Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Juniper Campground within Theodore Roosevelt National Park permits pets throughout its 50 sites, offering both tent and RV camping options with picnic tables and fire pits. Pets must remain on leash in this first-come, first-served campground where buffalo frequently roam through the area. Additional pet-friendly options include Summit Campground, a free Forest Service site with vault toilets and designated camping spots, and Grassy Butte Community Park with $15 nightly rates including electric hookups. These sites maintain clean facilities with restrooms, though none offer shower facilities. Bison herds move freely through Juniper Campground, sometimes grazing within 20 feet of tents, requiring campers to keep pets secured at all times.
The North Unit's hiking trails accommodate leashed pets with several routes providing spectacular badlands views. A hiking trail near Summit Campground offers a good spot to exercise dogs while enjoying overlooks of the surrounding terrain. Visitors should be prepared for wildlife encounters including bison and wild horses, maintaining proper distance with pets. Summer temperatures can become extremely hot with minimal shade at some sites, making early morning or evening the optimal times for pet exercise. The Little Missouri River provides water access near Juniper Campground for cooling off, though the campground water had treatment issues affecting taste according to some visitors. Wildlife observation opportunities abound with bighorn sheep, buffalo, and prairie dogs frequently spotted throughout the park.
