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Camping near Theodore Roosevelt National Park

400 Reviews

Camping near Theodore Roosevelt National Park ranges from established sites to more basic options. The park's Cottonwood Campground puts you right in the middle of the badlands with hiking trails nearby and good chances to see bison and prairie dogs. Just outside the park, Buffalo Gap Campground has more basic Forest Service facilities but sits close to its namesake trail. Fire bans happen regularly in this dry area, so check with rangers about current rules before you light anything. During summer, you'll want to reserve spots ahead of time, especially for weekend camping. Most sites have the basics—vault toilets and tables for eating. Water isn't available at all locations, so fill up in Medora or Watford City when you get groceries. The main roads to campgrounds stay in good shape, though some of the backcountry spots need vehicles with better clearance. The landscape changes dramatically from the stark badlands to the cottonwood-lined Little Missouri River. Many campers prefer May-June or September-October when temperatures are reasonable and you won't compete with summer vacation crowds. The park's camping areas work well for both quick overnight stays and longer trips exploring the area.

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Best Camping Sites Near Theodore Roosevelt National Park (61)

    1. Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    32 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 842-2333

    $30 / night

    "Believe it or not, but I would put the North unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park even ahead of Yosemite.

    The trees and the canopy in the Juniper campground is really cool."

    "While this may be in the middle of nowhere, it is worth the trip off the beaten path. From what I understand, the north unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park is even leas visited and less crowded."

    2. Ccc Campground (Nd) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

    17 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    11 miles
    +1 (701) 842-8500

    $10 / night

    "Absolutely beautiful campground right across the river from Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s north unit. The scenery is breathtaking."

    "It is a close drive to Theodore Roosevelt National Park which is nice because we could spend all day at the park and then easily make it back in time to cook dinner and enjoy the site as well."

    3. Magpie Campground

    9 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 225-5151

    $6 / night

    "The part I like most about this campground is the easy access to the world renowned Maah Daah Hey Trail: >100 miles of trail open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders."

    "They said they had good trails, but we didn’t have much time to explore. Beautiful views and very peaceful. Only downfall was the long drive on the rough/ unpaved roads."

    4. Summit Campground

    5 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 225-5151

    "Right on the highway so loud traffic all night. 1 pit toilet, 4 sites with picnic tables. Easy walk to a great view of the badlands."

    "One spot that is a loop turn around. I have a 2500 crew cab and 21' trailer parked without a problem. Could accommodate a little bigger trailer.

    There is steady road noise from I-85."

    5. Bennett

    2 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 225-5151

    "There are some nice long hiking trails, bison and other prairie critters. This is wide open country with no real facilities (no trash either).

    Yay: simple camping and lovely scenery, wildlife."

    6. Grassy Butte Community Park

    2 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    7 miles
    +1 (701) 863-6906

    "We explored the area - close to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit and National Grasslands. Lots of trees for shade."

    7. Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

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

    $20 - $60 / night

    "Cottonwood Campground was a very welcome oasis in the prairies of North Dakota."

    "What can I say, I went to Theodore Roosevelt National Park just to hangout with my brother and do some camping. I had very low expectations considering it is located in North Dakota."

    8. Juniper Campground Group Site — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    1 Review
    Grassy Butte, ND
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 842-2333

    $60 / night

    "Really beautiful site here with lots of easy and moderate trails to explore with lovely sunrise/sunset and wildlife! Similar feel to Badlands with some fewer crowds."

    9. Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    54 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 227-7800

    "We stayed here while visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Amazing views and very quite."

    "Camped for 1 night before going to theodore roosevelt national park the nxt day! It was nice! A lot of campers. Lots of spaces! Please be noce and clean after"

    10. Medora Campground

    44 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 623-4435

    $30 - $60 / night

    "Close spots just outside of Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Some spots are very close, but have stunning views of the buttes behind and the Little Missouri River."

    "Great location! This campground isright next to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and across the street from The Medora Musical. Restrooms & showers are clean and the have a laundry."

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Recent Camping Photos near Theodore Roosevelt National Park

92 Photos of 61 Theodore Roosevelt National Park Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Theodore Roosevelt National Park

400 Reviews of 61 Theodore Roosevelt National Park Campgrounds

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    Lots of space. Be careful ..

    ...the hill is pretty steep and a couple sharp turns. If you are towing just make sure you are comfortable with that. It's a one lane road up the ill with blind spots so go slow and yield. Remember you'll have to come back down! Beautiful views though nicely spaced out spots.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Small Campground but Simple

    This campground is in the north unit of the park. It has 50 primitive sites available on first come first serve basis. We were here on Labor Day weekend and campground was full for the first time in 2 years. Pads are asphalt and smallish. There are public washrooms, but no showers. There is a dump station, but no potable water for RV tanks. Drinking water is available at the wash house . The drinking of the water at the fill station is discouraged due to high levels of fluoride. While we were camped here, 2 small herds of bison grazed through the camp.

  • Mark The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    Newly added site numbers

    This area is also known as Scoria Boondocking on Campendium. Workers came through on Aug 29th 2025 and put up site numbers. Indicated they were trying to get control of where people park. We were at the new #5 site with a 35' 5th wheel. Site is unlevel the further into the site you go but we were able to level pretty easily more towards where you enter the site. We were happy with our site location and views. You could hear road noise from I94 but it wasn't too bad. Also had a view of fireworks from the Medora music show each night around 9:35. Not sure how many sites they ended up marking further up the gravel road. There is no west bound reentry onto i94 from this exit (23). You have to go east bound back to exit 24 to go west again.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    American RV Park

    Great campground

    Nice no frills campsite in a small town. Jason was a very gracious host! He met us when we arrived and gave us information about the site and the town. We stayed a week while sightseeing in the area. Highly recommend!

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    If it was reservable, it would be 3 stars

    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 and only 1 we could fit in. A lot of spots already had tags on them but not one bit of equipment set in place. Assuming it was someone that came in much earlier just to tag a spot...that needs to be addressed. There's quite a few "drinking water" spigots marked on the map but when you get to them there is a sign with a drinking glass and a red slash through it. The only drinking water is at the bathroom and not meant to fill your rv with so dont come here expecting to be able to fill your rv with safe water. The other spigots marked as unsafe have really high fluoride content and feels like slime. But we were told its safe to shower in. Im sorry but I dont trust that at all. If you shouldn't drink it bc of the high fluoride then you shouldn't shower in it. You'll just absorb it through your skin. We're in spot 30 and its pretty spacious but not private at all. Most spots really have no privacy at all. So if that's what you're looking for then look else where. We got barked at by the neighbors' dogs every time we walked out. Very pretty setting but in my opinion its way too crowded. Also not sure if its just the area or time of year but there's just billions of flies all over all the time. Makes being outside miserable. Also my husband got stung by a yellow jacket. I think there's a nest in the picnic table. The grill was full of charcoals and a chunk of burnt wood. It just seems like the sites are not ever checked or taken care of. The only work I've seen done is trash collection. There's an rv dump at least but not sure what much you'll need to dump since there's only one spigot at the bathroom you can fill a jug at.

  • Maddy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    West River Rd Medora ND Dispersed

    Cow Country

    Beautiful but confusing. I originally went to dispersed camping on the other side of the highway but it was completely full!

    Despite the one negative review, I decided to scope out west river. There wasn’t a closure like they mentioned so I thought I was in the clear. But when I pulled into what I thought would be a spot, the road was deserving a 4WD. I went anyway and crossed paths with a couple of locals out there shooting. It didn’t scream safety.

    Looking back, I’m sure it could be multi-use and fine to camp. Either way, I ended up the road car camping in what was essentially a turnout. I was awoken to the mooing of cows bright and early.

  • 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.

Guide to Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Camping near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, offers a unique experience filled with stunning landscapes and wildlife. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore the park: Theodore Roosevelt National Park is known for its beautiful badlands and diverse wildlife. Many campers enjoy hiking the trails and spotting animals like bison and prairie dogs. One visitor at Cottonwood Campground mentioned, "We saw a ton of buffalo on the north side and we have already spotted buffalo, seen prairie dogs and wild horses from the road."
  • Visit nearby attractions: The town of Medora is just a short drive away and offers fun activities like the Medora Musical and steak fondue dinners. A camper at Medora Campground said, "Super easy to walk over to the NP or into Thiel for coffee, breakfast, dinner."
  • Hiking and biking: The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a popular spot for hiking and biking. Campers at Ccc Campground appreciated the access to this trail, stating, "The views from the campsite were beautiful and there’s an access to the Maah Daah Hey trail from the campground."

What campers like:

  • Spacious sites: Many campers enjoy the spaciousness of sites at campgrounds like Cottonwood Campground, where one reviewer noted, "Lots of trees and plenty of space between most sites."
  • Clean facilities: Clean bathrooms are a big plus for many visitors. A camper at Juniper Campground mentioned, "The bathroom was clean, but for some reason like a sauna at night!"
  • Quiet atmosphere: Campers appreciate the peacefulness of the area. One visitor at Scoria Pit Dispersed Camping said, "The location and quietness around us was very much worth it."

What you should know:

  • Limited services: Many campgrounds, like Cottonwood Campground, have limited services. One camper pointed out, "This campground has very limited services. There is a water filling station... but no dump station for RVs."
  • Noise from roads: Some sites are close to roads, which can be noisy. A camper at Buffalo Gap Campground mentioned, "Pretty loud road noise from the highway but a good spot to stop for a night."
  • First-come, first-served: Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A visitor at Juniper Campground noted, "There were plenty of first come first serve sites."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose sites wisely: Some sites may lack shade, making them hot during the day. A camper at Cottonwood Campground advised, "Choose your tent only walk-in site carefully. Most (especially those next to the river) have no shade."
  • Plan for activities: Bring games and outdoor activities to keep kids entertained. One family at Medora Campground enjoyed the community pool, saying, "There’s a community pool right at the campground too. Bonus!"
  • Pack snacks: Having snacks on hand can make a big difference. A camper at Magpie Campground mentioned, "We were headed to the north unit of TRNP and found this nice campground."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site lengths: Some campgrounds have shorter sites that may not accommodate larger RVs. A visitor at Juniper Campground warned, "If you have one over 30 feet, just be aware you might have to wiggle your way into a site."
  • Use Google Maps: It can help you find the best routes and sites. A camper at Scoria Pit Dispersed Camping suggested, "Take it slowly, but I had no problem and I drive a 2WD hatchback."
  • Be prepared for limited hookups: Many campgrounds, like Buffalo Gap Campground, do not offer electric hookups. A camper noted, "The sites are all asphalt and offer a decent amount of privacy!"

Camping near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, is a fantastic way to connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors. Just be sure to plan ahead and know what to expect!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is camping allowed inside Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

Yes, camping is allowed inside Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The park offers designated campgrounds for overnight stays. Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit provides a peaceful setting along the Missouri River with spacious sites for tents and RVs. For those looking to camp near the park but outside its boundaries, Sully Creek State Park is just ten minutes from the national park entrance and offers an alternative camping option with shower facilities ($1 for 8 minutes). National Park campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis and have modest fees. Backcountry camping is also permitted in specific areas with a free permit available from visitor centers.

Can I bring my RV to Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

Yes, RVs are welcome at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, though services are limited inside the park with no hookups available. For full hookups, Red Trail Campground in Medora offers spacious sites with full hookup services right outside the park's South Unit entrance. Another excellent option is North Park Campground, which provides level sites with full hookups about 30 minutes from the park. The campground inside the park can accommodate smaller to medium-sized RVs, but has length restrictions and no hookups. During peak season, arriving early is recommended as sites fill quickly. Many RVers choose to stay at nearby private campgrounds with full amenities and make day trips into the park.

Where are the campgrounds located in Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

Theodore Roosevelt National Park has two main campgrounds located in different units of the park. Cottonwood Campground is situated in the South Unit along the Missouri River, offering spacious sites with beautiful riverside views. In the North Unit, Juniper Campground provides a serene camping experience with tree cover and stunning landscapes. Both campgrounds are first-come, first-served and offer basic amenities like vault toilets and potable water (seasonal). The South Unit's Cottonwood Campground is near the town of Medora, while the North Unit's Juniper Campground is closer to Watford City, allowing visitors to experience different sections of this diverse national park.

Are there campgrounds near the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

Yes, there are excellent camping options near the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. CCC Campground in the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands is located right across the river from the North Unit, offering breathtaking scenery with three different loops (A-C). While most sites lack shade, a few in loop B do provide some coverage. Another option is Buffalo Gap Campground, a small 37-site Forest Service campground near the North Unit. It has no hookups or cell service but provides a quiet camping experience in two loops. The North Unit also contains Juniper Campground within the park boundaries for those wanting to stay inside the national park itself.

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