Top Free Dispersed Camping near Watford City, ND

Camping near Watford City, North Dakota, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do:

• Explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park: This park is a must-visit for its stunning landscapes and wildlife. One camper mentioned, “We enjoyed using this CG as a base to explore the North Unit,” highlighting the park's accessibility from the Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
• Hiking the Maah Daah Hey Trail: This trail is famous for its scenic views and is accessible from several campgrounds. A visitor noted, “The views from the campsite were beautiful and there’s access to the Maah Daah Hey trail from the campground,” referring to the CCC Campground (ND) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands.
• Fishing and Water Activities: Many campgrounds, like Lewis & Clark State Park — Lewis And Clark State Park, offer opportunities for fishing and boating. One camper shared, “The beach is super sandy... and the water is shallow for a long ways so it's great for kids!”

What campers like:

• Wildlife Encounters: Campers enjoy seeing wildlife up close. One happy camper at Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park said, “I was in awe... three bison come right past my camper.”
• Quiet and Seclusion: Many campgrounds provide a peaceful atmosphere. A visitor at Magpie Campground remarked, “The sites are relatively spread out... the camp is never over 1/2 full.”
• Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Lewis & Clark State Park — Lewis And Clark State Park noted, “The facilities are very clean, the playgrounds are nice and kept up.”

What you should know:

• Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like CCC Campground (ND) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, lack electric hookups and showers. A camper mentioned, “There’s no shade so it can get hot.”
• First-Come, First-Serve Sites: Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A visitor at Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park said, “There were plenty of first come first serve sites.”
• Wildlife Caution: While wildlife is a highlight, it’s important to keep a safe distance. One camper advised, “Some of the campers ventured a bit too close to them in my opinion,” referring to the bison at Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Tips for camping with families:

• Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with sandy beaches and shallow waters, like Lewis & Clark State Park — Lewis And Clark State Park. One parent said, “The beach is super sandy... great for kids!”
• Plan for Wildlife Viewing: Kids will love spotting animals. A camper at Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park shared, “I saw three shooting stars and you could clearly see the Milky Way.”
• Bring Outdoor Games: With plenty of space, families can enjoy games outside. A visitor at Magpie Campground mentioned, “The part I like most about this campground is the easy access to the world-renowned Maah Daah Hey Trail.”

Tips from RVers:

• Check Site Lengths: Some campgrounds have shorter sites. A review for Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park noted, “When this place was built, they never envisioned large rigs.”
• Be Prepared for Dry Camping: Many sites are dry camping only, so plan accordingly. A visitor at CCC Campground (ND) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands said, “This CG is all dry camping.”
• Use a Registration Envelope: At some campgrounds, you’ll need to fill out a registration envelope and pay cash. A camper at Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park explained, “We filled out our registration envelope, placed $14 cash in the folder.”

Camping near Watford City, North Dakota, offers a mix of adventure and tranquility, making it a great spot for your next outdoor getaway!