Buffalo Gap Recreation Area (and Campground)
Buffalo Gap Recreation Area (and Campground) offers a rustic camping experience with easy access to the Buffalo Gap Trail. The campground features 35 paved campsites, flush toilets, shower facilities, a group pavilion, picnic tables, and fire rings. Open year-round limited services available outside of the Memorial Day to Labor Day season.
Active Alerts
Reservations
The Buffalo Gap Campground offers 36 campsites. Five sites are available for reservations on Recreation.gov.
General Information
The campground offers easy access to the Buffalo Gap Trail.
The Buffalo Gap Viewpoint near the campground entrance road leads to the 600-foot hike up a steep scoria hill to an overlook that provides a spectacular view of the area in every direction. A set of interpretive panels on the area's geologic history.
A campground host is on-site from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Pack-in, Pack-out rules apply. If you bring it in with you, please take it out. Please do not put any trash in the vault toilets.
Additional campsite details are available below.
For specific questions, contact the Medora District Ranger Station.
All year (limited services in winter)
Open 24 hours/day
- 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.
- Pack-it-in, pack-it-out.
- 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.
Overnight Use:
Single Site: $20/night.
Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount to Single Campsites ONLY.
*The discount applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additional fee or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass holder's party.*
https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes
Please be prepared to pay with CASH or CHECK.
*Sites may be reservable and reservation fees apply.*
Pets are allowed but must remain leashed within the campground at all times. Keep our campgrounds clean. Please clean up after your animals.
Contact Name: Medora Ranger District office
Contact Phone: 701-227-7800
Address: 99 23rd Ave. W. Suite B, Dickinson, ND 58601
Phone: 701-227-7800
Hours: Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm Mountain Time (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 46.95388889
Longitude: -103.6744444
Directions
Approximately seven miles west of Medora, ND on I-94 at exit 18 just off of Forest Road 726A.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Accessible shower facilities, bathrooms, vault toilets, and picnic shelter.
Restrooms
Restrooms are not available at this site.
There are two comfort stations with sinks, flush toilets, three showers (mid-May to mid-October); one vault toilet.
Water
Potable water is available at this site.
The pressurized drinking potable water system is available seasonally from mid-May to mid-October.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Other Amenities
Campground amenities include 35 paved campsites, flush toilets, vault toilets, private showers, house, potable water, an RV dump station, a large group pavilion, picnic tables, and fire rings. This campground offers easy access to the Buffalo Gap Trail. Horses are not permitted within the campground's boundary. This campground operates under a Pack-in, Pack-Out policy. Please take all trash with you.
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.