Can you reserve a site at Cottonwood Campground (ND)?

Yes, Cottonwood Campground (ND) is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Cottonwood Campground (ND) have?

72 sites in total, of which 70 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Cottonwood Campground (ND)?

68 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Cottonwood Campground (ND)?

Yes, pets are allowed at Cottonwood Campground (ND).

Are campfires allowed at Cottonwood Campground (ND)?

Campfires are not allowed at Cottonwood Campground (ND).

Cottonwood Campground (ND)

Campground · North Dakota · 70 bookable sites ·

Managed by the National Park Service

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (National Park) · Open Access

70
Bookable sites: 68 ft
Max rig length: up to 20
People per site: 1
Accessible site: 2,254 ft
Elevation

View of Cottonwood Campground from the main park road. There are buttes in the background with a large stand of cottonwoods and a field in between. — Photo: NPS Photo · Recreation.gov

Overview

For people visiting the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Cottonwood Campground is a great place to stay. Located five miles (8 km) from the entrance to the South Unit of the park, the campground is open year-round. To make a reservation for the group site please visit this the Cottonwood Group Site (ND ) page.

Recreation

Hikers can access the estimated 70 miles (21 km) of trails within a short distance of the campground. Visit the Hiking and Trail Information page on the park website or stop at a Visitor Center for more details. Located immediately adjacent to the Little Missouri River and filled with Cottonwood trees bird watching in the campground can be a rewarding experience. Watch for Bison that can be seen traveling through the campground on their way to a stop at the river. Just a few miles from the campground is the Peaceful Valley Ranch. A former ranch from Theodore Roosevelt's time, the location also serves as one of the best sites in the park for outstanding night sky viewing.

Facilities

Toilets, drinking water and picnic tables are provided at this facility. The site can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Sites can accommodate up to six people and two vehicles. There are no hookups or a dump station. A water fill station is available for campers (through October 1 each year). All wheeled vehicles and trailers must remain on roadways or pads. The Group Site (site #25) can accomodate 7-20 people and reservations are available the first business day of March for the upcoming summer season. Go to the Cottonwood Group Site (ND) to make reservations for the group site.

Natural Features

The Little Missouri River is the central, unifying feature of this wild and broken land where, as a young man, Theodore Roosevelt ranched and hunted in the 1880s. The park is part of both the Northern Great Plains and the West, blending a rich natural beauty with diverse human history. The rugged topography, with its flora and fauna, also provides an opportunity to discover the badlands environment as Roosevelt once did. It is a place to experience a land and way of life that helped shape Theodore Roosevelt's attitudes and philosophy regarding conservation. Cottonwood trees surrounding the campsite turn golden in the fall. Although the campground is moderately forested, most of the campsites are in partial to full sun but visitors can cool off in the cold river when temperatures peak during summer.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Medora has shopping, restaurants, amenities and the Medora Musical is located approximately five miles (8 km) to the south. The Little Missouri National Grassland is the largest National Grassland in the nation at 1.03 million acres (416,826 ha). It is located in western North Dakota and is managed by the Medora Ranger District in Dickinson, ND and the McKenzie Ranger District in Watford City, ND. The National Grassland provides additional recreation opportunities in the area.

The facts

70 bookable sites
72 sites in total, including non-bookable
1 accessible site
Vehicles up to 68 ft
Up to 20 people per site
Loops: North Loop, South Loop

Site types

64 Standard Nonelectric
6 Tent Only Nonelectric
2 Management

Amenities

Grills
Shade
Pets allowed
Campfires allowed — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables.

Book on Recreation.gov

72 campsites at Cottonwood Campground (ND)

Check-in 12:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Access	Max rig	People
001	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	38 ft	6	🐾
002	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	6	🐾
003	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Parallel	Gravel	Slight	—	28 ft	6	🐾
004	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Parallel	Gravel	Slight	—	18 ft	6	🐾
005	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	45 ft	6	♿ 🐾
006	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	26 ft	6	🐾
007	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	65 ft	6	🐾
008	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	6	🐾
009	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	60 ft	6	🐾
010	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Parallel	Gravel	Slight	—	41 ft	6	🐾
011	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Parallel	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
012	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	6	🐾
013	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Parallel	Gravel	Slight	—	35 ft	6	🐾
014	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	32 ft	6	🐾
015	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Parallel	Gravel	Slight	—	35 ft	6	🐾
016	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	6	🐾
017	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	55 ft	6	🐾
018	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	68 ft	6	🐾
019	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	35 ft	6	🐾
020	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	44 ft	6	🐾
021	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	48 ft	6	🐾
022	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	35 ft	6	🐾
023	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	50 ft	6	🐾
024	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	38 ft	6	🐾
025	North Loop	Management	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	45 ft	20	🐾
026	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	37 ft	6	🐾
027	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	45 ft	6	🐾
028	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	6	🐾
029	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	46 ft	6	🐾
030	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	36 ft	6	🐾
031	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	60 ft	6	🐾
032	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	32 ft	6	🐾
033	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	6	🐾
034	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	37 ft	6	🐾
035	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	65 ft	6	🐾
036	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	38 ft	6	🐾
038	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	38 ft	6	🐾
039	North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Parallel	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	6	🐾
043	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Parallel	Paved	Slight	—	55 ft	6	🐾
044	South Loop	Management	Parallel	Gravel	Slight	—	48 ft	6	🐾
045	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
046	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
047	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
048	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
049	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
050	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
051	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
052	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
053	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
054	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
055	South Loop	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	—	6	🐾
056	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	10 ft	6	🐾
057	South Loop	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	—	6	🐾
058	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	10 ft	6	🐾
059	South Loop	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	—	6	🐾
060	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	12 ft	6	🐾
061	South Loop	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	8 ft	6	🐾
062	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	10 ft	6	🐾
063	South Loop	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	—	6	🐾
064	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	15 ft	6	🐾
065	South Loop	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	—	6	🐾
066	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	15 ft	6	🐾
067	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
068	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
069	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
070	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
071	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
072	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
073	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
074	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾
075	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	—	25 ft	6	🐾
076	South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	6	🐾

Getting there

The South Unit entrance is in Medora, ND. Medora is accessible via Interstate 94 Exits 24 and 27 in North Dakota. Please note exit 27 is a westbound exit only.

Medora is 133 miles (214 km) west of Bismarck, ND and 27 miles (43 km) east of the Montana state line.

46.95000, -103.53222 · 46°57'0.0"N 103°31'56.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 86°F in Jul, down to 28°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	28	32	44	56	67	77	86	85	74	58	42	31
Low °F	3	8	18	30	41	50	56	53	43	30	18	7
Precip in	0.3	0.4	0.6	1.6	2.6	2.9	2.1	1.4	1.4	1.2	0.6	0.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

The Cottonwood Campground registration area. There is snow on the groups and the shelter is brown with three bulletin boards — Photo: NPS Photo · Recreation.gov

Leafy Cottonwood Trees — Photo: NPS Photo (Laura Thomas) · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Add a photo

Common questions about Cottonwood Campground (ND)

Can you reserve a site at Cottonwood Campground (ND)?: Yes, Cottonwood Campground (ND) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Cottonwood Campground (ND) have?: 72 sites in total, of which 70 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Cottonwood Campground (ND)?: 68 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Cottonwood Campground (ND)?: Yes, pets are allowed at Cottonwood Campground (ND).
Are campfires allowed at Cottonwood Campground (ND)?: Campfires are not allowed at Cottonwood Campground (ND).

Camping near Cottonwood Campground (ND)

Cottonwood Group Site (ND) 0.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Roundup Group Horse Camp 4.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Buffalo Gap Campground (ND) 6.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
South Unit Visitor Center 2.3 mi · Facility
Little Missouri National Grassland 2.6 mi · Facility
Wannagan Campground 7.7 mi · Campground
Painted Canyon Visitor Center 8 mi · Facility
Battle of the Badlands Interpretive Site 8.8 mi · Facility
Initial Rock 11.4 mi · Facility
Whitetail Picnic Area 20.2 mi · Campground
Elkhorn Campground 20.3 mi · Campground
Burning Coal Vein Campground 24.7 mi · Campground

Comments

Contact

Phone 701-623-4466 (NOTE PARK DOES NOT TAKE RESERVATIONS)
Email THRO_Fees_Reservations@nps.gov
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-02.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.