We're here to help you find where to go horse camping in Watford City. Camping with horses is a beautiful way to experience nature. At The Dyrt, you can find top-rated spots for horse camping, as reviewed by campers.
Little Missouri State Park is situated along the Little Missouri River, just a short distance west of where it empties into Lake Sakakawea. The park can be accessed by way of Killdeer, 20 miles to the south, or New Town, 45 miles to the northeast. This 4,600-acre park consisting of rugged Badland terrain and river wetlands was established in 1971, however has been increasingly encroached upon by oil drilling operations since 2011. Despite this, there’s still plenty of opportunity to get out and enjoy the scenery on more than 45 miles of hiking and riding trails throughout the park. The park offers 35 drive-in campsites, including primitive tent sites, modern RV sites with electricity, and large group shelter sites. Most sites are in open, grassy areas and are equipped with picnic tables and fire pits. The campground features vault toilets, a shower house, picnic shelters, and a dump station. As a popular equestrian park, there are horse corral, a round pen, and hay is available for purchase. Dogs are permitted in the park, but must remain leashed. Camping is available from May through October. Individual sites are $12–$15/night; group sites are $60–$100/night; reservations accepted. From the campground at Little Missouri State Park, hikers and horseback riders have access to more than 45 miles of trails for exploring the nearby badlands on the adjacent public and private lands. Visitors can download a trail map from the park’s website, or obtain one at the park. Trails are color-coded to show their ratings, from easy to difficult, and interconnected segments allow for short or long hikes and rides. Equestrians are required to remain on designated horse trails, and riders need to obtain horse passes at the park. Visitors should inquire about trail conditions before heading into the badlands area.
Turn west on Road #712 at the Magpie Camp sign, located 1.5 miles north of Fairfield on Highway 85; travel 15.5 miles on gravel road #712. The campground is located ¼ mile northeast off road # 712. A day use parking lot right adjacent to the MDH trail is located ½ mile south of the campground. This fenced camp features 11 camp spurs. A handicap accessible vault toilet and a potable water well are available during the summer months. A convenient meeting area for those traveling to Devil's Pass or the Ice Caves. A great shaded area in the summer!
$6 / night
Enjoy the breathtaking view of a scenic canyon from this campground.
Traveler
Traveled about 35 miles on unpaved road in RAV4 AWD. Campsite was empty, so we had different sites to choose from. We were in a spot with some shade for our tent. Close to clean pit toilet. 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. Site had large picnic table and fire ring. Nice view of landscape and Trailhead nearby. Nearby is Elkhorn Ranch Unit trail leading to Theodore Roosevelt Ranch site. No buildings but interpretive signage.
Guide
I’ve stayed here multiple times. The sites are relatively spread out, though I like to stay towards the back of the site where it’s even more secluded. Every time I’ve been here, the camp is never over 1/2 full. The part I like most about this campground is the easy access to the world renowned Maah Daah Hey Trail: >100 miles of trail open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Either head south on Magpie road to Magpie trailhead, or follow the campground road away from the main road past the cattleguard and find the connecting trail there. From there, either head west towards Devil’s Pass or east towards the ice caves. At dusk, be sure to listen for coyotes barking in the distance
Guide
This place is a steal for the price they charge! I watched the sun rise over the ND badlands! The Campground was immaculate, the ranger on duty was super helpful, and I had the whole grounds to myself (it was on a Tuesday). 100% reccommend!!
Scout8 camp spaces, mostly hunters, no cell coverage
GuideWe were headed to the north unit of TRNP and found this nice campground. Small and private, only one other group there who were visiting with their horses. They said they had good trails, but we didn’t have much time to explore. Beautiful views and very peaceful. Only downfall was the long drive on the rough/ unpaved roads. My Toyota Corolla isn’t the best “off roading” car, but we got there safely. Definitely would visit again!!! Paid $10 cash for the evening.
GuideWe were surrounded by miles of hiking in which we enjoyed about 13 miles of, but so much more we could’ve hiked! The views were gorgeous, but there are oil drillers within view from our site and the hikes. At night the sky was lit from ND oil drilling gas release. The campground and trails are VERY accommodating to horse back riding, with many corrals and hay available. Toilets were a little bit dirty, however the showers (available through inserted quarters) were very clean and it was nice to use a full pressure and sized shower after a long day in the heat.
TravelerI was able to see the northern lights here once! Good trail access
ScoutEasy access off Hwy 2. We were there in first week of June & had place to ourselves, but there are MANY sites, most on the reservoir. Not a walking or swimming beach, but lots of birds & waterfowl, and gophers! Grass sites & trees, pit toilets & that’s it.
ScoutThis site was very scenic and secluded, with trees between the sites making them much more private. Great hiking nearby, and only a couple other people there on a weekend in June. Great option if other sites are booked. $10 cash.
GuideWe stayed at this park because the Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l Park North Unit campgrounds were closed for renovations. I mistakenly thought this park was close to the park, but it is actually a 90 minute drive. We had a reservation for 2 nights but only stayed one and moved to the CCC Campground to be closer to the park. The only real sites with a view are those that back-up to the Little Missouri River. All others are just looking at a prairie. This is also primarily a campground for horse people, which we are not. You do need to pay the additional North Dakota State Park fee if camping here.
GuideAny campsite along the MDH is a welcome site. This was one we hiked into just when the sun was beginning to set. $6 cash or check , put the money in the envelope and drop it in the box, clip the tag to your site #. Not a busy spot, there was only one other person camping when we were there mid first week of August. Toilet available and drinking water (you have to manually pump)
GuideIt's more RV and equestrian focused but you can tent camp as well. Large grassy areas to set up camp. Fire pits, showers, bathrooms. Seems popular as well. Making reservations would be a good idea. I stayed at spot 31. It's at the end of the road that goes downhill. There are lots of flies because it has horse corrals and the mosquitos are vicious. They may be different at other spots. Nice spot for views and hiking. I would come back here.
GuideWe camped here for two nights, the first night was tricky for us to gage exactly where to camp because it we arrived at 3am. We ended up sleeping just outside of the site (haha so close!), but we found it in the morning! A lot of people hike/bike in from the Maah Daah Hey Trial what we initially thought you had to do. The sign for hiking/biking in to this site is outside of a gated area, but the actual camping is INSIDE this gated area! (Go figure 😂) We found out the next day you can actually drive into these sights as well! The GPS sent us to a dead end, but if you go a bit further down the road, there will be a sign indicating Magpie CG. We camped here in the middle of the week and we saw only three other camping groups during our two days here. There is a we’ll to pump your own water from and a super clean, enclosed pit toilet. The sights have a picnic table and a metal fire ring with a grill attached. The stars were beautiful and the camp was so quite. There were a lot of flies but there where hardly any mosquitos or other biting bugs. Would recommend to for anyone to visit and would definitely go back. Such a beautiful area!
GuideThe campsite is a good 25 min off the highway on a dirt road so don't plan to go back-forth a lot. But it's worth it for the peace and surrounding beauty. That's what you came for right?
We stayed Sat-Mon in late June and it wasn't crowded at all. I think the most we saw were two other camp sites filled. Even if it was at capacity, you wouldn't hear or see much of others. The sites are spaced apart and surrounded by trees.
The water pump is a blessing since it was in the 90s when we visited. You really have to work the old fashioned pump but the crisp water is worth it. The pit bathroom is cleaned and was stocked with toilet paper.
We wandered around the hiking area (Magpie Trail starts nearby) which follows a small creek.
TravelerWe really enjoyed this site. The views were great. Park will be even better in the future with all the new trees they have growing. Bathrooms and pay showers were in great shape. Kids loved the horses that people brought to ride.
ScoutA little difficult to access if you’ve never been but worth it. Direct access to 100+ miles of the Maah Daah Hey trail!
TravelerThis is a beautiful little park that features trail riding. Great hiking through the Badlands and views that can't be beat. Although this park is in the middle of the oil fields it does not interfere with the horseback riding, hiking, or other experiences. A little over an hour away is Medora and the Medora musical. There is also another amazing park near Medora where we saw wild horses, bison, deer, prairie dogs, and countless birds. All in all, Little Missouri State Park was a great experience for us.
GuideThis park is outstanding. There are many amenities including electrical hookups, water, horse corrals vault toilets and pay showers. But the amenities aren't why you stay at this park. You stay for the views. The horse and hiking trails are unbelievable. The campgrounds themselves are quiet. You'll experience starry skies and the howls of coyotes. The roads aren't paved and there aren't many trees in the campgrounds themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Watford City, ND?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Watford City, ND is Little Missouri State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Watford City, ND?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Watford City, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.
