What to Expect When Camping in the Grasslands
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands, including the Little Missouri and Sheyenne National Grasslands, offer rustic, primitive, and often remote camping experiences. These locations are ideal if you seek solitude and an authentic adventure in the prairie or badlands.
General Campground Experience
- Campgrounds emphasize natural beauty and quiet settings. Facilities are minimal, and all visitors must follow the Leave No Trace: “Pack-It-In, Pack-It-Out” policy.
- These sites provide convenient access to hiking, horseback riding, birdwatching, and well-known trails such as the Maah Daah Hey.
Figure 1. An informational kiosk and a vault toilet stand in the Coal Creek campground, offering essential amenities for visitors.
Standard Amenities
Information: Each campsite offers an information kiosk. (Figure 1)
Water: Drinking water is usually available from hand-pump wells or seasonal spigots, but is turned off during winter.
Vault toilet: Availability is standard in each well-maintained developed campground.
Accessibility: Each site has accessible facilities.
Figure 2. A campsite at the Magpie Campground features a picnic table and fire ring, typical of the essential amenities available across all Dakota Prairie Grasslands campgrounds.
Picnicking: Campsites include picnic tables and fire rings with grills. (Figure 2)
Shelter: Tents, trailers, and RVs are welcome.
Communications: Cell service may be weak or unavailable, particularly in remote areas. Plan ahead for emergencies.
Equestrian: Campgrounds such as CCC, Elkhorn, and Jorgen’s Hollow have amenities for horses, including hitching rails, corrals, and highlines.
Essential Gear & Preparation
Water: Always bring extra water, especially outside of summer—hand pumps are disabled in winter.
Fire: Fire bans are common during dry periods. Before your trip, always check the latest restrictions by visiting Alerts (visible at the top of each webpage).
Firewood: The DPG restricts the movement of firewood into the area to prevent the introduction of invasive, tree-killing pests—specifically the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and pine beetle—which are often transported over long distances in firewood bundles. Read the Firewood Use and Possession Restrictions order. Details about the EAB are available on the Exotic and Invasive Species webpage.
Figure 3. A camper fills out a fee envelope at a "self-service" station in a grassland campground and places the payment into a steel tube—commonly called an Iron Ranger—to pay for a first-come, first-served campsite.
- Payment: To pay, fill out a fee envelope with your campsite and vehicle information, enclose your cash payment, and deposit the envelope into the steel tube provided (see Figure 3).
- Campsites are generally available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, at Buffalo Gap and CCC Campgrounds, a limited number of sites can be reserved in advance through the Recreation.gov app. Follow the posted instructions or app prompts when you arrive.
- At Buffalo Gap, CCC, Hankinson Hills, and Jorgen’s Hollow campgrounds, you can also use the Scan & Pay option. Simply scan the QR code at the campground kiosk and pay directly on your mobile device.
Weather: Weather changes quickly in the Dakotas, so pack layers, rain gear, and sun protection.
Wildlife: Be aware of local wildlife, including bison, rattlesnakes, and ticks. Always store food securely and obey safety notices. Visit the Animals page and see the Dangerous Denizens in the Grasslands photo gallery for more information.
Figure 4. A horse feeds at the Jorgen's Hollow Campground, one of several locations offering specialized sites and amenities for equestrian camping.
Equestrian-Friendly Campgrounds
- Hankinson Hills: Designated equestrian loops, hitching rails/corrals, direct access to 4,000-acre multi-use trails. (Figure 4)
- Jorgen’s Hollow: 14 primitive sites (7 for horse camping), picnic tables, fire rings, access to the North Country National Scenic Trail.
- CCC Campground: Primary trailhead for the 144-mile the Maah Daah Hey Trail.
- Magpie, Burning Coal Vein, and Bennett Campgrounds: Direct access to the Maah Daah Hey Trail.
Firearms: Federal regulations prohibit discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking human life, causing injury, or damaging property:
- In or within 150 yards of a developed recreation site, campsite, residence, or building.
- Across/on a Forest Service road or adjacent body of water.
- In a manner that exposes people/property to injury.
Learn more about the activity of recreational Target Shooting on our dedicated webpage, where you’ll find details about safety guidelines and locations.
For updates, status, and safety info, or additional questions, contact the local Ranger District Office.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): Camping in the Grasslands
To protect everyone and the land, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) sets the rules for camping in the grasslands. Ignoring these regulations can cause wildfires, injuries, land damage, or result in fines. These key CFR and Forest Service policies keep camping safe and sustainable in the grasslands.
Camping in the Grasslands
Experience the raw beauty of the grasslands with a stay at one of our 13 developed campgrounds located within the Little Missouri and Sheyenne National Grasslands.
Dispersed Camping in the Grasslands
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands (DPG) offer wide‑open spaces, big skies, and the chance to enjoy a quieter, more natural kind of camping experience. Dispersed camping—camping outside designated campgrounds—is a great way to explore these public lands, and we’re glad you’re here to enjoy them responsibly.
Horse Riding and Camping
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands provide excellent opportunities for horseback riding and camping. Visitors can choose from developed campgrounds, dispersed camping sites, and designated horse trails.
Waste Management in the Grasslands
Protecting the Dakota Prairie Grasslands depends on responsible waste management. Whether you are camping, hiking, or visiting with pets, please follow Leave No Trace principles by properly disposing of all human and pet waste to keep our land and water clean.
Campfires in the Grasslands
Campfires are allowed in developed campgrounds and in dispersed camping areas on the grasslands when conditions are safe. It’s important to follow all fire‑safety rules to help prevent wildfires. Before starting a campfire, review the guidelines below so you can reduce wildfire risk, keep visitors and communities safe, and protect local wildlife and ecosystems.