DW and I are wondering if anyone out there might have some in-depth know ledge of Theodore Roosevelt NP (TRNP)and give us some info on the Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit.
We are planning a 3 week trip from Western NY to Glacier/Yellowstone in August. Part of our trip takes us through TRNP where we are hoping to stay 2 nights while doing some local activities. We understand the campground is first come, first serve. Here's our dilemma...we will be arriving later in the day on a Tuesday from a 9 hour leg of our trip (coming from Apple Valley, MN). We are worried about not getting a site in the campground and having no where to stay. We are fully prepared to primitive camp anywhere we can get a spot to park. So, our question is, does the park have an overflow or allow any parking of RV's if the campground if full?
We'll be camping in a travel trailer with our 3 DS's Thanks in advance to any advice.
PS...we know there is a private campground in nearby Medora that accepts reservations, but it hasn't gotten good reviews recently due to the transient population of oil workers in the area...not bashing those men and women...just stating what we've heard/read. Besides, we'd love to add TRNP to our list of places we've camped.
Me, DW & Sons 13, 11, & 7
2004 Yukon Denali XL
2011 Jayco Jay Feather Select 29L (April 2011)
Have you tried calling 701-623-4730, ext 3417?
Since they are there everyday they can answer your questions. Seems like they would be a lot more knowledgeable and up-to-day than anyone who might have stayed there X number of months/years ago and only saw the place for a few days.
Last year (July 5) we pulled into the area very late - after 9 PM on a Tuesday night. Rather than disrupt the campground, we parked at the rest area in Beach (there were three trucks and two cars also parked over night). The next morning we pulled into the campground at 9AM and easily got a site - the campground was half empty. The sites to the right are pull throughs and a little larger than the sites on the left loop. There is also a rest area coming from the east right before the park called Painted Canyon. North Dakota allows parking in rest areas unless otherwise posted.
2008 Ford F250 diesel
2013 Keystone Sprinter 277RLS
We visited both north and south areas of the park in September about 5 years ago. It was just about empty. Unfortunately we stayed in the rv park in Medora. I haven't read the reviews but I would not give it a good one. Unless it has changed for the better, I recommend you not stay there. Call the NP or take a chance on getting in either of the campgrounds within the park.
dahkota - Thanks so much! That is exactly the kind of information we were looking for. We plan on trying the NP campground first...will probably arrive mid-evening, but wanted to know if we had options if we found the NP campground full.
GailS - Thanks for confirming that the park is probably the better option vs. private campgrounds in Medora.
wadcutter - Thanks for the #, if we want the "official" line, we'll give them a call.
If anyone else has been there/done that and is willing to fill us in, we'd appreciate it!
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