Best Tent Camping near Towner, ND
Tent campsites around Towner, North Dakota provide several established options for outdoor recreation in the north-central region of the state. Buffalo Lodge Lake offers free tent camping with drive-in, walk-in, and boat-in access. Other nearby options include Pelican Sandy Recreation Area, approximately 30 miles north of Towner, and Twisted Oaks Equestrian Campground in the Turtle Mountain State Forest, which allows tent camping alongside equestrian facilities.
Most tent campgrounds in the Towner area feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Buffalo Lodge Lake provides picnic tables, toilets, and allows campfires, though campers should note the toilets have limited maintenance. According to one visitor, "the toilets only get dumped twice a year." Pelican Sandy Recreation Area offers drinking water and toilet facilities in a more primitive setting. Campers planning overnight stays should prepare for self-sufficient camping, as most sites lack electrical hookups, showers, or trash collection services. Sites typically feature natural, ungraded surfaces that may become muddy after rain.
Tent-only camping experiences near Towner offer peaceful settings with minimal crowds, particularly on weekdays. The area provides opportunities for swimming, hiking, and wildlife viewing, though water conditions vary seasonally. The Pelican Sandy Recreation Area particularly stands out for its solitude, with one camper noting it was "very well maintained, rustic and quiet. I was there over Memorial Day weekend and there were only two campers and no traffic." Twisted Oaks campground offers access to 16 miles of trails, including connections to Strawberry Lake Campground, making it suitable for multi-day explorations. Primitive tent setups are common throughout the region, with most sites available on a first-come, first-served basis rather than by reservation.
