Best Glamping near Leonard, ND

This is a year round multi-use state park along the forest-lined Sheyenne River and near the Sheyenne National Grasslands. There are miles of trails through all kinds of habititats from forest to prairie to riparian shores and the water trail. In winter there is great cross country skiing and snowshoeing and summer of course has camping, canoeing, hiking, and nature watching. This seems to be a big park for horse campers and they are well set up for that with corrals and designated horse campgrounds. There is a standard campground for car camping, campers and RVs with the usual amenities, then there is the so-called "primitive" campground which is for tents only, either in drive in tent campsites, or at walk-in tent sites that are very spacious and right on the river! Very nice. The "primitive" tent area has quiet rules including no use of generators, so we like that. The tent area did not have its own water source though, so you do have to walk across the river bridge to the main campground to get water. Also, while there were no problems about flooding on our trip, the sites are in a lowland area adjacent to the river floodplain so could be a concern at times of heavy rain. Other options, should you want to go for historic lodging or "glamping", there is the option to reserve a covered wagon or pioneer cabin to stay in, or a fully equipped really amazingly cool yurt with a loft that could host a large family or group. If you like hiking or canoeing or horseback riding or nature exploring, there are alot of good options here for the summer camper. Things are quieter right now as there as fewer campers due to  covid, they are also a little short staffed and the grounds look a tad bit rough around the edges and in need of a bit of maintanence. Also, the park was established on the grounds on an old fort which seems to have had some historic controversy, and the main park entrance sign was burned in a recent protest event so be aware of that when you are trying to find the park. And, while staying at the park, visit the exhibits in the visitor's center to learn more about the history of the area and the old fort so you can put all this into respectful context.

Stopped here on our way through North Dakota, perfect site with flushable bathrooms, good water and a beautiful sunrise.

There's a short row of camp spots in the sun for campers. Seems like a good portion of it is full of people who are here all the time. The rest of the campers are in the back of their truck, which i'm not opposed to, but they're in pretty tough shape and very old. I will say this is one of the least safe places. I have felt in North Dakota.

First time here, it was different than expected but in a good way. The ND scenery was great with the river valley. It is a small park as far as number of spots but well spaced out and very well maintained.

Very green park with alot of history, including a preserved farm about early white settlers. We met some people who were staying here with their horses - how fun! Wide open green spaces, lovely. We didn’t explore much of the park unfortunately. We really wished we had rented a canoe or kayak (from the park) but it was a holiday weekend so they were all gone by the time we sauntered out of the tent near noon.

Yay: basic cafe, easy canoeing, nature center, educational, easy hikes.

Nay: campsites are not private or shady, only a few are next to the water.

Surprise: the camp staff were especially great with lots of stories to entertain the preschooler and grandma!

Stayed at a site in the open field near to the road.  (last site available) only down side was that you got to feel the ND winds (10-30mph+) all the time.....   Next time will stay on the other side of the river at their "primitive" campsites.  those sites are all in the trees and secluded.  Also has walk-in tent sites.  Plenty of local hiking trails right from the campsite.

Wifi is at the visitors center, there’s almost 20 miles of trails to walk on and the scenery at night is beautiful! Sodbuster Days, Halloween in June and Christmas in July is a must. Also the historical building in the area is a cool thing to see!

This is a pretty good spot. When we were there in June the campground was having a Halloween celebration and my daughter loved it. There’s good trails to walk and it’s generally quiet. Sites aren’t very private, but the people were nice. It seemed to be more of a “locals” campground.

This campground has the North Country Trail go right through it, and that is how we ended up camping there. Kids enjoyed the ice cream and refreshments for sale at the gift shop. We were able to get down to the river from our primitive site and cool off. While the bank its self was quite steep and muddy the water felt amazing. Firewood for sale at the gift shop and they drop it off to your site.

Great spot for hiking, biking, canoeing and riding your horse. Friendly staff and clean sites. No water or sewer hookups.

It was very early in April and still very cold so I literally had the place to myself but we saw an incredible amount of wildlife in our one day stay. Also there are bunches of trails to hike and the town is close and worth exploring. I came back again in 2024 with a bit more time but still early so had the park to myself. There is so much to do here. They have expanded the trails, dinner in town at a great restaurant, mountain biking down the Kathryn road to historic sites and a national state forest with more trails and destinations. Come early, around the ticks and mosquitoes. Maybe I will bring the canoe next time.

Well maintained park and facilities. Smallish campground with electric hookups and nice sanitation station and water fill station. Everything from large class A to tents can fit in back in camp sites. Beautiful native prairie and river forest. Spotless and new shower house.

We camped here one night at the end of July as our first stop on a trip to Oregon. It was quiet on a Thursday. The swimming hole is closed this year so that probably kept some folks away.

We stayed in the electric loop as it's nice to charge things up for the next leg of the trip. They have non-electric tent sites as well.

Nice mature trees for shade. There is a large meadow with wild flowers and a trail next to the main campground. There were milkweed in bloom, wild roses and more.

Lots of trails and Buffalo River to explore.

Our site was very spacious and easy to back into. There is a dump station and a fresh water fill station by the entrance to the campground.

Few complaints. Shaded/well maintained campsites. Clean bathrooms, nice showers.

Just make sure you have a permit for every vehicle. $7 daily or $35 annual

Great place for an overnight stop. This is as consistent as a MN state park can be - nice sites, mostly well spaced and accessible, with some hiking trails, dump station and brand new shower/restroom building. The night we were there had races going on at the nearby speedway - made it hard for campfire conversations. Good AT&T coverage.

This was a really nice campground. It just has power at some of the sites and no water/sewer, but there is a dump station on the way in to fill up with water. The sites were nicely spaced and we had some shade. There were nice trails right from the campground. It was really quiet at night. This was one of our favorite campgrounds of our trip.

Coldest shower ever other than that nice place quiet

Easy access from freeway. Level sites, though some close together. Beautiful quiet peaceful place. Dump station, electric hookups.

Good state park campground with everything you need. You can make your reservations online once you get there, and it’s nice because there’s no online transaction fee. But watch out that you pay the $7 daily state park entry fee as well as the camping fee, because otherwise you'll get a friendly visit from a ranger! 

 There are two loops, one slightly larger one with 50 and 30 amp power (no water or sewer) for $34, and one smaller one with no power for $24. We stayed in a power site because we couldn’t handle the heat anymore, otherwise the smaller one looked a little nicer and quieter and we would have stayed there. 

Showers were nice and clean and free. Bathrooms were nice. 

Very nice walking trails all around the campground and throughout the park as a whole. Trash dumpsters here as well as an assortment of segregated recycle bins. Good cell reception with Verizon and ATT. Firewood available at office for $8 and ice for $3. 

Group camp is off from the main campground a ways, but connected via a little walking trail. There is a dump station and potable water fill at the campground exit. 

No drinking allowed at any Minnesota State Park campground!

The campground was pretty open, but it was a fun place. There is a swimming pond close to the campground and some open area to play lawn games. Would go back here!

As primarily a hammock camper I am often frustrated with trying to find sites online. So I wanted to say that Buffalo River State Park, in addition to some very good prairie and woodland trails, as some excellent sites for hammock campers. Specifically those in the non-electric sites. This park has nice bathrooms, a unique swimming area (when it is open) and nice flat sites. Also, prairie hiking is something every hiker ought to try. The plant bird and insect life is really accessible. It also makes you appreciate those shaded woodland walks. This park has both plus an interesting geological history and a sweet river.

We feel like we scored the best site in the campground by sheer luck. The even number sites along the open field side give you great views to be able to bird watch and wildlife viewing. . The bathhouse was clean. There is a dump station and a couple of places to fill your fresh water tanks if you are in a RV. . I do wish there was better access to the river from the campground. The trails didn’t really take you to the river.

Nice and clean campground with the best bathrooms we have been too...

good trail system with a walk through the prairie and/or by the river..the weather was perfect when we came, 75 and a breeze...

We had an incident with our cat. Cat got loose and everyone worked as a team to get him found. People were walking and looking for him. Posters went up around the grounds. We left our # with two campgrounds and as soon as they saw him 8 hours after he went missing, they called us and kept him contained. We appreciate everyone and their kind acts...