Near Arnegard, North Dakota, visitors seeking equestrian camping options will find limited dedicated horse facilities but several camping areas within a 45-minute drive. The region sits within the western North Dakota badlands, characterized by rugged buttes, colorful sedimentary rock layers, and elevations ranging from 1,900 to 2,800 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F with nighttime lows around 55°F, while spring and fall bring more moderate conditions.
What to do
Trail riding access: While designated horse facilities are limited near Arnegard, the Maah Daah Hey Trail offers over 100 miles of terrain for horseback riders. According to one visitor at Magpie Campground, "Direct access to 100+ miles of the Maah Daah Hey trail!" The trailhead starts near the campground, allowing riders to "either head west towards Devil's Pass or east towards the ice caves."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds in the area provide chances to observe native wildlife during your stay. At Juniper Campground, one camper noted, "Bison will definitely stroll through your sites if you're over by the field like we were." Another visitor mentioned, "While we were camped here, 2 small herds of bison grazed through the camp."
Stargazing: The remote location offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. A camper at Magpie Campground shared, "I was able to see the northern lights here once!" At Juniper Campground, another visitor advised, "Be sure to look up at night…the stars are amazing! I saw three shooting stars and you could clearly see the Milky Way and everything!"
What campers like
Private, secluded sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy and quiet atmosphere. At CCC Campground, one visitor noted, "The sites are large and mostly level. There must be horse trails out of this area as there were quite a few horse trailers camping." At Magpie Campground, a reviewer shared, "The sites are relatively spread out, though I like to stay towards the back of the site where it's even more secluded."
Clean facilities: Despite the remote locations, campers consistently mention well-maintained facilities. A visitor to Little Missouri State Park Campground found that "the showers (available through inserted quarters) were very clean and it was nice to use a full pressure and sized shower after a long day in the heat." At CCC Campground, a camper observed, "The campground appears to have been recently renovated. The fire pit and barbecue have never been used."
Proximity to trails: Direct access to hiking and riding trails ranks high among camper preferences. One visitor to Little Missouri State Park Campground mentioned, "We were surrounded by miles of hiking in which we enjoyed about 13 miles of, but so much more we could've hiked!" At CCC Campground, a camper appreciated that "the Maah Daah Hey and Long X trails start at this campground. We did a great 11ish mile mountain bike loop by heading up Maah Daah Hey and down Long X."
What you should know
Water availability varies: Many campgrounds have limited water facilities. At Elkhorn Campground, a visitor warned, "Hand pump was hard to pump which produced light brown water which wasn't something we wanted to drink, so bring in your own water." At Juniper Campground, another camper noted, "There's quite a few 'drinking water' spigots marked on the map but when you get to them there is a sign with a drinking glass and a red slash through it."
Road conditions can be challenging: Many campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. A visitor to Magpie Campground mentioned, "Only downfall was the long drive on the rough/unpaved roads. My Toyota Corolla isn't the best 'off roading' car, but we got there safely." At Elkhorn Campground, someone reported "Traveled about 35 miles on unpaved road in RAV4 AWD."
First-come, first-served sites: Many campgrounds don't take reservations. At Juniper Campground, one camper shared, "The absolute anxiety of getting here and not knowing whether we'd be able to get a spot or not is off the charts. We got here at about 1pm on a Sunday thinking there shouldn't be a problem, yet there were probably only about 4 spots left."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education opportunities: Children can learn about local animals through ranger programs. One visitor to Juniper Campground mentioned, "Our kids especially enjoyed the ranger presentation on prairie dogs." Another camper recalled, "We took our two boys August of 2015... we drove around and saw 3 herds of wild horses. We saw Buffalo also."
Bring sufficient water: Given the remote locations and inconsistent water quality, families should pack extra drinking water. A visitor to Magpie Campground advised, "The water pump is a blessing since it was in the 90s when we visited. You really have to work the old fashioned pump but the crisp water is worth it."
Consider weather variability: Temperature swings can be extreme, especially in spring and fall. A camper at CCC Campground cautioned, "October can be cold! It got down below freezing in the first week of October. It gets windy. There's a site in the B loop that offers a good amount of protection from wind from most directions."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups available: Most campgrounds offer few or no RV amenities. A visitor to CCC Campground noted, "There are no hook-ups, and no dump station. The only water is a well that you have to pump yourself with a handle, so come with your black/grey tanks empty and water tank full."
Site size considerations: Larger RVs may struggle at some campgrounds. At Juniper Campground, one RVer advised, "When this place was built, they never envisioned large rigs. So if you have one over 30 feet, just be aware you might have to wiggle your way into a site."
Generator restrictions: Different campgrounds have varying rules about generator use. A visitor to CCC Campground noted, "They do allow generators, but it would be nice if they didn't. We have solar panels so we always get annoyed with generators ruining the peace and quiet."
