NEWS RELEASE: Sully Creek State Park Renamed Rough Rider State Park with Major Campground Expansion
Located in the heart of the North Dakota badlands, Rough Rider State Park is just minutes away from the historic town of Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This park offers a quiet escape from these popular tourist destinations.
This park is the perfect spot for visitors seeking adventure. In the early spring, canoeing and kayaking the Little Missouri River is a popular activity. Traversing the 274-mile long Little Missouri River offers a unique perspective of the badlands from North Dakota’s only State Scenic River. Horseback riding, hiking, and biking are also popular activities. The park gives visitors access to the 144-mile Maah Daah Hey Trail.
Campsite Types
11 Standard Campsites
(electricity & water*)
Price: $25-30 per night
6 Standard Horse Campsites
(electricity, water* and corral access at your campsite)
Price: $25-30 per night
10 Standard Group Horse Campsites
(electricity, water*, corral access and the ability to put multiple units on one site)
Price: $25-30 per night, per unit
12 Primitive Campsites
Price: $15 per night
2 Primitive Group Campsites
Price: $15 per night, per unit
*Water is available at several hydrants near the park entrance. Detailed information about each campsite is available on the reservation system.
Book Now
Campground Map
- Campsites can be booked 95 days in advance from the date you wish to stay.
- Reservations can be made online or by calling 800-807-4723.
- Check-in is at 4:00 pm Mountain Standard Time on the first day of the reservation and checkout is at 3:00 pm Mountain Standard Time on the last day of the reservation.
- Pets are welcome but must stay on a leash. Most parks have off-leash areas or dog parks for your four-legged friends.
- Find answers to other common questions about reservations here.
Rough Rider State Park is one of North Dakotas designated horse parks. This park is set up with 66 corrals and additional amenities to accommodate equestrian users.
What you need to know
-
In addition to a park entrance fee, equestrian riders need to purchase a horse pass. Daily and annual options are available and are required per horse. Permits are available for purchase in the park or online here. The money generated from these fees goes towards maintaining horse trails.
Daily fee: $6/horse
Annual fee: $30/horse
- Users are responsible for the upkeep of corrals and other impact areas. Please clean up hay and manure daily and before you leave, both in the park corrals and all use areas.
- Ride only on trails designated for horse use. Ask park staff for information about park areas that are closed to horseback riding such as, campgrounds, playgrounds, or picnic areas.
- Tie horses to corral posts or horse trailers, not to trees. The use of hobbles is prohibited.
- Leave all gates as you found them.
- All North Dakota State Park and Recreation Area maps are available free on Avenza maps, download the free App here.
- Hay is available for purchase at the park.
- Bringing horses into North Dakota: Information on health certificates and tests can be found on the North Dakota Department of Agriculture's website, https://www.nd.gov/ndda/, under Animal Import Permits.
- Canoe and kayak access
- Corrals
- Dump station
- Shower house
- Round pen
- Vault toilets
- Water hydrants
Trail Information
Bring your mountain bike, horse or hiking shoes to experience the Maah Daah Hey Trail, an epic 144-mile trail system containing eight unique segments, each with a distinct topography. Access the trail just northwest of the park entrance.
Heading north will take you to a crossing of the Little Missouri River and on terrain of varied elevations toward Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Heading south leads toward Bully Pulpit Golf Course and views of the badlands and Little Missouri National Grassland.
All North Dakota State Park and Recreation Area trail information is available on the OuterSpatial App.
Upcoming Events
View All Events
.png)
