RV Parks In Bowman, North Dakota
46.1831° N, 103.3949° W
Quick Overview
Bowman is a small ranching community in the far southwestern corner of North Dakota, and while it may not be the first name that comes to mind for RV camping, it's a surprisingly useful stop for travelers crossing the northern Great Plains. With several RV parks and campgrounds in the area and some free options, Bowman gives you more choices than you might expect for a town of its size. Sitting at the junction of US-85 and US-12, Bowman catches north-south traffic heading between the Black Hills of South Dakota and the oil country around Williston, as well as east-west travelers on the more scenic alternative to I-94. The campgrounds here are practical, no-frills operations that focus on giving you a clean site, reliable hookups, and a quiet night's sleep -- which is exactly what most RVers passing through this part of the state are looking for. The town itself has a surprising amount to offer, including the Pioneer Trails Regional Museum with its collection of dinosaur fossils found in the surrounding badlands formations, and the Bowman-Haley Dam recreation area about 20 miles south of town where you can fish, boat, and camp along the lake. Full-hookup sites with 30 and 50 amp electrical service are available at the private parks in town, and most offer pull-through sites that make it easy to get in and out without disconnecting your tow vehicle. The surrounding landscape is classic western North Dakota -- rolling grasslands, buttes, and badlands formations that glow orange and red at sunset. Bowman is the kind of place where the campground owner comes out to greet you when you pull in and knows every back road and fishing hole within 50 miles. If you're looking for a genuine small-town western North Dakota camping experience without the tourist crowds, Bowman delivers.
Top Rated Dump Stations in Bowman
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All Dump Stations Near Bowman
| Station Name | Distance | Rating | Category | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions Campground | 0.6 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Bowman Parks And Recreation Butte View Campground | 1.1 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Twin Butte Campground | 1.1 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| The Ridge RV Park | 1.2 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Cabins Of Amidon Campground & Lodging | 21.0 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Burning Coal Vein Campground | 28.8 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Mirror Lake Park | 38.5 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Three Toes Campground | 41.8 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Centennial Park | 42.2 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Initial Rock | 43.1 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
Lions Campground
0.6 miBowman Parks And Recreation Butte View Campground
1.1 miTwin Butte Campground
1.1 miThe Ridge RV Park
1.2 miCabins Of Amidon Campground & Lodging
21.0 miBurning Coal Vein Campground
28.8 miMirror Lake Park
38.5 miThree Toes Campground
41.8 miCentennial Park
42.2 miInitial Rock
43.1 miTraveling to Bowman by RV
US-85 runs north-south through Bowman, connecting you to Williston and the oil fields about 200 miles north and the Black Hills of South Dakota about 100 miles south. US-12 runs east-west through town and provides a scenic alternative to I-94 if you're crossing the state and don't mind a slower pace through the grasslands. The nearest interstate access is I-94 at Dickinson, about 85 miles northeast on Highway 22, or at Beach, about 75 miles northwest on US-12. Roads around Bowman are well-maintained two-lane highways that handle RVs without any problems, though you'll want to watch for cattle crossing signs and the occasional slow-moving agricultural equipment. Fuel is available in Bowman at stations along US-85, and you should definitely top off your tank here since the next reliable fuel stops can be 50 to 80 miles away in any direction. The nearest Walmart and major shopping are in Dickinson, so stock up before heading into this part of the state. RV repairs are limited locally, but Dickinson has full-service shops that can handle most issues.
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Dump Station Costs in Bowman
Camping in Bowman is affordable even by North Dakota standards, which are already quite reasonable compared to much of the country. Of the campgrounds in the area, a portion% are free while a portion% charge a nightly fee for their sites. Full-hookup sites at private parks in town generally run between $25 and $40 per night, and some offer weekly rates that bring the per-night cost down into the $18 to $28 range for longer stays. The Bowman-Haley Dam recreation area south of town has primitive camping at very low cost or free for self-contained units. If you're on a tight budget, the free and low-cost options in the area let you camp comfortably without spending much at all. Compared to campgrounds near national parks or along the busy I-94 corridor, Bowman's rates are a bargain -- you're paying small-town prices for solid facilities and friendly service.
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Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.
What RVers Are Saying About Bowman
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Best Time to Visit Bowman by RV
Winter
Nov - Feb
0-30°F
Crowds: Low
Most campgrounds close for the season as temperatures plunge and snow covers the grasslands -- only winterized rigs with experienced cold-weather campers should attempt it
Spring
Mar - May
30-65°F
Crowds: Low
Campgrounds begin reopening in May as the ground dries out and temperatures warm up -- wildflowers start blooming across the grasslands in late spring
Summer
Jun - Aug
60-95°F
Crowds: High
Peak camping season with the warmest weather and longest days -- surprisingly hot in July and August so make sure your RV air conditioning is working
Fall
Sep - Oct
30-65°F
Crowds: Medium
Cooler temperatures and golden grasslands make for pleasant camping -- hunting season brings some extra traffic to the area starting in October
Explore the Bowman Area
The Bowman-Haley Dam recreation area about 20 miles south of town on Highway 85 is a great side trip with fishing, boating, and primitive camping right along the reservoir. If you're interested in dinosaur fossils, stop by the Pioneer Trails Regional Museum in Bowman -- they have an impressive collection of specimens found in the local badlands formations and the staff can point you toward some of the public fossil hunting areas in the region. Top off your water tanks and fuel in Bowman before heading south or west since services get very sparse in the surrounding ranch country. The best time to arrive at campgrounds in Bowman is mid-afternoon -- the campground hosts are usually around and can help you find the best available site for your rig size. If you're traveling US-85 between the Black Hills and the Bakken oil patch, Bowman makes a natural halfway stop where you can stretch your legs and break up what's otherwise a long haul through remote country. Check the local cafe on Main Street for a solid burger and pie -- the kind of small-town diner experience that's getting harder to find these days.
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Read more →Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Bowman
How many RV parks are in Bowman, North Dakota?
Bowman has {{stationCount}} RV parks and campgrounds in the area, including {{freeCount}} free options. For a small town in the far southwestern corner of the state, that's a solid selection of camping choices that range from full-hookup private parks to basic public camping areas.
Are there free camping options near Bowman?
There are {{freeCount}} free camping options in the Bowman area. The Bowman-Haley Dam recreation area south of town also offers primitive camping at minimal or no cost for self-contained RVs. Free spots generally don't have hookups, so plan on using your onboard water, batteries, and generator.
What is there to do near Bowman for RV campers?
The Bowman-Haley Dam recreation area offers fishing, boating, and lakeside camping about 20 miles south of town. The Pioneer Trails Regional Museum in town has an excellent dinosaur fossil collection. The surrounding badlands and grasslands are great for scenic drives, hiking, and wildlife watching, with pronghorn antelope and mule deer commonly spotted along the back roads.
How far is Bowman from major supply towns?
Dickinson is the nearest larger city with Walmart and full RV services, about 85 miles northeast of Bowman. The Black Hills area of South Dakota is roughly 100 miles south on US-85. Fuel and basic supplies are available in Bowman itself, but for major shopping runs you'll want to plan a trip to Dickinson.
What do RV parks in Bowman cost per night?
Full-hookup sites at private RV parks in Bowman typically cost between $25 and $40 per night. Weekly rates at some parks can bring the per-night cost down to around $18 to $28 for longer stays. These are some of the most affordable campground rates you'll find in the state.
How many RV parks are in Bowman, North Dakota?
Bowman has {{stationCount}} RV parks and campgrounds in the area, including {{freeCount}} free options. For a small town in the far southwestern corner of the state, that's a solid selection of camping choices that range from full-hookup private parks to basic public camping areas.
Are there free camping options near Bowman?
There are {{freeCount}} free camping options in the Bowman area. The Bowman-Haley Dam recreation area south of town also offers primitive camping at minimal or no cost for self-contained RVs. Free spots generally don't have hookups, so plan on using your onboard water, batteries, and generator.
What is there to do near Bowman for RV campers?
The Bowman-Haley Dam recreation area offers fishing, boating, and lakeside camping about 20 miles south of town. The Pioneer Trails Regional Museum in town has an excellent dinosaur fossil collection. The surrounding badlands and grasslands are great for scenic drives, hiking, and wildlife watching, with pronghorn antelope and mule deer commonly spotted along the back roads.
How far is Bowman from major supply towns?
Dickinson is the nearest larger city with Walmart and full RV services, about 85 miles northeast of Bowman. The Black Hills area of South Dakota is roughly 100 miles south on US-85. Fuel and basic supplies are available in Bowman itself, but for major shopping runs you'll want to plan a trip to Dickinson.
What do RV parks in Bowman cost per night?
Full-hookup sites at private RV parks in Bowman typically cost between $25 and $40 per night. Weekly rates at some parks can bring the per-night cost down to around $18 to $28 for longer stays. These are some of the most affordable campground rates you'll find in the state.
Are there free dump stations in Bowman?
Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Bowman.
All Dump Stations Near Bowman (14)
RV ParkLions Campground
RV ParkTwin Butte Campground
RV ParkBowman Parks And Recreation Butte View Campground
RV ParkThe Ridge RV Park
RV ParkCabins Of Amidon Campground & Lodging
RV ParkBurning Coal Vein Campground
RV ParkThree Toes Campground
RV ParkCentennial Park
RV ParkInitial Rock
RV Park