Best Tent Camping near Leonard, ND

The rural landscape surrounding Leonard, North Dakota offers several tent camping options within a reasonable driving distance. Arthur Park, located about 30 miles north in the town of Arthur, provides dedicated tent camping areas within a well-maintained city park setting. Tent campers seeking water-based experiences can explore Brushvale Bridge Primitive Canoe Campsite across the Minnesota border, accessible only by boat and offering a true primitive camping experience along the river. Additional tent camping opportunities can be found at Wyndemere Rock Garden County Park and Mooreton City Park, both within 40 miles of Leonard.

Most tent sites in the region feature basic amenities with varying levels of facilities. Arthur Park provides grassy tent sites with access to bathrooms, drinking water, and picnic tables, though campers should note that reservations must be made through the city office on weekdays. Sites at Brushvale Bridge are completely primitive with no facilities, requiring campers to pack in all supplies including water and pack out all waste. The camping season generally runs from April through October, with most sites closing during North Dakota's harsh winter months. Fire restrictions may apply during dry periods, so checking current conditions before arrival is essential.

Campers who have stayed at Arthur Park note its unique setting. "This campground is not so much a campground as it is a city park which has a section where tenting is allowed," reports one visitor who appreciated the "sheltered grassy spot to set up tents" and proximity to the North Cass Pass Bike Trail. The park's community orchard featuring various fruits adds an unexpected element to the tent camping experience. For those seeking water-based primitive tent camping, reviewers suggest Brushvale Bridge offers good opportunities for canoe campers, though the site is basic with no amenities beyond a place to pitch a tent. Walk-in tent sites throughout the region provide a more secluded experience than roadside camping areas, with minimal development and greater privacy.

Best Tent Sites Near Leonard, North Dakota (5)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Leonard, ND

1 Photos of 5 Leonard Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Leonard, ND

172 Reviews of 5 Leonard Campgrounds


  • Jo Outdoors The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2021

    Faust Park

    Primitive camping at Faust Park, Barnes County, N.D.

    This park is maintained and managed by the Barnes County Wildlife Club and North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Camping is free and allowed for a maximum of 10 consecutive days. There is plenty of open lawn within this park area which can definitely fit multiple tents and the parking lot/gravel driveway can accommodate travel trailers/RVs/Vans.

    It is a well-maintained, simple, camping area offering a picnic table, fire ring/pit, built-in charcoal grill, waste receptacles and a vault toilet. (As of early October the county was able to erect a picnic shelter) There is also some informative signage covering the local history, and that of the the river and land. (Not as far back in time as it should though.)

    The Sheyenne River runs along one side of this camp area - There is a kayak/canoe in/out access area here and access points for fishing along with a bridge. If you are filtering H20 yourself, you have access to flowing river water for drinking!

    Quite isolated and quiet here, people may periodically stop by to fish, drop in a kayak, run their dogs or stretch their legs. Overall it’s a secluded and peaceful area. There are train tracks that run along the river in close proximity; they usually don't "toot" more than a time or two as they pass the crossing. I can't say how many in a night. 

    There are plenty of areas to enjoy the sun, but also large, mature trees for plenty of shade as well. Pretty decent area to have access to camp at for FREE that feels like you're "beyond getting what you paid for!"

    - Faust Park is also about 4 miles SW from the Mel Rieman Rec Area/Campgrounds (COE) which has a swimming area, playground, showers & bathroom facilities, drinking water, garbages, grills, and a bar/small grill/ice cream shop & water sports rentals on site. This is all very seasonal of course.

    -Faust Park is located along a maintained gravel road, less than a ½ mile off of the River Road and about 6 miles outside of Valley City. There is a farmstead on the other side of the river/wooded area, otherwise no other nearby neighbors. It is also 6 or so miles up off of I-94 if folks approach it from that direction.

  • N
    Jul. 26, 2021

    Jorgen's Hollow Campground

    Quiet and scenic

    National forest campground. First come first served only with no attendant. There’s on manual pump well and two vault toilets. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring and most had nice level places to park. 3 miles of gravel road to the campground but the road was smooth and in good condition.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 3, 2020

    Fort Ransom State Park Campground

    Nice experience by the Sheyenne River and Grasslands

    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.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2022

    Eggerts Landing

    Good Privacy Between Most Sites

    The website instructions say to take exit 292 off I 94 but our RV GPS and Google Maps showed exit 294, which is probably a new exit. Coming from the east, exit 294 was the better option, but either exit would work as they both will lead to the turn to take you down to Eggerts Landing plus other COE areas as identified on the signs. The campground(CG) area was easy to find and we got potable water at the dump station conveniently located as we entered the CG area. The RV sites here are all 30 AMP electric and we proceeded to back-in spot 20, which was easy to back into off the turn. Site 20 is plenty long and we really liked the privacy between sites due to the vegetation and trees. This CG has a lot of mature trees so satellite would not be an option for most sites. We got 2 bars on Verizon and 2 on T-Mobile. The sites in the front of the CG are more open where you could get a satellite signal. The sites at the far end of the CG are more private with little trails weaving around. There are no sites that are truly on the lake, but several have paths to the water. There are trash cans smartly placed around the CG plus water spigots and vault toilets. Towards the front of the back loop, there’s a shower house. There is also a fishing pier near the CG area entrance. There’s a camp host, but they were only working weekends when we were there in September. However, park rangers patrolled the CG. This COE is about 15 minutes north of Valley City where amenities can be found. Check out Babb's Coffee House in Jamestown. Great place to have lunch after visiting the tourist spots in Jamestown and the coffee is very good too. If you are looking for gifts made in North Dakota, check out the Dakota Store, also in Jamestown, which is a great place to shop. We enjoyed our 3-night stay during the midweek.

  • Dan C.
    Jul. 15, 2020

    Fort Ransom State Park Campground

    Hiking trails and river for canoeing/kayaking/fishing

    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.

  • Katie L.
    Jul. 15, 2024

    Hankinson Hills Campground

    Beautiful stay in the grasslands

    Well maintained campground, has water and multiple vault toilets. There’s a loop for horse camping and a loop for non horse camping. Each site has a fire ring and a nice table, most spaces have trees to provide shade. Verizon works okay, not great but I had a bar or two. Can hear trains running by every so often. Only downside was the abundance of biting flies and mosquitoes.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2024

    Hankinson Hills Campground

    Great place to overnight

    There are gorgeous sites well spaced and lots of shade. Trails to bike ride around. No motorized vehicles allowed so it's quiet. Road in was good gravel. Picnic tables, fire rings and pit toilets. $10 / night. Great find.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 14, 2023

    Faust Park

    Just 1 night if need be

    Well, not the best place we stayed at. Arrived to trash bags beside the bin, half a rib cage (skeleton) of some animal (which we found the rest of the deer .5m down the road) and the 2 vault toilets need of a decent clean / toilet paper, but they didn't smell and were adequate for the night. We were the only people here, but locals dropped by for dog walks or rest stops. Area did have a grill, firepit, one picnic table in the open and 2 tables under a large cover. 2 gravel slopes go down to the river, but could imagine with the sediment at the river edge, car wheels may become stuck. Trains / rail crossing was 100yards away, as previously mentioned in other reviews, and our observations were as follows.....9 trains from mid afternoon  to early morning next day, 4 of which at night. Apart from the  3‐4 long horn blasts each time one came by, the actual train passing was not disturbing... 

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2023

    Buffalo River State Park Campground

    Everything you need

    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!


Guide to Leonard

Tent camping near Leonard, North Dakota offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the simplicity of outdoor living. With several nearby options, campers can find a spot that suits their needs.

Tips for tent camping near Leonard

  • Consider staying at Walmart — Dilworth Supercenter, where overnight parking is allowed, making it a convenient stop for tent campers.
  • If you're looking for a more rustic experience, check out Brushvale Bridge Primitive Canoe Campsite, which allows fires and is accessible by boat, perfect for adventurous campers.
  • For a simple city park experience, Arthur Park offers a grassy area for tenting along with nearby amenities like bathrooms and picnic shelters.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • At Arthur Park, enjoy the beautiful grounds, playgrounds, and the North Cass Pass Bike Trail, ideal for biking enthusiasts.
  • The serene environment of Wyndemere Rock Garden County Park is perfect for nature walks and birdwatching, providing a peaceful retreat.
  • For those who enjoy fishing, the area around Valley City National Fish Hatchery offers opportunities to catch local species while enjoying the scenic views.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $20

  • Camping at Brushvale Bridge Primitive Canoe Campsite is free, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious campers.
  • Mooreton City Park offers tent camping at no cost, providing a simple and accessible option for those looking to enjoy the outdoors without spending much.
  • For a small fee, Arthur Park allows reservations, ensuring a spot in a well-maintained park with various amenities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Leonard, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Leonard, ND is Arthur Park with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Leonard, ND?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Leonard, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.