17
Theodore Roosevelt National Park › North Dakota
› Billings County
› Cottonwood Campground
› Campsite #17
Campsite #17 at Cottonwood Campground, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND
$14
Campsite #17
| 6 people | |
| 55 ft | Pull-Through |
| 2 | fair |
5/31
9/23
Campsite #17 Features: Pull-Through parking, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (6)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 67% |
| 4 star | | 0% |
| 3 star | | 33% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@JeffreyFF32BC1 · Camped on May 11, 2025 at Campsite #17
Cottonwood Campground doesn't offer any hookups for RV camping, but it provides an opportunity to experience the beauty and wildlife of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.We had a pack of bison feed their way right through our campsite with a repeat visit the next day.My only complaint is the lack of a dump station within the campground.
@WilliamF458474 · Camped on Sep 17, 2023 at Campsite #17
The campground is nice with campsites fairly well spread out and most shade by cottonwoods.
@RobertC4745893 · Camped on Aug 19, 2023 at Campsite #17
Great site and campground with access to the Maah Daah Hay trail if youre up for fording the river.
@MelindaK3B267B · Camped on Jul 24, 2023 at Campsite #17
So great to stay within the Park! Campsite was larger than we needed for our tent, but it was what was available at the time we made our reservations. Had to walk through campsites on the interior of the loop to get to the restrooms, but people were courteous. Restrooms were clean and camp host was polite and helpful.
@jeffr2985886 · Camped on Jun 20, 2023 at Campsite #17
As the lone campground in the South Unit of a major National Park I had very high expectations. Some were met, some not. First the positives:. Location is fantastic! Right on the scenic loop. In fact, I noticed buffalo droppings throughout the campsite- very cool! There was a trail to the prairie leading from my campsite that was scenic. The hosts were super-friendly and answered all my questions!
Now the bad:. The layout for the restrooms was probably the worst I have ever seen in ANY park! The campground is set-up in a one-way loop. There's sites on both the inside and outside of the loop. All the bathrooms are in the very middle. If you need to use the facilities and are located on the outside of the loop(like I was) you must find an empty site to walk thru to access the path from that site to the 'main' path in the middle connecting the 3 bathrooms. I walked the whole path and couldn't find an entrance/exit to the main path that didn't involve walking thru somebody's campsite! If you're in the inner loop you are golden as there's small paths going from every inner site to the main path.
One bathroom(of the 3) was under construction. Not open. The middle one was very clean and had flush toilets and running water. The last bathroom was the handicapped accessible restroom and it was just a pit toilet with sanitizer for washing hands. 3 stars.
Now the bad:. The layout for the restrooms was probably the worst I have ever seen in ANY park! The campground is set-up in a one-way loop. There's sites on both the inside and outside of the loop. All the bathrooms are in the very middle. If you need to use the facilities and are located on the outside of the loop(like I was) you must find an empty site to walk thru to access the path from that site to the 'main' path in the middle connecting the 3 bathrooms. I walked the whole path and couldn't find an entrance/exit to the main path that didn't involve walking thru somebody's campsite! If you're in the inner loop you are golden as there's small paths going from every inner site to the main path.
One bathroom(of the 3) was under construction. Not open. The middle one was very clean and had flush toilets and running water. The last bathroom was the handicapped accessible restroom and it was just a pit toilet with sanitizer for washing hands. 3 stars.
@MarkS508 · Camped on Sep 28, 2021 at Campsite #17
We had a wonderful time at Theodore Roosevelt NP and enjoyed our nights dry camping at Cottonwood Campground. Spacing of the campsites and the amount of privacy between sites varies widely throughout the campground, but generally I would say you are better off if you select a campsite that would be on the outside of the loop. I thought it odd that the layout of this campground has the modern restrooms deep in the interior section of the loops meaning you cannot access them without walking through campsites along the inside of the loop ... another good reason to pick a campsite along the outside of the loop. There are established trails that lead from the roadway to the restrooms, but those trails go right through other campsites and some within an arms reach of other camper's picnic tables, cars, tents, etc. As someone who still abides by the ancient campground etiquette rules passed down across the ages and instilled in me by my parents when I was just a child; I felt very awkward and rude walking these trails through occupied campsites to get to the bathrooms. Outside of the bathroom trail conundrum here at Cottonwood, we loved everything else. Beautiful night skies, ample wildlife, a small babbling stream nearby, and thousands of acres of spectacular national park lands. The scenic loop offers amazing, but was partially closed for construction while we visited. Having lived in North Dakota earlier in our lives, we knew there is a weather sweet spot for enjoying the state, and late Sep and early October delivered perfect weather for us. Much before that and it can be sweltering hot, and much after that it can be brutally cold. I also have to thank the staff at Roosevelt NP for adding Cottonwood Campground to RECREATION.gov. The website is easy to use, safe, secure and allows us to plan camping trips to beautiful locations over 1,000 miles from home with the peace of mind that we will have a place to stay. Thank you Roosevelt NP and RECREATION.gov!
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