Leonard, North Dakota sits in the northern Great Plains at 1,128 feet elevation in Cass County. The area features rolling prairies and the Sheyenne River Valley with seasonal temperatures ranging from summer highs around 85°F to winter lows below 0°F. Camping options near Leonard include primitive forest service sites and established RV parks with varying levels of accessibility during different seasons.
What to do
Hiking trails: Jorgen's Hollow Campground offers access to the North Country Trail directly through the campground. "Nice clean campground and hiking trails are taken care of. The sunsets are beautiful," notes Andy H. The trail system connects to additional paths in the Sheyenne Grasslands.
Swimming spots: Buffalo River State Park Campground features a natural swimming area that serves as a popular alternative to chlorinated pools. "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," reports Brianna V.
Horseback riding: Fort Ransom State Park Campground accommodates equestrian campers with dedicated facilities. "This is a year round multi-use state park along the forest-lined Sheyenne River and near the Sheyenne National Grasslands. This seems to be a big park for horse campers and they are well set up for that with corrals and designated horse campgrounds," explains Janet R.
Wildlife viewing: Hankinson Hills Campground provides opportunities to observe native prairie species. "What is unique about this place is that is an original remnant of the oak/grass prairies that used to cover extensive areas where the forest met the plains," writes Doug W. Early morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife viewing times.
What campers like
Peace and quiet: The campgrounds surrounding Leonard generally offer tranquil settings away from urban noise. "Arrived after dark picked a site and in the morning was happily surprised to find it had some trees surrounding it. In the evening the best part was listening to the trees in the breeze," says Don C. about his experience at Jorgen's Hollow.
Star gazing: Hankinson Hills Campground provides exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. Doug W. mentions, "There is grazing in the grassland but it is very quiet and no light pollution." The open prairie landscape creates ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
Proximity to town amenities: Buffalo RV Park offers convenient access to local establishments. "Nice clean city park with RV sites in back, 8 sites, wide sites with fire rings. Well maintained... 5 min walk to Old 10 Saloon, nice inside good service," shares Beth B. This makes it practical for campers needing supplies or dining options.
Well-maintained facilities: The grounds at most established campgrounds receive regular maintenance. "Spectacularly well-maintained campground along the Buffalo River in western Minnesota, half an hour east of Fargo, ND. Two small loops of campsites, one with electrical service and the other without," Patrick M. notes about Buffalo River State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal bugs: Insect activity increases during warmer months. At Hankinson Hills, Katie L. reports, "Only downside was the abundance of biting flies and mosquitoes." Campers should pack appropriate repellents, especially during summer camping trips.
Cell service varies: Connectivity differs significantly between campgrounds. "Verizon works okay, not great but I had a bar or two," notes Katie L. about Hankinson Hills, while some reviewers mention better reception at other locations like Buffalo RV Park.
Reservation systems: Each campground has different reservation requirements. For Buffalo RV Park, Nicole explains, "Clean, easy booking online, full hookups and less than 10 minutes from 94. 8 sites total." Meanwhile, Jorgen's Hollow operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Weather preparedness: The North Dakota climate can change rapidly, particularly during spring and fall. "It is well off the main road but the dirt road is passable with any rig," Doug W. notes about Hankinson Hills, suggesting that weather conditions can affect accessibility.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Buffalo River State Park Campground offers recreational facilities for children. "There is a swimming pond close to the campground and some open area to play lawn games. Would go back here!" recommends Stephanie H. The open spaces provide room for children to play safely.
Educational opportunities: Fort Ransom State Park includes historical exhibits that can engage children. "If you like hiking or canoeing or horseback riding or nature exploring, there are a lot of good options here for the summer camper," suggests Janet R. The visitor center contains informative displays about local history.
Special events: Several parks host family-friendly activities throughout camping season. Rudy W. recommends Fort Ransom State Park, noting, "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!"
Nature exploration: The diverse ecosystems around Leonard provide learning experiences for children. "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 and he enjoys the wildlife that hides in the natural prairie fauna," shares Brianna V. about Buffalo River State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking RV sites near Leonard, North Dakota, consider specific location factors. "We were in the A lot. Our spot was pretty spacious, but a lot of the spots in this area were pretty tight. Would recommend staying in the B lot, spots are spaced apart more, facing the river, and are further away from the Interstate," advises Ross B. about Lindenwood Campground.
Hookup availability: Buffalo RV Park provides full-service connections. "Spacious, easy access, level sites with convenient hookups and garbage can at each site. Open landscape, but good space between sites," reports Victor E. This makes it suitable for RVers requiring complete utilities.
Big rig accessibility: Several campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles with appropriate turning radius and site dimensions. "Well spaced sites, with some screening between sites. Very clean bathhouse (appears new) with flush toilets, hot showers and a dish-washing station," Patrick M. notes about Buffalo River State Park Campground, which can handle larger RVs.
Weather considerations: RVers should monitor seasonal conditions that might affect travel and hookups. At Jorgen's Hollow, while primitive camping is available year-round, Nick advises, "National forest campground. First come first served only with no attendant. There's one manual pump well and two vault toilets. 3 miles of gravel road to the campground but the road was smooth and in good condition."
