- Camping & Cabins

Camping & Cabins

The Dakota Prairie Grasslands offer well-developed campgrounds with convenient access to trails and water. Most campgrounds can be reached by gravel or dirt roads. Please note: Cabin rentals are currently not available anywhere in the Dakota Prairie Grasslands.

Popular Campgrounds: Two of the most popular sites are CCC Campground (McKenzie Ranger District) and Buffalo Gap Campground (Medora Ranger District). Both offer campsites that are available either first-come, first-served or by reservation through Recreation.gov. All other campgrounds and campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis only.

Campsite Fees: Most campsites cost between $10 and $20 per night. For exact rates, refer to each campground’s page. After selecting your campsite, pay at the campground entrance by depositing your fee in the designated tube. Some campgrounds—including Buffalo Gap, CCC, Hankinson Hills, Jorgen’s Hollow, and Sather Lake Recreation Area—also offer a Scan & Pay option. For details on payment methods at specific locations, please visit the relevant campground page under the Fee Site and Info tab.

Discounts: Holders of Interagency Senior Passes (annual or lifetime) and Interagency Access Passes (for permanent disabilities) receive a 50% discount on single campsites. The discount applies only to the campsite occupied by the pass holder, not to additional sites or party member fees. Passes are available at any of the five Dakota Prairie Grasslands offices. See the Passes page for more information.

Campsite Occupancy Rules: You may not camp or occupy a single site for more than 14 consecutive days, or occupy any combination of sites for more than 28 days total within a calendar year on any National Forest System land within the Dakota Prairie Grasslands in North Dakota and South Dakota.

Dispersed Camping: Camping outside of established campgrounds and developed sites is also allowed. See the Dispersed Camping in the Grasslands page for details.

For information on security and responsible outdoor practices, please visit the Safety and Outdoor Ethics page.

If you have additional questions, please contact the local Ranger District Office.

Interagency Passes, or America the Beautiful national park passes, provide access to and discounts at over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including USDA Forest Service campgrounds.

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 the pass holder's party members. Passes are available at all five DPG offices.

Recreate Safely Sign in prairie Grassland

As a visitor to the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the natural environment, ensure the health and safety of all visitors, and promote a pleasant and rewarding outdoor recreation experience for all.

Please be careful, remain mindful and alert for natural hazards and dangers, and mitigate risky behaviors. Everyone is primarily responsible for their safety.

Recreation.gov is the federal government's centralized travel planning and reservation platform for 14 federal agencies. It provides tools, tips, and information to help visitors find destinations, plan trips, and make reservations for various outdoor activities and experiences on federal lands and waters. Users can make reservations for camping, cabins, RV sites, permits, and other activities on federal lands.

Note: USDA Forest Service does not manage the Recreation.gov site.

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Dispersed camping is camping permitted outside designated campgrounds on public lands. Dispersed camping is prohibited within 100 feet of developed recreation areas, including campgrounds, boat ramps, picnic areas, or trailheads.

For details, please visit the Dispersed Camping page.