Ccc Campground (Nd)

4.74

101 reviews

1905 S Main St, Watford City, ND 58854

Scenic ViewsPeace & QuietStargazingGreat Hiking

Featured in:Pet-Friendly Campgrounds North Dakota#1 Camping Near Theodore Roosevelt National Park#1 Summer Camping North Dakota#2 +1 more

Quick Facts

1,972 ft

Price

$5 - $10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

32 campsites

Season

Season opens May 27,...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectric

Opens Recreation.gov site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

1,972 ft

Price

$5 - $10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

32 campsites

Season

Season opens May 27,...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectric

Opens Recreation.gov site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Ccc Campground (Nd)

$5.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

CCC Campground charges $10 per night for standard sites. Discounts apply for America The Beautiful - Senior Annual, Senior Lifetime, and Access Pass...

Standard Site Fee$10.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$10.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

701-842-8500

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What Campers Say

4.74

Top-Rated

Based on 101 reviews

49 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanspacioussites

"Guests frequently describe CCC Campground as clean, quiet, and affordable, with large, level sites and excellent access to nearby trails and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. However, some users highlight challenges with road access, limited shade, and occasional trash left by previous campers."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

1905 S Main St, Watford City, ND 58854

Ccc Campground (Nd)

1905 S Main St, Watford City, ND 58854

Driving directionsThe CCC Campground is located off HWY 85. Ensure you follow signage, as the route includes a well-maintained dirt road. Reviewers recommend caution on rainy days due to potential mud challenges.

The road leading to CCC Campground is a well-maintained dirt road but can be dusty during dry conditions and muddy during rain. One review notes, 'The access road is dusty but it's in good shape besides the cattle guards. One is missing a bar so it's a big bump.' Large RVs may face challenges during wet conditions.

Nearby places

Watford City (15-minute drive north on HWY 85), Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit (approximately 10 minutes).

Nearby supplies

Watford City, a 15-minute drive, offers groceries, camping supplies, and fuel options.

Best Time to Camp at Ccc Campground (Nd)

Late spring through early summer unveils the campground at its finest, when moderate temperatures and clear skies create perfect conditions for outdoor adventures. These golden weeks offer comfortable days for hiking and cool evenings around the campfire. As summer progresses, the prairie sun intensifies, bringing warm to hot days that highlight the importance of bringing your own shade, as the open landscape offers little natural cover. The dry climate typical of the Badlands means rain rarely interrupts camping plans during peak season.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Open in summer but can be hot with limited shade; still accessible and popular for activities.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 9% in ND

Popular in fall for moderate temps and excellent viewing; reviewers note autumn as a prime season.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.5 / 5

Top 1% in ND

Late spring is highlighted as the campground at its finest with moderate temps and clear skies.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Campground closed outside late May–early Sept; winter reviews are absent.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 27, 2025 - September 9, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Season opens May 27, 2025, and closes September 9, 2025, for reservations. First-come, first-served availability starts June 20, 2025.
Current Alerts: No current active alerts noted.

About Ccc Campground (Nd)

Nestled within North Dakota's rugged Badlands, CCC Campground beckons adventurers with its breathtaking canvas of endless prairies and brilliantly colored buttes that seem to glow at sunset. This peaceful retreat offers 32 thoughtfully placed campsites spread across three distinct loops, with five sites available for advance reservation. While embracing a back-to-nature experience with primitive camping facilities, the campground provides essential amenities including vault toilets and seasonal hand-pump water access from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Equestrian enthusiasts will delight in the specially designated horse-friendly sites, making this an ideal basecamp for exploring the surrounding wilderness on horseback.

CCC Campground accommodates both primitive camping and equestrian camping. It offers a combination of reservable and first-come, first-served sites, making it suitable for a broad range of campers.

Historical SignificanceThe story of this land remains untold in our current records, though the very landscape whispers tales of ancient seas, prehistoric creatures, and the enduring spirit of the prairie. Future discoveries may reveal the cultural heritage that shaped this remarkable place.

Weather and SeasonsLate spring through early summer unveils the campground at its finest, when moderate temperatures and clear skies create perfect conditions for outdoor adventures. These golden weeks offer comfortable days for hiking and cool evenings around the campfire. As summer progresses, the prairie sun intensifies, bringing warm to hot days that highlight the importance of bringing your own shade, as the open landscape offers little natural cover. The dry climate typical of the Badlands means rain rarely interrupts camping plans during peak season.

ElevationWhile specific elevation details await documentation, visitors will experience the unique topography of the Badlands, where the land rises and falls in dramatic formations carved by millions of years of natural forces.

Natural Features and SceneryPrepare to be mesmerized by a landscape that defies expectations – where vibrant bands of red, orange, and gray sediments paint the buttes in nature's own masterpiece. The winding Little Missouri River carves through this ancient terrain, creating ribbons of green that contrast beautifully with the surrounding badlands. Wildlife enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise, with frequent sightings of graceful pronghorn bounding across the prairie, mule deer browsing in the early morning light, and whitetail deer emerging at dusk. Lucky visitors might even spot the majestic bighorn sheep navigating the rugged terrain. During spring and summer, the campground transforms into a haven for birdwatchers and wildflower enthusiasts, as the prairie comes alive with chirping meadowlarks and carpets of colorful blooms.

Geological RegionThe campground sits at the heart of North Dakota's legendary Badlands, a geological wonderland where millions of years of erosion have sculpted a dramatic landscape of multicolored buttes, deep ravines, and rolling prairies. This unique terrain, carved by the persistent flow of the Little Missouri River and shaped by wind and weather, offers visitors a front-row seat to one of nature's most spectacular geological theaters. Each layer of exposed rock tells a story of ancient environments, from tropical swamps to inland seas, creating a living museum of Earth's history.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

No explicit check-in time stated.

Check-out

No explicit check-out time stated.

Stay Limit

No explicit stay limit mentioned in authoritative content.

Guests Allowed Per Site

No information provided regarding guest limits per site.

Groups

Group sites accommodate equestrian camping and are equipped with electric hookups. Details about the maximum number of guests or vehicles per group site are not provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThree loops with 32 sites in total. Sites include grass pads and some equestrian-specific options.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov; Scan & Pay also available onsite.

Walk-in AvailabilityAvailable on a first-come, first-served basis during specific dates (June 20, 2025 - June 21, 2025).

Cancellation PolicyStandard cancellation fees apply: $10 per cancellation plus forfeiture of the first night's recreation use fee for late cancellations. No refunds for Scan & Pay transactions.

AccessibilityThe campground offers accessible campsites, parking, picnic shelters, and pit toilets. Sites are largely level and grassy, making them easier to navigate.

Site SizeCampsites are spacious, with parking pads up to 60 feet in length, and can accommodate large RVs.

PrivacyThe sites are adequately spaced, providing moderate privacy. Some are close to the Little Missouri River, offering scenic views.

Total Campsites32 campsites

Recommended SitesSite 26 (Loop C) is recommended for its level terrain and convenient access to trailheads. Site 17 is noted for its quiet location and spacious layout.

Amenities available

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

CCC Campground provides access to a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding. The Maah Daah Hey Trail offers a 150-mile route connecting to other trails like the Long X Trail for shorter loops. The Little Missouri River and dramatic badlands offer scenic exploration opportunities.

HikingThe campground is directly connected to the Maah Daah Hey Trail, which spans 150 miles. Shorter options include the two-mile Sunset Loop and an 11-mile loop that combines the Maah Daah Hey Trail and the Long X Trail. Trails feature dramatic badlands views.

BikingMountain biking is supported along the trails, including the Maah Daah Hey Trail, which is accessible directly from the campground.

Wildlife viewingWildlife frequently observed includes pronghorns, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and occasional bighorn sheep. The area is also popular among bird enthusiasts.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include muddy access roads during rainy weather and broken glass/trash left by previous campers, as noted by user reviews.

Active AlertsNo current active alerts noted.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed in fire rings provided at each site. Follow pack-in, pack-out policies for firewood.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are No explicit quiet hours stated.

Emergency ServicesThe nearest emergency services are located in Watford City, 15 minutes away, including medical facilities and police stations.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are not available. Campers are required to pack out all waste and trash.

Water FeaturesThe Little Missouri River runs along the northern edge of the campground.

Camp HostReviewers consistently mention the campground host's friendliness and helpfulness. Example: 'Brian the camp host was very friendly.'

Weather at Ccc Campground (Nd)

Reviews

4.7

101 reviews

Top-Rated

Ccc Campground (Nd) is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Guests frequently describe CCC Campground as clean, quiet, and affordable, with large, level sites and excellent access to nearby trails and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. However, some users highlight challenges with road access, limited shade, and occasional trash left by previous campers.

Review Summaries

Based on 101 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive feedback includes the campground's cleanliness, spacious sites, and scenic views. Many reviewers appreciate the proximity to trails and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Verizon cell service...

Based on 101 reviews

Common Concerns

Criticism centers on the dusty or muddy access road, lack of trash facilities, and limited shade at campsites. Some visitors mentioned issues like broken picnic tables or occasional litter.

Based on 101 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users suggest bringing plenty of water, shade structures, and being prepared for the self-pay system. Campers with large RVs are advised to avoid rainy days due to access road conditions. The Maah...

Based on 101 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is most popular during the spring and fall, when temperatures are moderate. Summer reviews highlight the lack of shade and high temperatures, while winter reviews are absent,...

Based on 101 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This is a must stay. Great little park for minimal dollars." - Tunis Cooper; "Nice primitive campground. Sites are large and level." - Sandra Peterson; "Great location for trails and North Unit of...

Based on 101 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 17 is noted as spacious and quiet. Sites in Loop A, such as site 10, are highlighted as close to vault toilets and suitable for star gazing. Loop C, particularly site 26, is praised for its...

Based on 101 reviews