Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Jessie H.
Reviewed May. 1, 2018

If you want wildlife, stay here.

I stopped in a stayed here for two nights on my trip from Milwaukee to Seattle. I am a single tent/car camper. I loved this park so much. I could see why Theodore Roosevelt loved it so much and received to so much from his time there. Even if you can’t stay, I recommend doing the driving loop.

The campground was clean and provided all I needed. Since it’s still considered winter season the bathrooms were not available. I thought someone said something about pit toilets but I never located them. So I just used the woods.

Wildlife do walk right on through the campground sometimes you may come real close to the bison, horses or deer so just be alert. At night you could hear the coyotes, which I loved but others may not.

The south unit (where the campground is) part of the park features a driving loop, which I highly recommend taking several times. You will not be disappointed. I went twice, both around dusk and saw bison, deer, prairie dogs, porcupine, coyote, elk, pheasants, turkey, various birds.

For hiking there’s options from short and sweet, a good day long trip, or overnight trips. I did the 10.5 mi loop through the petrified forests. Very Beautiful!!! Also not to difficult but offers enough challenge. I went North to South. The latter half of the hike was flatter than the beginning that way.

If you forget anything, the town near by (Medora) has a C-store that covers most needs. Otherwise Dickinson is within an hour away and should have whatever you may need.

SiteSite 32
Month of VisitMay
  • Bison getting that one itch.
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  • Coyotes in the night
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