Pro scans every minute· 119K campsites tracked

Hard to BookNational Park

Cottonwood Campground (Nd)

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Sold out? We check Cottonwood Campground (Nd) for cancellations and email you the moment a site opens.

Cancellation alerts

Sold out for your dates?

ArriveLeave

Free to start. Email alerts included.

As of September 2026, Cottonwood Campground (Nd) is a campground in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota with 35 campsites. Cottonwood Campground (Nd) is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Cottonwood Campground (Nd) for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
Cottonwood Campground (Nd) is located at 46.9500° N, 103.5322° W.

people allowed on each site: 6

Cottonwood Campground (Nd) reservations and next available dates

September 2026

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Next Available Dates

Sep 30 (1 site)Oct 1 (2 sites)Oct 2 (7 sites)

1 site open on Sep 30 at Cottonwood Campground (Nd). Book one now, or pick your dates above and get an alert when a site opens.

As of 30 September 2026, 04:24 UTC.

Stay and booking rules

Mid-stay changes allowed
Maximum consecutive stay: 14 consecutive nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Cottonwood Campground (Nd), read on September 29, 2026.

Campsites at Cottonwood Campground (Nd)

13579111315171921232729313335394345474951535557596163656769717375

Standard 29
Tent 6
Accessible 1

What an RV fits

20–24 ft1 site
25–29 ft11 sites
30–34 ft3 sites
35–39 ft2 sites
40–44 ft1 site
45–49 ft2 sites
50–54 ft2 sites
55–59 ft2 sites
60–64 ft2 sites
65–69 ft1 site
75–79 ft1 site
90–94 ft1 site

Amenities

restrooms
potable water
dump station

At a glance: Setting: Forest.

Things to do: hiking, wildlife, stargazing.

All sites at Cottonwood Campground (Nd), as listed by Recreation.gov

Site	Loop	Type	Sleeps	Max RV	Access
001	North Loop	Standard	6	38 ft	-
003	North Loop	Standard	6	30 ft	-
005	North Loop	Standard	6	45 ft	Accessible
007	North Loop	Standard	6	65 ft	-
009	North Loop	Standard	6	60 ft	-
011	North Loop	Standard	6	25 ft	-
013	North Loop	Standard	6	30 ft	-
015	North Loop	Standard	6	25 ft	-
017	North Loop	Standard	6	55 ft	-
019	North Loop	Standard	6	30 ft	-
021	North Loop	Standard	6	50 ft	-
023	North Loop	Standard	6	50 ft	-
027	North Loop	Standard	6	60 ft	-
029	North Loop	Standard	6	45 ft	-
031	North Loop	Standard	6	77 ft	-
033	North Loop	Standard	6	38 ft	-
035	North Loop	Standard	6	93 ft	-
039	North Loop	Standard	6	40 ft	-

Site	Loop	Type	Sleeps	Max RV	Access
043	South Loop	Standard	6	55 ft	-
045	South Loop	Standard	6	25 ft	-
047	South Loop	Standard	6	25 ft	-
049	South Loop	Standard	6	25 ft	-
051	South Loop	Standard	6	25 ft	-
053	South Loop	Standard	6	20 ft	-
055	South Loop	Tent	6	-	-
057	South Loop	Tent	6	-	-
059	South Loop	Tent	6	-	-
061	South Loop	Tent	6	-	-
063	South Loop	Tent	6	-	-
065	South Loop	Tent	6	-	-
067	South Loop	Standard	6	25 ft	-
069	South Loop	Standard	6	25 ft	-
071	South Loop	Standard	6	25 ft	-
073	South Loop	Standard	6	25 ft	-
075	South Loop	Standard	6	25 ft	-

About Cottonwood Campground (Nd)

Overview

For people visiting the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Cottonwood Campground is a great place to stay. Located five miles (8 km) 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.

Recreation

Hikers can access the estimated 70 miles (21 km) of trails within a short distance of the campground. Visit the Hiking and Trail Information page on the park website or stop at a Visitor Center for more details. 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. Just a few miles from the campground is the Peaceful Valley Ranch. A former ranch from Theodore Roosevelt's time, the location also serves as one of the best sites in the park for outstanding night sky viewing.

Facilities

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 or a dump station. A water fill station is available for campers (through October 1 each year). All wheeled vehicles and trailers must remain on roadways or pads. The Group Site (site #25) can accomodate 7-20 people and reservations are available the first business day of March for the upcoming summer season. Go to the Cottonwood Group Site (ND) to make reservations for the group site.

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.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Medora has shopping, restaurants, amenities and the Medora Musical is located approximately five miles (8 km) to the south. 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.

Rules and notices at Cottonwood Campground (Nd)

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Cottonwood Campground (Nd) on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Entrance Fee . The park collects a separate park entrance fee of $30 per vehicle. Visitors may pay the fee upon arrival or purchase in advance. The fee is valid for seven days. The park also honors Federal interagency passes (e.g., annual, senior, access, 4th grade, Golden Age pass etc.). For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page.

Pass Discounts. If using an Interagency Senior or Access Pass for a camping fee discount, the pass must be present during stay at campground (Interagency Annual, Park Annual, Every Kid in a Park, and Interagency-Military do not receive a camping discount).

Group Site. Site 25 (the group site) goes on sale first business day of March for the Summer Season.

Check-in & Check-out Times . Check-in/out is 12:00 noon

Maximum Stay. During the busy season of May 1 through October 31, campers may stay a maximum of 14 night total in Cottonwood Campground and a maximum of 30 days total in a calendar year. This includes the non-reservation, self-registration season of November through April.

Vehicle (RV) Height over 13 feet (4 m). Trees and branches in the campground may not accommodate vehicles of this height. Camping equipment may experience significant damage for which the NPS is not responsible.

Generators. Generators hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Generators must have an effective muffler.

Water. Water is not always available by May or after October 1. Vault toilets will be available. The park does not offer a refund for the or price difference.

Site Capacity . Cottonwood Campground regular sites (excluding group site) max occupancy is 6 people and 2 vehicles. Walkin sites 1 vehicle max.

No Showers. There are no shower or laundry facilities located in the park.

Campfires. During hot and dry summer months, fire restrictions are common and campfires (including charcoal fires) may be prohibited.

Firewood. Firewood not for sale in park. The closest place to buy wood is in Medora, approximately 5.5 miles (9 km) away. Gathering of dead and downed firewood is allowed.

Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Cottonwood Campground (Nd) FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Cottonwood Campground (Nd)?

Cottonwood Campground (Nd) is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.

How do I find last-minute availability at Cottonwood Campground (Nd)?

Cancellations happen frequently at Cottonwood Campground (Nd), especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Cottonwood Campground (Nd) have?

Cottonwood Campground (Nd) has 35 campsites.