The best camping near Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Theodore Roosevelt National Park adventure.

100% (19 reviews)
100% (19 reviews)

Prepare to be amazed by the colorful badlands of North Dakota.  

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Top-rated campgrounds near Theodore Roosevelt National Park

96%
(23)

American RV Park: Long & Short Term

8 sites · RVs1 acre · South Heart, ND
We are a cozy little RV park right in the beautiful town of South Heart, just about 25 minutes from Medora and approximately 10 minutes from Dickinson. We are located just blocks from the Pheasant Country Golf Course and also blocks from the famous 'I Don't Know Bar'. We have big rig-friendly 100-ft pull-through sites with full RV hookups and 50-ft back in spots, all with 50 and 30 amps. Be sure to follow us on Facebook! (It won't let us put the link lol) REMINDER: There are no available bathrooms or showers on the property at this point, but as we improve the property, that will change. Thank you for choosing our property as your place to stay! By reserving a space, you agree to adhere to the following rules: American RV Park has a no refund policy, however, for extreme circumstances, we may consider one. Minimum age for renting a spot is 21 years of age, and all campers and guests are responsible for following the rules listed on the reservation form. Prepayment is required for all stays. Check in is at 1pm. Check out is at 11am. Pick up after your pet; this includes waste and food. Pets must always be on a leash if outside of your rv and not in a penned area. Make sure waste is kept in the provided garbage container at the north property entrance and not outside of your RV. Dispose of RV black and grey tank contents properly in the sewer pipe and do not dump on the ground. Absolutely no shooting firearms on property. No lighting fireworks on property without permission. Please be respectful of other campers, and keep your outside area tidy and any detached items inside when you are not at your RV. We do not have a bath/shower house on the property at this point, and we apologize for this inconvenience. By reserving an RV spot at American RV Park, you agree to receive emails on upcoming events, updates and other American RV Park information. We do not spam people or give away or sell information, so don't worry about that! By reserving a space, you agree to follow the rules above and will be responsible for your guests, campers, pets, personal belongings, vehicles and the RV you bring with you during my stay. For more info, email info@americanrvpark-nd.com or call us at 406.370.5792 or 406.499.9033, and leave a message.
Pets
Potable water
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from 
$35
 / night

The best camping near Theodore Roosevelt National Park guide

Overview

About

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.

Notable campgrounds

  • 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.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • 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.

When to go

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.

Know before you go

  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, there are no grizzly bears in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The park is home to various wildlife species, but grizzly bears are not among them. The bears that once inhabited the area were extirpated in the early 20th century.

Yes, dispersed camping is allowed in Theodore Roosevelt National Park within designated backcountry zones. To camp in the backcountry, you must obtain a free backcountry permit from the park visitor center. Keep in mind that there are no established campsites or amenities in the backcountry, and you must follow Leave No Trace principles and park regulations. Additionally, there are three developed campgrounds within the park: Cottonwood, Juniper, and Roundup Group Horse Campground, where you can camp with more facilities and services.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is definitely worth a visit. It is located in western North Dakota and offers stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and a glimpse into the life of President Theodore Roosevelt. The park is divided into three units: the North Unit, the South Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. Visitors can enjoy scenic drives, hiking trails, horseback riding, and camping. Wildlife sightings are common, including bison, elk, prairie dogs, and wild horses. The park also has a rich history, as Theodore Roosevelt lived and ranched in the area, which inspired his conservation efforts. Camping options in the park include the Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit and the Juniper Campground in the North Unit. For more unique accommodations, you can explore options on Hipcamp. Overall, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a beautiful and historically significant destination that offers a variety of outdoor activities and opportunities to connect with nature.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park has two campgrounds: Cottonwood Campground and Juniper Campground. Cottonwood Campground accepts reservations for a portion of its sites, while the remaining sites are first-come, first-served. Juniper Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis only. Reservations can be made through the Recreation.gov website. It's a good idea to make a reservation if you can, but if not, arrive early to secure a first-come, first-served site. You can learn more about camping in Theodore Roosevelt National Park by visiting the National Park Service website.

Securing a Theodore Roosevelt National Park campsite reservation is usually a challenge due to the park's popularity. Camping trips typically need to be planned months in advance and even then, available campsites can book up within minutes. The good news is that you have other options for last-minute Theodore Roosevelt National Park campsite reservations. Try snagging one by setting up a free Hipcamp alert for any Theodore Roosevelt campground. We'll monitor campground availability, and you'll get instantly notified of any openings that come up for your dates so you can jump on it to reserve the newly open site. Set up an alert.

Most Theodore Roosevelt National Park campsite reservations open up months in advance. However, it's notoriously difficult to secure a Theodore Roosevelt National Park reservation even if you plan ahead, as campsites are often booked up within minutes. To increase your chances of snagging a campsite, set up a free Hipcamp alert for any Theodore Roosevelt campground. We'll monitor campground availability, and you'll get instantly notified of any openings that come up for your dates so you can jump on it to reserve the newly open site. Set up an alert.

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