Safety and Outdoor Ethics
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. Please be careful, remain mindful, stay alert for natural hazards and dangers, and mitigate risky behaviors. Everyone is primarily responsible for their safety.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Dispersed Camping in the Grasslands
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands 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.
Campfires in the Grasslands
Using fire and building campfires is permitted while dispersed camping in the grasslands, but only when certain safety conditions are met. To help protect visitors, wildlife, and the landscape, please review and follow the guidelines shared on this page.
Safety Guidelines for Oil and Gas in the Grasslands
Industrial oil and gas sites are common on the DPG, especially in the Little Missouri National Grassland. These fenced sites are found in remote areas and use advanced drilling to reach oil deep underground. Do not enter these sites as they pose serious health and safety risks.
Travel and Vehicle Safety in the Grasslands
When traveling or recreating on national grasslands, responsible vehicle use helps protect fragile landscapes and reduce the risk of wildfires. Find guidelines outline how to minimize your impact and stay safe while driving or accessing campsites in the grasslands.
Dangerous Dakota Denizens in the Grasslands
Discover the animals—both large and small—that can pose risks in the Dakota Prairie Grasslands. While most wildlife avoids people, some species, including predators, can be hazardous if surprised or approached too closely. This page highlights key animals, explains when risks are most likely, and offers practical guidance for staying safe.
Additional Guidance in the Grasslands
Fees are required to use certain developed sites and facilities. These areas are signed or posted as requiring a fee. Where fees are required, you must pay upon selecting the site, facility, equipment, or service furnished.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Campgrounds and other recreation sites are only intended for recreation and may not be used permanently or as a principal residence without authorization.
The National Forest Service limits the continuous stay of designated campgrounds and dispersed camping areas within the National Forest System to 14 days, after which they must move to different locations.
Additionally, camping or occupying any number of sites for 28 days cumulatively in a calendar year is prohibited within all Northern Region (Region 1) National Forest System (NFS) lands, which includes the Dakota Prairie Grasslands.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
- No fighting or boisterous behavior.
- Keep noise at a reasonable level.
- Please be considerate of fellow visitors.
- Threatening, intimidating, or interfering with any forest employee is a federal offense.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Operate any audio device (radio, musical instrument, etc.) so that it does not disturb other visitors.
A permit is required for operating a public address (PA) system or loudspeakers in or near a campsite, developed recreation site, or over a body of water.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Do not carve, chop, cut, damage, or mark (paint, etc.) live trees. Leave natural areas the way you find them.
Do not disturb Native American sites, old cabins, etcetera. These structures and associated objects and artifacts have historic or archeological value. Do not damage or remove any historic or archeological resource or other property.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
- All pets must always be restrained or leashed in developed recreation sites.
- Clean up after your animals. Keep America beautiful.
- Pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas.
- 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.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
- Throw all garbage and litter in the containers provided for this purpose.
- If trash containers are not provided, follow the Pack In, Pack Out guidelines. What you bring in must be taken out when your visit is finished.
- Keep garbage, litter, and foreign substances out of lakes, streams, and other water sources to prevent pollution.
- Use toilets properly. Do not throw garbage, litter, or other foreign substances in toilets or plumbing.
- Wash food and personal items away from drinking water supplies.
- Use faucets only for drawing water.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Water gets contaminated by visitors who don't properly dispose of human waste or their garbage and food properly.
Human Waste:
- Dig a hole six inches deep and at least 200 feet away from any water source (creeks, wetlands, springs, or lakes).
- When you finish, fill the hole with the dirt you dug up and dispose of your toilet paper in a proper waste container.
- Never leave waste or leave toilet paper on top of the ground. Waste and trash could easily contaminate the local water source.
Washing
- Wash your body, dishes, etc., and dispose of wastewater at least 200 feet from any water source.
- Use biodegradable soap only.
- Do not use soap directly in a water source.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Dispersed camping, also known as boondocking, is a type of camping where camping is permitted outside of designated campgrounds on public lands.
Dispersed camping is prohibited near developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, boat ramps, picnic areas, or trailheads.
That means no toilets, picnic tables, trash cans, treated water, or fire grates.
Therefore, some extra responsibilities and skills are necessary, and you must know these before you try this new experience.
Dispersed Camping Guidelines
- Driving cross-country (off a road or trail) by motorized, wheeled vehicles is prohibited in the National Grasslands. Vehicles may drive up to 300 feet off-road to camp along certain roads. These roads are shown on the Grassland's Motor Vehicle Use Map.
- Choose your space carefully. It is your responsibility to determine if a particular area is private property. Make your campsite less visible to limit ruining the view for others.
- Camp on bare soil if possible, avoiding damage to plants and grass.
- Do not camp within 200 feet of any water source.
- You are responsible to know if fire restrictions are in effect before camping. For current conditions, refer to the Alerts bar above or visit the Fire Information page.
- Campers are responsible for being self-sufficient, bringing water, waste disposal, and electricity.
- Follow the Leave No Trace principles of Pack In, Pack Out to minimize your environmental impact.
- Use the cat hole method to dispose of human waste. Dig a small hole six to eight inches deep and a minimum of 200 feet from any water source. Since animals will often dig up cat holes and scatter the toilet paper, it is preferred that you pack out all toilet paper. If you must bury toilet paper, use a minimal amount and bury it with at least six inches of soil.
For additional information visit the Dispersed Camping page.
For more information about developed camping areas, refer to our Visitor Maps and Guides page.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Motor Vehicle Use (MVU) and Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) are available on the Visitors and Maps page.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands are open for public hunting under state rules and regulations.
Please research the specific state regulations:
North Dakota: North Dakota Game and Fish
South Dakota: South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Target shooting is generally allowed on National Forest System lands within the Dakota Prairie Grasslands if it adheres to specific regulations and restrictions. Guidance for recreational shooting is available on the Target Shooting page.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Permits are required for any commercial activity on public land.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.