While you can always stay at a hotel when visiting North Dakota, setting up camp is preferable for some. Not only can you stay close to nature when camping in North Dakota, but you can also save on lodging rates, as it's cheaper to book a campsite than it is a hotel or motel room. Both of these perks are enough to seal the deal for many outdoor enthusiasts, at least during the warmer months of the year. Camping in North Dakota during the winter months is not for everybody, as it gets very cold here come that time of year. That's not to say that you can't enjoy some North Dakota camping in the wintertime, as there are campsites around the state that remain open the whole year through. Looking to the state's major state parks is a good idea when trying to choose North Dakota campgrounds, and you shouldn't need reservations for your spot should you decide to visit during the off season.

The peak season for setting up camp in North Dakota is between mid-May and Labor Day. It is always a good idea to make reservations at the campground of your choice during this period. Otherwise, you might find it hard to find a spot. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which is in the western part of the state, is one of the top places to go camping in North Dakota, especially if you plan on doing some hiking and sightseeing on the side. It is here you will find the North Dakota Badlands. This scenic area boasts stunning vistas at every turn, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to take it all in. There are three campgrounds to choose from at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the fees at each are more than reasonable. While the Juniper Campground can be found in the park's North Unit, the Cottonwood and Roundup Campgrounds are in the more highly elevated South Unit. The Juniper and Cottonwood Campgrounds are ideal if you're traveling with lots of people, as they feature group campground areas in addition to smaller sites.

Dickinson and Williston are the largest cities that can be found near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, so if you're looking to camp here, you might consider flying into one of their small airports. When visiting Williston, you can also camp in nearby Lewis and Clark State Park. Located 20 miles east of town, this state park offers both tent and RV sites, which is typical of most North Dakota campgrounds, and it also boasts a playground, a marina, cabins for rent, an amphitheatre for special performances and events, and places to swim. About 100 miles east of Dickinson is the capital city of Bismarck, and one of the better places to go camping there is Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. You can also head just north of the city and camp at Cross Ranch State Park, which offers proximity to the Fort Mandan Historic Site and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. These two North Dakota attractions are among the best in the state for visitors interested in learning more about Lewis and Clark, who passed through the state on their 1804–1806 Corps of Discovery expedition. Grahams Island State Park in Devils Lake offers some of the most attractive North Dakota campgrounds. In addition to both modern and primitive campsites, this island park also offers rental cabins.

North Dakota Map

When looking to do some North Dakota camping, the state parks aren't the only places to find tent and RV sites. On the eastern side of the state, Lamoure County Memorial Park offers tent and RV sites near the city of Grand Forks, so you might choose it as your Red River Valley campsite. You can also give the Grand Forks campground a look and closer to Jamestown, there are the Lakeside Marina and Campground and the Pelican Point Landing Campground.

North Dakota camping is a joy for anyone who enjoys spending time outside, as the bulk of the campgrounds here offer proximity to lakes, rivers, hiking trails, and other attractions. The amenities at the North Dakota campgrounds vary quite a bit, so you can choose accordingly. While some visitors will prefer campsites that feature things such as showers, convenience shops, playgrounds, and picnic tables, others will be more interested in the state's primitive campsites, which have few or no amenities. Finding a campsite in North Dakota is made easy by the fact that there are a lot to choose from. So if you like to camp, you can always add it to your list of things to do in the Peace Garden State.