How much does camping cost at Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)?

Camping fees at Cottonwood Group Site (Nd) range from $60/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Cottonwood Group Site (Nd) first-come first-served or reservation?

Cottonwood Group Site (Nd) 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 Cottonwood Group Site (Nd) before I book?

Yes! Cottonwood Group Site (Nd) has 8 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 Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)?

Cottonwood Group Site (Nd) is open May 01 to September 30. 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 Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)?

Cottonwood Group Site (Nd) does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)?

Fire policies at Cottonwood Group Site (Nd): Campfires. During hot and dry summer months, fire restrictions are common and campfires (including charcoal fires) may be prohibited.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Cottonwood Group Site (Nd) have?

Cottonwood Group Site (Nd) has 1 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)?

Pets are not allowed at Cottonwood Group Site (Nd). This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)?

Cottonwood Group Site (Nd) offers: Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)

3.05

104 reviews

Top 12%Fall

Featured in:Summer Camping North Dakota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

2,247 ft

Price

$60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Theodore Roosevelt National Park (National Park Service)Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

2,247 ft

Price

$60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Theodore Roosevelt National Park (National Park Service)Official Website

Get Directions

Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)

$60.00 - $60.00 / night

Campsite Fees

.Cottonwood Group Site: $60.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)

46.9526, -103.5297

Nearby places

Medora — approximately 5 miles (8 km) south

Weather at Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)

Current alerts(11)

Check-in & Check-out Time. Check-in/out time is 12:00 noon.
Entrance Fee. The park collects a separate park entrance fee of $30 per vehicle. Visitors may pay the fee upon arrival or puchase in advance. The fee is valid for seven days. The park also honors Federal Interagency passes (e.g.
Firewood. Firewood is not for sale in the park. The closest place to buy wood is in Medora, approximatly 5.5 miles (9km) away. Gathering of dead and downed firewood is allowed.
Generators. generators hours are from 8:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. Generators must have an effective muffler.

Best Time to Camp at Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)

Best season: fall. Fall highlights the campground's cottonwood-lined riverbanks when the trees turn brilliant gold and the badlands lighting is at its best for photography; daytime highs typically run from the mid-50s to mid-70s°F (10–24°C) with crisp nights in the 30s–40s°F (0–5°C). Hiking and wildlife viewing are at their peak as many animals are active in cooler weather and visitor numbers drop compared with summer. The water fill remains available through October 1, making early-to-mid October an ideal balance Peak months: October, September, June, July Avoid: January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 12% in US

Fall highlights with cottonwoods turning gold and ideal badlands lighting for photography.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 01 to September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)

Cottonwood Group Site sits in the foothills of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, about five miles north of Medora. Managed by the National Park Service, this small group campground offers potable water, picnic tables, and flush bathrooms along a cottonwood-lined stretch near the Little Missouri River. Bison, wild horses, and other wildlife frequently pass through camp, and the badlands views draw photographers during fall when the cottonwoods turn gold.

This entry covers the reservable group campsite within Cottonwood Campground (site #25) and does not provide explicit information about other camping types in this source.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall highlights the campground's cottonwood-lined riverbanks when the trees turn brilliant gold and the badlands lighting is at its best for photography; daytime highs typically run from the mid-50s to mid-70s°F (10–24°C) with crisp nights in the 30s–40s°F (0–5°C). Hiking and wildlife viewing are at their peak as many animals are active in cooler weather and visitor numbers drop compared with summer. The water fill remains available through October 1, making early-to-mid October an ideal balance Peak months: October, September, June, July Avoid: January, February

Elevation2247 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe site sits in a moderately forested area where cottonwood-lined riverbanks meet the colorful, sculptured formations of the badlands. Most of the camping area receives partial to full sun. Bison and wild horses frequently wander through the campground. Close enough that visitors need to maintain distance and respect the animals' space. The Little Missouri River flows nearby, and badlands formations frame views in multiple directions. At 2,247 feet elevation, the landscape blends Northern Great Plains grasslands with western badlands topography.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Guests Allowed Per Site

7-20 people (group site)

Groups

Reservation section is specifically for the group site (site #25). The group site accommodates 7–20 people. Reservations for the group campsite go on sale March 1 for the camping season. The site offers toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, and a water fill station (available through October 1 each year)
there are no hookups or dump station and all wheeled vehicles/trailers must remain on roadways or pads.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov (see Cottonwood Campground page: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251160)

Site SizeGroup site accommodates 7–20 people; identified as site #25.

PrivacyGroup site is a central camping area providing easy driving access; campground is moderately forested with most campsites in partial to full sun.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesSite #25 is suited for groups (7–20). Note there are no hookups or dump station; water fill station is available through October 1. Keep all wheeled vehicles/trailers on roadways or pads.

Best CampsitesSite #25 is the single group site. It's configured as a central camping area with vehicle access, accommodating 7–20 people. Reviewers note that the site provides easy access to the park loop, visitor center, and trails.

Need help booking Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Group campsite within Cottonwood Campground with basic amenities: toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, and a seasonal water fill station; no hookups or dump station are available. The group site (site #25) accommodates 7–20 people and all wheeled vehicles/trailers must remain on roadways or pads.

Potable water

Picnic tables

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

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

3.1

104 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Cottonwood Group Site (Nd) has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Campers consistently rave about Cottonwood Campground, calling it peaceful, beautiful, and one of the best national park campgrounds they’ve visited. Reviews emphasize clean, modern restrooms, spacious sites, abundant wildlife (especially bison and wild horses), and a convenient location inside Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit. Nearly all reviewers say they would gladly return.

Review Summaries

Based on 104 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers love the scenic setting with mountain/badlands views, proximity to the river, and frequent wildlife sightings—bison, wild horses, and other animals often wander right by campsites. People...

Based on 104 reviews

Common Concerns

The most common drawbacks are the lack of hookups and showers—several reviewers note it’s dry camping only and say it would be perfect if showers were available. There is no dump station on-site,...

Based on 104 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One reviewer specifically praised site 54 and said they “would be delighted to stay in that site again,” suggesting it has especially good views or layout. Another mentioned that some sites are more...

Based on 104 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Multiple reviewers stress that there are no hookups and no dump station; RVers should arrive with tanks managed and plan to use private campgrounds in town to dump. There is an RV fill station with...

Based on 104 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Several reviews from mid-May and late May mention that the campground wasn’t too busy and still had first-come-first-served sites available later in the afternoon. Mid-September visitors also...

Based on 104 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Such an awesome experience! This National Park is very underrated. The campground had fairly large campsites, was not too busy (stayed mid-May), and the location was beautiful.” “The cleanest...

Based on 104 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

You want a group site inside Theodore Roosevelt National Park with flush bathrooms and reliable wildlife encounters.

Skip if

You need individual sites or want to avoid the strict no-show policy and premium pricing.

Nearby Campgrounds

Highly Popular

4.1

(398)

Cottonwood Campground (Nd)

315 2ND AVE, MEDORA, ND, 58645

Cottonwood Campground sits in the badlands foothills of Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, operated by the National Park Service. Bison and wild horses roam freely through the mid-sized campground, which offers tent, RV, primitive, and group sites with flush and vault toilets, potable water, and picnic tables. Hikers and wildlife watchers use it as a base for exploring the park's trails and dramatic landscape during the peak summer season.

$10.00 - $60.00 / night

Less Visited

3.4

(19)

Roundup Group Horse Camp

315 2nd Ave, Medora, ND 58645

Roundup Group Horse Camp sits in the badlands foothills of Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, operated by the National Park Service. This small, reservation-only equestrian camp offers corrals, vault toilets, and potable water for riders exploring the park's rugged trails. Wildlife encounters with bison and wild horses are common, and the surrounding badlands provide dramatic scenery for hiking and wildlife viewing.

$100.00 - $100.00 / night

4.5

(21)

Rough Rider Campground

Rough Rider State Park

Nestled where the badlands meet the Little Missouri River, Rough Rider Campground offers an authentic North Dakota outdoor experience with options for every type of camper. Whether you're rolling in with an RV, saddling up with horses, or seeking a primitive backcountry experience, this campground puts you right in the heart of dramatic river-carved terrain with trails leading in every direction.

$15.00 - $30.00 / night

Frequently Visited

4.0

(91)

Buffalo Gap Campground (Nd)

Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

Buffalo Gap Campground sits in the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, minutes from Theodore Roosevelt National Park's South Unit. Operated seasonally during peak months, this budget-friendly campground offers tent and RV sites with flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station. Hikers use it as a base for exploring badlands trails and watching bison herds in the painted canyons.

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

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

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.

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

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

Elkhorn Campground sits at the junction of Dakota Prairie Grasslands and badlands terrain, offering 10 first-come, first-serve sites near the Maah Daah Hey Trail and Theodore Roosevelt National Park's Elkhorn Ranch Unit. Sites run $10 per night and include picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Expect zero cell service and genuine solitude. Pack out your trash and bring cash for the fee box.

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Less Visited

3.9

(28)

Burning Coal Vein Campground

Approximately 30 miles south of Medora, ND on Forest Highway Road 3 and one mile south of Forest Road 772.

Burning Coal Vein Campground sits in the Little Missouri National Grassland, a quiet spot where badlands terrain meets stands of juniper and ponderosa pine. The campground has 8 sites and charges $6-10 per night. It's a pack-in, pack-out setup with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, and it offers direct access to the Maah Daah Hey Trail.

$6.00 - $10.00 / night

Campgrounds you may also like

Highly Popular

4.1

(398)

Cottonwood Campground (Nd)

315 2ND AVE, MEDORA, ND, 58645

$10.00 - $60.00 / night

Less Visited

4.5

(121)

Juniper Campground Group Site (Nd)

PO Box 7, Medora, ND, 58645

Juniper Campground Group Site sits in the badlands foothills of Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, operated by the National Park Service. Bison often wander through camp, and trails lead into striped buttes and down to the Little Missouri River. The campground offers group sites for tent and RV camping with flush and vault toilets, potable water, and a dump station.

$60.00 - $60.00 / night

1905 S Main St, Watford City, ND 58854

CCC Campground sits in the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands near Watford City, a gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the colorful buttes of the Badlands. Operated by Recreation.gov, this mid-sized campground offers tent, RV, and primitive sites with electric hookups, vault toilets, and potable water. Visitors come for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing across open grassland terrain, with spacious sites and reliable cell service drawing consistent praise.

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Frequently Visited

4.0

(91)

Buffalo Gap Campground (Nd)

Dakota Prairie National Grasslands

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

Less Visited

3.4

(19)

Roundup Group Horse Camp

315 2nd Ave, Medora, ND 58645

$100.00 - $100.00 / night

Campgrounds

Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)

About Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Context for the broader area surrounding Cottonwood Group Site (Nd), sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

When Theodore Roosevelt came to Dakota Territory to hunt bison in 1883, he was a skinny, young, spectacled dude from New York. He could not have imagined how his adventure in this remote and unfamiliar place would forever alter the course of the nation. The rugged landscape and strenuous life that TR experienced here would help shape a conservation policy that we still benefit from today.

Directions

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in the Badlands of western North Dakota. There are three units to the park. The South Unit entrance is in the town of Medora, ND off of Interstate 94 exits 24 and 27. The North Unit entrance is on Highway 85 approximately 14 miles south of Watford City, ND. The remote Elkhorn Ranch Unit sits roughly in the middle of the North and South Units and is accessed via gravel roads. Consult park staff for directions to the Elkhorn Ranch Unit.