North Dakota Camping: Experience the Old West

By RA Manseau

Fort Buford, North Dakota Campgrounds

As you RV North Dakota you will discover a land unspoiled by progress. This will be a vacation to remember. Plus, there are plenty of North Dakota campgrounds along the way.

RV North Dakota through the Little Missouri National Grassland. Stretching over 1,259,000 acres, the National Grasslands offer visitors the opportunity to view elk, antelope, whitetail and mule deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, sharptail grouse, pheasants, wild turkeys, eagles, falcons, and the busy prairie dogs. Recreational opportunities offer hiking, camping, horseback riding, photography, canoeing, fishing, hunting, and backpacking.

In the Little Missouri National Grassland just off Interstate 94 you will find the historic town of Medora. Here in Medora in the heart of the “Badlands” is the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. This 15,000 square-foot building, with a 5,000 square-foot patio is referred to as the “Center of Western Heritage and Cultures: Native American, Ranching and Rodeo”. The center includes display areas that honor the Native Americans, trail drivers, homesteaders, ranchers and rodeo stars. There is a child's activity area as well as an archives section and library. This is a great place to make a visit while on your North Dakota camping trip.

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Five Tips & Hints to RV North Dakota

Plan ahead and book your North Dakota campsite online!
Most of North Dakota is in the Central Time Zone, while the southwest corner is in the Mountain Time Zone.
For more information about things to see and do on your North Dakota camping trip, visit North Dakota Tourism Division.
North Dakota has a sub-humid continental climate. Annual mean precipitation ranges from 13" in the northwest to more than 20" in the southeast. Average January temperature ranges from 2 to 17 degrees. July averages 67 to 73 degrees.
Have you ever wondered where the geographical center of North America is? Well, visit the town of Rugby on your North Dakota camping trip and you'll be able to see it. A rock obelisk about 15 feet tall, flanked by poles flying the United States and Canadian Flags marks the location.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, RV North Dakota

Moving northeast across the state of North Dakota you encounter the Lake Sakakawea. This lake is great for fishing, boating, water skiing and scuba diving. This recreation area is also excellent for sail boats and wind surfing. This is a beautiful area for pulling into a North Dakota Campground and staying a while. Whether you want to play or just to enjoy the wildlife, flora and fauna you will not be disappointed.

As you continue to the Canadian border on your RV North Dakota vacation, you will find the International Peace Garden just north of Dunseith. This very special immense garden was the dream of Dr Henry T. Moore. Moore once said the garden would be, “not merely a memorial to the long period of peace which has been enjoyed by both countries, but as an example to the warring nations of the world that there is a better way to settle international differences than through recourse to bloody war, and as a memorial to international friendship that shall endure to all time.”

International Peace Gardens towers, North Dakota Camping

International Peace Gardens towers, North Dakota Camping

His dream became a reality in June of 1932 when 50,000 people gathered to dedicate the International Peace Garden. The plaque on the Cairn bares the inscription, “We two nations dedicate this garden and pledge ourselves that as long as men shall live we will not take up arms against one another.” The garden is a masterpiece with flowers, ponds, fountains, streams and memorials. The park is managed by both Canada and the United States. As you enter the garden you do not need to pass through customs, while in the garden you will pass freely from Canadian soil to American and American soil to Canadian. As you leave it is required that you pass through the customs station. The garden is completely accessible. Wheelchairs and strollers are available on a first come first serve basis. There are plenty of hospitable North Dakota campgrounds in the area for you to park your RV or pitch your tent.

Hitting the road again and heading southeast on your North Dakota camping adventure, you will come to Devils Lake. This is a premier hunting a fishing location. The lake also provides a wonderful opportunity for water sports, hiking and horseback riding.

The Spirit Lake Casino & Resort is a 49,000 square-foot facility, offering poker, slots, blackjack, live craps, video poker and bingo. The casino offers entertainment and excitement. There are North Dakota campgrounds all around the lake area and an RV park actually on the Spirit Nation land near the casino.

North Dakota camping is like taking a trip into the old west with modern convenience at your fingertips. The state is beautiful and has a rustic feel. Your North Dakota camping vacation will be an RV trip to remember.