Cottonwood Campground
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Write a Review E. River Rd. Medora, ND 58645 701-623-4466 Reservations: 877-444-6777 Official WebsiteGPS: 46.9499, -103.5313
Overview of Cottonwood Campground
Campsites can be reserved online. First-come, first-served Oct. - April. Some sites can accommodate RVs up to 55 ft. max.
Last Price Paid: $7
Reported by Two Tired Teachers on 5/29/2024
Longest RV Reported: 41 feet (Class A)
Reported by Richard on 9/21/2021
Number of Sites 75
Reservations yes
Elevation 2,230 ft / 679 m
Max Length 45 ft
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Cottonwood Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 701-623-4466
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Reviews of Cottonwood Campground 37 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 22 Users
Last reported 8/20/2023
Confirmed by 15 Users
Last reported 5/8/2024
Confirmed by 4 Users
Last reported 8/20/2023
“Wild Horses Everyday!”
Reviewed 5/29/2024
| Nightly rate: | $7 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 22 |
| RV Length: | 22' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
We stayed here the end of Sept and were able to get a first come site. The $7 price is with a senior pass, $14 full price. Loved the friendly, knowledgeable staff at the visitor center, but our favorites were the wildlife and scenic views of North Dakota Bad Lands!
We made a visit of our stay here.
https://youtu.be/zFZOfZV8W9s
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Perfect First Dry Camping Experience”
Reviewed 5/8/2024
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 35 |
| RV Length: | 33' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
We stayed in Cottonwood the first week of May before the season. Steady rain for 4 days and none of the sites flooded. Our site #35 would fit any rig and had a good view to the south. We would have gotten some good sun on our portable panels had the sun been out. I think site #25 was the longest pull thru. IMO Site #23 has the best vi... more
We stayed in Cottonwood the first week of May before the season. Steady rain for 4 days and none of the sites flooded. Our site #35 would fit any rig and had a good view to the south. We would have gotten some good sun on our portable panels had the sun been out. I think site #25 was the longest pull thru. IMO Site #23 has the best view and is on the North side. Those campers had their Star Link out. North Loop road is tight for big rigs but doable. New showers are almost complete in the North Loop. Buffalo and wild horses walk through the campground.
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AT&T 4G
Snoopinaround would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful views, great location, no dump station”
Reviewed 8/20/2023
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 52 |
Overall Rating
We didn't have luck reserving through the app a few weeks in advance, so we attempted the first come first serve sites. We got there around 8:30am on Friday in mid August to make sure we got a spot but noticed a lot of turnover on Friday and Saturday. Campground was full by 5-6pm each day we were there. All even number sites are first ... more
We didn't have luck reserving through the app a few weeks in advance, so we attempted the first come first serve sites. We got there around 8:30am on Friday in mid August to make sure we got a spot but noticed a lot of turnover on Friday and Saturday. Campground was full by 5-6pm each day we were there. All even number sites are first come, first serve, so it is quite a few sites. 49, 52, and 53 have the prettiest views for tent/ short rigs if you can grab one. The camp hosts were great, and the facility was decent for $14 a night. I was sad to not have a dump station, though. 1 bar of Verizon and T-Mobile; not enough to work but enough to load emails/ look something up. Wild horses roamed through the campsite!
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Verizon 4G
T-Mobile 4G
wherevertheyland would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Not Great For Big Rigs”
Reviewed 7/31/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 0 |
Overall Rating
We attempted to get a FF site in this campground but what was available wasn’t easy to fit into. There were also very tree lined roads making it impossible in some cases to avoid scraping some branches on one side or the other. Seemed well maintained and camp host was friendly.
camper-750112 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Perfect location to explore the Theodore Roosevelt National Park”
Reviewed 7/4/2023
| Nightly rate: | $7 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 51 |
Overall Rating
We camped at the Cottonwood Campground in mid-June, the weather was perfect. Our rate was $7.00 per night with our Lifetime Pass, otherwise the nightly rate is $14.00. Our campsite was very spacious and private with a picnic table and grill. Water was located nearby and the restrooms were modern and very clean. We received 1-bar of... more
We camped at the Cottonwood Campground in mid-June, the weather was perfect. Our rate was $7.00 per night with our Lifetime Pass, otherwise the nightly rate is $14.00. Our campsite was very spacious and private with a picnic table and grill. Water was located nearby and the restrooms were modern and very clean. We received 1-bar of coverage with Verizon. Overall we enjoyed our stay at this campground and the opportunity to explore the National Park.
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Verizon 5G
Richard n Mary would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great location, but cellular dead zone”
Reviewed 6/6/2023
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 44 |
Overall Rating
Park was a great location, not completely dead zone for T-Mobile and version. Att I get around 3m down and under 1m upload
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
T-Mobile 4G
GaJeeep would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Basic campground in a great national park. ”
Reviewed 9/1/2022
| Nightly rate: | $7 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 47 |
Overall Rating
The back-in sites in the cottonwood campground are pretty tight. They just accommodated our truck camper. Anything bigger than a small pull behind or camper van should try and get a pull through site. While the space for your camping rig is small there is extra space on the site that has a picnic table and fire ring. The park lived up ... more
The back-in sites in the cottonwood campground are pretty tight. They just accommodated our truck camper. Anything bigger than a small pull behind or camper van should try and get a pull through site. While the space for your camping rig is small there is extra space on the site that has a picnic table and fire ring. The park lived up to expectations with a large bison herd right next to the campground and wild horses that walked through the morning we were there. There are lots of hiking opportunities in the park and we observed antelope, deer and coyotes in addition to the bison and wild horses. The town of Madera where the park is located has many entertainment options.
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T-Mobile 4G
BruH would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Clean Restroom No Shower”
Reviewed 8/18/2022
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 28 |
| RV Length: | 21' (Class B) |
Overall Rating
Sites are gravel and various lengths. No large RVs. Sites are relatively shady and private. 1 restroom for campground. No showers. No hookups. Volunteer staff very friendly. Some sites have “buddy” sites with shared drives.
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AT&T 4G
T-Mobile 5G
Chris Angel would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great location to explore the park”
Reviewed 6/28/2022
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 74 |
Overall Rating
We arrived early afternoon on a Sunday. We were told upon entering the park that all of the even numbered campsites were available on a first come-first served basis. However, when we got to the campground, we discovered most of the even numbered sites had reserved cards on the posts. When we inquired with the campground host, he told ... more
We arrived early afternoon on a Sunday. We were told upon entering the park that all of the even numbered campsites were available on a first come-first served basis. However, when we got to the campground, we discovered most of the even numbered sites had reserved cards on the posts. When we inquired with the campground host, he told us that the National Park had reserved those sites for the summer. That left very few first come-first served sites available. Of the sites available, very few would accommodate a camper or bigger rig. We camp with an r-Pod, and struggled to find a back-in site (all of the bigger pull through sites were reserved by the park) that we could get into. We were pleased to find site 74. It had a lovely meadow & mountain view and was not terribly close to our neighbors. (It did seem as the campground filled up later each day, people did use those reserved sites as first come-first served, even though we were told that was not an option).
The campground does have a nice bathroom with running water & flush toilets. There are no hookups, but there was a water spigot nearby to access water. Our site was level, and it seemed most were.
We toured both units of the park during our stay, and visited Medora and the Maah Daah Hey trail nearby, so the campground was a good location for that purpose.
Cell service was ‘spotty’.
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AT&T 4G
KayakMom would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Peaceful and Spacious!”
Reviewed 6/4/2022
| Nightly rate: | $7 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 38 |
Overall Rating
We arrived late afternoon on a Thursday and got one of the last what I would consider suitable first come- first serve sites. Spacious and peaceful. FYI- the even numbered slots are all FCFS. Odd are reserved. If making a reservation- look at the map closely as some are far from ideal- being the “side of the road” style. As o... more
We arrived late afternoon on a Thursday and got one of the last what I would consider suitable first come- first serve sites. Spacious and peaceful.
FYI- the even numbered slots are all FCFS. Odd are reserved. If making a reservation- look at the map closely as some are far from ideal- being the “side of the road” style.
As of June 2022- the scenic loop is partially closed with paving operations on going but no date set for the loop to open completely.
Staying here for 3 nights- worked for our overall travel needs but there is not 3 days worth of stuff to do- if staying busy is your jam- allow for a 1/2 day max and you’ve seen the park. Services are bare bones- but camp hosts and fellow campers are all personable.
And yes- the bison roam about the campground so stay alert.
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Verizon 4G
ChangGang would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Page 1 of 4
397 reviews
noted 8/20/2020
This and all other official campgrounds in Teddy Roosevelt are still closed for COVID as of 8/18, FYI.
257 reviews
noted 9/9/2019
No dump station in the campground. One is available in town at Medora Campground ($5) and another at Buffalo Gap off Exit 18.
57 reviews
2 reviews
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Site Amenities
- big rig
- fire ring
- picnic table
- pull thru
Facilities
- group sites
- restrooms: flush
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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