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Best Tent Camping near Watford City, ND

131 Reviews

Tent camping opportunities near Watford City, North Dakota include several primitive sites within the rugged badlands terrain. Bennett Campground in Grassy Butte and Elkhorn Campground near Medora offer designated tent campsites within driving distance of Watford City. These sites provide basic accommodations for tent campers seeking to experience the stark beauty of western North Dakota's landscape, including areas near Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands.

Most tent campsites in the region feature minimal amenities and require self-sufficiency. Elkhorn Campground provides pit toilets and a manual water pump, though visitors note the water may appear brown and recommend bringing your own supply. According to one visitor, "Site had large picnic table and fire ring. Nice view of landscape and Trailhead nearby." Many sites use a simple self-registration system with payment envelopes. Campers should anticipate unpaved road access, as one reviewer mentioned traveling "about 35 miles on unpaved road" to reach Elkhorn. Fire rings are common at established sites, but services like trash removal are limited or nonexistent.

The tent camping experience in this region offers solitude and natural surroundings with opportunities for wildlife viewing. A camper noted that "This was one of our favorite campsite in ND. Very Badlands feel here. There are some nice long hiking trails, bison and other prairie critters." The open prairie setting means many sites lack shade and can become very hot during summer days. Walk-in tent sites at Fort Buford State Historic Site near Williston provide access to historical attractions alongside camping opportunities. During storms, the expansive views across the prairie create dramatic skies, making this a destination for those seeking both isolation and natural splendor. Weather can change rapidly, with thunderstorms rolling across the open landscape providing an unforgettable backdrop to the tent camping experience.

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Best Tent Sites Near Watford City, North Dakota (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Watford City, ND

4 Photos of 6 Watford City Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Watford City, ND

131 Reviews of 6 Watford City Campgrounds

  • Bob M.
    Aug. 7, 2023

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Great for TRNP North Unit

    First time we ever boondocked in our 5th wheel. This place is nice & peaceful, well except for the 2 steer that went through our site lol.

    Trey have one modern restroom, no showers. Excellent basecamp for the north unit. Plenty of wildlife & scenery to find.

    When this place was built, they never envisioned large rigs. So if you have one over 30 feet, just be aware you might have to wiggle your way into a site. Camphost was great. Watford City about 20 minutes away for groceries & gas.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2023

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Great Experience

    The National Park North Unit and Campground(CG) is easy to find off US-85. We showed our Access Passes to get into the park and then proceeded to mile marker 5, where the CG is located. We pulled up to the information and sign-in board for this first come, first serve CG at about 11:30 AM Mountain Time(interesting that when we got to the north unit area, our phones went back to central time, and after a quick Google search, we found out that the north unit runs on central time). A gentleman let us know that he had just pulled in and grabbed a campsite near the entrance/exit and that we’d probably only fit in site 8(this CG is all dry camping) as the perimeter campsites, both back-ins and pull-throughs, were too short for us. The other longer sites were already taken. We proceeded to pull through site 8, which is a long, quarter moon-shaped asphalt site. We maneuvered around to stay away from tree branches and stay on the pad. The picnic table and stand-up barbecue were on the driver’s side, but since the sites are nicely spaced out, this was not a problem. We then filled out our registration envelope, placed $14 cash(Access Pass discount) in the folder, put the tab on our post, and deposited the envelope in the registration area. We could have also written a check or used a credit card to pay. We got on and off 1 bar on Verizon. We did have a good shot north for Starlink. They have a vaulted toilet and flush toilet building along with potable water at the dump station. There are about a half dozen sites for longer rigs, such as 32, 42, and 43, 49, with 5 being the best site. We had our two dogs with us, and there was plenty of room to walk them around the CG. There was plenty of bison poop in the CG, but we didn't see any during our two-night stay. Watford City is 17 miles north and has your major amenities. We enjoyed using this CG as a base to explore the North Unit.

  • Stefanie Z.
    Sep. 18, 2020

    Ccc Campground (Nd) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

    Beautiful, clean, peaceful!

    We stayed here two nights in a tent and loved it! Absolutely beautiful campground right across the river from Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s north unit. The scenery is breathtaking. There are three different loops A-C, and while most sites have no shade there are a couple in loop B (including ours #12) that have trees and provide good shade and wind protection. The pit toilets were some of the cleanest I’ve encountered in my history of camping. We were there in mid-September so the campground wasn’t full but there were a decent number of campers for being off season. Still, it was pretty quiet, save for the coyotes howling in the distance and a stray moo or two from nearby cows. There’s also trail access right to Maah Dah Hey and Long X trails right in the campground which is really nice! All in all this is a wonderful spot and one of my favorite campgrounds I’ve ever stayed at. 1 mi. gravel road to get in.

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

    Sather Lake

    Sather Lake. Center loop.

    Bare bones camping. Has a clean toilet, well pump, picnic tables and fire rings. Quiet. Pitch black at night. Great for stars.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Watford City Tourist Park

    Camp within the City

    This little spot is within the town of Watford City… ambitiously named

  • J
    Jun. 22, 2018

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Beautiful, clean and quiet

    We spent two nights here and were pleased that we were able to have our pick of quite a few spots despite the campground being first come first serve. We arrived on a Wednesday evening. The campground is as advertised, no showers or electric. I was happy that they had quiet hours at 8 pm for generators. There were a great variety of spots, large grassy, secluded and shady, drive through and back in. 3 sites have a spectacular view of the bluff if you are able to snag those. pro: camp host was great, bathrooms were clean, a great selection of spots con: we found a few ticks crawling around

  • B
    May. 12, 2019

    Ccc Campground (Nd) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

    A Cheap Alternative

    A cheaper alternative to TRNP’s Juniper Campground. This campground offers beautiful panoramic views of the North Dakota Badlands. Additionally, you can access the Maah Daah Hey Trail and explore the Badlands from here. The campground is well kept and is typically pretty quiet. There are no showers, but there is toilets and accessible drinking water.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2022

    Ccc Campground (Nd) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

    Awesome views

    This place is very well kept. Vault toilets and hand pump for water. The views are just awesome. 360 deg. Large sites spaced far apart. 40 plus sites. Host said never full. $10 a night. No road noise. Lots of wildlife. Deer and prairie dogs.

Guide to Watford City

Tent camping near Watford City, North Dakota, offers a unique experience surrounded by stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. Whether you're looking for solitude or adventure, there are several well-reviewed spots to pitch your tent.

Explore Local Attractions

  • The Bennett campground provides a Badlands-like feel with long hiking trails and opportunities to see bison and other prairie wildlife.
  • At the Fort Buford State Historic Site, you can immerse yourself in history while enjoying free camping near the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers.
  • The scenic views at Elkhorn Campground are perfect for those looking to explore the nearby Theodore Roosevelt National Park trails.

Enjoy Local Activities

Tent Campers Appreciate These Amenities

  • The Bennett site is known for its simplicity, offering a chance to connect with nature without the distractions of modern amenities.
  • At Fort Buford State Historic Site, campers can enjoy picnic tables and fire rings, enhancing the outdoor experience.
  • The Elkhorn Campground features large picnic tables and fire rings, making it ideal for gatherings and evening campfires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Watford City, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Watford City, ND is Bennett with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Watford City, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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