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 and witness the varied resource uses available on the grasslands. Land resource use encompasses paleontological and archeological digs, oil and gas production, livestock grazing, and recreation.
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 not solid blocks of National Forest System lands; they are intermingled with other federal, state, and privately owned lands. This mixed ownership pattern contributes to the grassland's uniqueness.
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands are publicly owned lands administered by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. These large blocks of land in North and South Dakota are home to four Ranger District Offices.
The Grand River Ranger District Station manages the Grand River National Grassland and Cedar River National Grassland.
The Sheyenne Ranger District Station administrates the Sheyenne National Grassland.
The McKenzie Ranger District Station manages the Little Missouri National Grassland to the north and the Medora Ranger District Station to the south.
The Grasslands Supervisor's Office is located in Bismarck, North Dakota.