Bennett Campground
Bennett Campground offers a peaceful, first-come, first-served camping experience within the Little Missouri National Grassland. The campground features 13 campsites suitable for tents or RVs, each with a picnic table, a fire ring with a grill, and access to a vault toilet.
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Active Alerts
Reservations
No reservations. All sites are on a first-come, first-served basis.
General Information
- Leave No Trace - Pack in, Pack Out. rules apply. If you brought it with you, please take it out.
- Please do not put any trash in the vault toilets.
- Most campsites accommodate RVs. Three sites are pull-through, and the rest are pull-in/back-in parking.
- The trailhead for the Maah Daah Hey, Bennett Creek, and Cottonwood trails, is located just west of the campground.
- Campground rules and information are posted on the kiosk.
For specific questions, contact the McKenzie Ranger District Office.
Year-round
24/7
- Fire Restrictions may be in effect. Visitors are responsible for monitoring current conditions on the Alerts and Fire Danger Status page and NDResponse.gov.
- Stay limit of 14 consecutive days.
- All trails are intended for non-motorized travel only. Therefore, all motorized vehicles, including E-bikes, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), and snowmobiles, are prohibited.
The Senior Pass and the Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount on camping fees per night. Discounts apply only to the site the pass holder occupies (not for additional guest sites).
Visit the Passes page for more information about the America the Beautiful National Park Passes.
Overnight Use:
Single Site: $10 per night
Payments should be made via the fee tube, with fee envelopes located at the campground entrance near the kiosk.
Pets are allowed but must remain leashed at all times within the campground. Keep our campgrounds clean. Please clean up after your animals.
Contact Name: McKenzie Ranger District office
Contact Phone: 701-842-8500
Address: 1905 S. Main Street, Watford City, ND 58854
Phone: (701) 842-8500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: McKenzie.RD@usda.gov
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 47.49111111
Longitude: -103.3480556
Directions
Located 27 miles South of Watford City.
From Watford head 19 miles South on US-85, turn west onto 6th St NW for 4 miles, then turn South to Bennett Creek Campground for 1 mile.
Parking
Parking pads up to 60-feet long. A day-use parking lot is located west of the campground.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Accessible, unisex vault toilet during the summer months.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Potable water is available from a hand-pump well, fed by a spring, from spring to fall (turned off during winter).
Nearby Trails
Recreation Opportunities
Horseback Riding Info
Saddle or pack animals are allowed in recreation sites only where authorized by posted instructions. Hitching, tethering, or hobbling a horse that causes damage to live trees, soil, or water is prohibited.
Biking - Mountain Info
The USDA Forest Service considers E-bikes as motorized vehicles, restricted to established and paved roads, and prohibited on trails unless otherwise authorized. Motor Vehicle Use Maps are available on the Visitor Maps and Guides page.
OHV Road Riding Info
In the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, OHV use within established campgrounds is limited to entering and exiting the site using designated roads and parking areas. Cross‑country or off‑road riding is not allowed inside developed campgrounds. All OHVs must be state‑registered, and riders must follow posted speed limits and the OHV use on the Little Missouri National Grassland. Additional maps and resources are available on the Visitor Maps and Guides page.
Contact the McKenzie Ranger District Office for more information.
Picnicking - Groups Info
Although the site does not include designated group picnic tables, the open layout provides plenty of room for groups to gather comfortably. The area’s wide, natural setting makes it easy for visitors to spread out, set up their own seating, and enjoy time together in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
Picnicking - Single Info
Picnic tables are available within the established campsites at this location, offering convenient spots for a traditional sit‑down meal. However, the surrounding area is open and spacious, providing plenty of room to spread out a blanket and enjoy an old‑fashioned picnic wherever it feels most comfortable. It’s a flexible setting that works well for both structured and more relaxed picnic experiences.