Juniper Campground
The Quick Take
Juniper is the North Unit's only campground, and that single fact defines the experience. While most visitors flock to the South Unit, the North Unit draws a quieter, more deliberate crowd — and Juniper reflects that perfectly. About fifty sites sit along the Little Missouri River badlands, with vault toilets and potable water but no showers, no hookups, and forget about cell service. The trade-off is real solitude in one of the least-visited corners of the national park system. Bison wander through camp with startling regularity, and the night sky here is legitimately dark. The twenty-dollar nightly fee is a steal for what you get. This is the campground for people who want Theodore Roosevelt without the tour bus energy — seasoned campers, self-sufficient RVers, and anyone who considers poor cell reception a feature rather than a bug.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 50 sites are reservable.
Book at Theodore Roosevelt LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. Maximum length: 50 feet. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
Paved pathway to wheelchair accessible bathrooms and amphitheater. Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Rules to Know
- Checkout:Check out time is noon.
Pro Tips
Every regular site is first-come, first-served, and the campground rarely fills except during peak summer weekends. Arrive before noon on Fridays in July and August to claim your pick. Midweek in September is practically a private campground.
The Caprock Coulee Trail starts just up the scenic drive and delivers the North Unit's best loop hike — dramatic badlands formations without the crowds you'd fight at comparable trails in the South Unit. Hit it early morning when bison are most active along the route.
There is no camp store, no firewood for sale, and the nearest town with real supplies is Watford City, about fifteen miles north on Highway 85. Stock up completely before you enter the park. Bring your own firewood too — gathering deadwood in the park is technically allowed but pickings are slim in the badlands.
Photos
NPS Photo
NPS Photo / Laura Thomas
NPS Calvin BondGetting There
Directions
Enter the North Unit from Highway 85. Travel 5.5 miles on the scenic drive. Juniper Campground is on the left. Stop at the campground’s self-registration kiosk for information on how to claim a campsite.
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