Tent Camping near Belfield, ND

Tent campsites near Belfield, North Dakota include primitive and established sites across the Little Missouri National Grassland. The terrain consists of rolling prairies, deep ravines, and unique badland formations at elevations between 2,200-2,700 feet. Summer brings intense heat with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while spring camping often requires tick prevention measures across the grasslands.

What to do

Hiking trails: The Bennett Campground offers access to prairie trails where wildlife viewing opportunities abound. "There are some nice long hiking trails, bison and other prairie critters. This is wide open country with no real facilities," notes Lynn G. from Bennett.

Stargazing: The remote location of many campsites provides exceptional night sky viewing. Teresa T. who stayed at BLM Schnell Recreation Area reports the campground has "only a handful of spots but they are nicely separated with some privacy" - ideal conditions for nighttime astronomy.

Bird watching: Spring and summer bring numerous bird species to the grasslands. A visitor at Elkhorn Campground mentioned, "Site had large picnic table and fire ring. Nice view of landscape and Trailhead nearby" offering good vantage points for observing native birds.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention the spaciousness at primitive sites. Rhonda M. from Burning Coal Vein Campground notes "Outstanding views - BIG lots - peaceful. Love it!" which contrasts with more crowded camping areas.

Clean facilities: Despite the remote location, several campgrounds maintain clean amenities. At Twin Butte Campground, Rachel K. shared, "Bathrooms were extremely clean. My husband and I will definitely be back."

Wildlife encounters: Many campers report wildlife sightings as highlights. Kevin T. at Bennett Camp mentioned, "There is a lot of buffalo out hear ad there is a lot of dung," indicating the prevalence of bison in the area.

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to many campgrounds requires careful planning. At Elkhorn Campground, Jim M. reported, "Traveled about 35 miles on unpaved road in RAV4 AWD" - indicating the need for appropriate vehicles on remote routes.

Water availability: Bring adequate water supplies for primitive camping. One camper at Bennett noted, "no water (byo or filter/boil)" while another at Elkhorn described the water pump as producing "light brown water which wasn't something we wanted to drink."

Weather preparedness: The area experiences sudden weather changes. Bill P. at Schnell Recreation Area experienced "5 hail storms that night" during an otherwise pleasant stay, highlighting the need for secure shelter options.

Tips for camping with families

Insect protection: Tick prevention is essential during warm months. Moonyen S. warned about Schnell Recreation Area: "The trail is lovely, though not as well maintained as it could have been. There were a lot of TICKS!"

Shade considerations: Most grassland sites lack natural shade. Lynn G. from Bennett Camp noted "Sunny open sites without shade" as a drawback when camping with children.

Amenities checklist: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Burning Coal Vein, Brenda R. described it as a "Fun little place to camp, and fun little hike to the Butte," but families should note limited amenities requiring self-sufficiency.

Tips from RVers

Site accessibility: RV campers should research roads before arrival. Cora H. described Burning Coal Vein as "Nice, cheap, quiet and well spaced" but other reviews indicate narrow access roads with ruts.

Hookup availability: Most sites offer primitive camping only. Steve D. noted about Elkhorn: "Campsites in valley in Badlands. Nice and clean. No power, no dumps, hand pump for water."

Dump station locations: Plan waste management carefully. At Twin Butte Campground, Christina B. mentioned "You can fill water and a dump station avail on request," one of few sites offering this service in the region.