Cottonwood Campground (Nd)

4.09

398 reviews

315 2ND AVE, MEDORA, ND, 58645

Featured in:Camping Near Theodore Roosevelt National Park#2

Quick Facts

2,257 ft

Price

$10 - $60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

75 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens National Park Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

2,257 ft

Price

$10 - $60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

75 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens National Park Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Cottonwood Campground (Nd)

$10.00 - $60.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Fees range from $10 in the off-season to $60 for group sites. Peak season rates apply from May 15 to September 30. Reservation service fees may apply...

Standard Site Fee$20.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$60.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

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

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

701-623-4466THRO_Fees_Reservations@nps.gov

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.09

Satisfactory

Based on 398 reviews

217 Google reviews

Most mentioned

hikingsites

Some mention

crowded

"Reviews are mixed, with frequent praise for the natural environment and wildlife but consistent complaints about the limited facilities and site layout. The average sentiment for the campground is 4.3 out of 5."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

315 2ND AVE, MEDORA, ND, 58645

Cottonwood Campground (Nd)

315 2ND AVE, MEDORA, ND, 58645

Driving directionsThe South Unit entrance is in Medora, ND. Medora is accessible via Interstate 94 Exits 24 and 27 in North Dakota. Please note exit 27 is a westbound exit only. Medora is 133 miles west of Bismarck, ND and 27 miles east of the Montana state line.

Road access is paved, and the campground is accessible year-round. However, vehicles taller than 13 feet may face issues due to overhanging tree branches.

Nearby places

Medora (5 miles, approximately 10 minutes)

Bismarck (133 miles, approximately 2 hours)

Montana state line (27 miles, approximately 30 minutes).

Nearby supplies

The closest location for supplies is Medora, approximately 5 miles away, offering gas, food, and other essentials. Firewood is not sold in the park but can be purchased in Medora.

Best Time to Camp at Cottonwood Campground (Nd)

Experience the badlands in all their moods throughout the year. Summer brings warm, sun-drenched days perfect for exploration, punctuated by dramatic afternoon thunderstorms that paint the sky and refresh the landscape. As autumn arrives, mild temperatures create ideal camping conditions while crowds thin out. Winter transforms the badlands into a crystalline wonderland, though freezing temperatures demand proper preparation. Spring emerges with comfortable weather and renewed wildlife activity, offering some of the year's best camping without summer's peak visitation.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer offers warm exploration, abundant wildlife; watch for heat, thunderheads and bugs.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall reviews generally positive: mild weather and cottonwoods turning gold praised by visitors.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Spring offers wildlife and landscape renewal but early-season water shortages are often reported.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

Open year-round but reviewers note it can be too cold and challenging in winter months.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 15 - September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round. Reservations available May 15 to September 30. Walk-ins accepted October 1 - April 30.
Current Alerts: Occasional construction closures and limited water availability in early season or late fall.

About Cottonwood Campground (Nd)

Nestled beneath towering cottonwood trees in Theodore Roosevelt National Park's South Unit, Cottonwood Campground beckons adventurers seeking an authentic badlands experience. Wake to the rumbling of bison herds passing through camp and fall asleep to the gentle whisper of the Little Missouri River. This versatile campground welcomes everyone from solo tent campers to families with RVs, all while serving as your gateway to one of America's most dramatic landscapes where wild horses roam free and painted canyons stretch to the horizon.

Cottonwood Campground supports a mix of camping styles, including tent camping, RVs, and a designated group site. Primitive camping features are apparent due to limited amenities.

Historical SignificanceCamp where history was made. In the 1880s, a young Theodore Roosevelt arrived here as a grieving widower and left as a committed conservationist. These very badlands, where you'll pitch your tent, witnessed his transformation from Eastern politician to rugged outdoorsman. His ranching and hunting adventures along the Little Missouri River forged the conservation ethic that would later establish America's national park system. Today, camping here connects you directly to the landscape that shaped a president and changed a nation.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the badlands in all their moods throughout the year. Summer brings warm, sun-drenched days perfect for exploration, punctuated by dramatic afternoon thunderstorms that paint the sky and refresh the landscape. As autumn arrives, mild temperatures create ideal camping conditions while crowds thin out. Winter transforms the badlands into a crystalline wonderland, though freezing temperatures demand proper preparation. Spring emerges with comfortable weather and renewed wildlife activity, offering some of the year's best camping without summer's peak visitation.

ElevationThe campground sits at a comfortable elevation within the badlands terrain, where the interplay of river valley and rugged buttes creates a diverse ecosystem perfect for exploration.

Natural Features and SceneryTowering cottonwoods create a natural cathedral above your campsite, their leaves shimmering silver in summer breezes and blazing gold come autumn. The Little Missouri River winds lazily past, its ancient course carving through layers of geological time visible in the surrounding badlands. Striped buttes and eroded pinnacles frame every view, their colors shifting from pale dawn pastels to fiery sunset hues. This is a landscape that defies expectations – where prairie meets canyon, where rivers run through painted deserts, and where every sunrise reveals new wonders.

Geological RegionPositioned at the confluence of the Northern Great Plains and North Dakota's badlands, Cottonwood Campground occupies a geological wonderland. The Little Missouri River has sculpted this landscape over millions of years, exposing colorful sedimentary layers that tell Earth's ancient story. Surrounding cottonwood forests thrive in the river valley, creating a ribbon of green through the otherwise austere terrain. This unique setting places campers at the intersection of multiple ecosystems, where prairie grasslands give way to eroded canyons and riparian forests flourish against a backdrop of rugged badlands topography.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

12:00 Noon

Check-out

12:00 Noon

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit is 14 nights during May 15 to September 30, and 30 days total within a calendar year.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 6 people per regular site
group site allows 7-20 people.

Groups

The group site (Site 25) accommodates 7-20 people and accepts reservations starting the first business day of March each year.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThe campground is divided into North and South loops. Sites are located on both the inner and outer parts of the one-way loop road.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov or its mobile app.

Walk-in AvailabilitySites are available on a first-come, first-served basis during the off-season (October 1 - April 30).

Cancellation PolicyA $10 cancellation fee applies, along with forfeiting the first night's fee for late cancellations. Changes cost $10 if made entirely outside the original reservation dates.

AccessibilityAccessibility features include a handicapped-accessible pit toilet. However, restroom placement may be difficult for campers with mobility issues, as noted by reviews: "The layout for the restrooms...was probably the worst I have ever seen.

Site SizeSites are generally described as spacious, though some users noted small or cramped walk-in sites not suitable for larger tents. One review stated, "The sites are well-spaced and several are pull-thru for larger campers.

PrivacySite privacy varies. Some sites are described as highly private with natural vegetation, while others, particularly numbered 64-66, are closely clustered.

Total Campsites75 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose inner loop sites for easier restroom access. Sites with scenic views include 23, 47, and 45. Avoid Site 65 due to cramped spacing and poor drainage.

Amenities available

Potable water

Flush toilets

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

The campground supports a variety of activities such as hiking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. The proximity to the Little Missouri River also offers opportunities to cool off or observe grazing bison and wild horses.

HikingThe park has an estimated 70 miles of hiking trails accessible from the campground. Trails range in difficulty, and information is available at the visitor center. One user mentioned the "Jones Creek Trail and saw wild horses and a bison walking on the trail."

BikingBiking is possible within the park, including the scenic loop and nearby trails. Users enjoyed exploring on bikes.

Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is a highlight, with frequent sightings of bison, wild horses, and a variety of birds. "Horses came into the grounds on several occasions," one review noted.

Cultural and Educational ProgramsIncludes junior ranger programs and other interpretive activities led by hosts/rangers. One review mentioned a ranger-led night program.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsWildlife such as bison and wild horses frequently roam through campsites. Ticks are prevalent during the summer. Watch for flash floods during thunderstorms.

Active AlertsOccasional construction closures and limited water availability in early season or late fall.

Fire PolicyCampfires may be prohibited during hot, dry months. Fire rings are not provided; fires must be contained in raised metal grills.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 8 PM to 8 AM

Emergency ServicesClosest emergency services are located in Medora, including restaurants, a general store for gas, and other amenities. For medical emergencies, Dickinson, ND has larger facilities approximately 35 miles away.

Trash & RecyclingTrash cans are widely distributed across the campground. Recycling facilities are not mentioned.

Water FeaturesThe campground is adjacent to the Little Missouri River, offering opportunities for birdwatching and scenic walks.

Camp HostCamp hosts are described as helpful and attentive, with some reviews specifically praising their friendliness and support.

Weather at Cottonwood Campground (Nd)

Reviews

4.1

398 reviews

Satisfactory

Cottonwood Campground (Nd) is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are mixed, with frequent praise for the natural environment and wildlife but consistent complaints about the limited facilities and site layout. The average sentiment for the campground is 4.3 out of 5.

Review Summaries

Based on 398 reviews

What Campers Love

Users loved the wildlife, with wild horses and bison frequently mentioned. "We were thrilled with buffalo walking through the campsites," one said. The campground's natural beauty and proximity to...

Based on 398 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the lack of showers, clustered sites in certain loops, and limited water availability during some seasons. "No potable water was available" was a recurring concern.

Based on 398 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing your own fire ring, water, and shade solutions due to limited coverage. Early arrivals are advised to secure shaded or spacious sites.

Based on 398 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Early season reviews (May) often note the lack of water availability, while summer reviews highlight the need for shade and the abundance of wildlife. Fall reviews are generally positive, with mild...

Based on 398 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Buffalo and wild horses were right across the river by late afternoon," and "The campground was quiet by dusk; the Little Missouri had some wild horses grazing."

Based on 398 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 65 was criticized for poor layout and limited space: "Campsite 065 doesn’t have a flat spot for a tent." Site 25 is commended for group camping. Reviewers frequently recommended avoiding...

Based on 398 reviews