A Great Plains glory

Tallgrass to the Forest—Exploring the Little Missouri National Grassland

Lisa Batone

Office of Communication

August 13, 2025

In the very heart of North America, the rolling hills of North Dakota’s Little Missouri National Grassland stretch into the horizon, humbling in grandeur. Though named after the Little Missouri River that winds through its grounds, do not be misled, there is nothing little about these prairies. The Little Missouri National Grassland boasts over a million acres, making it not only the largest of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands found in western North Dakota, but across the entire country. It stands as a hallmark of the American frontier, teeming with history, wildlife and adventure.

Image shows the setting sun filtering in through clouds over rocky badlands, interspersed with prairie grasses. — Little Missouri National Grassland landscapes include badlands, Little Missouri River, trees, and prairie in view. *(USDA Forest Service image by Cory Enger)*

A storied history of resilience and change

Centuries ago, the sweeping landscape was first traversed by Native Americans, hunting and gathering in bands as they ranged up and down the Great Plains. Tribes such as the Mandan, Hidatsa, Crow, Blackfeet, Gros Ventre, Chippewa, Cree, Sioux, and Rocky Boy spent time amongst the prairies and badlands of western North Dakota. Its earth holds the somber memory of being a battleground for wars as tribes came into conflict over resources and access, and then as the United States expanded westward. Today, these tribes still hold spiritual and cultural connections to the grasslands.

Image shows rocky hills rising out of prairie grasslands. — The North Dakota badlands, here rising dramatically from the Little Missouri grasslands, were and are an important part of tribal customs for the Native American tribes that call these lands home. *(USDA Forest Service image by Treva Slaughter)*

The first Americans to behold the unbound seas of waving grass were the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805. Others would soon follow. Beginning in the late 1800s, gold rushes in the Black Hills to the south caused many to come looking in the badlands of North Dakota, too. Though lacking the mineral wealth of its southern neighbor, settlers soon arrived in North Dakota looking to ranch and farm. Like other American grasslands, the Little Missouri witnessed the harsh lessons faced by 1800s homesteaders, consequences contributing to the 1930s Dust Bowl devastation.

Image shows a small wooden cabin surrounded by trees. — Historic Denbigh Cabin, located on the Dakota Grasslands, was part of the Denbigh Experimental Forest, established during the Great Depression to study what types of trees would grow best in the Dakota prairies. *(USDA Forest Service photo by Cory Enger)*

After the Dust Bowl, the Forest Service and other federal agencies managed the grasslands to prevent further soil erosion and improve their ecological conditions. They focused on controlling land use, establishing experimental forests like Denbigh, and implementing soil conservation practices. New techniques, such as crop rotation, contour plowing, and windbreaks, were implemented to help stabilize the soil. The government also provided financial assistance to farmers, offering payments per acre to adopt new conservation techniques.

Image shows oil and gas derricks surrounded by prairie grasslands. — Oil production on national forest lands, such as here on the Little Missouri, is jointly managed by the USDA Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the State of North Dakota. *(USDA Forest Service image)*

Through it all, the Little Missouri National Grassland continues to prove nature’s resiliency. As the grasslands thrived in the new millennium, a new gold rush began in the North Dakota badlands, this time for black gold. The Bakken oil fields that lay under parts of the Little Missouri National Grassland fueled a production boom in the 2010s that made North Dakota the 4th largest oil-producing state in the country.

Image shows fall colors on the Little Missouri National Grassland. — The prairie, somewhat unfairly, is not known for its seasonal changes. But just as the forests of either coast, the prairie has its own wardrobe for each season. Stunning snow white in the winters, a veritable rainbow of flowers each spring, verdant greens and golden hues during the summer, and, as above, fiery auburns each autumn. *(USDA Forest Service by Kim Grotte)*

Best of the badlands

Enduringly idyllic, the Little Missouri National Grassland is an ever-rolling scene of nature’s beauty. Awe-inspiring formation peaks and buttes proudly wear colorful sedimentary stripes of ancient seas and coastlines. Fossils of the strange and otherworldly denizens of the Western Interior Seaway can still be seen. Much of the unique rock formations are part of what is known as the Dakota Badlands, which, despite their name, are spectacular in nature. Hiking trails help reveal petrified trees, cannonball concretions, and other geologic wonders.

Image shows a small river winding its way through prairie and rock. — A river runs through it...the Little Missouri River runs through the grassland, that is. Perfect for aquatic recreation like boating and fishing, the Little Missouri winds its way through the prairie and badlands before joining the Missouri River north of the grasslands. *(USDA Forest Service photo by Treva Slaughter)*

Here, the wind whispers across the Little Missouri River, swirling cottonwood-lined riverbanks, and coaxing the short and tall prairie grasses. The centerpiece of the grasslands, the river provides both boating and fishing opportunities. Canoe the same waters that Lewis and Clark did centuries earlier, while diverse wildlife, including deer, elk, prairie dogs, and bighorn sheep—the only ones you’ll find in the state—blend into a harmonious buzz of wilderness, beckoning you into exploration and reflection.

Image shows a woman mountain biking along a prairie trail. — Mountain biking through the winding trails is a great way to see the grasslands of the Little Missouri. *(USDA Forest Service photo)*

By way of horseback, mountain bike, or your favorite pair of hiking shoes, however you choose to venture the Little Missouri National Grassland, excitement awaits. Embrace the panoramic views from White Butte, North Dakota’s highest point. Explore the Ice Caves Trail for a uniquely “cool” experience accessible into early summer. Journey through the Maah Daah Hey Trail, a 2022 “Best Hidden Gem,” totaling over 140 miles of picturesque immersion. The Little Missouri National Grassland offers a rich connection to the natural world.

Image shows two men riding horses through the prairie. — Horseback riding is a popular form of recreation on the Little Missouri National Grasslands. *(USDA Forest Service photo by Treva Slaughter)*

Soul of the prairie

A pinnacle of the Great American Outdoors, The Little Missouri National Grassland challenges Pulitzer Prize-winning author Willa Cather’s quote, “Anyone can love the mountains, but it takes soul to love the prairie.” On the scenic and inspiring Little Missouri National Grassland, soulful love comes easy.

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