The best camping near Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Colorful badlands inexplicably rise from the grasslands of Western North Dakota. Take a scenic drive to take in the views, or hit one of the many hiking trails. Wildlife viewing ranges from the quirky antics of the prairie dogs to the slumbering strolls of the bison. Watch closely, and you might even spy wild horses. The National Park Service operates two campgrounds in the park. More camping options can be found at Sully Creek State Park and in the Little Missouri National Grassland, including the popular Buffalo Gap Campground. Private RV parks with hookups may be found in nearby Medora.

• Best for access to Medora: Cottonwood Campground operates near the park’s South Unit, providing access to the region’s largest town of Medora, offering attractions and amenities.
• Best for access to the park’s North Unit: Juniper Campground is located in the northern part of the park near the Little Missouri River.
• Best free camping: Dispersed camping for boondocking is allowed in areas of the Little Missouri National Grassland.

• Park campgrounds are open year-round. Peak season is mid-May through mid-September.
• First-come-first-served campsites fill by midday during peak season at Cottonwood Campground, while Juniper Campground generally fills later in the day.
• Some campsites at Cottonwood Campground may be reserved through Recreation.gov up to 6 months in advance.
• Juniper Campground’s individual sites are all first-come, first-served, while group sites may be reserved starting the first business day in March.
• Both NPS campgrounds are dry camping only, with no hookups available.
• Potable water and restrooms with flush toilets are available in the campgrounds seasonally. Vault toilets are open year round.

If you are visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park in July and August, expect temperatures to reach the 80s by midday. The area is windy, and lows drop into the 50s, so carry a jacket. Spring and fall are generally cool during the day and chilly at night, with freezing temperatures not out of the ordinary. Campers heading to TRNP in the winter should prepare for freezing temperatures and plenty of snow and ice. In fact, high temperatures may not reach 32°F.

• Backcountry camping is allowed by permit only while backpacking and kayaking/canoeing.
• A dump station may be accessed at Cottonwood Campground.
• If you are camping with horses, check out the Roundup Group Horse Campground.