Minot, North Dakota sits at an elevation of 1,620 feet in the north-central region of the state with seasonal temperature variations from below-zero winters to 80-degree summers. The surrounding area features a mix of prairie landscape and small lakes where dispersed camping options often provide more solitude than established campgrounds. Most camping locations remain open from May through mid-October when overnight temperatures consistently stay above freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Buffalo Lodge Lake offers primitive camping with boat access and fishing piers where anglers catch northern pike. According to Roger B., the lake has "a few shade trees and covered pavilions" plus a "boat ramp and fishing pier" though electric hookups aren't available for RVs.
Trail exploration: Denbigh Experimental Forest provides free dispersed camping with well-maintained trails showing diverse tree plantings. Emily S. calls it "beautiful and fascinating" with "beautifully maintained trails and a small network of unpaved roads" perfect for dog walking, though she warns campers about serious tick issues: "to say that we became infested with ticks is damn near an understatement."
Lake swimming: Nelson Carlson Lake provides lakefront camping sites with basic amenities. Len U. notes "All sites are along the lake. There are dumpsters, a boat ramp, picnic tables, two pit toilets and fire pits." Be aware that some local lakes develop algae and wildlife issues in summer, as one camper at Buffalo Lodge Lake reported: "the baby crawdads clinging to my legs made me think twice about going any deeper than my knees."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Swenson Valley View RV Park receives praise for its immaculate facilities. James and Susan K. mentioned: "The bathroom and showers and the laundry room were absolutely spotlessly clean and roomy." The park charges $50/night for full hookup sites.
Lakeside camping: Buffalo Lodge Lake offers free camping spots directly on the water. One camper mentioned the convenience factor: "After advice from friends, we decided to test this place out since it is near Minot." The waterfront setting provides easy fishing and wildlife viewing access.
Quiet nights: Nelson Carlson Lake provides peaceful overnight experiences away from urban noise. Len U. reported: "There was no traffic at night. We had the place to ourselves in October." The campground features flood lights in the middle section, while "the two ends are fairly dark" for those seeking darker skies.
What you should know
Military camping options: Minot AFB FamCamp offers affordable sites with utilities for eligible military personnel. Chris L. notes they're "extremely affordable sites, with water and electric. Dump available." However, be prepared for uneven terrain as "sites are concrete pads, but far from level."
Site selection importance: At Roughrider RV Resort, the campground layout varies dramatically between sections. George K. explains: "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."
Seasonal limitations: Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally. One reviewer at Minot AFB FamCamp mentioned the short season running "May 15th to October 15th." For fall camping, always call ahead as many locations close earlier depending on weather patterns.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Old Settlers Park offers family-friendly amenities including play areas. Stefanie Z. mentioned: "It 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."
Tent camping locations: When camping with children, select tent sites away from roads. Mary F. at Old Settlers Park observed: "Tent sites are nicest as they are away from road. Tent sites are in separate area from rv sites. Expect road and rail noise at both."
Bathroom proximity: Consider distance to facilities when camping with small children. Thomas B. warned about Old Settlers Park: "This is a clean little campground with easy access to US-2. It has free showers but it's in the only bathroom which is a long walk from the camping sites."
Tips from RVers
Utility considerations: At Roughrider RV Resort, site selection affects hookup access. MickandKarla W. noted potential challenges: "We also saw that to dump our rear black tank we would need more than 25' of sewer hose" and added that "If we pulled up any further we wouldn't have been able to get our bedroom slide out because of the two trees."
Water connections: Many campgrounds have shared water hookups requiring additional equipment. MickandKarla W. found at Roughrider RV Resort: "When we hooked up water we found that the water hose 2-way splitter we shared with the site next to us would not open all the way."
Layout differences: RV parks near Minot often accommodate both overnight and long-term stays. Ashley B. observed at Roughrider RV Resort: "This site has both over night camping and long term lots for RV's. It also has spots for tent camping so if you want a place to camp close to town this is great."
