Magpie Campground
Magpie Campground, a remote, shaded campground in the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, offers a quiet, secluded camping experience. It features 8 single-unit camp spurs with picnic tables, fire rings, parking pads, potable water via a hand pump, and an accessible 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.
- No electrical hook-ups are available.
- Trailhead for Maah Daah Hey Trail is ½ mile south of campground along main road.
- Campground rules and information are posted on the kiosk.
For specific questions, contact the Medora District Ranger 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 in the center of the campground 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: Medora Ranger District Ranger Station
Contact Phone: 701-227-7800
Address: 99 23rd Ave. W., Suite B, Dickinson, ND 58601
Phone: (701) 227-7800
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Mountain Time (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: Medora.RD@usda.gov
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 47.30805556
Longitude: -103.4733333
Directions
Forty miles Northwest of Belfield.
- From Belfield, go 23 miles North on US-85, turn west onto Magpie Road for 15 miles, and follow signs to the campground.
- From Watford City, go 41 miles south on US-85, turn west onto Magpie Road for 15 miles, then follow signs to the campground.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Accessible unisex vault toilet.
Restrooms
Vault toilet(s)Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Potable water is available from spring to fall seasons (turned off during winter).
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Horse/Pack Animal Information
Horse/Pack animals are allowed at this site.
Horses permitted at all sites.
Nearby Trails
Recreation Opportunities
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
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.
Viewing Scenery Info
Before you go, download the Plant and Wildlife Checklist and keep track of the flora and fauna you may spot in the grasslands.
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 Medora 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.