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Best Tent Camping near Theodore Roosevelt National Park

401 Reviews

Tent campgrounds near Theodore Roosevelt National Park offer primitive experiences in the rugged North Dakota badlands terrain. Bennett Camp provides basic tent sites within the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, featuring fire rings and picnic tables at $20 per reservation. Elkhorn Campground, located near Medora, offers another tent camping option with drive-in and hike-in access in a valley setting with badlands views. West River Road dispersed camping area provides free, undeveloped sites for those seeking a more remote experience.

Campground surfaces range from dirt to prairie grass with minimal site development. Elkhorn Campground includes fire rings, picnic tables, and pit toilets, though potable water is limited to a hand pump that can produce discolored water. One camper shared, "The hand pump was hard to pump which produced light brown water which wasn't something we wanted to drink, so bring in your own water." Bennett Camp includes water pumps, fire rings and tables, but limited amenities otherwise. Dispersed camping areas lack all facilities, requiring visitors to bring all necessary supplies including drinking water and practice Leave No Trace principles.

The tent camping experience near Theodore Roosevelt National Park provides opportunities to witness wildlife and dramatic weather patterns. Areas farther from developed facilities offer deeper seclusion with expansive prairie views. According to one visitor, "This was one of our favorite campsite in ND. Very Badlands feel here. There are some nice long hiking trails, bison and other prairie critters." Thunderstorms rolling across the open prairie create memorable experiences, while wildlife sightings commonly include bison, feral horses, and various prairie species. Tent campers should prepare for extreme temperature fluctuations, with hot days and cool nights typical in this region. The wide-open nature of many sites means minimal shade, making proper sun protection essential during summer months.

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Best Tent Sites Near Theodore Roosevelt National Park (7)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Theodore Roosevelt National Park

4 Photos of 7 Theodore Roosevelt National Park Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Theodore Roosevelt National Park

401 Reviews of 7 Theodore Roosevelt National Park Campgrounds

  • Stefanie Z.
    Sep. 18, 2020

    Ccc Campground (Nd) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

    Beautiful, clean, peaceful!

    We stayed here two nights in a tent and loved it! Absolutely beautiful campground right across the river from Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s north unit. The scenery is breathtaking. There are three different loops A-C, and while most sites have no shade there are a couple in loop B (including ours #12) that have trees and provide good shade and wind protection. The pit toilets were some of the cleanest I’ve encountered in my history of camping. We were there in mid-September so the campground wasn’t full but there were a decent number of campers for being off season. Still, it was pretty quiet, save for the coyotes howling in the distance and a stray moo or two from nearby cows. There’s also trail access right to Maah Dah Hey and Long X trails right in the campground which is really nice! All in all this is a wonderful spot and one of my favorite campgrounds I’ve ever stayed at. 1 mi. gravel road to get in.

  • Nevin C.
    Aug. 24, 2018

    Sully Creek State Park — Sully Creek State Recreation Area

    Decent views, RV heavy.

    Nice little spot only ten minutes from Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Lots of RV traffic which comes with lots of generator noise.

    Pit toilets, and a shower house that gives you eight minutes for $1. Sites are reservable and cost $12 a night but there is a day use fee of $7 that is not included in the site fee. $19 a night unless you have a ND state parks pass. Tent sites have lots of shade and the RV and equestrian areas are pretty exposed.

  • Mary D.
    Jul. 16, 2020

    North Park Campground

    Quiet stay

    Campground is huge but feels quite cozy and friendly. Helpful office staff and they take you to your site. Close to everything in town and only 30 minutes from Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Full hookups. Level sites. Laundry and bathhouse were clean and convenient. Would stay again.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2024

    Buffalo Gap Campground (ND)

    Convenient to the highway

    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). We arrived on a Thursday afternoon in late August with no reservation and had no problem securing a site, although it filled almost to capacity by evening. 

    Site Quality: Many are in direct sun, but we found one that had some afternoon shade. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. All camper pads are paved. 

    Bath/Shower house: There were six vault toilets (two by the entrance and two in each loop) that had sinks but no soap; they were reasonably clean. Two showers were in the other loop from where we stayed, and we did not use them. 

    Activities: There is access to the Buffalo Gap Trail, but we did not hike it as this was an overnight stop for us and quite hot. It is not far from the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

    It was hot when we were there (high 80s) so we just kind of collapsed upon arrival and took off the next day. The good news is you are close to the highway, but you will hear some road noise. $20 or$10 with the senior pass makes it a good deal. Cash or check if you cannot register online (no service with Verizon).

  • Mary S.
    Aug. 7, 2018

    Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Peaceful camping in Theodore Roosevelt NP

    This campground in Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora ND has 76 sites. Half of the sites, the even-numbered ones, are not reservable. Sites 55-66 are walk in tent sites; parking spots and grills for these sites are numbered so you have a specific site.

    We arrived before 10:30 am on a Sunday and sites were being claimed quickly. There were 7 of us choosing sites at that time. The hosts had a whiteboard that listed available sites; we took a photo of the list and chose quickly as we drove around because sites that were listed as available were already being claimed. We ended up on a reservable site that was open for the next several nights. The host couple was really on the ball and their attention helped keep the site selection process orderly.  After you put your tag up, they fold it over later in the day and mark your departure date. This is a practice that is used in many campgrounds.

    Cottonwood has been full every day since Memorial Day so you can't show up in the evening or possibly even mid-afternoon and expect to find an open site.

    This campground has no hookups but has flush toilets, sinks, potable water spigots, a sink for washing dishes/disposing of grey water, a place for filling water tanks, trash disposal and firewood for sale. There are charcoal grates for cooking that can also be use for campfires, but there are no fire rings; your campfire will be a few feet off the ground in something that I think of as a grill!

    Showers? No, but there area couple campgrounds in Medora that have showers for $5.

    If you stay here, you're obviously here to see Theodore Roosevelt NP. Both the campground and park are worth a visit. The scenery is incredible and gave us a new view of North Dakota. There is a hike near Pleasant Valley Ranch where you can use a few trails to make a 5+ mile loop that will show you everything the park has to offer - Little Missouri River (and you have to cross it at the beginning and end), prairie dog towns, bison herds and beautiful scenery. I highly recommend this as a way to see the park from a better vantage point than the highway.

    One complaint - the position of our site (#19) had some people think it was acceptable to cut through our site on their way to the bathroom. Do you walk through someone's home to shorten your walk? Didn't think so but 3 people did within 30 minutes.

  • J
    Oct. 5, 2021

    Red Trail Campground

    Nice park close to everything in Medora.

    We stayed at Red Trail campground in Medora, ND in September 2021. This is a great little park right outside Theodore Roosevelt National park. We stayed on an end site that was large and spacious with FHU. This park is dusty when the wind starts to blow but other than that, we enjoyed our stay here. Very well managed by a cheerful staff that go to great lengths to help you get your rig in safely before they leave you to set up camp. This was by far one of the easiest parks to negotiate in and out of with a big rig and is a great stop when visiting the Theodore Roosevelt National park. I would definatly recommend this park for a carefree visit to North Dakota. To see videos on this park and others, please visit our YouTube channel: Jeff & Steff’s Excellent Adventure.

  • T
    Mar. 31, 2022

    Sully Creek State Park — Sully Creek State Recreation Area

    One of our favorites of our trip

    We really enjoyed this campground. We had a back-in site that had a little bit of shade. There are 30/50 amp electricity, but no water/sewer. There is a dump station with potable water when you first pull in. The sites are really spread out and it was very quiet at night. There is a river adjacent to the campground and the Maah Daah Hey trail runs through the campground. The town of Medora is a 5 minute drive, but there isn't too much there. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a 5 minute drive as well and the main reason to come to this area.

  • Mac M.
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Sully Creek State Park — Sully Creek State Recreation Area

    Mesa views on Little Mo at Medora

    A perfect campground for equestrian campers or those visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Just 3-4 miles from Medora ND and park entrance. Open views, good trails, great birding. The sites have electric, accessible water and dump site. Showers snd vault toilets kept very clean.

  • Ben H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 28, 2020

    Boots Campground

    Great location with great views

    Stayed here while visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park. 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. There is no office on site, but we didn’t need anything. The owner is very responsive to messages. Great views of the surrounding area. WiFi was decent as was Verizon cell service. Full hookups for RV and everything worked great. Only thing that left us wanting a little bit was the spots were a bit close together and there are no picnic tables or fire rings. The price per night was lower than other campgrounds though. Overall great experience and would stay there again.

Guide to Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Tent camping near Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in stunning landscapes and rich wildlife. With a variety of campgrounds available, you can find the perfect spot to set up your tent and enjoy the great outdoors.

Some prices for tent camping range from $6 to $20

  • At Elkhorn Campground, you can camp for just $6, making it an affordable option for budget-conscious adventurers.
  • Bennett charges around $20 for reservations, providing a spacious area for multiple tents amidst beautiful scenery.
  • Camping at Fort Buford State Historic Site is free, allowing you to enjoy history and nature without spending a dime.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Explore the scenic trails at Elkhorn Campground, which is close to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit trail leading to the historic Theodore Roosevelt Ranch site.
  • At Bennett, you can hike long trails while spotting bison and other wildlife in the expansive Dakota Prairie National Grasslands.
  • Enjoy fishing and boating at Trenton Lake Recreation Area, a great spot for water activities, though camping here may not provide the privacy some seek.

Campground features that enhance your stay

  • Elkhorn Campground offers picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for evening gatherings under the stars.
  • At Bennett, you’ll find fire rings and a water pump, although it's best to bring your own drinking water.
  • Fort Buford State Historic Site features tables, fire rings, and trash cans, ensuring a comfortable camping experience while you explore the area's rich history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Theodore Roosevelt National Park is Bennett with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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