Sheyenne National Grassland

Overview

The Sheyenne National Grassland is located in eastern Ransom and western Richland counties, about 12 miles east of Lisbon in southeastern North Dakota. It comprises 70,180 acres of public land and 64,769 acres of privately owned land. The Grassland is characterized by sandy soils, originally deposited as the delta of an ancient river as it emptied into glacial Lake Agassiz. Over time, wind and rain have shaped the topography into a unique landscape ranging from flat deltaic plains to choppy sand dunes.

Recreation 

The Sheyenne National Grassland in southeastern North Dakota spans more than 70,000 acres of rare tallgrass prairie and rolling sand dunes, offering abundant opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, hunting, and photography.

The 32‑mile Sheyenne segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail winds through open prairies and wooded terrain, while the nearby Sheyenne River Water Trail provides an additional 199 miles of scenic paddling from Lake Ashtabula to the Sheyenne National Grassland, featuring calm waters, shaded valleys, and numerous access points.

Visitors can camp at developed sites such as Jorgen’s Hollow near McLeod—with 10 campsites, including equestrian pens—or Hankinson Hills near Hankinson, which offers both non-stock and horse‑friendly sites, along with a group picnic shelter.

Rugged, unpaved routes support mountain biking, and limited Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) use, and dispersed camping is allowed throughout much of the area for those seeking a more rustic, backcountry experience.

Animals 

The Sheyenne is the only National Grassland in the tallgrass prairie region in the nation and provides habitat for greater prairie chickens in North Dakota, and several other sensitive species, such as the Dakota skipper and Regal Fritillary butterflies. Known for more than 300 bird species, including the Yellow Rail and Greater Prairie‑Chicken, the grassland is a premier birdwatching destination. Visit the Birding in the Grasslands for more details. Learn more about these creatures and more on the Animals webpage.

Plants 

The Sheyenne contains one of the largest populations of the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid, which is currently listed as Threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Other unique plants found on the Grassland include other orchids and ferns. Learn more about grassland flora on the Plants webpage.

Passes

Interagency Senior (annual or lifetime) and the Interagency Access Pass (for permanent disabilities) receive a 50% discount per campsite, per night. Stay limit of 14 consecutive days.

Visit the Passes page for more information.

Grasslands Management

The Forest Service administers the Grand River National Grassland as part of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands from the Supervisor's Office in Bismarck, North Dakota. The local Sheyenne Ranger District Office is located in Lisbon, North Dakota.