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General Information
There are three campgrounds in Theodore National Park. Camping is on a first-come, first-served basis. Group camping requires reservations. A free backcountry permit is required for overnight camping. For the Roundup Group Horse Camp in the South Unit as well as the North Unit Group site, reservations are accepted beginning the first business day in March.
In the South Unit, there are Cottonwood Campground, Cottonwood Group site (#25) and Roundup Group Horse Camp.
In the North Unit there are Juniper Campground and a Group Camp Site.
Backcountry Information
"Nothing could be more lonely and nothing more beautiful than the view at nightfall across the prairies to these huge hill masses, when the lengthening shadows had at last merged into one and the faint after-glow of the red sunset filled the west." Theodore Roosevelt
Backcountry Permits
Persons wishing to camp overnight in the backcountry must register and obtain a free backcountry use permit, entrance fees still apply. The permit serves two purposes. First, if properly filled out, it may provide important information that will assist in locating you in an emergency, that is, if you follow your trip plan. Second, the permit provides data to manage the park's resources and visitor use. There are no established backcountry campsites at this time. Camping in the backcountry is limited to 14 consecutive days.
For the South Unit (and the Elkhorn Ranch), backcountry permits must be obtained at the Medora-Visitor Center.
For the North Unit, permits must be obtained at the North Unit Visitor Center.
When you have completed your backcountry camping trip, please stop by the visitor center to advise rangers of your safe return.
There are no approved drinking water sources in the backcountry! There are springs and wells, which supply water for wildlife, but none are certified safe for human consumption. Plan to carry in all your drinking and cooking water.
Weather can be unpredictable and sometimes dangerous! Both summer and winter backcountry users must be prepared for rapid and often violent changes in the weather. Both winter storms and summer thunderstorms can build rapidly and be upon you in a very short time. Choose campsite wisely, flash floods do occur. Be prepared to protect yourself in severe weather, or plan on a hasty evacuation to a place of safety or shelter.
Backcountry Use Regulations
Overnight parties in the backcountry are limited to a maximum of 10 persons without horses, or 8 persons and 8 horses.
Backcountry camping is prohibited within .25 mile of roads and trailheads and within 200 feet of any water source.
Open fires (wood, charcoal, etc.) are not permitted in the backcountry. Cooking must be done on a self-contained stove fueled by a commercial product. Use of stoves may be restricted in times of high fire danger.
All trash and other material packed in must be packed out. Burying trash is prohibited. Do not wash dishes or use detergents in water sources.
For proper sanitation make toilets in a shallow hole 200 feet or more from camp or water source. Cover with dirt after use.
All plants, wildlife, natural and cultural features in the park are protected. Do not disturb or remove them. Collection of skulls, antlers and other animal parts is illegal.
Hunting is prohibited, as is the feeding or molesting of wildlife. Chasing or otherwise harassing wildlife including approaching wildlife on horseback is illegal.
Pets, bicycles and motorized equipment are prohibited in the backcountry.
Firearms, fireworks and explosives are not allowed in the park
Know where you are and where you are going! If you plan foot or horseback travel into the backcountry of the park, know your destination and the route you plan to follow. Although some trails are marked, you could possibly confuse a designated trail with a wildlife trail. Carry a park topographic map and compass. Leave trip itinerary with someone so they can contact us if you are overdue.
| Campground | Open | Close | Sites | Dump Station | Toilets | Water | Fire Grills | Pay Phone | Fee |
| Cottonwood | All Year | 78 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $10.00 | |
| Roundup Group Horse Camp | 01 May | 01 Nov | 20 w/ horses 30 w/o horses |
No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | $2.00 Per Person* |
* $2.00 per person per day / minimum $20.00 per day, $1.00 per horse per day.
 |
Cottonwood Campgrounds
Cottonwood Campground is located in the South Unit along the Little Missouri River, 5 miles from the park entrance. It accommodates tents, trailers and recreational vehicles. No hook-ups or showers are available. Camping sites are on a first-come first-served basis and fees are non-refundable. The fee is $10.00 per site per night. $5.00 per site per night for Golden Age and Golden Access card holders. The campground is open year-round.
Each site includes a cooking grill and picnic table. Faucets with drinking water plus restrooms with running water and flush toilets are available nearby. From mid-May through September, flush toilets and sinks with running water are available. During the remainder of the year, a pit toilet is the only bathroom and one water faucet remains open. The pit toilet is wheel-chair accessible.
Cottonwood Group Site
Cottonwood Campground site #25 is available by reservation to groups with a party size limited to 6-20 (horses are not permitted in Cottonwood Campground). The campground is open year round.
Reservations are accepted beginning the first business day of March by calling (701) 623-4466. Reservations must be in the name of the group leader who will be responsible for the payment of fees, cleaning of the area before departure and complying with all rules and regulations.
The group campsite is located off of the north loop of Cottonwood Campground. The site includes five designated camping pads, cooking grill and picnic tables. Faucet with drinking water plus restrooms with running water and flush toilets are available nearby. Collection of firewood is not permitted - bring your own wood or charcoal.
The entrance to the camping area is kept locked. A combination card can be picked up at the entrance station upon arrival. The card must be returned to the entrance station prior to departure.
At the discretion of the Superintendent, use of the area may be restricted in order to protect visitors and the park's resources. Weather conditions may warrant closing the area. Extreme fire conditions may restrict the use of fires and grills within the park including the group campsite.
The camping fee is $2 per person per day, minumum $20 per day. In addition to the camping fee, the park entrance fee is also charged.
Roundup Horse Group Camp
Roundup Horse Group Camp area includes firepit, cooking grills, picnic tables, drinking water, a loading ramp, a hitch rail for horses, designated campsites, a pavilion, corrals, and water tanks for horses.
The entrance to the camping area is kept locked. The key or combination can be picked up at the entrance station upon arrival . Please return the key or combination to the entrance station prior to departure.
Group reservations can be made beginning the first business day of March by calling 701-623-4466. You may also write the park for reservations at the address below.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
P.O. Box 7
Medora, North Dakota 58645
Include:
Your Name:
Address:
Telephone Number:
Number of people and/or horses:
Dates Requested:
Alternate Dates: (To best accommodate your trip plans)
Also, be sure to request reservations at the South Unit.
Reservations must be in the name of the group leader who will be responsible for the payment of fees, cleaning of the area before departure and complying with all rules and regulations.
At the discretion of the Superintendent, use of the area may be restricted in order to protect visitors and the park's resources. Weather conditions may warrant closing the area. If conditions dictate, the use of certain trails and areas in the park may be restricted. Extreme fire conditions may restrict the use of fires and grills within the park.
The entrance to the camping area is kept locked. The key can be picked up at the entrance station upon arrival . Please return the key to the entrance station prior to departure.
In addition to the camping fee, the park entrance fee is also charged. Camping fees must be paid at the entrance station prior to departure.
Maximum group size is 20 people with 20 horses or 30 people without horses.
Minimum group size is 6 people.
Groups are limited to 5 nights during a calendar year.
Check-out time is 12:00 pm.
Vehicles must be confined to the roadway and parking areas at all times.
Grazing is prohibited. Plan to bring weed-free feed for your horses. Use of weed-free feed is encouraged this season and will be required in 1998. As an option, horses may be boarded at the Peaceful Valley Ranch: 701 623-4496. The concessioner charges a fee for this service and arrangements should be made in advance.
Horses may not roam free, even if hobbled. Hitch horses only at the hitch rail provided or to your trucks or trailers. Do not hitch them to trees, the enclosure fences or any other campground facilities.
Fires must be confined to the fire grates provided. Bring your own firewood or charcoal; park vegetation may not be collected or burned. Under extreme fire conditions wood or charcoal fires may not be permitted.
The use of firearms or fireworks is prohibited. All firearms must be unloaded, broken down and out-of-sight.
Pets must be confined, tied or on a leash at all times. Pets are not permitted in the backcountry, including all park trails.
The collection or possession of any plants, animals, animal parts, including bones and antlers, and rocks or minerals such as fossils or petrified wood, is prohibited.
Keep the entrance gate closed and locked to prevent unauthorized vehicle entry into the camping area. Note that this prevents unauthorized vehicle entry only hikers and other horse users may pass through the area.
Harassing, molesting or feeding of wildlife, including wild horses, bison, and prairie dogs is prohibited.
Follow designated trails out of the campground area. This will prevent multiple trailing and help conserve the scenery around the camp.
Camping is permitted only in the designated sites or in recreational vehicles parked on the roadway/parking areas.
The park's rules and regulations are designed for your safety and to protect the resources that you have come to enjoy. If you have any questions, please contact a park ranger. Regulations, particularly involving grazing and hitching, will be strictly enforced.
| Campground | Open | Close | Sites | Dump Station | Toilets | Water | Fire Grills | Pay Phone | Fee |
| Juniper | All Year | 50 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $10.00 | |
| Juniper Group Camp | 01 May | 01 Nov | 6 - 60 people | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $2.00 Per Person* |
* $2.00 per person per day with a $20.00 minimum.
 |
The Juniper Campground, located in the North Unit about 5 miles from the park entrance, accommodate tents, trailers and recreational vehicles. No hook-ups or showers are available. Check out time is 12 noon, Central Time. Camping fees are non-refundable. The fee is $10 per site per night. $5 per site per night for Golden Age and Golden Access card holders. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days per year. The campground is open year-round.
Each site includes a cooking grill and picnic table. Faucets with drinking water plus restrooms with running water and flush toilets are available nearby. From mid-May through September, flush toilets and sinks with running water are available. During the remainder of the year, a pit toilet is the only bathroom and there is no water available.
No hook-ups, no showers, no reservations but there is a dump station (located near the entrance to the campground, available from mid-May to mid-Sep)
The group campsite is located at the entrance to the Juniper Campround which is about 5 miles from the park entrance. A faucet with drinking water plus restrooms with running water and flush toilets are available nearby during the summer months.
The camping area includes fire grates, flush toilets, picnic tables and drinking water. Collection of firewood is not permitted, bring your own wood or charcoal.
This campground does not accommodate groups with horses.
The North Unit Group Campground is available by reservation to organized groups from approximately 01 May to 01 November. The length of the season may vary depending on various environmental factors.
Reservations are accepted beginning the first business day of March. Reservations must be in the name of the group leader who will be responsible for the payment of fees, cleaning of the area before departure and complying with all rules and regulations. For the North Unit Group Campground call: 701-842-2333.
You may also write the park for reservations at the following address.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
P.O. Box 7
Medora, North Dakota 58645
Include:
Your Name:
Address:
Telephone Number:
Number of People:
Dates Requested:
Alternate Dates: (To best accommodate your trip plans)
Also, be sure to request reservations at the North Unit.
At the discretion of the Superintendent, use of the area may be restricted in order to protect visitors and the park's resources. If conditions dictate, the use of certain trails and areas in the park may be restricted. Extreme fire conditions may necessitate the use of campground grills.
The camping area includes fire grates, flush toilets, picnic tables and drinking water. Collection of firewood is not permitted - bring your own wood or charcoal.
In addition to the camping fee, the park entrance fee is also charged.
Maximum group size is 60 people
Minimum group size is 6 people
Groups are limited to 5 nights during a calendar year
Check-out time is 12:00 pm
Please, familiarize yourself with the following regulations. Thoughtful compliance will insure that Cottonwood Campground remains an attractive and orderly setting for your future use and enjoyment.
Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campsites cannot be reserved. When away from the site, demonstrate your occupancy by displaying your current camping permit or exhibiting other evidence. To avoid resource damage to campsites, occupancy of any one site is limited to one family group or a group not totaling over six (6) individuals.
All wheeled vehicles, including trailers, bicycles, and motorcycles, must be operated or parked only on paved or gravel-surfaced roadways and pads. DO NOT PARK OR DRIVE ON GRASS OR TRAILS.
PETS MUST BE KEPT ON A LEASH or otherwise physically restrained while in the park. Pets are not permitted on trails or in the backcountry.
All drains on all vehicles must either be sealed or provided with receptacles, such as buckets, to catch waste discharge. Dumping of any waste on the ground is prohibited. Waste water disposal facilities are located in the side door of each campground comfort station. Commercial sanitary dumping stations are available in Medora.
Do not attempt to use any campground facility for utility hookups (water, electricity, etc.)
QUIET HOURS must be maintained from 10:00 pm until 6:00 am. Local time. Generators may only be used between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm.
The operation of any type of audio device, including radios, in such a manner as to annoy others is prohibited. Portable generators must be equipped with an effective muffler.
Open fires are permitted only in the charcoal grates provided at each site. You must extinguish fires before you leave, even if you plan to be gone for only a few minutes. DO NOT LEAVE ANY FIRE UNATTENDED. Collection of park vegetation, dead or alive, is prohibited.
If another vehicle or camper unit attempts to move onto your assigned site, please notify the patrol ranger or any uniformed employee.
The campground is off-limits to horses and all riding activities.
The use of firearms or any other implement capable of propelling a projectile (bow and arrow, slingshot, air rifle, etc.), is prohibited. Similarly, the use of fireworks is not permitted.
State liquor laws are enforced within the park.
Camping limit is 14 days.
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This site is in no way associated with the United States Government, the Department of the Interior or the National Park Service
