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

Nancy O

Verified

June 23, 2026 Stayed at: 050, Loop: South Loop

Our site was right next to an underground sewage grates. Very unpleasant.

Helpful

claus t

Verified

June 23, 2026 Stayed at: 048, Loop: South Loop

While the park was incredible and the wildlife amazing, the campground has two major flaws. The outside lighting at the restrooms was unshielded and glaring, which was disappointing regarding being able to enjoy the night sky. In addition the bathroom fans that were running automatically were extremely loud for adjacent campsites. This is out of character for a national park.

Helpful

Peggy S

Verified

June 23, 2026 Stayed at: 034, Loop: North Loop

Great campground, but beware if you have a camper, the length of the back-in site limit is accurate on the website. Our 25 ft, just fit in a 25 ft site.
Sadly, I’m sure many people are unable to get a reservation because it is such a popular campground. About 20% of the sites were unused every night because people did not cancel. Please, please cancel to give someone else a chance to get in if you are not coming, even if it is at the very last minute and you don’t get a refund. Just be courteous. Give someone else a chance to have this great camping experience.

Helpful

Jerry B

Verified

June 23, 2026 Stayed at: 008, Loop: North Loop

We have visited TRNP about a half dozen times now and always enjoy the experience. This year's plus for us was I was our first visit where the southern loop drive was fully open and we very much enjoyed that and got to hike over the the original old east entrance gate which was very interesting. We also enjoy Medora and walking around the town, shopping and dining as well. The only slight draw back this year seemed to be the Cottonwood campground appeared to overgrown with foliage this year more so that we can ever remember. Perhaps this is do to the cutbacks in federal funding which if so really needs to be addressed so that all can fully enjoy the park in all its greatness.

Helpful

Nancy O

Verified

June 23, 2026 Stayed at: 050, Loop: South Loop

Our site was right next to an underground sewage grates. Very unpleasant.

Helpful

claus t

Verified

June 23, 2026 Stayed at: 048, Loop: South Loop

While the park was incredible and the wildlife amazing, the campground has two major flaws. The outside lighting at the restrooms was unshielded and glaring, which was disappointing regarding being able to enjoy the night sky. In addition the bathroom fans that were running automatically were extremely loud for adjacent campsites. This is out of character for a national park.

Helpful

Deborah R

Verified

June 24, 2026 Stayed at: 051, Loop: South Loop

The campground is located about 5 mi from the Medora entrance of the TRNP. It is well-designed, with clean, modern bathrooms and even a sink for dish-washing. The campsite is adjacent to the Little Missouri river and the grounds were a mix of shade trees and grassland. My campsite felt private and bathroom was easily accessible.

I thought the design of separate loops for the larger rigs from the smaller RVs/tent campers a unique feature. The site for the larger rigs were ample and mostly very private.

Helpful

Patricia Barry L

Verified

June 24, 2026 Stayed at: 017, Loop: North Loop

Loved the setting in the grove along the river. New clean bathrooms were great. Access to potable water was very good. Too bad there is no dump station in the park - you need to visit nearby private campgrounds for that. We had a male bison graze his way through our campsite.

Helpful

Rebecca Y

Verified

June 24, 2026 Stayed at: 069, Loop: South Loop

We loved this park and the campground. The campsites are well spaced, the restrooms were clean, with running water, and a dish washing sink. Bison walked right through the campground. Look both ways before stepping outside!

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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