Dispersed camping opportunities near West Fargo, North Dakota extend into the Sheyenne National Grassland where 70,180 acres of tallgrass prairie provide primitive camping options. Located about 50 miles southwest of West Fargo, this area features oak savanna habitats that contrast with the primarily agricultural landscape surrounding the city. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F while winter conditions can drop well below freezing, significantly limiting camping seasons for most sites without winter accommodations.
What to do
Fishing at Brewer Lake: Erie's Brewer Lake Recreation Area offers fishing directly adjacent to campsites where anglers can cast without leaving their camping spot. Located approximately 30 miles north of West Fargo, this county-managed facility provides shoreline fishing access. As one visitor noted, "The fishing here is amazing. You can fish right by your camp. The owners are very nice people and helpful for someone that didnt really know the area."
Hiking the North Country Trail: Sheyenne National Grassland features multiple access points to the North Country Trail with varying distances. The trail system includes routes to Mirror Lake and other natural features. A hiker reported, "We dispersed camped for 1 night while walking along the North Country trail. It is a quiet and safe, we parked at the trail head and intended to hike to mirror lake but didn't make it in that far and found a nice place to stop along the way."
Swimming opportunities: Buffalo River State Park Campground maintains a swimming pond that provides relief during hot summer months. The natural swimming area offers an alternative to chlorinated pools. According to one visitor, "The swimming area is wonderful! Less chlorine than you'd ever get exposed to in a public pool and picnic table access with lots of area to picnic."
What campers like
Quiet camping close to the city: Jorgen's Hollow Campground provides a secluded experience despite being relatively accessible from West Fargo. Campsites are separated by natural vegetation creating privacy between sites. One camper shared, "Arrived after dark picked a site and in the morning was happily surprised to find it had some trees surrounding it. In the evening the best part was listening to the trees in the breeze. it's pretty well dispersed camping with bushes for the most part separating the sites."
Meticulously maintained facilities: Buffalo River State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its upkeep and organization. The campground features two distinct camping loops with electrical and non-electrical options. A reviewer observed, "Spectacularly well-maintained campground along the Buffalo River in western Minnesota, half an hour east of Fargo, ND. Two small loops of campsites, one with electrical service and the other without."
Stargazing opportunities: The open prairie landscape around many West Fargo area campgrounds provides exceptional night sky viewing. Limited light pollution in certain areas creates ideal stargazing conditions. A camper at Jorgen's Hollow noted, "A midnight walk let all the stars strut their stuff," while another mentioned, "Great stargazing. Clean water and vault toilets."
What you should know
Highway and railroad noise affects some sites: Wagner Park in Barnesville and several other campgrounds near major transportation routes experience noise disturbances. Sites closest to highways typically receive more disruption. One camper explained, "Small, clean city campground. Decent bathroom/shower facilities. Electric sites share a pedestal between two sites, so think about which side you want to be on when you reserve."
Seasonal restrictions: Most campgrounds near West Fargo operate between April and October with limited winter options. Buffalo River State Park operates from April through November. Jorgen's Hollow and Wagner Park typically open after spring thaw and close before winter conditions set in.
Camping amenities vary significantly: Buffalo RV Park offers full hookups but limited facilities otherwise. A visitor noted, "Nice clean city park with RV sites in back, 8 sites, wide sites with fire rings. Well maintained. No bath house but full hookup and trashcan available."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment within walking distance of campsites. Lindenwood Campground offers two playgrounds near camping areas. A family camper mentioned, "2 great playgrounds nearby for the kiddos. We were on site B9 and it was spacious. However the road noise from the freeway was pretty loud."
Educational opportunities: Arthur Park contains a unique community orchard with various fruit species that children can learn about. According to a visitor, the park features "a very unique educational community orchard that features a whole variety of different grapes, berries, apples, and more."
Swimming options for children: Multiple locations offer swimming areas specifically designed for family use. Buffalo River State Park provides designated swimming areas with graduated depths. A visitor noted, "The swimming area is wonderful! Less chlorine than you'd ever get exposed to in a public pool and picnic table access with lots of area to picnic."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Lindenwood Campground, RV sites vary significantly in terms of spacing and highway noise exposure. A camper advised, "Would recommend staying in the B lot, spots are spaced apart more, facing the river, and are further away from the Interstate."
Full hookups availability: The Red River Valley Fairgrounds and Buffalo RV Park both offer full hookup sites with water, electric and sewer connections. Buffalo RV Park provides these amenities at all 8 sites, with some visitors noting good site spacing: "Spacious, easy access, level sites with convenient hookups and garbage can at each site. Open landscape, but good space between sites."
Cell service considerations: Some rural campgrounds have limited connectivity that could impact work-from-camper setups. A camper at Brewer Lake noted, "I barely have Verizon service so if I was going to try to work I would probably have to use my satellite system."
