Rough Rider State Park

This State Park is now named Rough Rider State Park. It is important to note that there is an electric side and a no power side. We stayed in the electric side, which is only electric, no water and no sewer. There is water available and dump within the park. Most, if not all, sites on the electric side are pull-through. It is a beautiful setting but pretty much wide open. Stars at night were spectacular. Restrooms and showers were okay. Plenty of hot water. Seems like a good place for horse people as there are corrals. The nonelectric side has more trees. You might want to check out the shows at the Medora outside theater. We saw one and it was a good show with music and dancing. We had nice but a little chilly seating. Might not be so fun if it's raining. We visited both the North and South parts of Roosevelt National Park. The North part of the park is about an hour drive from Medora. We also saw the Fort Union Trading post while we were up there. Beautiful grasslands between both sides of the park. Medora itself has a very nice little park with a lazy river with a charge to get in. Our grandson enjoyed that. Medora has lots of little shops and places to get ice cream. Would stay here again.

Came in during a rainstorm so we can say it can be muddy, but the entire campground seems level and safe to travel. The ceder loop is the non electric sites and it is tucked back in a bunch of trees along the creek. We reserved online but had to pay the additional $7 day use fee, but the rangers were able to charge it to our account. The showers are in the electric area with several vault potties on site. There seemed to be some great horse friendly options as as non-horse people, we couldn't speak to the details. It did make for a great overnight stop on our way down the road. Quiet and not too far off the interstate but far enough that we couldn't hear any traffic. Rangers were kind and the site was good for layover.

Very nice campground. Beautiful 360 degree views from virtually everywhere. We stayed at a non-electric site in the shade. Electric sites are in the full sun with no windbreak. The campground was very dusty. (I don't know of that is a normal condition or because of the drought, but...). The showers are free, SUPER clean ,and hot. The rangers there are very nice people. There isn't much to do there unless you have a horse or like to hike. We used it as jumping-off point to visit TR National Park and it was perfect for that. Medora itself is a nice little town but everything closes at 6 pm except for the bars.

Three distinct campgrounds in one. None have electricity nor water at campsites. Horse area is big with each spot having pens, pitchfork and wheelbarrow. Shaded camp is just that. Open area for large rigs or those who wish to enjoy the night sky. There is water, pit toilets, dump station and hot showers. Location gets three stars for being close to Madora and Theodore Roosevelt NP. Showers get three stars for distance from campers and four quarters for eight minutes. ZERO stars for reservation system. I went online and there were only two spots to reserve but when I arrived the place was 75% empty. Lots of spots that were reserved but no one ever showed up. I called North Dakota Parks HQ and got zero satisfaction. Further; night drop envelopes have nothing for writing in your arrival for “first come first serve” only day use for vehicles and horse camp. We actually had friends who came and went to the nearby commercial campground because they thought the place was booked solid and no sign of the campground host.

This is in a beautiful, quiet setting with access to a classic mountain bike trail (kiosk map misleading, check with ranger for direction of travel). Sites in grassy open field are huge and the ones in the wooded area are tighter. Large section of the campground is for equestrian camping. An abundance of flies was the only negative aspect of our 2 night stay here.

Good level site for low price. Main loop can handle rigs of any size I think.