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Best Tent Camping near Williston, ND

107 Reviews

Tent campgrounds near Williston, North Dakota offer primitive experiences along the Missouri River and within the Dakota badlands landscape. Fort Buford State Historic Site provides tent camping with picnic tables and fire rings in a historically significant location where the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers meet. Bennett Camp, located in the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands near Grassy Butte, offers a more remote tent camping experience with badlands terrain and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Most tent sites in the Williston area have limited amenities, requiring campers to plan accordingly. Fort Buford features fire rings and picnic tables but lacks drinking water, showers, and flush toilets. Snowden Bridge Fishing Access Site, just across the Montana border, provides basic facilities including vault toilets and trash disposal, making it slightly more developed than other options. Bennett Camp has fire rings and tables but no running water. Campers should bring sufficient water supplies and prepare for limited or no cell service at most locations.

The tent camping experience near Williston offers opportunities to experience wide-open prairie landscapes and river environments. A camper noted, "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." Bennett Camp provides access to longer hiking trails and potential wildlife sightings including bison. Fort Buford's location at the confluence of two major rivers creates opportunities for fishing and historical exploration. Tent campers should prepare for intense summer heat and limited shade at most sites. The open terrain also means campers may experience dramatic weather, particularly thunderstorms rolling across the prairie. Snowden Bridge's riverside location makes it popular for fishing access, with wooded areas providing some of the limited shade available in the region.

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Best Tent Sites Near Williston, North Dakota (5)

    1. Fort Buford State Historic Site

    2 Reviews
    Sidney, ND
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 572-9034

    "The CG has tables, fire rings, and trash cans. Nobody has pulled in around us. Nothing better than free camping with solitude these days! We camped here in a 35 ft 5th wheel."

    2. Snowden Bridge

    1 Review
    Sidney, MT
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 444-2535

    "Great fishing access, wooded and close to town. Have seen great wildlife, excellent summer stargazing. Not a very big spot and only two camp sites close to the vault toilet."

    3. Confluence Access

    Be the first to review!
    Williston, ND
    20 miles
    Website

    4. Bennett

    2 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 225-5151

    "There are some nice long hiking trails, bison and other prairie critters. This is wide open country with no real facilities (no trash either).

    Yay: simple camping and lovely scenery, wildlife."

    "This site has a water pump, fire rings, and tables. In the day time the temperature gets really hot and the restroom has a smell come out. This site was very big and could hols a couple tents."

    5. Wildrose City Park

    Be the first to review!
    Tioga, ND
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 539-2172
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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Williston, ND

3 Photos of 5 Williston Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Williston, ND

107 Reviews of 5 Williston Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • S
    Jul. 14, 2019

    Bruegger Centenial Park

    Price is right

    Nice place to stop for the night, no designated sites but I set up a pop up in the parking lot and it worked great. Two blocks off of Hwy 2, restrooms available but not showers. It may be a little close to active  railroad tracks for a light sleeper.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Always C.
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Sather Lake

    Little Missouri Natl grasslands

    $10 use fee per night.. Small lake recreation area with 18 sites and vault toilets. Hand pump water available at the day use area. Pack in pack out. The sites are spread out in 3 loops. Clean and very nicely done with sheltered picnic tables. 16 miles from nearest store in beautiful surroundings so be prepared and don't forget anything 😉 no Verizon service.

  • Matt S.
    Sep. 4, 2016

    Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Now I know why Teddy Roosevelt loved North Dakota! Check out Juniper to camp!

    I have already posted my review for the Theodore Roosevelt South campground - Cottonwood. I won't repeat myself too much. Believe it or not, but I would put the North unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park even ahead of Yosemite.

    The trees and the canopy in the Juniper campground is really cool. Especially against the terrain that surrounds it. The campground is low on amenities but high on scenery, and it is very clean.

    The hiking in the North unit is amazing. There is so much wildlife. Never have I been so close to so many animals in the wild. I saw a lot of wildlife in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, but not as much as I did here.

    I never thought I would ever want to visit North Dakota. Honestly, I cant wait to go back. This place will blow your expectations, especially if you take an adventure on a hike or two. In the North unit, I highly suggest stopping at the River Bend Overlook and hiking down to the CCC shelter for some amazing views. Then drive to the end of the road and take a quick hike to Sperati Point.

Guide to Williston

Tent camping near Williston, North Dakota centers around the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers, with sites situated on the prairie at elevations between 1,800-2,200 feet. The region experiences extreme temperature variations, with summer highs frequently reaching 90°F and winter lows well below freezing. Most campgrounds in the area remain primitive, offering campers direct access to North Dakota's rugged badlands and river ecosystems without modern amenities.

What to do

**Historical exploration: Discover where Chief Sitting Bull surrendered at Fort Buford State Historic Site. "Amazing place to learn about history of North Dakota...where Sitting Bull and his son surrendered and Lewis and Clark Trading Post. They do demonstrations on old time trades," notes camper Tonya T.

**Fishing access: Cast for walleye, northern pike, and catfish from riverside sites. "Right along the Missouri River. Great fishing access, wooded and close to town. Have seen great wildlife, excellent summer stargazing," reports Stacey N. about Snowden Bridge, located just across the Montana border.

**Wildlife viewing: Watch for bison, pronghorn, and prairie dogs across the grasslands. Bring binoculars for spotting hawks and eagles common throughout the region.

What campers like

Free camping with solitude: Fort Buford offers no-cost camping with privacy. "The CG is free. They want you to check in at the Confluence Visitor Center. The CG has tables, fire rings, and trash cans. Nobody has pulled in around us. Nothing better than free camping with solitude these days!" reports Brian L.

Stargazing opportunities: The lack of light pollution makes the Williston area ideal for night sky viewing. Campers regularly report excellent views of the Milky Way and meteor showers during summer months.

Badlands scenery: The dramatic landscape provides unique camping backdrops. "Very Badlands feel here. There are some nice long hiking trails, bison and other prairie critters. This is wide open country with no real facilities," notes one visitor about Bennett Camp.

What you should know

Limited amenities: Most tent sites near Williston lack basic facilities. "No water (byo or filter/boil). Nowhere to rent a canoe/kayak in the whole area. Sunny open sites without shade," warns Lynn G. about Bennett Camp.

Extreme weather conditions: Summer temperatures regularly climb above 90°F with limited shade. Thunderstorms can develop quickly and move across the open plains.

Wildlife precautions: Bison roam freely near some campgrounds. "There is a lot of buffalo out hear ad there is a lot of dung," reports kevin T. about Confluence Access. Keep food secured and maintain safe distances from all wildlife.

Tips for camping with families

Bring portable shade: The lack of natural cover at most campgrounds makes canopies or umbrellas essential during summer months. Afternoon temperatures can make exposed sites uncomfortable for children.

Pack additional water: With drinking water unavailable at most sites, plan for 1-2 gallons per person per day. "In the day time the temperature gets really hot," warns a camper about Bennett Camp.

Plan history activities: The historical sites provide educational opportunities. Wildrose City Park offers a central location with easier access to town amenities when camping with children.

Tips from RVers

Site limitations: Most primitive campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. "We camped here in a 35 ft 5th wheel," notes a visitor to Fort Buford, but most tent camping areas cannot accommodate large RVs.

Prepare for no hookups: Bring sufficient water and power supplies as electricity and water connections are unavailable at most tent camping locations near Williston.

Road conditions: Many campground access roads remain unpaved and can become difficult after rain. Plan accordingly and check conditions before traveling with larger vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best tent camping sites near Williston?

Bennett Camp offers exceptional tent camping with a distinctive Badlands atmosphere. This spacious campground features fire rings, tables, and a water pump, with enough room for multiple tents. The stunning scenery and abundant wildlife including bison make it a favorite among campers in North Dakota. For those looking to explore nature, the site offers long hiking trails through wide-open prairie country. Though temperatures can get hot during summer days, the experience of camping surrounded by native prairie wildlife more than compensates.

How far are the nearest campgrounds from Williston?

Confluence Access is conveniently located near Williston, making it one of the closest camping options for residents and visitors. Snowden Bridge is another relatively close option that serves as a popular choice for day trips and overnight stays from Williston, situated along the Missouri River. The proximity of these campgrounds makes them ideal for quick getaways without extensive travel time. For those willing to venture slightly farther, Wildrose City Park offers additional camping opportunities within reasonable driving distance of Williston.

What amenities are available at tent campgrounds in Williston?

Snowden Bridge offers basic but sufficient amenities for tent campers, including proximity to the Missouri River with excellent fishing access. The wooded site features vault toilets and is ideal for those seeking stargazing opportunities. Meanwhile, Fort Buford State Historic Site provides tables, fire rings, and trash cans. Most campgrounds in the area maintain a rustic feel with essential facilities rather than luxury amenities, focusing on the natural experience and historical significance of the region.

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