NPS · Theodore Roosevelt National Park · Watford City, ND

Juniper Campground

For people visiting the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Juniper Campground is a great place to stay. Located five miles (8 km) from the entrance to the North Unit of the park, the campground is open year-round.

More like this: reservable in North Dakota · big rigs in North Dakota · pets allowed in North Dakota

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Cottonwood trees standing above a river with buttes in the background.Long range scenic view of barren buttes above a river.Cottonwood trees standing above a river with buttes in the background.Paved trail leading to a building in a lush, green field.
Photos courtesy of NPS Photo/Laura Thomas, NPS Photo/Mark Meyers, NPS Photo · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups37
Walk-in9
Host/management2
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 57 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

46 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteTypeEntryFits, ftSurfacePeople / vehiclesFiresAccessible
1StandardPull-through30Paved6 / 2No
3StandardPull-through35Paved6 / 2No
4StandardPull-through376 / 2NoYes
5StandardPull-through55Paved6 / 2No
6StandardPull-through32Paved6 / 2No
7StandardPull-through35Paved6 / 2No
8StandardPull-through50Paved6 / 2No
9StandardBack-in28Paved6 / 2No
10StandardBack-in32Paved6 / 2No
11StandardBack-in28Paved6 / 2No

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length57 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
AccessibilitySite 4 is listed accessible

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. A water fill and dump station is available for campers (from May through October 1 each year). All wheeled vehicles and trailers must remain on roadways or pads. The Group Site can accommodate 7-20 people and reservations are available the first business day of March for the upcoming summer season. Go to the Juniper Group Site (ND) to make reservations for the group site.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Juniper Campground10°20°30°40°50°60°70°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 15.3°F averageFebruary: 18.5°F averageMarch: 29.8°F averageApril: 41.8°F averageMay: 53.3°F averageJune: 62.9°F averageJuly: 69.8°F averageAugust: 68.8°F averageSeptember: 58.4°F averageOctober: 43.5°F averageNovember: 29.5°F averageDecember: 18.7°F averageTemp °F
The line is the average temperature at Fairfield, 10 miles from the recreation area point at 2,750 feet, station USC00322809 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020.

Getting there

The North Unit entrance is located on North Dakota Highway 85, 20 miles (32 km) south of Watford City, ND. If travelling via Interstate 94, use Exit 42 at Belfield, ND, then travel north for approximately 55 miles (88 km) on Highway 85.

Nearest townWatford City, North Dakota
AreaRecreation.gov lists no exact point for this campground. The recreation area is at 47.18° N, 103.43° W. Call the office before you drive.

Good to know

  • To make a reservation for the group site please visit this the Juniper Group Site (ND) page.

Fire nearby

  • Wildfire
    Bear

    36 mi from the campground · 10 acres

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Explore

Video

Juniper Campground - Theodore Roosevelt National Park - Campground Review

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.

Recreation

Hikers can access the estimated 30 miles (48 km) of trails within a short distance of the campground. 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.

Nearby

The town of Watford City is approximately 20 miles (32 km) north of the park entrance and has shopping, restaurants, and amenities. 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.

Guidebooks for Theodore Roosevelt National Park and camping across the country

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • 2017 Guide to the Wild Horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
    North Dakota Badlands, 2016
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Your Guide to Theodore Roosevelt National Park
    Michael Oswald, 2012
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Frommer's Exploring America by RV
    Harry Basch and Shirley Slater, 2012
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Juniper Campground?

Sites at Juniper Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Juniper Campground?

Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Juniper Campground have?

48 sites, including 37 standard sites without power and 9 walk-in sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Juniper Campground?

The longest site here provides 57 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are there showers or a dump station at Juniper Campground?

A water fill and dump station is available for campers (from May through October 1 each year).

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Juniper Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Juniper Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Juniper Campground?

Site 4 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Juniper Campground?

Hikers can access the estimated 30 miles (48 km) of trails within a short distance of the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Juniper Campground?

Watford City, North Dakota. The town of Watford City is approximately 20 miles (32 km) north of the park entrance and has shopping, restaurants, and amenities.

Source: Getting there

Which national park is Juniper Campground in?

Juniper Campground is a Theodore Roosevelt National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.

Source: Theodore Roosevelt National Park