The badlands surrounding Theodore Roosevelt National Park offer distinctive seasonal camping options at elevations ranging from 2,200 to 2,900 feet. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F, while nights can drop below freezing even in warmer months. The region's rugged terrain includes numerous buttes, draws, and prairie expanses that provide habitat for bison, wild horses, and prairie dogs.
What to Do
Explore the Maah Daah Hey Trail: Access over 100 miles of scenic trail directly from Magpie Campground for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. "Direct access to 100+ miles of the Maah Daah Hey trail! Either head south on Magpie road to Magpie trailhead, or follow the campground road away from the main road past the cattleguard and find the connecting trail there," notes Cullen C.
Watch wildlife at dawn/dusk: Visit the North Unit for better wildlife viewing with fewer crowds than the South Unit. "While we were camped here, 2 small herds of bison grazed through the camp," reports Chris A. from Juniper Campground.
Attend ranger programs: Park rangers offer evening educational programs at several campgrounds during summer months. "Park Rangers provide educational classes from Thursday-Sunday evenings," mentions Cable A., who enjoyed these interpretive sessions.
What Campers Like
Easy park access: Campgrounds near the park entrances simplify daily exploration. "This campground is only about 1/4 mile from the entrance to the North Unit of Theodore Rosevelt National Park," writes Scott D. about CCC Campground, noting it has "plenty of pit toilets, potable water, and electric."
Dark night skies: The remote location provides excellent stargazing opportunities away from city lights. "The stars were beautiful and the camp was so quite," Laura C. shares about her experience at Magpie Campground.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained facilities. "The site is really clean and is surrounded by grass," writes Jasmine L. about her stay at Juniper Campground, though she noted the sites can feel small for multiple tents.
What You Should Know
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds have limited drinking water options. "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," cautions Jennifer K. about Juniper Campground, adding that other spigots have "really high fluoride content and feels like slime."
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. "Easy 1 mile drive on well maintained gravel/dirt road off Highway 85," reports Debra P. about CCC Campground, which she found "looks brand new" with fire pits that appeared never used.
Weather extremes: Be prepared for significant temperature swings. "October can be cold! It got down below freezing in the first week of October," warns Nicole C., who also noted high winds at CCC Campground, recommending "a site in the B loop that offers a good amount of protection from wind from most directions."
Tips for Camping with Families
Wildlife viewing spots: Children often enjoy the prairie dog towns and bison herds. "Plenty of trees provide privacy in this nice National Park campsite that's just a short walk to the banks of the Little Missouri River... our kids especially enjoyed the ranger presentation on prairie dogs," shares Lee L. about Juniper Campground.
Town amenities: The nearby town of Medora offers additional activities. "This is a good solid campground that was almost full when we arrived, but we were able to choose a nice spot," writes Deborah C., noting that the "park rangers here were awesome and so helpful."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer nature programs specifically designed for children. "We spent the day in the town of Medora which has so much to do and so filled with history. Back at the campground, which we located a spot right next to the river, the boys went fishing," recalls Tonya T. about her family's experience.
Tips from RVers
Generator restrictions: Rules on generator use vary by campground. "Generators are allowed 60 decibels at 50 feet," notes Tammy P. about Sully Creek State Park, which is now known as Rough Riders according to Delanie J., who adds it has "nice facilities, great shaded primitive sites, access to the Mah Dah Hey trail."
Dump station availability: Plan accordingly for limited facilities. "The campground has two loops of campsites (Mandan, Hidatsu) for a total of 35 sites. Each loop has flush toilets (2) one bathhouse with 3 showers," reports Mark J. about Buffalo Gap Campground, adding that when "the dumpstation was unavailable due to necessary repairs" he "paid $5 to use their facility when I left."
Site size considerations: Many campgrounds have size limitations. "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 Bob M. about his experience at Juniper Campground.
