How much does camping cost at Wannagan Campground?

Camping fees at Wannagan Campground range from $10/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Wannagan Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Wannagan Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Wannagan Campground before I book?

Yes! Wannagan Campground has 10 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Wannagan Campground?

Wannagan Campground is open Open year-round. Limited services after Labor Day and before Memorial Day.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Wannagan Campground?

Wannagan Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Wannagan Campground?

Fire policies at Wannagan Campground: Fire restrictions may apply. Fire rings are available at each campsite.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Wannagan Campground have?

Wannagan Campground has 10 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Wannagan Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Wannagan Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Wannagan Campground?

Wannagan Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Wannagan Campground?

Popular activities at Wannagan Campground include Hiking, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Wannagan Campground

4.24

29 reviews

99 23rd Ave. W. Suite B, Dickinson, ND 58601

Top 12% in NDSummer

Romantic GetawayScenic ViewsStargazing

Featured in:Summer Camping North Dakota Fall Camping North Dakota Pet-Friendly Campgrounds North Dakota

Quick Facts

2,451 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

2,451 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Wannagan Campground

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Overnight use of single campsites is $10 per night. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount, applicable only to the...

Standard Site Fee$10.00

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USFS

Provider

701-227-7800

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

99 23rd Ave. W. Suite B, Dickinson, ND 58601

Wannagan Campground

99 23rd Ave. W. Suite B, Dickinson, ND 58601

Nearby places

Medora (10 minutes away per user review), Dickinson (approximately 45 miles away).

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies can be found in Medora, which is 10 minutes away from the campground according to user reviews. Supplies include gas stations, grocery stores, and basic amenities.

Weather at Wannagan Campground

Current alert: Fire restrictions may be in effect depending on current conditions. Visitors are advised to monitor Alerts and Fire Danger Status pages.

Best Time to Camp at Wannagan Campground

Summer is the reliable season here. Expect mid-70s to low-90s during the day and 50s to 60s at night. Good campfire weather. July and August bring more visitors due to Medora events. Rain turns the access road into a muddy challenge, so check conditions before you go. Winter camping is possible but temperatures drop to bone-chilling lows. Spring and fall are quieter, though amenities remain basic year-round.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 12% in ND

Summer is reliable with mid-70s to low-90s, peak season and good campfire weather.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round. Limited services after Labor Day and before Memorial Day.

About Wannagan Campground

Wannagan Campground sits in a small valley within the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, about 30 miles from Medora. The campground has 10 primitive sites with vault toilets, a hand-pump well for potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Sites cost $10/night and can accommodate RVs up to 60 feet. You'll share the area with fracking truck traffic, but the southern views and stargazing are worth the gravel-road drive.

Wannagan Campground accommodates both RV and tent camping, catering to a range of camping preferences. Its open layout is suitable for larger vehicles, but the primitive setup emphasizes a back-to-nature experience.

Historical Significance

The petrified tree stumps throughout the area are remnants of ancient forests that predated the badlands by millions of years. Each formation shows how the landscape transformed from lush woodlands to the eroded prairie buttes you see today. The stratified rock layers visible in the surrounding buttes reveal geological time in cross-section.

Weather and SeasonsSummer is the reliable season here. Expect mid-70s to low-90s during the day and 50s to 60s at night. Good campfire weather. July and August bring more visitors due to Medora events. Rain turns the access road into a muddy challenge, so check conditions before you go. Winter camping is possible but temperatures drop to bone-chilling lows. Spring and fall are quieter, though amenities remain basic year-round.

ElevationWhile specific elevation details await discovery by intrepid explorers, the campground's position within the badlands terrain creates its own natural amphitheater of adventure.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits at 2,451 feet elevation surrounded by badlands buttes and prairie. Petrified tree stumps scattered throughout the area create what one visitor called a "surreal outdoor museum." The sites themselves are open with limited shade or wind protection, but the sweeping southern vistas across the stratified buttes make up for the exposure. The Maah Daah Hey Trail runs nearby, offering access to more badlands terrain. Wildlife includes rattlesnakes. Watch where you step.

Geological RegionNestled within the vast Dakota Prairie Grasslands, Wannagan Campground sits at the heart of North Dakota's spectacular badlands country. This geological wonderland showcases towering buttes carved by eons of wind and water, their stratified layers revealing the Earth's ancient history. Throughout this dramatic landscape, petrified tree stumps emerge like natural sculptures, creating a surreal outdoor museum where every trail leads to new geological discoveries.

Scenic ViewsThe campground offers panoramic views looking south and features a scenic overlook accessible by a steep trail. User reviews highlight its breathtaking star-gazing opportunities.

Lodging & AccommodationsWannagan Campground does not appear to offer hotel-style lodging or permanent accommodations based on the available sources.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are documented.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Anytime as the campground is open 24 hours.

Check-out

Anytime within the limit of 14 consecutive days.

Stay Limit

Stay limit of 14 consecutive days.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThe 10 sites sit in a loose arrangement within the valley. Parking pads accommodate vehicles up to 60 feet long. Sites are large and open. Suitable for tents or RVs, but don't expect shade trees or natural windbreaks. The terrain is level enough for easy setup.

Reservation PlatformsReservations may be available online or through contacting the Medora Ranger District Office.

Walk-in AvailabilityRemote first-come-first-serve camping is available according to user reviews.

Cancellation PolicyReservations fees are applicable per site. Specific cancellation policies are not provided.

AccessibilityThe campground includes a handicap-accessible vault toilet available during summer months. No other specific accessibility features are documented.

Site SizeSites are described as large and open, suitable for both RVs and tents. One review mentions parking pads accommodating vehicles up to 60 feet long.

PrivacyThe sites are open with limited shade and privacy. One review notes that the campground is 'inside a small valley but no real protection or shade.

Total Campsites10 campsites

Recommended SitesConsider choosing a site with shade or proximity to trails for easy access to scenic views.

Best CampsitesLook for sites on the southern end of the campground if you want the long views across the badlands that reviewers mention. Privacy is limited across all sites, but the spacing is generous enough that you won't feel crowded even when the campground fills up.

Need help booking Wannagan Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Potable water is not available at this site. The potable water well is available from spring to fall seasons (turned off during winter).

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Wannagan Campground offers a variety of outdoor activities that align with its rustic and natural setting. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. The proximity to the Maah Daah Hey Trail provides excellent opportunities for exploration.

Hiking

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRattlesnakes are mentioned in user reviews as a potential hazard. Additionally, rainy weather can make roads difficult to navigate.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyFire restrictions may apply. Fire rings are available at each campsite.

Emergency ServicesMedora Ranger District Office is nearby; Dickinson houses hospitals and emergency services.

Trash & RecyclingPack-in, pack-out rules apply, and campers are advised to haul out their own garbage. No on-site trash or recycling facilities are available.

Water FeaturesPotable hand-pump water wells are available. No specific lakes or rivers nearby.

Camp HostNo campground hosts are mentioned in the source materials.

Cell CoverageNo information on cell phone service is provided in the authoritative sources or user reviews.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Wannagan Campground

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From Booking Sources

4.2

29 reviews

Satisfactory

Wannagan Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's peaceful and remote setting, its proximity to the Maah Daah Hey Trail, and the stunning views of the ND badlands. Multiple users praise the clear night skies for stargazing and the scenic drive despite challenging road conditions.

Review Summaries

Based on 29 reviews

What Campers Love

Users appreciate the campground's scenic beauty, including 'sweeping vistas' and 'beautiful long view looking south.' The presence of basic amenities such as vault toilets, a hand pump for potable...

Based on 29 reviews

Common Concerns

Some users express concerns about the narrow, winding, and occasionally bumpy gravel roads leading to the campground. Limited shade and the absence of electricity or cell service are other noted...

Based on 29 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing sufficient supplies due to the remote location, driving carefully on the narrow roads, and preparing for potential encounters with wildlife such as rattlesnakes....

Based on 29 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground operates year-round but offers limited services outside the summer season. Peak summer months are popular for stargazing and trail activities, while winter conditions may limit...

Based on 29 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Beautifully clear skies perfect for stargazing, we saw several large shooting stars.' 2. 'The drive in is about 20-30 minutes of loose bumpy gravel road, but our 99 camry made the drive just...

Based on 29 reviews

Accessibility Features

The vault toilet's handicap accessibility during summer months is highlighted, but no other accessibility features are mentioned in the reviews.

Based on 29 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must remain leashed. Users caution about wildlife in the area, including deer and coyotes, which may pose risks to unattended animals.

Based on 29 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Maah Daah Hey Trail hikers and stargazers who can handle a winding gravel road that turns to mud in rain. Sites fit rigs up to 60 feet, cost $10, and the open skies here genuinely deliver at night.

Skip if

Shade, hookups, or quiet roads matter to you. Fracking trucks share the access route, the sites are exposed with no wind protection, and rain can make the gravel road impassable.

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99 23rd Ave. W. Suite B, Dickinson, ND 58601

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Campgrounds

Dakota Prairie Grasslands

Wannagan Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Wannagan Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

<p>A great meeting area for the north end of the Buffalo Gap Trail. The switchbacks located on the Maah Daah Hey Trail offer a sweeping vista of the region, including a scenic view of many large buttes.</p>