Best Campgrounds in North Dakota: 2026 Guide

North Dakota is the least-visited state in the lower 48 — and that's its greatest camping asset. Theodore Roosevelt National Park protects the state's painted badlands where bison, wild horses, and elk roam through eroded buttes and coulees. The Missouri River system creates a chain of massive reservoirs — Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe — with campgrounds that offer hundreds of miles of shoreline and almost nobody on them. If solitude is what you're after, North Dakota delivers it at a scale that's hard to find anywhere else.

Why North Dakota Stands Out

Theodore Roosevelt called the North Dakota badlands the place that made him who he was. The park's South Unit near Medora is one of the most underrated national parks in the system — dramatic erosion formations, painted canyon overlooks, and wildlife density that rivals Yellowstone without a fraction of the visitors. Lake Sakakawea stretches 178 miles behind Garrison Dam, making it one of the largest reservoirs in the country, yet its campgrounds rarely fill. Lake Ashtabula in the east offers wooded shoreline camping that feels more like Minnesota than the Great Plains. The sunsets here — spanning an unbroken horizon — are worth the trip alone.

Top Campgrounds to Explore

Cottonwood Campground

In the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, five miles from the entrance. The go-to base for exploring the badlands with bison often visible from camp.

CCC Campground

In the badlands near Watford City with trails and 32 sites across three loops. A quieter alternative to Cottonwood with its own rugged character in the North Unit area.

Wolf Creek Campground

Along the southern shore of beautiful Lake Sakakawea near Riverdale, offering a wide variety of recreational activities on North Dakota's largest lake.

Downstream Campground

On the east bank of the Missouri River below Garrison Dam near Riverdale. Excellent fishing in the tailwaters and access to both the river and Lake Sakakawea.

Eggerts Landing

On Lake Ashtabula in eastern North Dakota near Valley City. Thick forests, secluded sites, and lake access make it the most popular campground in the area.

Mel Rieman Recreation Area

A 70-acre facility on Lake Ashtabula's shoreline near Valley City, known for spectacular sunset views over the lake and excellent warm-water fishing.

Beaver Creek Recreation Area

On the north side of Beaver Bay on Lake Oahe, 16 miles west of Linton. The massive reservoir offers boating, fishing, and shoreline camping in south-central North Dakota.

Hazelton Recreation Area

On the east bank of the Missouri River on Lake Oahe just south of Bismarck, offering large-lake recreation with convenient capital-city access.

Planning Tips

The camping season is short — June through September for most campgrounds, with July and August being prime. Theodore Roosevelt NP is best in spring (May-June) and fall (September) when temperatures are moderate and wildlife is most active. Summer days can top 100°F in the badlands. Lake Sakakawea is enormous but exposed; wind can make boating dangerous. Bring sun protection — shade is scarce on the prairie. Most campgrounds are very affordable and rarely require reservations outside holiday weekends.

Find More

Browse all North Dakota campgrounds on our North Dakota camping page, or explore the full campground directory to plan your next trip.