Top 10 Best Camping & Outdoor Destinations in North Dakota (With Travel Guide)
North Dakota, often referred to as the "Peace Garden State" or the "Roughrider State," is a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts who love wide-open spaces, pristine prairies, rugged badlands, and abundant wildlife. While it may not be the first state that comes to mind for camping, North Dakota offers some of the most serene and untouched natural landscapes in the U.S.
From the majestic Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Missouri River to the rolling prairies of the Sheyenne Grasslands and the icy wonders of Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota provides a unique camping experience that’s perfect for stargazers, hikers, anglers, and nature lovers.
Below are the 10 best camping destinations in North Dakota, each with:
✅ Unique attractions & activities
✅ Best time to visit
✅ Nearby amenities (food, gas, lodging, transportation)
✅ Important tips & safety advice
1. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (Medora & Watford City) – Badlands & Wildlife Wonderland
🏜️ Highlights:
Theodore Roosevelt’s beloved badlands (where he developed his conservation ethic)
Wildlife viewing (bison, wild horses, prairie dogs, elk, bighorn sheep)
Scenic drives (Parks Highway & Scenic Loop Drive)
Hiking trails (Caprock Coulee, Petroglyphs, and Coal Vein Trail)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–September (best for camping & wildlife viewing, 50-85°F)
Summer (70-85°F) - warm but pleasant in the badlands
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning golden prairie colors
Spring (40-60°F) - fewer crowds & newborn wildlife
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: North & South Unit Campgrounds (primitive & RV sites)
Medora (10 mins from South Unit) has restaurants, shops & lodging
Watford City (1 hour from North Unit) has basic amenities
Bismarck (2.5 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Bison & wild horses roam freely—keep a safe distance
Summer evenings can be cool—pack layers
Bring plenty of water & sunscreen
2. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (Mandan) – Historic Frontier & River Views
🏰 Highlights:
On-A-Slant Indian Village (reconstructed Mandan earthlodges)
Custer’s House (reconstructed 1870s home)
Missouri River scenic views
Hiking & biking trails
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–September (best for outdoor activities, 50-85°F)
Summer (70-85°F) - warm for river activities
Fall (40-60°F) - fewer crowds & golden foliage
Spring (40-60°F) - pleasant & less humid
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Fort Abraham Lincoln Campgrounds
Mandan (5 mins) has supermarkets & gas stations
Bismarck (15 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Missouri River swimming has designated areas only
Bring bug spray—mosquitoes can be active near water
Historic sites have limited hours—check in advance
3. Lake Sakakawea State Park (Pick City) – Largest Man-Made Lake in ND
🏞️ Highlights:
Lake Sakakawea (boating, fishing & swimming)
Scenic river views & sunsets
Hiking & wildlife viewing (ducks, geese, bald eagles)
Winter ice fishing & snowmobiling
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for water activities, 70-85°F)
Summer (80-85°F) - warm lake swimming
Fall (50-70°F) - fewer crowds
Spring (50-70°F) - pleasant & less humid
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Lake Sakakawea State Park Campgrounds
Pick City (5 mins) has a small gas station
Williston (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Lake swimming has designated areas only
Boat traffic can be heavy in summer
Bring sunscreen & water shoes
4. Little Missouri National Grassland (Dickinson) – Prairie & Badlands Camping
🌾 Highlights:
Vast prairie landscapes & rolling badlands
Wildlife viewing (pronghorn, coyotes, mule deer)
Scenic drives (Maah Daah Hey Trail)
Stargazing (dark skies)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–September (best for camping, 50-85°F)
Summer (70-85°F) - warm but pleasant
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning prairie colors
Spring (40-60°F) - fewer crowds
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Little Missouri Grassland Campgrounds (primitive sites)
Dickinson (1 hour) has supermarkets & lodging
Belfield (30 mins) for basic amenities
⚠️ Things to Know:
This is a remote area—fill up gas & bring supplies
Bring plenty of water & food
Watch for wildlife on the roads
5. Fort Ransom State Park (Fort Ransom) – Historic Fort & River Views
🏰 Highlights:
Historic Fort Ransom (1860s military outpost)
Sheyenne River scenic views
Hiking & biking trails
Wildlife viewing (ducks, geese, deer)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–September (best for outdoor activities, 50-85°F)
Summer (70-85°F) - warm for river activities
Fall (40-60°F) - fewer crowds
Spring (40-60°F) - pleasant & less humid
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Fort Ransom State Park Campgrounds
Fort Ransom (5 mins) has a small gas station
Fargo (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Sheyenne River swimming has designated areas only
Bring bug spray—mosquitoes can be active near water
Historic sites have limited hours—check in advance
6. Icelandic State Park (Pembina) – Scandinavian Heritage & Lakeside Camping
🏔️ Highlights:
Lake Renwick (boating, fishing & swimming)
Icelandic heritage (log cabins & cultural exhibits)
Hiking & birdwatching
Wildlife viewing (ducks, geese, loons)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for water activities, 70-85°F)
Summer (80-85°F) - warm lake swimming
Fall (50-70°F) - fewer crowds
Spring (50-70°F) - pleasant & less humid
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Icelandic State Park Campgrounds
Pembina (10 mins) has a small gas station
Grand Forks (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Lake swimming has designated areas only
Bring sunscreen & water shoes
Check for ice conditions in spring
7. Cross Ranch State Park (Huff) – Missouri River & Prairie Camping
🌾 Highlights:
Missouri River scenic views
Prairie & cottonwood forests
Hiking & wildlife viewing (bald eagles, deer)
Stargazing (dark skies)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–September (best for camping, 50-85°F)
Summer (70-85°F) - warm but pleasant
Fall (40-60°F) - stunning foliage
Spring (40-60°F) - fewer crowds
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Cross Ranch State Park Campgrounds
Huff (5 mins) has a small gas station
Mandan (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Missouri River swimming has designated areas only
Bring bug spray—mosquitoes can be active near water
Bring plenty of water & food
8. Turtle River State Park (Arvilla) – Forest & River Camping
🌲 Highlights:
Turtle River (boating, fishing & swimming)
Hiking & biking trails
Wildlife viewing (ducks, geese, deer)
Scenic river views
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for water activities, 70-85°F)
Summer (80-85°F) - warm lake swimming
Fall (50-70°F) - fewer crowds
Spring (50-70°F) - pleasant & less humid
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Turtle River State Park Campgrounds
Arvilla (5 mins) has a small gas station
Grand Forks (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Lake swimming has designated areas only
Bring sunscreen & water shoes
Check for ice conditions in spring
9. Icelandic State Park (Pembina) – Scandinavian Heritage & Lakeside Camping
🏔️ Highlights:
Lake Renwick (boating, fishing & swimming)
Icelandic heritage (log cabins & cultural exhibits)
Hiking & birdwatching
Wildlife viewing (ducks, geese, loons)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for water activities, 70-85°F)
Summer (80-85°F) - warm lake swimming
Fall (50-70°F) - fewer crowds
Spring (50-70°F) - pleasant & less humid
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Icelandic State Park Campgrounds
Pembina (10 mins) has a small gas station
Grand Forks (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Lake swimming has designated areas only
Bring sunscreen & water shoes
Check for ice conditions in spring
10. Fort Stevenson State Park (Zimmerman) – Lake Sakakawea & Historic Fort
🏰 Highlights:
Lake Sakakawea (boating, fishing & swimming)
Historic Fort Stevenson (1867 military outpost)
Hiking & wildlife viewing (ducks, geese, bald eagles)
Winter ice fishing & snowmobiling
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for water activities, 70-85°F)
Summer (80-85°F) - warm lake swimming
Fall (50-70°F) - fewer crowds
Spring (50-70°F) - pleasant & less humid
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Fort Stevenson State Park Campgrounds
Zimmerman (10 mins) has a small gas station
Minot (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Lake swimming has designated areas only
Bring sunscreen & water shoes
Check for ice conditions in spring
Final Tips for Camping in North Dakota
✔ Reservations are recommended in summer (especially near lakes & parks)
✔ This is a rural state—fill up gas & bring supplies in remote areas
✔ Weather changes quickly—pack layers, rain gear & sun protection
✔ Wildlife is abundant—keep a safe distance & secure food properly
North Dakota’s untouched prairies, rugged badlands, and serene lakes offer a truly unique camping experience. Whether you want wildlife viewing, historic forts, or stargazing under dark skies, these 10 destinations will give you an unforgettable North Dakota outdoor adventure. 🏕️🌾🌌