How much does camping cost at Little Missouri Campground?

Camping fees at Little Missouri Campground range from $15-$25/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Little Missouri Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Little Missouri 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 Little Missouri Campground before I book?

Yes! Little Missouri Campground has 5 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 Little Missouri Campground?

Little Missouri Campground is open Seasonal (Little Missouri State Park is only open seasonally; typically open May through October). 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 Little Missouri Campground?

Yes, Little Missouri Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Little Missouri Campground?

Fire policies at Little Missouri Campground: Visitors are advised to bring their own firewood; gathering firewood on-site is prohibited.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Little Missouri Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Little Missouri 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 Little Missouri Campground?

Little Missouri Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Little Missouri Campground?

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

Little Missouri Campground

4.45

33 reviews

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

2,431 ft

Price

$15 - $25/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Seasonal (Little Mis...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Pets Allowed

ElectricShowers

Book on North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

2,431 ft

Price

$15 - $25/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Seasonal (Little Mis...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Pets Allowed

ElectricShowers

Book on North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department Official Website

Get Directions

Little Missouri Campground

$15.00 - $25.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Basic/primitive sites $15-25/night. Limited camping facilities.

Standard Site Fee$15.00

Hookup Site Fee$25.00

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North Dakota State Parks

Provider

800-807-4723

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Little Missouri Campground

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Campground Map

Little Missouri Campground

47.5480, -102.7359

Weather at Little Missouri Campground

Best Time to Camp at Little Missouri Campground

Plan your visit between May and October, when the park welcomes campers to experience the Badlands in their full glory. Winter closes the gates as northern Great Plains weather takes hold, so save your trip for the warmer months when you can fully enjoy the trails and dramatic seasonal changes—from spring wildflowers to golden autumn grasslands. As with any Great Plains destination, weather can shift quickly, so pack layers and come prepared for the unexpected.

Best

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Seasonal (Little Missouri State Park is only open seasonally; typically open May through October)

About Little Missouri Campground

Nestled in the heart of North Dakota's dramatic Badlands, Little Missouri Campground offers adventurers a front-row seat to some of the state's most striking wilderness. Whether you're arriving on horseback or by vehicle, you'll find a welcoming base camp along the winding Little Missouri River, with miles of trails leading into vast backcountry terrain—though you'll want to be prepared for the area's remote character and occasional oilfield presence on the horizon.

Reviews and park materials describe a mix of primitive and modern (electric) sites and note equestrian facilities such as corrals and a round pen.

Historical Significance

Park established in the early 1970s and encompasses several thousand acres (commonly cited as roughly 4,600–6,000 acres). The landscape and visitor experience have been affected by increasing oilfield activity in the region since about 2011.

Weather and SeasonsPlan your visit between May and October, when the park welcomes campers to experience the Badlands in their full glory. Winter closes the gates as northern Great Plains weather takes hold, so save your trip for the warmer months when you can fully enjoy the trails and dramatic seasonal changes—from spring wildflowers to golden autumn grasslands. As with any Great Plains destination, weather can shift quickly, so pack layers and come prepared for the unexpected.

Natural Features and SceneryThe landscape here tells a story millions of years in the making. Sculpted bluffs rise above the meandering Little Missouri River, their striped layers revealing ancient geological secrets, while wetlands shimmer in the valley below. As you explore the backcountry, keep your eyes open—this is prime territory for spotting bald eagles soaring overhead, white-tailed deer picking their way through ravines, and coyotes silhouetted against the horizon at dawn and dusk. The vistas stretch endlessly across the Badlands, offering photographers and nature lovers scenes that change with every shift of light.

Geological RegionNorth Dakota Badlands transitioning to Little Missouri River wetlands

Scenic ViewsPanoramic Badlands vistas with notable sunrise views from bluffs overlooking the Little Missouri River.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

4:00 pm

Check-out

3:00 pm

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsOnline reservation system and phone reservations. Campsites can be booked up to 95 days in advance. Phone: 800-807-4723.

Best CampsitesThe park offers a mix of primitive and modern (including electric) sites and large grassy areas for flexible setups. Equestrian campers generally favor sites near corrals and the round pen; specific site recommendations vary and are not enumerated here.

Need help booking Little Missouri Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Amenities reported for Little Missouri Campground include electric sites, a shower house, potable water at the park entrance, vault toilets, a dump station, picnic shelters/tables, fire pits, and equestrian facilities (corrals and a round pen). Pets are allowed but must be on a leash per park rules.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The park is used for backcountry recreation in the Badlands, with extensive trail access and equestrian-focused recreation. Wildlife viewing of raptors and ungulates is common.

Hiking

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRugged and uneven terrain, river/wetland areas, and typical wildlife hazards (coyotes, raptors, deer). Visitors should also be aware of nearby oilfield operations in portions of the park.

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

From Booking Sources

4.5

33 reviews

Recommended

Little Missouri Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors consistently note spectacular Badlands views and sunrises, a quiet/backcountry feeling, clean showers, and strong equestrian amenities. The park is considered good value but reviewers also mention nearby oil development as a visual and access concern.

Review Summaries

Based on 33 reviews

What Campers Love

Stunning badlands vistas and sunrise viewpoints; extensive trails (also used for horseback riding); clean showers; equestrian corrals and round pen; generally quiet and remote setting.

Based on 33 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Horse campers get the most out of this place: corrals, a round pen, and trail access right from camp. Hikers chasing solitude and Badlands ridge views will also find it worth the drive from Killdeer, especially at $15-25 a night.

Skip if

Active oilfield operations are visible from parts of the park and reviewers flag them as a real mood-killer. If industrial infrastructure on the horizon breaks the wilderness spell for you, this one's hard to fully enjoy.

Nearby Campgrounds

1905 S. Main Street Watford City, ND 58854

Summit Campground sits at 2,507 feet in the Dakota Prairie Grasslands near Watford City, offering five sites split between walk-in tent spots and small back-in RV sites. Most sites line the road that runs through the campground, which limits privacy. Each site includes a fire ring, picnic table, and vault toilet access. There's no potable water, so pack what you need.

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Little Missouri State Park

Little Missouri Campground