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.

Best Tent Sites Near Towner, North Dakota (4)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Towner, ND

76 Reviews of 4 Towner Campgrounds


  • Daniel S.
    Oct. 14, 2017

    Butte City Park

    Wow was it cold...and snowy

    So we decided to do some camping in North Dakota the last week of november into decmeber. It was cold and we got caught in a snow storm. We survived it was ridiculous and hard core if i do say so myself. We did have a fishing tent with a wood stove..Because it was winter there were no amenities. But in the summer it would be a pretty sweet campground. But in the winter there was no one here and we got set up for the cold. I love camping in the winter but this was pushing our luck a little bit

    Cheers!

  • B
    May. 4, 2021

    Roughrider RV Resort

    I love this campground, it was like a breath of fresh air after getting lost in

    I love this campground, it was like a breath of fresh air after getting lost in northeast north dakota and not seeing a soul for hours and sleeping on the side of the highway, driving up to Roughrider was like seeing an oasis in the desert. It is the nicest campsite we have been to in a while, $15/ night for primitive tent camping and pets allowed on leashes. The showers got hot INSTANTLY. We were welcomed so warmly after freezing in the car all night. 1000/10.

  • T
    Jun. 17, 2024

    The Haven Campground

    Great stop!

    If you want a beautiful, relaxing, quiet stop then you'll love this place. It's full hookups with a picnic table, fire ring and trash can at each site. They have four rental RVs if needed. Horseshoes, volleyball, a free travel library with sitting room, firewood, lots of open space to play Frisbee with your pups. The town of Harvey isn't far and has everything you need. Definitely worth the stop!

  • Katie A.
    Aug. 7, 2017

    Lake Metigoshe State Park Campground

    Birch Trees Everywhere!

    This campground tucked away in the turtle mountains next to Lake Metigoshie is definitely worth the visit! The campground is located in a state park so rules do apply. Tents, rvs, cars are are easy to maneuver in and out with a pump station located in the park. The 4 season playground is home to a ski park near by with a brand new chalet and updated runs with a terrain park( depending on snow conditions) public beach access, hiking trails, snowmobile trails, and the International Peace Gardens located not to far away either! I recommend camping in the fall with tree colors! WOW!

  • Brandi M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2020

    Lake Metigoshe State Park Campground

    Beautiful State Park

    This State Park is in North Dakota near the Canadian border. With a very large body of water that has many amenities from fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding. There are bike & canoe/kayak rentals right outside the park and a couple different campgrounds to choose from inside the park, ours was just a few feet from the lake and fishing dock. Depending on which campground you choose you will either have a vault toilet or a more convenient bathroom with toilets & showers! Staff was very nice and accommodating. There was even an Ice cream truck that rolled thru everyday for the kiddos!

  • Brittany
    Sep. 15, 2020

    Lake Metigoshe State Park Campground

    Need to return!

    We got there at dark, staff was super helpful with the park pass and buying wood. We camped in the North Star primitive sites, water spigot available, vault toilet not to far. We really enjoyed riding bikes on all the trails, only one we didnt get to ride was the Deer loop. Looking forward to returning to do some canoeing/kayaking , looks like there's a good loop set up with portages.

  • Tim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Pelican Sandy Recreation Area

    Pelican Lake

    About 6 sites available plus one group site. Clean vault toilet. No water. Fishing pier. On the lake and pretty.

  • A
    Aug. 5, 2020

    Roughrider RV Resort

    Very friendly owners

    This site has both over night camping and long term lots for RV’s. It also has spots for tent camping so if you want a place to camp close to town this is great. The only downfall I would say, is that it is set up for more long term stay and if your looking for a great outdoor experience I would go more out of town but if you are here visiting family for a week or more this is perfect.

  • Tanner G.
    Sep. 22, 2024

    Strawberry Lake Campgrounds

    Quiet place, bring $15 cash

    I love this place every quiet, lots of coyotes and animals at night lake is big only 2 places to fish (BRING WATER AND $15 cash for over night fee) the water from the taste is not filtered good for cleaning dishes


Guide to Towner

Tent camping near Towner, North Dakota centers around several rural lakes and forested areas in the north-central region. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 1,400-1,600 feet above sea level, creating moderate summer temperatures that typically range from 75-85°F during peak camping season. The area receives approximately 17 inches of annual rainfall, with most precipitation occurring between May and September.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Buffalo Lodge Lake offers accessible fishing with a convenient shoreline for casting. According to a camper, "I wanted to go swim but there was so much algae in the water after you wade out that I'd be afraid to get caught in them. Plus, the baby crawdads clinging to my legs made me think twice about going any deeper than my knees."

Trail exploration: Twisted Oaks Equestrian Campground provides extensive trail access for hikers and equestrians alike. One visitor noted, "16 miles of trails one which goes to Strawberry Lake Campground. AMAZING trails. Non-potable water, toilets and campfire rings. Little to no cell reception (We had 1 bar)."

Scenic viewpoints: The Turtle Mountain region offers several elevated vantage points for photography and wildlife observation. Located near Pelican Sandy Recreation Area, these spots provide panoramic views of the prairie landscape with minimal light pollution for stargazing. A visitor mentioned, "We did one of the trails and there were more. Inexpensive."

What campers like

Uncrowded weekday camping: The best tent camping near Towner, North Dakota often means having minimal neighbors during non-peak times. One camper at Buffalo Lodge Lake shared, "We stayed Sunday through Tuesday, which was very peaceful for a small campground. I couldn't imagine this place on an actual weekend since there are no 'reserved' camper spots, you can pull up and park anywhere."

Clean facilities: Despite basic amenities, some campgrounds maintain well-kept facilities. At Pelican Sandy Recreation Area, a visitor reported, "Clean vault toilet. No water. Fishing pier. On the lake and pretty."

Genuine solitude: Many tent sites around Towner provide truly quiet camping experiences even on holiday weekends. A camper at Pelican Sandy noted, "Very well maintained site. Rustic and quiet. I was there over memorial day weekend and there were two campers and no traffic. Definitely a vibe I like."

What you should know

Limited water access: Most tent camping areas near Towner have restricted drinking water facilities. Campers should pack sufficient water for their stay, especially at sites like Firemans Memorial Park which has drinking water but limited additional water amenities.

Seasonal water conditions: Water quality in area lakes varies significantly throughout the season. At Buffalo Lodge Lake, algae blooms can affect swimming during warmer months.

Facility maintenance schedules: Toilet facilities at some campgrounds have infrequent maintenance. A Buffalo Lodge Lake visitor cautioned, "I was forewarned about the toilets, there are 2 and only get dumped twice a year (beginning & end), good thing we have a camper."

Tips for camping with families

Bring water recreation alternatives: When lake algae levels are high, consider bringing inflatable pools or water toys that don't require lake entry. These provide cooling options when swimming conditions aren't ideal.

Select sites with shade: During summer months when temperatures can exceed 85°F, prioritize camping sites with tree cover. At Twisted Oaks Equestrian Campground, "Spots are okay next to trees but not really shaded," so arriving early to secure better locations is recommended.

Plan for limited connectivity: Most tent camping sites near Towner have minimal cell reception. At Twisted Oaks, visitors report "Little to no cell reception" with typically just one bar of service. Download offline maps and entertainment before arrival.

Tips from RVers

Self-contained setups recommended: For RV camping near Towner, bring fully self-contained systems. At most sites like Buffalo Lodge Lake, facilities are minimal with one camper noting, "good thing we have a camper" when discussing limited toilet maintenance.

Uneven parking surfaces: Be prepared for natural, ungraded parking areas that may not accommodate larger rigs. Leveling blocks are essential for comfortable camping throughout the region.

Weekday arrival advantages: For optimal site selection, one Buffalo Lodge Lake visitor recommended Sunday through Tuesday stays, noting significantly fewer campers compared to weekends when no-reservation policies can mean limited availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Towner, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Towner, ND is Buffalo Lodge Lake with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Towner, ND?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Towner, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.