Campgrounds around Williston, North Dakota offer diverse terrain for outdoor enthusiasts with options along the Missouri River, at area lakes, and near historic sites. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-85°F with occasional thunderstorms, while spring camping season generally begins in mid-April when facilities start opening for the season. Several pet-friendly locations provide accommodations for campers traveling with four-legged companions.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Juniper Campground, located in the North Unit, provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities right from your campsite. "Bison will definitely stroll through your sites if you're over by the field like we were," notes Jillian C., who visited during Memorial Day weekend. The campground rarely fills completely, even during holidays.
Fishing at area lakes: Kota Ray Dam offers productive fishing opportunities throughout the season. "Perch are hot right now. Along with a few other species in this little lake. Fun place to go for the weekend far enough out of town to feel like a getaway," says Kori P. The dam is particularly known for good fishing during late spring and summer months.
Historical exploration: Fort Buford State Historic Site provides both camping and educational experiences. "Amazing place to learn about history of North Dakota. This is where Sitting Bull and his son surrendered and Lewis and Clark Trading Post. They do demonstrations on old time trades," explains Tonya T. The historical site offers free primitive camping with tables and fire rings.
What campers like
Peaceful lake settings: Blacktail Dam provides lakefront camping that appeals to families. "All camp spots are right on the water, though most of them have cat tails and thick vegetation making it difficult to get to the water," says Leah N., who stayed during July 4th. The campground features electric hookups shared between neighboring sites.
Budget-friendly options: CCC Campground near Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers affordable camping at $10 per night. "A cheaper alternative to TRNP's Juniper Campground. This campground offers beautiful panoramic views of the North Dakota Badlands," reports Brittny A. The campground rarely reaches capacity according to campers, making it reliable for last-minute trips.
River access: Snowden Bridge provides camping directly on the Missouri River. "This is my go to for overnights and day trips. Right along the Missouri River. Great fishing access, wooded and close to town," says Stacey N. The smaller campground has only two sites near the vault toilet, offering a more intimate setting.
What you should know
Limited water access in spring: Many area campgrounds have seasonal water systems that aren't operational until later in spring. Teresa T. notes about Blacktail Dam: "I'm here in April so I would have been the only camper had I stayed. But the bathrooms aren't open and the water is not on yet."
Site conditions vary widely: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger units. At Kota Ray Dam, Kerry K. reports: "Picked a site online from the website. Looked like a nice long back in by the lake. Turns out it had a big hump in the middle of it and the power was on the wrong side and too far away to reach."
Dog friendly campgrounds near Williston: Fox Run RV Park welcomes pets and offers full-service sites with water, electric and sewer hookups. Jesse S. describes it as "beautiful" and mentions staying there while working in the area. The park accommodates both tent and RV campers with pets.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Kota Ray Dam features a swimming beach that works well for children. "The swimming beach is pretty decent, the campsites aren't too terrible," notes Leah N. "It's a great little pond for kayaks and paddleboards."
Playgrounds available: Several pet-friendly campgrounds in Williston area include playground facilities. At Blacktail Dam, Leah N. mentions "they have a nice playground for the kids, some picnic shelters, bathrooms and garbage cans."
Educational programs: Juniper Campground at Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers ranger-led educational sessions during summer months. "Park Rangers provide educational classes from Thursday-Sunday evenings," reports Cable A. Another camper, Lee L., adds that their "kids especially enjoyed the ranger presentation on prairie dogs."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many campsites in the Williston area require careful leveling. At Kota Ray Dam, Leah N. notes "I wish some of them were just a bit more level," while Kerry K. mentions encountering "a big hump in the middle" of his site that complicated setup.
Electric-only hookups: Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Williston offer electric hookups but limited water or sewer connections. At Kota Ray Dam, campers report "only electric at sites, no water hookups," requiring self-contained units to arrive with full water tanks.
Small town conveniences: First Responders Park in Alexander offers proximity to town amenities. "Bar and a restaurant a short walking distance away. Post office and city hall across the street," notes a camper who stayed there. "Lion's club has Hamburger Saturday in the park," providing camping visitors an easy meal option.
