The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Sentinel Butte, ND

365 Reviews

Buffalo Gap Campground, located near Sentinel Butte, offers pet-friendly camping with fire rings and picnic tables at each site. This Forest Service campground features paved parking pads and easy access to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, making it ideal for visitors with dogs exploring the badlands. Pets must be leashed throughout the campground, which includes two loops with a variety of campsites—some nestled behind trees for seclusion and others on hilltops with panoramic views. Additional pet-friendly options include Camel's Hump Lake, which has four lakeside campsites with fire pits and tables, and several dispersed camping areas where pets can join their owners. The campground maintains clean facilities including flush toilets and free hot showers that campers particularly appreciate after hiking with their dogs. Campground data and reviews near Sentinel Butte, North Dakota is regularly updated on The Dyrt.

The Buffalo Gap Trail provides direct access for dog walking from the campground, with hikers noting the beautiful wildflowers along the path during summer months. While camping with pets, visitors should be aware of wildlife in the area, including coyotes that can be heard at night from the campsites. Highway noise from nearby I-94 is audible at some sites, though many campers report it isn't disruptive to their experience. Buffalo Gap's location makes it a convenient base for exploring pet-friendly trails in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, though pets must remain in developed areas within the park boundaries. The campground's $20 fee ($10 with America the Beautiful senior pass) provides good value for campers with dogs seeking a clean, accessible option with amenities not typically found at dispersed sites.

Map showing campgrounds near Sentinel Butte, North DakotaExplore the Map

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Sentinel Butte, North Dakota (34)

    1. Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    58 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 227-7800

    "It was easy to come from Medora, North Dakota to the site, but it appears that you only get an entrance and exit on the Medora side."

    "It’s a little bumpy so take it slowly, but I had no problem and I drive a 2WD hatchback. A quick word of warning: rattlesnakes could be in the bushes!"

    2. Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    71 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 623-4466

    $20 - $60 / night

    "Elk, deer, wild horses were common as well as hawks and prairie dogs.  "

    "I visited this campground for 1 night while driving across North Dakota. It's super easy to access from I-94, but you feel like you're a million miles away from the interstate."

    3. Medora Campground

    45 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 623-4435

    $30 - $60 / night

    "Convenient location for exploring Medora. It has a city pool right on site that is heated, a dog park beautiful grounds with huge trees."

    "Our site was a pull in from one road, and the neighbors sites was a pull in from the parallel road, leaving us to share space - literally two picnic tables next to one another."

    4. Buffalo Gap Campground (ND)

    22 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 227-7800

    $20 / night

    "General: Small (37-site) forest service campground in two loops near Theodore Roosevelt National Park. No hookups or cell service (despite proximity to the highway)."

    "Isolated Some camp sites are real gems A variety of sites depending on what you want- camp on the hill in grassland if you want to watch sunset/sunrise- or get one of the camp sites that are nestled behind"

    5. Sully Creek State Park — Sully Creek State Recreation Area

    30 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 623-2024

    "It was right next to an equestrian area, so some horses being trained and whinnying just next door."

    "We had total privacy, a fire pit that you could see the bluff from, trees all around, and the only thing you heard were horses from the horse camp area."

    6. Red Trail Campground

    20 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 621-4317

    $27 - $46 / night

    "We stayed at Red Trail campground in Medora, ND in September 2021. This is a great little park right outside Theodore Roosevelt National park."

    "Pet friendly, close to town, nice little store and friendly! Each site has a grill and picnic table. Most sites gravel - our site was very level. Water pressure is good!"

    7. Camel's Hump Lake

    6 Reviews
    Sentinel Butte, ND
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 328-6300

    "Close to interstate. Which you can hear. Heard a train go by a few times. Lake gets a few fisherman throughout the day. Only 4 spots which filled up before dark. No water or dump."

    "The highway can be a bit loud but it’s not that bad. It looked like 4 spots and decent enough size. Great views of the lake."

    8. Boots Campground

    5 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    15 miles
    Website

    $40 / night

    "The location is great as the park entrance is just a few miles away, along with the gateway town of Medora. Reservation and check in was all digital which was nice."

    "Very close to neighbors and site 7 is very hard to get level. We had to buy more leveling blocks. We're pro members and couldn't figure out how to get the pro discount. No tables or fire rings."

    9. West River Rd Medora ND Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 989-7300

    10. Golva City Campground

    1 Review
    Sentinel Butte, ND
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 872-3661

    "Our site was located right on the water.we have been co.ing around this area my whole life we live it"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 34 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Sentinel Butte Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Sentinel Butte, ND

33 Photos of 34 Sentinel Butte Campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Sentinel Butte, ND

365 Reviews of 34 Sentinel Butte Campgrounds

  • James W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    Spectacular

    This is one of my favorite campsites to date. It’s totally dispersed camping, and there’s a lot of dirt road dust, however our site was super quiet and dark for beautiful stargazing. The other five star reviews are in my opinion legitimate. It was easy to come from Medora, North Dakota to the site, but it appears that you only get an entrance and exit on the Medora side. We almost went here for a second night, but got a first come first serve site inside the park for the next night.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Medora Campground

    Medora the Beautiful

    This is our first time staying at a public campground, so I was thinking, maybe it wouldn’t be that great… This place has everything you need and more! Convenient location for exploring Medora. It has a city pool right on site that is heated, a dog park beautiful grounds with huge trees. Great playground, It has a little store connected to the office that has little goodies that you might need for your stay. While in Medora, you must get a caramel roll from Country Cafe (I think that’s the name, cash only and right behind the Badlands motel) best caramel roll I have ever had in my life!

  • Jackie F.
    Aug. 11, 2022

    Medora Campground

    Best Choice for the Area

    Tried to stay inside TRNP next door but learned quickly there weren’t any hookups. This place had some harsh reviews on Campendium app however we found it delightful. The biggest woe here is that the sites are extremely tight. Our site was a pull in from one road, and the neighbors sites was a pull in from the parallel road, leaving us to share space - literally two picnic tables next to one another. Other than that though, gorgeous scenery well maintained sidewalks that you can hike or bike right into town. A public dog park at the end of the street. And our section was brand new. The electric poles were new. The sewer hookup at our site seemed a bit big but we have an adapter. Overall would highly recommend if in Medora!

  • D
    May. 23, 2021

    Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Where the buffalo roam

    Camped late April for 5 days, so it was offseason one pit toilet open one water spigot open in the campground.  There are two loops, the south look which is tenting and smaller sized trailer sites but it was not yet open while we were there,  The North Loop is mainly pull through sites and can handle larger sized RV's.  This is dry camping, there are no hookups.  You can experience some nice hiking and opportunities for wildlife viewing.  Buffalo were common visitors while having coffee in the morning.   Elk, deer, wild horses were common as well as hawks and prairie dogs.  Currently Western North Dakota is experiencing a drought, and being early in the season for the campground, it was dry and dusty but did not prevent us from hiking and exploring the park.  There is a convenience store in Medora ND right outside the park entrance that you can purchase basics but there was no grocery store.  Part of the scenic loop drive is closed due to road erosion but you can still travel most of it though its an out and back with turnarounds for larger vehicles. We would defiantly camp there again, but if you need the luxuries of an RV "park", you will not find that here.  The campground is well maintained and clean.

  • Stephanie Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2016

    Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Nice NP Campground Convenient to I-94

    I visited this campground for 1 night while driving across North Dakota. It's super easy to access from I-94, but you feel like you're a million miles away from the interstate. Arriving at the Teddy Roosevelt NP main entrance late in the day, the booth was closed and the "Campground Full" sign was up. I decided to check for myself and I'm glad I did. They sometimes put the campground full site up when the ranger leaves for the night- always check for yourself.

    The campsites were basic- picnic table, fire ring, and close proximity to some basic bathrooms. My site was grassy and easy for a tent. The campground didn't allow hammocks or anything attached to trees. The rangers were very friendly and actively patroling the campground. There were NP events at the campground each night.

    The cost for a site was $16 (and 20$ to enter the park if you don't have a pass). You cannot get change from the ranger and you cannot use a credit card to register. The closest place to get change, firewood, gas, etc. is Medora which is about 7 miles away. The convenience store there has anything you might want.

    There are lots of great hikes accessible in the park, but the park is not crowded like other National Parks, so be sure to get a trail map and directions for hiking as all trails are not well marked.

  • S
    Aug. 29, 2021

    Cabins of Amidon

    Great Little Hideaway

    Fun little spot in the middle of the Great Plains of western North Dakota.

    Just off Highway 85 at Amidon, ND. Population 25!

    Great one nighter or a very quiet longer stay. Come prepared! No groceries except in small store in Bowman 21 miles away.

    No trains no trucks!

    We had a couple beers and a good pizza in Mo’s Bunker Bar just steps away from our trailer.

    Nine average to small size spaces with water, electric, and sewer! $35

    A younger couple bought this in 2006 and have done some hard work to renovate a basement into a bar . It is a sight to see and play darts or pool and have pizza or root beer floats!

    Nice clean bathrooms and private showers with wonderful hot water. Laundry was available.

    We just happened to show up on the first day of the Slope County 101 Annual Fair and rodeo. Got to mix with local people. Corn hole games, FFA auction, exhibits and games!

    There was a demonstration of a 100 year old steam power engine and a combine working as kids threw wheat shafts on the conveyor.

    White Butte, the high point of ND is very close! A mile or so hike to the top!

  • Whistle P.
    Aug. 7, 2022

    Cabins of Amidon

    Loved this place! ❤️

    We’d been staying in State parks the last few weeks, with deep toilets and showers that require quarters. Here we had flushable toilets, HOT showers with good pressure and free laundry! We also liked having the bar on site to grab snacks, drinks, food etc. Also there was cool stuff to see! There’s a one room schoolhouse exhibit across the road at the fairgrounds. White Butte (tallest point in North Dakota) is a great hike super close. You can also get to Medora for TRNP or Regent for the Enchanted Highway in about an hour. Very centrally located.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2018

    Makoshika State Park Campground

    Dinosaurs and caprocks galore

    wow, what a find! We had planned to travel through the area but hadn’t planned to stop—until we hit the Tourist Center at the Montana border and found a brochure for thus park. If you love geology and want a quieter less crowded and more accessible experience than the Theodore Roosevelt National Park nearby, then this place is for you! There are several campgrounds and dispersed campsites to choose from, the RV campground is small and packed and a bit barren, but the tent sites are magnificent. There are incredible canyon views from the “Pine on Rocks” campground close to the park amphitheater, but the campsites are kind of on the edge of a cliff so would not be good with kids or pets. The trails are magnificent, and you can hike to all kinds of geological wonders, even some dinosaur digs in action! However, don’t do like we did as we came in August and the heat is BRUTAL and we werent able to hike as much as we wanted. However, we were pleased that our dog was able to join us as we discovered dogs arent allowed on the hiking trails over at the National Park

  • Bradley H.
    Jul. 31, 2020

    Camp On The Heart

    Nice park for a short stay

    $30.00 a night gets you full hook up and a nice place to park your rig. Nomad campers have a separate section apart from the long term campers. Short term have the best view of Heart River. My only complaint would be the very rough gravel entrance road. Just go slow and all will be fine!

    Medora, North Dakota, 40 minutes west, is Home to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Medora Musical Theatre. I highly recommend both and the Musical will renew your passion for our great country!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Guide to Sentinel Butte

Camping with pets near Sentinel Butte, North Dakota, offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your furry friends. Several campgrounds in the area welcome pets, ensuring a memorable experience for both you and your pets.

Pet owners like spacious sites and amenities

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Sentinel Butte

  • The scenic trails at Medora Campground provide great opportunities for hiking with your dog, allowing you to explore the stunning landscapes together.
  • Red Trail Campground is conveniently located near downtown Medora, where you can enjoy local attractions and take your pet along for the adventure.
  • At Coal Creek Campground, you can access nearby trails and enjoy peaceful surroundings, making it a great spot for leisurely walks with your pet.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include great amenities

  • Scoria Pit Dispersed Camping allows pets and offers a quiet atmosphere, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
  • Boots Campground features full hookups and is close to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, making it a convenient base for exploring the area with your pet.
  • Elkhorn Campground provides a secluded experience with picnic tables and fire rings, ideal for enjoying evenings with your pet under the stars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Sentinel Butte, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Sentinel Butte, ND is Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking with a 4.8-star rating from 58 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Sentinel Butte, ND?

TheDyrt.com has all 34 dog-friendly camping locations near Sentinel Butte, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring