About the Area
Welcome to The Dakota Prairie Grasslands, where pristine vistas inspire the imagination; the rugged, unspoiled beauty of the land invites exploration, and the sights and sounds of the wide, rolling prairie stimulate the senses.
Stretching over 1.2 million acres, the Dakota Prairie Grasslands offer visitors opportunities to view wildlife such as elk, antelope, whitetail and mule deer, bighorn, coyote, sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie chicken, pheasant, wild turkey, eagles, falcons, and the industrious prairie dog.
Each Grassland District has a flavor all its own. From the savannas of the Grand River National Grassland and Cedar River National Grassland to the rugged badlands of the Little Missouri National Grassland and the rolling plains of the Sheyenne National Grassland, visitors can enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreation activities.
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands hold a treasure trove of natural science, revealing its secrets to scientists, hobbyists, and enthusiasts who come here to observe, study, and conduct research. This unique outdoor laboratory has studied plants and animals, rocks and minerals, precious water resources, and even the air.
Recreational opportunities include hiking and backpacking, camping, horseback and mountain bike riding, nature viewing, photography, canoeing, fishing, hunting, and more.
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands are publicly owned lands administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. These large blocks of National Forest System land in North and South Dakota are intermingled with other federal, state, and privately owned lands, contributing to the grassland's uniqueness. An illustrated area map (top left) and an expandable version below outline the territories in context to the region.
These public lands are overseen by the Grasslands Supervisor's Office in Bismarck, North Dakota, and managed by four Ranger District Offices as noted below.
- Cedar River & Grand River National Grasslands are managed by the Grand River Ranger District.
- Sheyenne National Grassland is managed by the Sheyenne Ranger District.
- Little Missouri National Grassland (LMNG) is managed by two Ranger Districts:
- LMNG to the north is managed by the McKenzie Ranger District.
- LMNG to the south is managed by the Medora Ranger District.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Click the image below to view a larger size view of the illustrated Dakota Prairie Grasslands area map.
