Theodore Roosevelt National Park's badlands landscape sits at elevations between 2,000 and 2,700 feet, creating a stark temperature contrast between summer days that can exceed 100°F and nights that drop below 50°F. The park's North Unit typically receives fewer visitors than the South Unit, despite comparable wildlife viewing opportunities. Camping areas span from established National Park sites to primitive dispersed options on the surrounding Dakota Prairie National Grasslands.
What to do
Wildlife viewing walks: 30 minutes before sunrise: The early morning hours provide prime wildlife spotting opportunities when animals are most active. "Plenty of wildlife came through the camp. Sites are spread apart. Bathrooms are clean," notes a visitor to Juniper Campground.
Star gazing: From high points away from town lights: The dark skies above the badlands offer excellent celestial viewing opportunities. "Panoramic vistas the next morning were incredible and made the night drive completely worth it," reports one camper at the Grassland Boondocking area outside Medora.
Prairie hiking: Maah Daah Hey Trail access: This extensive trail system connects multiple campgrounds and offers day hikes of varying difficulty. "The Maah Daah Hey and Long X trails start at this campground. We did a great 11ish mile mountain bike loop by heading up Maah Daah Hey and down Long X," shares a visitor to CCC Campground.
What campers like
Quiet camping outside peak season: May and September: Shoulder seasons offer more solitude while maintaining good weather conditions. "We spent two nights at this campground in early October. We had it nearly to ourselves," reports a camper from CCC Campground, adding "October can be cold! It got down below freezing in the first week of October."
Helpful park rangers: Educational programs: Staff often provide valuable information about the park's features and wildlife. "Park Rangers provide educational classes from Thursday-Sunday evenings. Stunning views and wildlife experiences," explains a reviewer at Juniper Campground.
Unique sleeping options: Beyond tents and RVs: Some area campgrounds offer distinctive accommodations. "I believe that you can rent covered wagons here to sleep in as well if you are looking for a truly unique and western experience," notes a camper at Medora Campground.
What you should know
First-come sites fill quickly: Arrive by early afternoon: Many campgrounds in the area operate without reservations, requiring early arrival. "The absolute anxiety of getting here and not knowing whether we'd be able to get a spot or not is off the charts. We got here at about 1pm on a Sunday thinking there shouldn't be a problem, yet there were probably only about 4 spots left," cautions a Juniper Campground visitor.
Water limitations: Bring your own or know sources: Water access varies significantly between campgrounds. "The only drinking water is at the bathroom and not meant to fill your rv with so don't come here expecting to be able to fill your rv with safe water. The other spigots marked as unsafe have really high fluoride content," warns another Juniper Campground camper.
Time zone confusion: Near boundary line: Some locations sit near the time zone change which can affect planning. "Funny tidbit, the campground is on the border of the time zone border, so my devices would change times and I thought there was a problem, took me a while to figure it out," mentions a visitor to Juniper Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly ranger programs: Prairie dog presentations: Educational opportunities can engage children with local wildlife. "Our kids especially enjoyed the ranger presentation on prairie dogs," shares a camper from Cottonwood Campground in the south unit.
Playground access: Town facilities: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities for children. "This place has everything you need and more! It has a city pool right on site that is heated, a dog park, beautiful grounds with huge trees, great playground," notes a reviewer at Medora Campground.
Wildlife safety instruction: Bison encounters: Children need clear guidance about keeping distance from park wildlife. "Bison will definitely stroll through your sites if you're over by the field like we were," cautions a Juniper Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site size constraints: Check length restrictions: Many campgrounds were designed before large RVs became common. "When this place was built, they never envisioned large rigs. So if you have one over 30 feet, just be aware you might have to wiggle your way into a site," advises a visitor to Juniper Campground.
Limited hookup options: Plan for boondocking: Full service sites are scarce within park boundaries. "Pads are asphalt and smallish. There are public washrooms, but no showers. There is a dump station, but no potable water for RV tanks," explains a camper at Juniper Campground.
Nearby services: Watford City access: Supplies are available in nearby towns rather than in the park. "Watford City about 20 minutes away for groceries & gas," shares a reviewer from Magpie Campground.
