Cottonwood Campground
NPS- Sites
- 76 per the page
- Loops
- Two
- Lengths
- 18–125 ft by site
- Booking
- Recreation.gov
Best for: Published lengths for every site.
Watch out: Walk-to sites 55–66 take no trailers.
The short version
Theodore Roosevelt National Park has two campgrounds, Cottonwood and Juniper, and a horse camp. The park says all campgrounds are primitive: no hookups and no showers. Beginning May 1, 2026, all sites are by reservation at recreation.gov, bookable up to six months ahead.
Cottonwood’s page lists maximum site lengths from 18 feet (site 4) to 125 feet (group site 25), including 93 feet at site 35 and 85 feet at site 38. Juniper’s page says many sites are over 50 feet, back-in sites fit vehicles up to about 20 feet, and walk-to sites take no RVs or trailers.
Best for
- A quiet, primitive badlands camp
- Rigs that can match a site’s published length
- Planners who book ahead
Think twice if
- You need hookups or showers. There are none
- You show up without a reservation. All sites require one since May 1, 2026
- You have a trailer and picked a walk-to site. Those are passenger vehicles only
Rig fit
- Cottonwood: lengths from 18 ft to 125 ft by site; walk-to sites 55–66 take one passenger vehicle
- Juniper: many pull-throughs over 50 ft; back-ins about 20 ft
- Dump station and water not listed on the pages we read
Trip at a glance
| Fees | $20 per night May 15–Sept. 30; $10 off-season (2024 notice) |
|---|---|
| Cottonwood | 76 sites per the page (table lists 73); two loops |
| Reservations | recreation.gov, 877-444-6777; up to 6 months ahead |
| Group sites | Reservations open March 1 at 8 a.m. MST; $60 |
| Backcountry | Free permit from a visitor center; no developed sites |
Rig check
Match your length to the site number.
- Cottonwood lengths
- 18 ft at site 4 up to 125 ft at group site 25; examples: 93 ft at site 35, 85 ft at site 38.
- Walk-to sites (55–66)
- One passenger vehicle per site; no trailers or oversized vehicles.
- Juniper
- Many pull-through sites over 50 ft; back-in sites about 20 ft; walk-to sites take no RVs or trailers.
- Facilities
- Primitive: no hookups, no showers.
When to go
Fee seasons from the 2024 release.
| Time of year | What to expect |
|---|---|
| May 15–September 30 | Standard $20 fee; reserve on Recreation.gov. |
| October 1–May 15 | Half-price sites at $10. |
| March 1 | Group site reservations open at 8 a.m. MST. |
Where to stay with an RV
Details from the National Park Service.
Juniper Campground
NPS- Pull-through
- Many over 50 ft
- Back-in
- About 20 ft
- Walk-to
- No RVs or trailers
Best for: Large pull-throughs for big rigs.
Watch out: Page last updated 2022.
Roundup Group Horse Camp
NPS- Fee
- $70 (2024 notice)
- Season
- May 15–Oct. 31
Best for: Camping with horses.
Watch out: Closed November 1–May 14.
Squaw Creek Campground in the North Unit is not described on the pages we read.
Itineraries that work with a rig
Plans assume one campground base.
2 days: Badlands overnight
A first visit.
- Day 1. Arrive and set up with your reservation.
- Day 2. Drive and walk in the park.
3 days: Slow badlands
Photographers.
- Day 1. Set up.
- Day 2. Morning and evening drives.
- Day 3. Depart.
5 days: Both campgrounds
More time.
- Days 1–3. Follow the three-day plan at Cottonwood.
- Day 4. Move to Juniper.
- Day 5. Buffer day.
What not to miss
Cottonwood Campground
Two loops and published lengths for every site.
Juniper Campground
Large pull-throughs and a quieter feel.
Backcountry
Free permit from a visitor center; no developed sites.
Getting around with a big rig
Reserve ahead. All sites require a reservation.
Match your length. Check the site number before you book.
Plan water and dumping. Not listed on the pages we read.
Fuel, groceries, water and repairs
Fuel, groceries and repairs were not covered by the pages we read.
Budget snapshot
From a 2024 NPS release; confirm current fees.
| Item | What we found | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Campsite | $20 per night | May 15–Sept. 30; half price off-season. |
| Group site | $60 | |
| Horse camp | $70 | South Unit equestrian site. |
Fees are the amounts listed by the managing agency when this guide was checked. Use the budget worksheet to add fuel, groceries and contingency.
Common questions
Do I need a reservation?
Yes. Since May 1, 2026, all sites are by reservation at recreation.gov.
Does the park have hookups?
No. All campgrounds are primitive.
How long can my RV be?
It depends on the site. Cottonwood lists lengths from 18 to 125 feet; walk-to sites take no trailers.
Sources and what to recheck
Rules were checked October 20, 2026. Fees, closures and availability will change, so use the official pages below as the source of truth.
- Camping at Theodore Roosevelt NP — Primitive status, reservations
- Cottonwood Campground — Sites and lengths
- Juniper Campground — Pull-through and back-in lengths
- Fee change notice — 2024 fees