Is there free or dispersed camping near Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

Dispersed camping may be an option in the Little Missouri National Grassland, but services and availability vary. Harvest Hosts stays sit between the two: private property, permission arranged ahead, and no camping fee. All local business owners ask is that you patronize their working farms, distilleries, attractions, and breweries.

Scenic view of Theodore Roosevelt landscape

Theodore Roosevelt National Park RV Camping

In 1883, back when North Dakota belonged to the Dakota Territory, a bespectacled young man stepped off the train and into the area that would officially become Theodore Roosevelt National Park nearly a century later. A naturalist, rancher, and honored Rough Rider, Teddy Roosevelt made his home here during a difficult time in his life, but today, the park encompasses over 70,000 acres of beautiful country. Nearly every year, many of them looking forward to RV camping in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and exploring the surrounding areas. At times, they're often joined by mule deer, bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, eagles, and elk. Harvest Hosts has plenty of locations within an hour of the entrances where you can park your RV overnight at a working farm, brewery, or distillery.

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Theodore Roosevelt National Park RV Camping Guide

When to Go

Theodore Roosevelt National Park sees most of its visitors during the summer. Crowds peak from June through August in light of warmer temperatures, active wildlife, and park programming. If you want to avoid the sweltering sun and the masses, arrive before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m., or plan your trip during the week. May, September, and October are ideal for comfortable hikes and less competition at the trailhead. Visitors can still see wildlife and peep for leaves. While the park stays open in the winter, access and services are typically reduced.

Know Before You Go

Theodore Roosevelt National Park doesn't require timed-entry reservations. However, reservations are strongly recommended (and in some cases, required) for campsites in the park's two campgrounds.
The park consists of two primary sections, known as the North and South Units. Points of interest in the North Unit include a 14-mile paved scenic drive, River Bend Overlook, and Oxbow Overlook. The South Unit consists of its own paved scenic drive and two visitor centers.
The Elkhorn Ranch Unit between the North and South Units is more remote, but allows visitors to explore the foundational stones of Teddy Roosevelt's home ranch as it sits along the Little Missouri River. The unpaved roads to this unit may not be suitable for RVs.
Scenic roads throughout the park don't post RV length restrictions, but some areas may be more traversable than others. While the park's campgrounds can accommodate longer RVs, a tow vehicle might be better transportation if you plan to explore extensively.
Popular hiking trails in Theodore Roosevelt National Park include the Caprock Coulee, Achenbach, and Buckhorn Trails in the North Unit, and Ridgeline Nature, Coal Vein, Wind Canyon, and Buck Hill in the South Unit.
Pets are not allowed on trails within the park. All pets must be leashed on leads no longer than six feet. Follow park rules regarding cleaning up after pets.
Bison and mule deer roam the park's vast acreage, but feral horses and elk are mostly sequestered in the South Unit. Longhorns, beavers, eagles, and bighorn sheep can be seen in the North Unit.

Nearby Attractions

Gateway cities into Theodore Roosevelt National Park include Watford City near the North Unit and Medora, Belfield, and Dickinson near the South Unit. Point to Point Park in Medora offers tons of family fun, and the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame is a must-see if you're a rodeo fan. The Chateau de Mores State Historic Site just south of the park gives visitors insight into the area's history. Explore the Little Missouri National Grassland, the nation's largest, just to the north of the park. If you're touring the Great Plains of North Dakota, the Dakota Territory Air Museum is a bit of a drive, but a popular attraction to visit while RV camping.

Where to Camp

Inside the park. RV campers can choose from two main campgrounds in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, or the equine-friendly Roundup Horse Group Campground in the South Unit. This national park also allows backcountry camping (requires a free permit). Cottonwood and Juniper Campgrounds lack hookups, but offer a wide range of pull-through and back-in sites that are mostly level. Pull-through sites can accommodate RVs over 50 feet long, while most back-in campsites are 20 feet maximum. Juniper sits in the North Unit and recently instituted a reservation requirement. Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit features a North and South Loop, and quickly fills up from May through the end of September, which also coincides with the dates when reservations are required to claim a campsite.

Tips on reserving a campsite. Reservations for both campgrounds open six months in advance, and they're strongly recommended if you plan to visit during the summer or fall. In Juniper Campground, sites 29 through 44 are closest to the Little Missouri River. The same applies to the South Loop in Cottonwood Campground.

Camping outside the park with Harvest Hosts. Reserving enough nights to plan the getaway you need can be tricky if you're only considering in-park campgrounds. While many RVers stay outside the park, Harvest Hosts stays make it an adventure. Our hosts offer fee-free camping and permission to park on private property in exchange for visits to their breweries, working farms, and distilleries.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can you sleep in your RV in Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

Yes, you can sleep in your RV in Theodore Roosevelt National Park if you're parked in a designated campsite within the two campgrounds. Both sit along the Little Missouri River with genuinely shady cottonwood sites, and both put you close enough to bison that they wander through camp. There are no hookups and no dump station anywhere in the park.

Where can I camp in an RV near Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

RV camping near Theodore Roosevelt National Park may be available in Medora to the south or Watford City to the north. Harvest Hosts has many locations across western North Dakota. If you're heading toward the park from Dickinson, stop in at this family-friendly brewery and pizzeria retreat for some food and fun. Alternatively, if you're headed east on Interstate 94 from Glendive, Montana, your kids might enjoy a nearby family fun center with bowling and movies.

Do you need a reservation to enter Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

No, you don't need a timed-entry reservation to enter Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Campground reservation requirements vary depending on the time of year you plan to visit, but they're recommended year-round. Backcountry camping requires a (free) permit.

What size RV fits in Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

RVs over 50 feet fit in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, specifically pull-through sites in the park's two campgrounds. Back-in sites are limited to 20 feet max. The park doesn't list RV restrictions for any other areas.