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.
Cottonwood Preview Image shows a campsite with a picnic table framed by cottonwood trees and a bluff in the background
Leafy Cottonwood Trees

About Cottonwood Campground (ND)

For people visiting the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Cottonwood Campground is a great place to stay. Located five miles (5 mi) 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.

Available sites

70 total sites

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Oct 1 to Dec 31

Campground Amenities

RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

70 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 002, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 003, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 56 × 11 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 004, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 005, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 105 × 15 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 006, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 007, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 95 × 21 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 008, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 009, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 180 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 010, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 011, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 14 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 012, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 013, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 15 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 014, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 015, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 50 × 14 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 016, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 017, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 175 × 17 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 018, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 019, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 90 × 13 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 020, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 021, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 95 × 21 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 022, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 023, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 130 × 16 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 024, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 026, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 027, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 85 × 13 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 028, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 029, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 114 × 16 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 030, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 031, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 125 × 14 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 032, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 033, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 41 × 21 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 034, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 035, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 160 × 16 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 036, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 038, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 039, Loop: North Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 65 × 14 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 043, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 57 × 20 ft · Paved
$20
/ per night
🚐 045, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 21 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 046, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 21 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 047, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 21 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 048, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 21 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 049, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 24 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 050, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 21 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 051, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 26 × 36 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 052, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 21 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 053, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 22 × 22 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 054, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 21 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
⛺ 055, Loop: South Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
$20
/ per night
⛺ 056, Loop: South Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
$20
/ per night
⛺ 057, Loop: South Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
$20
/ per night
⛺ 058, Loop: South Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
$20
/ per night
⛺ 059, Loop: South Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
$20
/ per night
⛺ 060, Loop: South Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
$20
/ per night
⛺ 061, Loop: South Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
$20
/ per night
⛺ 062, Loop: South Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
$20
/ per night
⛺ 063, Loop: South Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
$20
/ per night
⛺ 064, Loop: South Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
$20
/ per night
⛺ 065, Loop: South Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
$20
/ per night
⛺ 066, Loop: South Loop Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
$20
/ per night
🚐 067, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 31 × 31 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 068, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 21 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 069, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 28 ft wide · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 070, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 21 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 071, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 36 × 36 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 072, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 21 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 073, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 37 × 17.5 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 074, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 32 × 21 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 075, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 40 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night
🚐 076, Loop: South Loop RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 20 ft · Gravel
$20
/ per night

Reviews

2450 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Cottonwood Campground offers a beautiful and peaceful experience with spacious, well-maintained sites and clean facilities. Many visitors enjoyed the close encounters with bison and the serene natural surroundings, making it a great spot for wildlife enthusiasts. While some noted issues with insects and site leveling, the overall atmosphere and friendly camp hosts contributed to a memorable stay.

Based on guest feedback

4.5

Overall rating

Based on 2450 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 67.0% (1,641)
4 stars 22.5% (551)
3 stars 5.4% (132)
2 stars 2.5% (61)
1 star 2.7% (65)

Showing 2450 reviews

Lizz K

Verified

June 2, 2026 Stayed at: 057, Loop: South Loop

This was a great campground. Clean bathrooms. Quiet at night. Enjoyed the bison wandering around.

Helpful

Aurora K

Verified

June 3, 2026 Stayed at: 029, Loop: North Loop

Great campground. Very convenient and saw Bison running around. Picnic area is also very nice

Helpful

Aurora K

Verified

June 3, 2026 Stayed at: 029, Loop: North Loop

Great campground. Very convenient and saw Bison running around. Picnic area is also very nice

Helpful

David O

Verified

June 4, 2026 Stayed at: 067, Loop: South Loop

The sites were clean, accessible. The paved access roads made for easy access and an excellent walking path for an early morning walk. The bathrooms were clean. Bison were near the campground and were wondering about which made for an interesting experience. The nearest store is five miles away for ice and supplies, so plan accordingly. There is no dump station; plans need to be made for emptying tanks.

Helpful

David O

Verified

June 4, 2026 Stayed at: 067, Loop: South Loop

The sites were clean, accessible. The paved access roads made for easy access and an excellent walking path for an early morning walk. The bathrooms were clean. Bison were near the campground and were wondering about which made for an interesting experience. The nearest store is five miles away for ice and supplies, so plan accordingly. There is no dump station; plans need to be made for emptying tanks.

Helpful

August E

Verified

June 6, 2026 Stayed at: 017, Loop: North Loop

It was a great campsite, well secluded with a good view of the bluffs across the Little Missouri river.

Helpful

August E

Verified

June 6, 2026 Stayed at: 017, Loop: North Loop

It was a great campsite, well secluded with a good view of the bluffs across the Little Missouri river.

Helpful

August E

Verified

June 6, 2026 Stayed at: 017, Loop: North Loop

It was a great campsite, well secluded with a good view of the bluffs across the Little Missouri river.

Helpful

August E

Verified

June 6, 2026 Stayed at: 017, Loop: North Loop

It was a great campsite, well secluded with a good view of the bluffs across the Little Missouri river.

Helpful

Kari S

Verified

June 8, 2026 Stayed at: 053, Loop: South Loop

I think this site is one of the best sites in the non-RV loop. This site fit our large tent (something like 8X12). *** If you have a large tent I think site 52 would work as well*** The site is right across from the bathrooms, but there are trees blocking the lights at night, so we didn't have an issue with the lights keeping us awake. The site overlooks the Little Missouri- we saw bison every morning and evening, feral horses as well! There is water available to clean dishes, but bring in water for drinking- the visitor center is out 5-10 minutes away and we filled water bottles there when we went in to town. We also brought in gallons of water and refilled a couple of those there as well. We went to Medora Campground in town to shower ($5 each), but the shower pressure was pitiful, and temperatures were all over the place. The people who worked there were super nice, and laundry was available there as well. I later saw there were showers at the Buffalo Gap Campground US Forest Service, which might have been a better option?? With all that being said, the bathrooms at Cottonwood are some of the nicest and cleanest at any NP we've been to.

Most people we saw were just there for the day, the park gets quiet at night and most campers seemed to just stay one night (we were there 4 nights). We heard coyotes every night!

Highly recommend the Big Plateau Trail- just bring a pair of shoes you can get wet when you cross the river, unless you are OK to hike in wet shoes.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Cottonwood Campground (ND)

315 2 Nd Ave, Medora, ND 58645 United States

Elevation: 690 ft

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 mi (133 mi) west of Bismarck, ND and 27 mi (26.7 mi) east of the Montana...

Nearest town

Medora, ND - 6 mi

About 14 min to downtown

Highway access

Cottonwood Campground is accessible via Interstate 94, with exits 24 and 27 located in Medora, ND.

Near Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The closest entrance is: South Unit Entrance Station

Approximate drive: 2.9 mi · 5 min

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 23, 2026

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Population: 198

Elevation: 2,267 ft

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