Camping spots near Minot, North Dakota provide options within an hour's drive of this northern plains city. Located at 1,620 feet elevation in the Souris River Valley, Minot experiences temperature swings typical of the northern Great Plains, with summer highs averaging 80°F and winter lows often below 0°F. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May to October, with limited winter options.
What to do
Fishing at Buffalo Lake: Buffalo Lake County Park offers good fishing opportunities with a boat ramp and fishing pier. According to Roger B., it's a "very nice campground on the lake" with "a few shade trees and covered pavilions."
Hiking nearby: Old Settlers Park has walking trails and natural areas to explore. Dave S. mentioned it's "beautiful and off the beaten path," making it ideal for nature enthusiasts wanting to stretch their legs.
Visit local wineries: When staying at Old Settlers Park, campers can take a short drive to nearby wineries. One reviewer noted, "There's a decent North Dakota style winery (sweet fruit wines) a couple miles down the road with a lovely view and even some hikes. Worth a visit - Pointe of View."
Disc golf: Old Settlers Park features a disc golf course for recreational players. A camper described that the park has "a little pavilion, a playground, 'beach', a couple cute bridges, a big grassy field for stargazing or throwing the ball around, a disc golf course."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Roughrider RV Resort maintains high standards for bathrooms and showers. Joe D. commented, "The restrooms and paid showers were clean and new. On site laundry was a plus."
Accommodating staff: Many campgrounds feature friendly management willing to help. At Roughrider RV Resort, one guest noted, "Management was super nice. Let us have a late checkout and even brought a few pieces of firewood for free the day before."
Peaceful settings: Despite being near town, Granville City Park offers tranquility. Reese W. called it the "best case scenario for a free camping spot" and "a great spot to stop and sleep for the night."
River access: Some campgrounds provide water activities. Rachel H. described her stay at Roughrider saying, "We had a magical stay in our tent. The place is well kept and tucked away with beautiful sites next to the river."
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience railroad noise. At Old Settlers Park, one camper warned, "There are heavily trafficked train tracks a couple hundred yards away from the campground so if you are a light sleeper or are bothered by trains this might not be the place for you."
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds close during winter months. Rice Lake County Park is described as "a weekend getaway close to Minot" but has limited amenities and operates seasonally.
Bathroom availability: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. At Granville City Park, a reviewer noted, "Only open bathroom is a port-o-potty, however, they are well maintained. There are water spigots around outside, and multiple RV electric hook ups ($20 a day)."
Weather considerations: North Dakota's climate means planning for changing conditions. Art S. mentioned at Granville City Park, "The mosquitos were quite lively but they seemed to like the shade better than the sun. It was worth it to stay in the sun a little more to evade those pesky biters."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Old Settlers Park, families appreciate the "playground, 'beach', a couple cute bridges, a big grassy field for stargazing or throwing the ball around."
Choose sites with space: Swenson Valley View RV Park offers larger sites for families. James and Susan K. noted, "The short term sites were 60' and more."
Consider bathroom proximity: At some campgrounds, facilities may be distant from sites. Thomas B. pointed out at Old Settlers Park, "It has free showers but it's in the only bathroom which is a long walk from the camping sites."
Check for swimming options: Some locations permit swimming during warmer months. One camper at Old Settlers Park mentioned, "Swimming is allowed at your own risk" and the park is "right on the river which is cool."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Minot AFB FamCamp, Chris L. advised, "Sites are concrete pads, but far from level. Site 1's water is not working, so we had to piggyback off or site 2 with our own splitter."
Long-term vs. short-term areas: Some campgrounds have different sections for various stay durations. At Roughrider RV Resort, George K. explained, "The front section feels like a true campground with the exception of the sites are a little close and the rear corner is set up like a gravel rv parking lot and priced accordingly."
Sewer hose length: Plan for variable hookup placements. One RVer at Roughrider warned, "We also saw that to dump our rear black tank we would need more than 25' of sewer hose."
Winter availability: Limited campgrounds offer winter services. Swenson Valley View RV Park operates year-round, though with reduced amenities in winter months. George K. noted it's "not your typical KOA with a pool and big playground" but is "quite a peaceful park" for those working in the Minot area.
