Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)

3 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Theodore Roosevelt National Park (National Park Service) site

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Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Theodore Roosevelt National Park (National Park Service) site

Get Directions

Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

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Limited Reviews

Based on 3 reviews

151 Google reviews

Most mentioned

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"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."

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Best Time to Camp at Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)

Experience the campground's dramatic seasonal transformations throughout the year. Summer brings warm days perfect for plunging into the refreshingly cold river, while autumn paints the towering cottonwoods in brilliant gold. The site remains accessible even as winter blankets the badlands, though visitors should note that the water fill station closes after October 1, making spring through fall the most convenient seasons for group camping.

Spring (Mar-May)

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

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round; group site reservations go on sale March 1 (first business day of March for the upcoming summer season). Water fill station available through October 1 each year.

About Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)

Nestled along the banks of the Little Missouri River, Cottonwood Group Site welcomes groups of 7-20 adventurers to experience Theodore Roosevelt National Park's South Unit year-round. Located just five miles from the entrance, this riverside retreat offers essential amenities including restrooms, drinking water (through October 1), and picnic tables—perfect for groups seeking an authentic badlands experience without hookups or modern conveniences.

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.

Historical SignificanceYou'll be camping in the very landscape that shaped a president. During the 1880s, Theodore Roosevelt ranched and hunted these rugged badlands, finding solace and inspiration along this same stretch of river. The experience profoundly influenced his conservation philosophy, ultimately leading him to protect millions of acres of American wilderness. The nearby Peaceful Valley Ranch and surrounding terrain still echo with stories of frontier ranching life that transformed a young Roosevelt into America's greatest conservation president.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the campground's dramatic seasonal transformations throughout the year. Summer brings warm days perfect for plunging into the refreshingly cold river, while autumn paints the towering cottonwoods in brilliant gold. The site remains accessible even as winter blankets the badlands, though visitors should note that the water fill station closes after October 1, making spring through fall the most convenient seasons for group camping.

Natural Features and SceneryWake to the gentle murmur of the Little Missouri River flowing just steps from your tent, its cottonwood-lined banks creating a shaded oasis in the dramatic badlands. The site sits where Northern Great Plains grasslands meet the sculptured, colorful formations of western badlands—a moderately forested sanctuary that attracts an impressive array of birdlife. Keep your camera ready: bison frequently wander through the campground, and the golden autumn cottonwoods against rust-colored buttes create unforgettable scenes that capture the raw beauty Roosevelt himself cherished.

Geological RegionNorthern Great Plains and the West (badlands topography)

Campsite details

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

Sites 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 CampsitesSite #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 Campsites

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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 are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSingle group campsite (site #25) configured as a central camping area with vehicle access to pads/roadways; toilets, drinking water, and picnic tables provided. No hookups or dump station.

Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round; group site reservations go on sale March 1 (first business day of March for the upcoming summer season). Water fill station available through October 1 each year.

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

Accomodation available

GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

Amenities available

Potable water

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Access to extensive hiking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities near the Little Missouri River, and river access for cooling off; other specific recreational services (fishing, boating, formal programs) are not specified.

Hiking

Hikers can access an estimated 70 miles (21 km) of trails within a short distance of the campground; stop at a Visitor Center or consult the park's hiking page for trail details.

Wildlife viewing

Bird watching is rewarding among the cottonwood trees and bison are commonly seen traveling through the campground to the river; nearby Peaceful Valley Ranch is noted for outstanding night sky viewing.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsBison are commonly seen traveling through the campground and may be present near campsites and the river. The area features rugged badlands topography and the river water can be cold.

Weather at Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 91%

Wind: 9.2 mph

Overcast

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

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Good to know

Proximity to water featuresLocated immediately adjacent to the Little Missouri River.

Campground Map

Cottonwood Group Site (Nd)

Driving directionsEnter the South Unit in Medora. Travel 5.5 miles on the scenic drive (East River Road). Cottonwood Campground is on the left.

Access via East River Road (scenic drive) from Medora; travel 5.5 miles to the campground.

Nearby places

Medora — approximately 5 miles (8 km) south

Nearby supplies

Medora — shopping, restaurants and amenities (approximately 5 miles / 8 km south)

Reviews from booking and map sources

0.0

3 reviews

Limited Reviews

Cottonwood Group Site (Nd) has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 reviews