As a survival prepper living in the harsh, windswept landscape of North Dakota, it’s vital to have the knowledge and resources to thrive when things go south. Whether you’re building your bug-out bags, fortifying your homestead, or just testing your gear, finding the best campsites is a critical part of your prep. North Dakota is home to sprawling wilderness, dense forests, and remote spots where you can practice your survival skills, all while being close enough to civilization should you need to resupply.

In the spirit of preparation, I’ve compiled a list of 30 of the best camping sites across North Dakota for survival preppers. These campsites are not only perfect for testing your gear, they’re also the ideal environment to practice the skills necessary for surviving long-term in harsh conditions.

1. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (South Unit)

Located near Medora, this park offers a mix of rocky hills and grasslands. Its diverse ecosystem will give you plenty of opportunities to test your knowledge of foraging, wildlife tracking, and shelter building. The South Unit is particularly rugged, providing an authentic challenge for any prepper.

2. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Unit)

The North Unit is known for its remote location and steep canyons. Perfect for testing your long-term survival skills in an isolated environment. The campgrounds here are primitive, so you’ll need to be fully prepared for self-sufficiency.

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3. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

This state park is a good mix of history and natural beauty. While the campgrounds are more developed, there are secluded areas perfect for survivalist training. Set up your camp near the river for water access and use the surrounding forest to practice building primitive shelters.

4. Turtle Mountain State Forest

Turtle Mountain offers dense forests and rolling hills, ideal for practicing wilderness survival. The park is rich in wildlife, which gives you the opportunity to practice hunting, fishing, and trapping techniques. It’s a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path spot to test your skills.

5. Lake Sakakawea State Park

With its beautiful lakeside setting, Lake Sakakawea State Park is an ideal place for preppers to test their fishing, water purification, and boat handling skills. The remote campgrounds are perfect for getting some off-grid experience.

6. Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

This historic site offers an excellent chance to practice survivalist tactics in a remote, historically significant setting. Set up camp near the trading post ruins, where you can work on your fire-starting and shelter-building skills.

7. Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge

Des Lacs is a remote wildlife refuge perfect for quiet camping and survival practice. It’s a good spot for those who want to work on their camouflage and predator evasion tactics, thanks to its thick forests and vast open spaces.

8. Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area

This park features steep ravines, wildlife-filled forests, and rugged terrain, offering preppers ample opportunities to practice stealth camping and building shelters that blend into the environment.

9. Devils Lake State Park

Famous for its fishing opportunities, Devils Lake offers a great environment for water-based survival skills. It also features diverse terrain, including marshes and forests, making it ideal for practicing a variety of skills.

10. Custer State Park (North Dakota)

This state park has great, well-maintained campgrounds, but its remoteness also allows you to practice some wilderness survival tactics. Take advantage of its abundant wildlife to practice hunting and foraging.

11. Sheyenne National Grassland

Located in the eastern part of North Dakota, this national grassland is a great spot for those wanting to test their skills in more open terrain. With few trees and vast open skies, it’s perfect for honing your navigation and survival tactics in the wilderness.

12. Sakakawea Recreation Area

Another great spot near Lake Sakakawea, this area offers plenty of remote campgrounds for preppers looking to practice water purification, fishing, and campfire building.

13. Missouri River Bottoms

This area is perfect for practicing river survival techniques, such as fishing, trapping, and understanding river navigation. The vast floodplain offers some tough terrain to work with, helping you build your endurance.

14. Cedar River Campground

For more secluded camping, Cedar River Campground provides a great spot to hone your skills in water purification and shelter-building in a forested environment.

15. Bismarck-Mandan Area (Multiple Locations)

Although more urbanized, the Bismarck-Mandan area has several camping spots that offer easy access to wilderness trails and rivers. Use this as a base for urban survival training with easy access to resupply routes.

16. Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

With both history and wilderness, this site offers an opportunity for preppers to practice stealth camping and historical survival techniques used by native tribes in the area.

17. Bear Den State Park

Known for its rugged terrain and remote campsites, Bear Den State Park is a great spot for testing your shelter-building and water purification skills.

18. Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge

A remote location with unique terrain, it’s perfect for practicing your hunting, fishing, and trapping skills in isolation.

19. Red River Valley

This location offers dense wetlands and forests, perfect for honing survivalist skills in a boggy environment. It’s a great place to practice your navigation skills in less forgiving conditions.

20. Grasslands National Park

For preppers who want to test their endurance in harsher climates, Grasslands National Park offers both beautiful and challenging terrain to help sharpen your survival skills.

21. Garrison Dam State Park

Known for its scenic beauty and outdoor activities, Garrison Dam provides an excellent area for water survival tactics, including fishing and water purification.

22. Pembina Gorge

A rugged and remote area perfect for practicing your bushcraft skills, including building shelters and fire-starting, while staying off the radar.

23. J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge

If you’re looking for a truly isolated spot for your survival prep, this wildlife refuge offers quiet campsites surrounded by nature.

24. Turtle Mountains

Known for dense forests, Turtle Mountains provides a great challenge for survivalists looking to build primitive shelters and practice tracking.

25. Eagle Point Campground

Located on the edge of Lake Sakakawea, Eagle Point provides a mix of camping experiences, from remote spots to well-maintained campsites. A great place to test your water purification and fire-starting skills.

26. Alkaline Flats

This remote location provides endless opportunities to work on your navigation and wilderness survival tactics in a desolate and tough environment.

27. Enchanted Highway Camping

Famous for its roadside attractions, the Enchanted Highway also offers wilderness camping. It’s a place where preppers can practice long-distance hiking and endurance, making it an ideal survival training ground.

28. Golden Valley

Nestled between hills and rivers, Golden Valley provides a perfect mixture of open spaces and forested areas, giving survivalists a variety of terrains to practice.

29. Lake Metigoshe State Park

Situated along the Canadian border, Lake Metigoshe offers both lakeside and forested campgrounds perfect for practicing wilderness survival skills.

30. Badlands Area

This rugged and harsh environment makes it ideal for preppers looking for a challenge. With steep cliffs, deep ravines, and dry terrain, the Badlands offer one of the most demanding survivalist camping environments in the state.

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These 30 campsites provide the perfect opportunity for survival preppers to hone their skills in various terrains and environments across North Dakota. From dense forests to expansive grasslands, each site offers its own unique challenges. Whether you’re practicing shelter-building, foraging, or fishing, North Dakota offers everything a survivalist needs to prepare for the worst while enjoying the beauty of the state’s wild landscapes.