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Best Equestrian Camping in North Dakota

263 Reviews

With its many beautiful lakes and miles of open land, if camping in North Dakota isn’t on your summer bucket list, it should be.

Devil’s Lake is the largest natural body of water in North Dakota, and the expansive, picturesque lake boasts some of the best fishing in the state. Here you can find plenty of fun in the likes of boating and golfing. Devil’s Lake has several options for camping in North Dakota, while Grahams Island State Park offers the unique opportunity to camp on an island in the middle of the lake. Located in the northern part of the state, between Minot and Grand Forks, Devil’s Lake is a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike.

Another great option for camping in North Dakota is along the banks of Lake Sakakawea, a large man-made reservoir that was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1956. Lake Sakakawea is part of the Missouri River basin that stretches on for nearly 180 miles. Sakakawea is known for its fishing, and is home to an Audubon National Wildlife Refuge center, and an 8-mile long wildlife trail. Sakakawea has multiple campground options, including the highly rated Lake Sakakawea State Park.

If you’re looking to get off the water and participate in a North Dakota summer tradition, Medora is a classic roadtrip stop. Every year from June to September, the town of Medora puts on a professionally produced nightly musical dedicated to President Theodore Roosevelt and his time in the Badlands. Even if musicals aren’t your thing, there is still plenty to do in Medora, including golfing, biking, and hiking at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the only national park in the state. Medora campgrounds provide modern RV camping options, and more primitive tent sites all along the Little Missouri River.

Whether you’re just visiting, or looking for adventure in your own backyard, The Dyrt is your number one source for the best camping in North Dakota.

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Best Equestrian Sites in North Dakota (25)

    1. Medora Campground

    44 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    Website
    +1 (701) 623-4435

    $30 - $60 / night

    "There's a picnic table, but it was very hot outside without shade. There's a great creek within walking distance that you can cool off in and let the dogs run around."

    "Great location right outside the park. Utilities all worked well. Beautiful walk down to the Little Missouri River."

    2. Juniper Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    32 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    Website
    +1 (701) 842-2333

    $30 / night

    "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."

    "The weather was amazing. we spent the day in the town of Medora which has so much to do and so filled with history .back at the campground, which we located a spot right next to the river ,the boys went"

    3. Sully Creek State Park — Sully Creek State Recreation Area

    30 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    Website
    +1 (701) 623-2024

    "It was right next to an equestrian area, so some horses being trained and whinnying just next door."

    "We had total privacy, a fire pit that you could see the bluff from, trees all around, and the only thing you heard were horses from the horse camp area."

    4. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Bismarck, ND
    Website
    +1 (701) 667-6340

    $15 - $85 / night

    "Planning a hike to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in North Dakota motivated me to learn more about the diverse landscapes and natural wonders of the U.S. national parks."

    "We were right next to comfort station which was well maintained. Kid Park was new and close to our site. There was lots of bike and walking trails."

    5. Buffalo Gap Campground (ND)

    22 Reviews
    Medora, ND
    Website
    +1 (701) 227-7800

    $20 / night

    "General: Small (37-site) forest service campground in two loops near Theodore Roosevelt National Park. No hookups or cell service (despite proximity to the highway)."

    "Isolated Some camp sites are real gems A variety of sites depending on what you want- camp on the hill in grassland if you want to watch sunset/sunrise- or get one of the camp sites that are nestled behind"

    6. Lake Metigoshe State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Bottineau, ND
    Website
    +1 (701) 263-4651

    "This State Park is in North Dakota near the Canadian border. With a very large body of water that has many amenities from fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding."

    "This campground tucked away in the turtle mountains next to Lake Metigoshie is definitely worth the visit! The campground is located in a state park so rules do apply."

    7. Ccc Campground (Nd) — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

    17 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    +1 (701) 842-8500

    $10 / night

    "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."

    "When we visited the North Unit of Roosevelt National Park, their campgrounds were closed, so we had to seek one outside the park. This was extremely close to the park and had great views!"

    8. Jorgen's Hollow Campground

    10 Reviews
    Leonard, ND
    Website

    "This allowed for a pretty distanced visit and relatively quiet experience in the middle of the country. If it was full, it could have been loud."

    "Half the sites are for people with horses and half are for those without. During my 2 night stay, most sites were empty. If it fills up, there is a campground just down the roads a piece. "

    9. Magpie Campground

    9 Reviews
    Grassy Butte, ND
    Website
    +1 (701) 225-5151

    $6 / night

    "Small and private, only one other group there who were visiting with their horses. They said they had good trails, but we didn’t have much time to explore. Beautiful views and very peaceful."

    "The part I like most about this campground is the easy access to the world renowned Maah Daah Hey Trail: >100 miles of trail open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders."

    10. Fort Ransom State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Fort Ransom, ND
    Website
    +1 (701) 973-4331

    "This is a year round multi-use state park along the forest-lined Sheyenne River and near the Sheyenne National Grasslands."

    "We met some people who were staying here with their horses - how fun! Wide open green spaces, lovely. We didn’t explore much of the park unfortunately."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos in North Dakota

5 Photos of 25 North Dakota Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews in North Dakota

263 Reviews of 25 North Dakota Campgrounds

  • H
    Sep. 22, 2020

    Little Missouri State Park Campground

    Off the beaten path

    We stayed at this park because the Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l Park North Unit campgrounds were closed for renovations. I mistakenly thought this park was close to the park, but it is actually a 90 minute drive. We had a reservation for 2 nights but only stayed one and moved to the CCC Campground to be closer to the park. The only real sites with a view are those that back-up to the Little Missouri River. All others are just looking at a prairie. This is also primarily a campground for horse people, which we are not. You do need to pay the additional North Dakota State Park fee if camping here.

  • Brandi M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2020

    Lake Metigoshe State Park Campground

    Beautiful State Park

    This State Park is in North Dakota near the Canadian border. With a very large body of water that has many amenities from fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding. There are bike & canoe/kayak rentals right outside the park and a couple different campgrounds to choose from inside the park, ours was just a few feet from the lake and fishing dock. Depending on which campground you choose you will either have a vault toilet or a more convenient bathroom with toilets & showers! Staff was very nice and accommodating. There was even an Ice cream truck that rolled thru everyday for the kiddos!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Stephen C.
    Apr. 12, 2024

    Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park Campground

    Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

    Planning a hike to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in North Dakota motivated me to learn more about the diverse landscapes and natural wonders of the U.S. national parks. It is remarkable to see the diversity of environments protected in these parks, from rugged mountains to vast deserts and dense forests. As I prepare for my outdoor adventure at Fort Abraham Lincoln, I am inspired to consider future trips to explore the beauty and biodiversity preserved in the US National Park system, which I learned more about by reading https://www.agmglobalvision.com/u-s-national-parks. Each visit promises an unforgettable experience of immersing yourself in the splendor of nature.

  • Matthew B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 4, 2024

    Coal Creek Campground

    Perfect out of the way campground

    A wonderful little USFS campground about 10 miles south of Medora and the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The road turns to dirt/gravel just after leaving town, but is smooth and well maintained for the oil/gas companies. The campgrounds in the NP were full so we were worried people would spill out into this spot, but there was nobody here when we got in on a Sunday morning in early June, and only a handful of other campers came and went during our weeklong stay. Road nearby is very quite, with only the occasional oil/gas work truck basically. The trailhead had a few people in and out. Almost every site has a good view of the surrounding colorful North Dakota badlands, but the sites on top of the hill (5-10) have a better vantage point. Overall a great peaceful spot to detox, relax, and serve as a basecamp for the south unit of Teddy Roosevelt. Definitely adding this to our go to places when visiting TRNP or even just passing through NoDak.

    Facilities: Pair of vault toilets near the check-in kiosk, clean and well stocked; spur to access the Maah Dah Hey trail from the campground; campground is fully fenced with cattle guard at entrance to keep out larger animals

    Cell Service: Surprisingly great for both Verizon and T-mobile, more than enough to work with

    Starlink: While we didn't need to use it, every site has a good open view of the sky

    Solar: Every site has a good open view of the sky to rake in the rays

  • Tucker B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2021

    Sully Creek State Park — Sully Creek State Recreation Area

    Small Tent Area within Equestrian Campground

    This site was massive and would've had room for 5 or 6 tents (not sure on limits though).

    It was right next to an equestrian area, so some horses being trained and whinnying just next door.

    No cell service (AT&T at least) but quick proximity to Medora and Teddy Roosevely National Park!

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Little Missouri State Park Campground

    Cool spot

    It's more RV and equestrian focused but you can tent camp as well. Large grassy areas to set up camp. Fire pits, showers, bathrooms. Seems popular as well. Making reservations would be a good idea. I stayed at spot 31. It's at the end of the road that goes downhill. There are lots of flies because it has horse corrals and the mosquitos are vicious. They may be different at other spots. Nice spot for views and hiking. I would come back here.

  • Angie G.
    Sep. 17, 2022

    Sully Creek State Park — Sully Creek State Recreation Area

    Bluff at Sully Creek

    I booked a tent site in the Cedar area of the Sully Creek State Park Campground and it was so much better than the ones at TRNP! We had total privacy, a fire pit that you could see the bluff from, trees all around, and the only thing you heard were horses from the horse camp area. I was going to put up my hammock by the firepit but heard the hum of bees in a stump close by so I didn’t do it. This sites has room for 2 tents (one on each side of it). Bathrooms were a short walk and showers were coin-operated and clean. I loved this park!

Guide to North Dakota

Horse camping in North Dakota offers a unique experience for equestrians looking to explore the state's stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of their horses.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • The Sully Creek State Park features a dedicated horse camping loop with electric hookups and stalls, making it a convenient choice for horse owners.
  • At Fort Ransom State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy well-maintained trails that are perfect for horseback riding, along with spacious sites for both horses and campers.
  • Little Missouri State Park Campground provides ample facilities for equestrian camping, including corrals and easy access to trails that cater to horseback riders.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and water access

  • Magpie Campground is known for its proximity to the Maah Daah Hey Trail, offering over 100 miles of scenic trails for horseback riding, hiking, and biking.
  • Buffalo Gap Campground provides access to the Buffalo Gap Trail, allowing riders to explore the beautiful terrain surrounding Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
  • Hankinson Hills Campground features well-maintained trails and ample space for horse camping, ensuring a peaceful and enjoyable experience for equestrians.

Tips for equestrian camping in North Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there horse camping facilities in North Dakota state parks?

Yes, several North Dakota state parks offer dedicated horse camping facilities. Sully Creek State Park features a specialized equestrian camping area with amenities for both horses and riders. The park's proximity to the Little Missouri River and access to the Maah Daah Hey Trail system makes it particularly popular with horse enthusiasts. Little Missouri State Park Campground also provides equestrian-focused camping with large grassy areas for setting up camp near your horses. Other state parks with horse facilities include Fort Ransom State Park and Lake Metigoshe State Park. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak riding seasons.

What permits are required for horseback riding in Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

For horseback riding in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, you need a park entrance pass ($30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days) but no specific riding permit is required. If staying overnight with horses, you must camp at designated sites in the park's Juniper Campground in the North Unit or at nearby Buffalo Gap Campground which accommodates horses. For backcountry camping with horses, a free backcountry permit is required, available at visitor centers. The park has specific regulations regarding horse use: certified weed-free hay is mandatory, horses must remain on designated trails, and riders should carry proof of negative Coggins test. These requirements help protect the park's natural resources.

When is the best season for trail riding in North Dakota?

The optimal season for trail riding in North Dakota is late spring through early fall (May to September), with late summer to early fall often providing the most pleasant conditions. Summer offers long daylight hours but can bring intense heat and biting insects, particularly at CCC Campground and throughout the badlands. Fall brings cooler temperatures and spectacular foliage, especially at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, with fewer insects and comfortable riding weather. Spring can be beautiful but unpredictable with muddy trails. Winter riding is possible but challenging due to snow, ice, and frigid temperatures. Always check trail conditions before heading out, as spring thaw and summer storms can significantly impact accessibility.

Where can I find horseback riding trails in North Dakota?

North Dakota offers exceptional horseback riding trails throughout the state. The Maah Daah Hey Trail system accessible from Sully Creek State Park provides stunning views of the badlands with both the main trail and Maah Daah Hey II (The Deuce) trailheads located within the park. Little Missouri State Park Campground is another premier destination for equestrians, featuring extensive trail networks through the rugged badlands landscape. Additional riding opportunities can be found in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, and Fort Ransom State Park, each offering unique terrain and scenic vistas for riders of various experience levels.

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