very nice campground. The pavement is pretty pock. Marked and the spots are close and not very level. And last unfortunately, you get a lot of road noise, but it's adorable and you're right in town.
TravelerClean and well managed
LegendThis campground takes a few miles on gravel roads to get to. The North Country hiking trail goes through it. Equestrian trails and sites available. Gave this campground a high rating because although it is primitive with vault toilets and no other amenities, the grasslands are serene and beautiful. Peaceful area. Sites are large and many are pull thru.
LegendMap coordinates are NOT correct! The sites are at the golf course. There are a few basic sites located at the golf course in town.
LegendThis campground is slightly remote (gravel roads/minimum maintenance type roads) I was in a car, but roads were dry, I could see an issue with needing a 4x4 if rainy. Big RVs/Fancy RV’s beware. Nice spacious sites and there are many multi purpose trails (wheelers too!) nearby.
LegendThis campground is situated adjacent to many recreational activities such as basketball, pickle ball, tennis, park, walking trail. Sites are grassy and walking distance to businesses.
LegendThis is basically a small parking area next to the town football field. The school and community center is across the street. Not much here.
LegendI’ve been to this area several times for swimming at the beach. Did not camp here, but you could likely pull off for several hours. The sign does say it closes at 11pm and says it is patrolled, but there isn’t a gate. The beach/water area is nice with a shallow entry into a calm small lake.
LegendCute little campground next to the zoo. It has a few smaller sites and even 2 small cabins.
Camping options near Leonard, North Dakota include established sites and primitive backcountry spots spread across the prairie landscape. The Sheyenne National Grassland covers nearly 71,000 acres of rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 1,060 to 1,250 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s, while spring and fall bring cooler weather ideal for outdoor activities.
Hiking access points: The North Country Trail offers multiple entry points throughout the Sheyenne National Grassland. At Jorgen's Hollow Campground, "The North Country Trail goes right through camp. Hike it into the grasslands or the other way to join more trails," according to camper Art S. Trail sections range from beginner-friendly 3-mile loops to more challenging full-day routes.
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. At Sheyenne National Grassland, campers can enjoy "a midnight walk let all the stars strut their stuff" as one reviewer experienced. For optimal viewing, visit during new moon phases and bring a red light to maintain night vision.
Swimming areas: When temperatures rise, Buffalo River State Park offers a designated swimming area with natural water. A visitor noted, "The swimming area is wonderful! Less chlorine than you'd ever get exposed to in a public pool and picnic table access with lots of area to picnic." The swimming pond is located near the campground with convenient parking.
Prairie wildlife viewing: The grassland ecosystem supports diverse animal species observable from campsites. At Jorgen's Hollow, one camper mentioned "lots of woodpeckers to see and coyotes calling at dusk" while another enjoyed seeing "prairie chickens" during their stay. Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Spacious, private sites: Buffalo RV Park provides "spacious, easy access, level sites with convenient hookups and garbage can at each site." Another reviewer appreciated the "wide sites with fire rings" that offer adequate separation from neighboring campers. Most sites accommodate standard camping setups with room for additional equipment.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. A Buffalo River State Park Campground visitor was impressed with "the best kept state park I have seen" adding that it's "beautiful, quiet, well maintained" with "not a scrap of trash the restrooms clean and well stocked." Most campgrounds provide weekly facility maintenance.
Weather preparedness: The prairie landscape experiences significant wind and rapid weather changes. Campers should secure tents properly and bring appropriate clothing layers. A visitor to Sheyenne National Grassland mentioned setting up their tent "as soon as we got into the boundaries as a thunder and lightning storm began," highlighting the need for weather awareness.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the area. Most established campgrounds offer adequate service, but remote grassland locations have limited reception. When heading into dispersed camping areas, download offline maps beforehand and inform others of your intended location.
Road conditions: Some camping areas require travel on unpaved roads that may become challenging in wet weather. One NCT Colfax Campground visitor noted it's "mostly for people hiking the north country trail but guessing anybody that wanted to walk in and use it could." Many dispersed sites require higher-clearance vehicles during spring and after heavy rains.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. A visitor at Lindenwood Campground mentioned "2 great playgrounds nearby for the kiddos" providing recreational options when not exploring trails. These areas typically include standard playground equipment suitable for various ages.
Educational opportunities: The grassland environment offers natural learning experiences. Children can observe native prairie plants and wildlife in their natural habitat. One family reported, "We hiked a trail and saw so many different plants" during their visit, making it an engaging outdoor classroom.
Activity planning: Structure your visit around specific activities suitable for children. A camper suggested, "We often take our dog here on the weekends for longer, out of city limits walks. The trails are the perfect amount for that purpose." Most family-friendly trails are under 4 miles and rated as easy to moderate difficulty.
Hookup availability: Sheyenne Oaks offers 38 sites with full hookups including water, electric, and sewer connections. This makes it suitable for extended stays with modern amenities. Sites accommodate various RV sizes with both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service available.
Parking surfaces: Most RV sites in the area feature gravel or compacted dirt surfaces. An RVer at Buffalo RV Park mentioned "level sites with convenient hookups" making setup straightforward. Many campgrounds recommend leveling blocks as even designated "level" sites may have slight variations.
Seasonal considerations: Most RV campgrounds operate from May through October with limited winter options. Water systems are typically winterized after mid-October. Plan accordingly if traveling during shoulder seasons when some services may be unavailable or limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Leonard, ND?
According to TheDyrt.com, Leonard, ND offers a wide range of camping options, with 50 campgrounds and RV parks near Leonard, ND and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Leonard, ND?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Leonard, ND is Jorgen's Hollow Campground — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands with a 4.5-star rating from 11 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Leonard, ND?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Leonard, ND.
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