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Cottonwood Campground, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND

Cottonwood Campground is part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota (2 hrs 10 min west of Bismarck, ND) with an elevation of 2,256 feet. There are a total of 36 campsites including 6 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 30 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 255 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $14.00 per night. Some amenities include dump station, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
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View of Cottonwood from the main park road. There are buttes in the background with a large stand o
$14

Cottonwood

574 reviews
Total sites: 36
Available Today: 36 FF*
Available this Weekend: 36 FF*
Booking Window: 6 months

2,256 ft
57°F
38°F

weak
Tents allowedRV's allowedTrailers allowedRV Dump StationAccessible sitesFlush toiletsHiking trailsBiking trails
*First-come/First-served (FF) sites have no availability guarantee.
Sa
59°
21°
Su
55°
33°
Mo
53°
33°
Tu
53°
37°
We
53°
31°
Th
58°
38°
Fr
65°
44°

Campsite Reviews (574)

3.3 out of 5

5 star
47%
4 star
10%
3 star
2%
2 star
2%
1 star
39%
@ElizabethD4334 · Camped on Sep 28, 2024 at Campsite #7
Cottonwood is great. Restrooms are clean and new. Camp sites are spaced well apart. Its an easy stroll to the Little Missouri River with bison wandering through. Loved it!
@WilliamH158481 · Camped on Sep 23, 2024 at Campsite #65
The tent sites were packed too close together, like sardines. Had a nice evening hike on the Lower Paddock Creek Trail (nobody there but prairie dogs).
@RandallS779762 · Camped on Sep 23, 2024 at Campsite #63
1. as far as I could tell they do nothing for the rent they charge. it shouldn't be asking too much to ask that they clean the tables at least once a week. I stayed at two different sites and both tables were filthy. 2. I'm not sure why but ppl dump charcoals in the weeds around the campsite instead of leaving them in the grill. there should be a collection bin to give ppl the chance to put them elsewhere. 3. if there were any ranger programs when I was there they didn't advertise them so I don't know if there were or not 4. other than that it was ok
@DennisD6330886 · Camped on Sep 20, 2024 at Campsite #3
Great place to visit.
@JohnO9176954 · Camped on Sep 17, 2024 at Campsite #19
There may be a few nice sites here, but the majority are awful and packed one on top of the other. Very few sites had any kind of view of the Little Missouri River. We took one look at the pull-through site we had reserved, and hightailed it out. It was like an overgrown strip of sidewalk right next to the road. No trees, shrubs for any kind of noise reduction or privacy. See the park, then camp somewhere else.
@MichaelD829846 · Camped on Sep 17, 2024 at Campsite #49
whole place great
@MichelleB91734 · Camped on Sep 16, 2024 at Campsite #73
We loved the campground and the sites were spacious and shaded. The Bison were roaming around in our campground so beware of that. The bathroom was very clean. We were disappointed the whole driving loop was not open due to construction but we did see some animals other than bison such as wild turkeys, prong horn antelope, deer and praire dogs. The campground was very quiet at night since it sits far back into the park. I would definitely go again.
@DanaL1AF1AF0FC · Camped on Sep 16, 2024 at Campsite #55
Site 55 says walk in but it's about 20 steps. Tent pad fit our 12x15 with plenty of space. No shade for the tent tho. Gorgeous view looking west across the river to the meadow with daily wildlife sitings. Restrooms very clean, there's a sink outside for dishes. Would come here again in a heartbeat.
@RobertT9956944 · Camped on Sep 11, 2024 at Campsite #47
We were at site 47 in the cottonwood campground. Nice site backing up to the wilderness and river. No fire pits. Nice bathroom but no showers.
@ScottK1111753 · Camped on Sep 11, 2024 at Campsite #31
Spots are tight for big rigs so do your research but this location is absolutely beautiful. Bathrooms are modern and new with hot water and flush toilets but NO Showers.Book in advance as it fills up quick. We stayed on spot 31 with a 33 TT and it fit fine.
@RodSA97F41D7B4 · Camped on Sep 10, 2024 at Campsite #23
We loved site #023, North Loop! It had a spectacular view; we watched wild horses across the river. It was also super quiet and private. There was plenty of room for our 48' total length (26' TT, 22' Truck). Even though our door faced the road, trees, and vegetation blocked us from it. There is potable water at the campground's entrance. We would choose this site again!!
@GregE9558001 · Camped on Sep 9, 2024 at Campsite #63
The campground is in a great location to experience the beautiful setting of the park. We were serenaded by coyotes every night, and wild horses visited daily, along with wild turkeys. The bathrooms were kept super clean (thanks hosts!) and we really enjoyed the stay. Water spigots were also plentiful. That said, the water was VERY chlorinated, so you may want to consider a charcoal filter or Brita type pitcher to help improve the flavor.We stayed at tent campsite 63. The path that leads to site 63 continues on to site 62 for some reason, which should be changed, as there is already an alternate route to site 62, and the only flat spot in site 63 is right next to that path - so those using site 62 would tend to walk right by our tent. The situation would be better if there was only one path to site 62 and it was better marked.The only other bummer was that although were were in the tent only part of the park, each night truck/van campers would find unreserved spots and spend their overnights camping in their vehicles. They wouldn't set up a tent, which in a way was a bonus, but they'd do their camping in the parking lot. Not the end of the world, but the noise and exhaust of the truck/van campers in the tent parking area was something I could live without. The tent area parking is very near to most of the tent sites.All in all it's a great campground!
@TinaD2729764 · Camped on Sep 8, 2024 at Campsite #47
Loved this campground. Easy pull through sites. Lots of room and privacy. Rest room was nice.
@BrianM4400588 · Camped on Sep 6, 2024 at Campsite #43
Must see: Medora Musical
@MaryC1377445 · Camped on Sep 5, 2024 at Campsite #73
Our camping experience at Cottonwood Campground exceeded our expectations. The campground was very peaceful, easy access to the river and there were interesting ranger talks the 2 nights we were there. We saw plenty of wildlife close to the campground. The hike to the petrified forest was outstanding not only for views of wildlife and rock formations, but the petrified forest was very impressive. We would definitely go back.
@SHANAW12CB3BBE · Camped on Sep 2, 2024 at Campsite #3
Clean, clear signs on reserved sites, wonderful sounds of coyotes by night and convenient to activities in Medora, Peaceful Valley Ranch and all along the main park road. Our sites were (just) large enough for two backpacking tents.
@JamesR5751753 · Camped on Sep 2, 2024 at Campsite #7
Great campsite. Quiet. Clean bathrooms.
@KevinA3275318 · Camped on Sep 2, 2024 at Campsite #45
Cottonwood is a great campground. We spent two nights in early September. Weather was 99 degrees during the day and then cooled down to the 60s at night. Location is convenient for exploring the south unit.
@MarkB1441206 · Camped on Aug 31, 2024 at Campsite #7
Nice, fairly level site. Short direct path to the river. Actually had a herd of bison pass within 50 yards of our site by towards the river. We had a 35' 5th wheel and fit no problem.
@AndrewF3500044 · Camped on Aug 28, 2024 at Campsite #21
Beautiful campground, great hosts. Very clean toilets. Lots of wildlife in the campground itself. Wish I had stayed two nights and not just a stopover
@RobertG6814422 · Camped on Aug 25, 2024 at Campsite #37
The campground is beautiful. The campground was very clean, the bathroom was spotless and had flush toilets. We stayed in site 37, pull through site. Plenty of wooded divide between sites. Buffalo were cool and walked through our site in the morning. One morning there was a Buffalo blockade at the one bathroom and he was outside the door blocking it. The camp host was very helpful and friendly. Theodore roosevelt national park is a must see and this is a fantastic campground for seeing it.
@juancG55E6C755 · Camped on Aug 22, 2024 at Campsite #11
This site has shade and a path to the river
@SpencerK709594 · Camped on Aug 21, 2024 at Campsite #15
Campground is very nice and clean. The host was friendly and helpful. The bathrooms were very nice though I wish there were showers available since there are water lines in the campground. Overall would stay again
@RebeccaB760095 · Camped on Aug 20, 2024 at Campsite #53
Campsite 53: access to river, close to bathroom, great views, some shade.While in camp we were able to watch wild turkeys, wild horses, and bison near the river. The wild horses actually came close enough that you could hear them enter the river. We had a decent amount of shade and the bathrooms were close, but not too close.
@RichardS712869 · Camped on Aug 19, 2024 at Campsite #21
Without a doubt the best site in the park. Plenty of space for a 10' x 14' tent and each morning we were there a bison by the river in the morning. Very Clean bathrooms and quiet. Awesome

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