North Dakota Campgrounds

North Dakota campgrounds provide all the camping experiences you can imagine.

Surrounded by the crisp early morning air, a hot coffee in your favorite camping mug, and the day’s adventures ahead of you, North Dakota campgrounds provide all the camping experiences you can imagine! With 13 State Parks and plenty of campgrounds to choose from, a North Dakota camping trip is an excellent way to enjoy the wide-open prairie lands, serene lakes, and extensive hiking trails available to you in the Peace-Garden State.

Young woman sipping coffee by a campfire in a North Dakota Campground

North Dakota camping offers an array of activities to enjoy, such as hiking scenic trails, biking and golfing. If you choose to camp on one of North Dakota’s breathtaking lakes, you will also find opportunities for boating, fishing, windsurfing, sailing, swimming and some locations offer scuba diving!

ND Campgrounds

Great camping in North Dakota is easy to find!  From Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the western part of the state, which is home to rugged badlands, buttes, and remarkable prairie views, to Turtle River State Park on the eastern side, which follows along the Turtle River in a stunning wooded valley. In the north, we find Lake Metigoshe State Park.  Located in the Turtle Mountains along the Canadian-American border, Lake Metigoshe is a great camping location. North Dakota is filled with fantastic opportunities to enjoy the beauty of nature. Lake Sakakawea, the Missouri river, Grahams Island State Park, Devil’s Lake, Grand Forks, and the Red River are some of North Dakota’s most popular travel destinations. 

North Dakota has a variety of lakes with access to boat ramps including: Beaver Lake State Park, Cross Ranch State Park, Ft. Stevenson State Park, Icelandic State Park, Lake Metigoshe State Park, Lake Sakakawea State Park.

Boating in the Jamestown reservoir

Park activities include hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and plenty of wildlife to enjoy.  Established in 1907, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is the oldest State Park in North Dakota! Here you can enjoy historic explorations of Mandan Native Americans as well as frontier soldiers.

Best Campgrounds In North Dakota Are Near Jamestown

There are also many excellent campgrounds near Jamestown, North Dakota.  Select campgrounds feature both tent and RV sites that include electric and water hook-ups.  Spend your day splashing, boating, fishing, hiking, riding, or exploring Jamestown. When you’re done, settle into your campsite to discover the beauty of a prairie sunset and create unforgettable moments around the glow of a crackling campfire.  Roast hot dogs for dinner and marshmallows for dessert, or visit one of the many area restaurants. Located in Stutzman County, Jamestown is the 9th largest city in North Dakota. 

Tent camping by a fire at a Jamestown North Dakota Campground

Campsites near Jamestown offer locations such as Pelican Point Landing, Smokey’s Campground, and the Jamestown Dam/Lakeside Marina Campground.  Within an hour’s drive, Eggerts Landing and Clausen Springs Park Campground offer plenty of beauty and adventure!  Located on Lake Ashtabula, Eggerts Landing hosts activities such as boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking.  There’s even cross country skiing and ice fishing available during the winter!

Best Season For Campgrounds Near To Jamestown, ND

Camping season in Jamestown typically runs from mid-May to early October.  Some locations offer winter season activities and overnight stays. Fire rings and picnic areas with picnic tables are available at select campgrounds. 

A well-prepared camper is a happy camper!  Some helpful things to consider beforehand are gear that will be needed, reservations/fees, and bringing along a pet.

Some gear ideas for your next camping adventure

Instant Cabin tents featuring a gear loft with a lantern hook, and a wall organizer, to keep items neat and off the tent floor is a great way to get started. Waterproof and a reliable camping stove are a great call as well. With the right gear, you’re on to making exciting memories and special moments to remember forever!

Tent for North Dakota Campgrounds
Waterproof lighter for camping
Red Camping Stove

Resources for camping gear

Here are a few options to find the right outdoor camping gear for your next adventure.

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/camping-hiking/

Cabelas – https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/camping

Scheels – https://www.scheels.com/

The State Parks have an entrance fee in addition to a camping fee. A daily or annual permit is required and reservations can be made online at www.parkrec.nd.gov or through the Call Center at 1(800) 807-4723.  There are also places to find a free campsite on public land throughout the state if you are willing to do a little research.

Bringing our furry friends along is always a great way to make family memories!  Pets are welcome at most campgrounds and RV parks and must stay on a leash and be attended to at all times.  Most parks have dog parks or off-leash areas for your pet. 

Jamestown offers a wide variety of fun to experience when you are not camping, too! Be sure to stop by the National Buffalo Museum as you take a journey back to a time when the buffalo roamed freely across the landscape. Here you can explore the significance and history of the American buffalo.  Snap some photos with a visit to the World’s Largest Buffalo Monument.  Created by sculptor Elmer Petersen, he has proven one of the Midwest’s most popular roadside attractions for over 50 years.  In 2010, the World’s Largest Buffalo received his name, Dakota Thunder. 

Worlds Largest Buffalo in Jamestown North Dakota
Photo of Louid L'Amour

Learn about the legendary author, Louis L’Amour, and visit some of the places that influenced the man he would become.  You can find out more about Louis L’Amour and other stories that have made Jamestown the community it is today on the Jamestown Talking Trail. This self-guided audio adventure has 70 stops throughout the area including Frontier Village and St. James Basilica.  Bring the world of the prairie pioneers to life with a trip to the Frontier Village! Original buildings from the frontier villages of North Dakota were brought to this site and filled with antiques and artifacts, creating informative historical displays.  

Prepare to be thrilled by all your choices because Jamestown, ND restaurants are plentiful!  Whether you crave a quick drive-through dinner, the authentic taste of quality Mexican cuisine, spit-roasted chicken, a steak cooked to perfection or even a bowl of knoephla like Grandma used to make, you can find it here in Jamestown!  Traditional Knoephla is a rich and creamy chicken and potato soup with chewy little dumplings.  To take a bite of Knoephla is to taste the contentment of a prairie home.  You can find Knoephla soup served on Thursdays at The Depot Cafe in downtown Jamestown.

Famous bison burger from Jamestown ND

You’ll also love the juicy, hearty flavor packed into a Bison Burger!  A couple of Jamestown restaurants serve this tasty burger.  You can try one at the Sabir’s Buffalo Grill, located downtown, or at the Frontier Fort Bar & Grill.