Theodore Roosevelt National Park guide · 1 min read
Camping In-Park, Lodging in Medora
The park has no lodging inside its boundaries, so overnight guests either camp in the park or stay in nearby towns.
Medora sits right at the entrance to the South Unit, where the scenic loop drive begins. This small, western-themed town has hotels, motels, restaurants, small shops, gas, and a few groceries, which makes it a convenient base for day trips into the park. The park itself is open year-round.
The park has two main campgrounds, each with one group site and many standard sites, plus a separate group site for camping with horses. All of the campgrounds are primitive, with no hookups and no showers. Reservations matter most. Booking windows usually open several months out, and during peak season it pays to reserve as early as you can. About half of the South Unit campsites and the group sites can be reserved, and the rest are first come, first served.
Juniper Campground in the North Unit requires an advance reservation through Recreation.gov. Watford City is about 15 miles away, while Alexander and Killdeer are 35 and 45 miles out, so plan ahead for lodging on that side of the park. For more options, Dickinson is the largest nearby city, about 35 miles east of the South Unit, with many hotels, restaurants, and grocery stores.
Backcountry camping suits visitors who want something more remote, and it requires a permit. Rangers at the South Unit Visitor Center issue those permits. Primitive backcountry sites are available, so campers should plan their routes with care.
