Camping options near Wahpeton, North Dakota span across two states, with several sites located in neighboring Minnesota. The area features a mix of prairie and woodland terrain with elevations ranging from 900-1,100 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F during day, dropping to 55-65°F at night, creating ideal conditions for summer camping from May through September.
What to do
Hiking trails: Jorgen's Hollow Campground offers the North Country Trail access directly from camp. "There's a nice four Mile easy trail that comes out of the campsite area," notes one visitor, who appreciated the peaceful surroundings during a weekday stay when "only five campers" were present.
Swimming opportunities: Swan Lake Resort & Campground provides lake access with sandy beaches. "From the sandy beach and wooded trails to the games and activities, there was energy and thought behind every corner," shares one camper who enjoyed the waterfront setting.
Fishing spots: Lindenwood Campground in Fargo offers riverside fishing along the Red River. Though one camper mentioned they "only caught one catfish," they still found the experience worthwhile. The campground includes "an abundance of shelters, children's play areas, and walking/hiking trails" despite some highway noise.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Buffalo River State Park Campground maintains exceptionally clean bathhouses. "Very clean bathhouse (appears new) with flush toilets, hot showers and a dish-washing station," writes one visitor who appreciated the well-maintained amenities.
Privacy between sites: Hankinson Hills Campground offers well-spaced sites with natural buffers. "I was lucky enough to get a spot far under the trees. It was quite private and even though it was labor day weekend, it was quiet and peaceful," shares a camper who stayed during a typically busy holiday.
Natural settings: Jorgen's Hollow provides a grasslands experience with abundant wildlife. One visitor notes, "Lots of woodpeckers to see and coyotes calling at dusk. Sheyenne river nearby." Another camper enjoyed "listening to the trees in the breeze" and appreciated how "it's pretty well dispersed camping with bushes for the most part separating the sites."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Many rv campgrounds near Wahpeton, North Dakota close during winter months. Buffalo River State Park Campground operates "from April to November," while Lindenwood Campground runs "May to October 15," requiring advance planning for off-season trips.
Cell service variations: Most campgrounds offer workable connectivity. At Hankinson Hills, a visitor reported "Verizon works okay, not great but I had a bar or two," while another camper at Buffalo River noted strong enough service to "work on Friday via my hot spot."
Insect activity: The Homestead at Ottertail RV Park and Resort and other area campgrounds can have significant insect activity. At Hankinson Hills, a camper noted "the abundance of biting flies and mosquitoes" as the "only downside" to an otherwise beautiful stay.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lindenwood Campground features "2 great playgrounds nearby for the kiddos." A visitor staying at site B9 found it "spacious," though noted "the road noise from the freeway was pretty loud."
Entertainment options: Swan Lake Resort & Campground offers numerous family activities. "Loved our stay! Super easy setup for our camper and tons of activities to do as a family!" reports one visitor who plans to return to try "the water amenities" they missed during a cooler weather stay.
Swimming areas: Walker Lake Preserve provides a "nice beach" with "good fishing" and "friendly people." A regular visitor notes they "always look forward to our time there" because there's "lots to do" for families.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many RV campgrounds near Wahpeton offer level sites with minimal preparation needed. At The Homestead at Ottertail, "ALL SITES HAVE: 20/30/50 amp electrical hook-ups, water and sewer, fire Pits," making setup straightforward for motorhomes and travel trailers.
Site selection: At Buffalo River State Park, campers recommend choosing sites strategically. One visitor explained there are "two small loops of campsites, one with electrical service and the other without" and noted half the electric loop backs "against the prairie (lower numbers) and the other half backing up against the woods (higher numbers)."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful navigation. For Hankinson Hills, a visitor reported "3 miles of gravel road to the campground but the road was smooth and in good condition," making it accessible for most RVs despite the rural location.
