A white Tacoma with a camper shell parked on a rise above a broad, empty basin under building cloud.

National Park Service campground

Juniper Campground

National Park Service campground in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, McKenzie County, North Dakota. In the Watford City area.

Managed by
National Park Service Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Sites
46 37 standard non-electric, 9 walk to
Longest rig
57 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

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

Recreation

Hikers can access the estimated 30 miles (48 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.

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. 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.

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 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.

The description, directions and fees are the National Park Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • amphitheater
  • auto touring
  • biking
  • birding
  • camping
  • day use area
  • hiking
  • historic & cultural site
  • wildlife viewing

The federal record has no coordinates for this campground, so it is listed under Watford City and left off the map rather than placed by guesswork. Use the directions above.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated May 2, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.