Best Tent Camping near Dunn Center, ND
Tent camping options near Dunn Center, North Dakota include several basic sites within the surrounding grassland and badland terrain. BLM Schnell Recreation Area near Richardton offers primitive tent sites with access to hiking trails and limited amenities. Bennett Camp in Grassy Butte provides a more remote tent camping experience within the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, approximately 30 miles northwest of Dunn Center.
Tent campsites at Schnell Recreation Area feature fire rings and picnic tables, though reviews indicate maintenance can be inconsistent. The area has vault toilets but no running water, so campers must bring their own supply. Bennett Camp includes water pumps and fire rings, though one visitor noted "there is a lot of buffalo out here and there is a lot of dung." Both campgrounds experience extreme temperature fluctuations typical of North Dakota's climate, with minimal shade structures. Primitive tent sites are typically available year-round, but spring conditions may include mud and insects, particularly ticks.
Walk-in tent sites at these locations provide greater seclusion than roadside camping areas. Teresa T., who camped at Schnell, reported: "Only a handful of spots but they are nicely separated with some privacy." The natural prairie landscape offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities including bison at Bennett Camp. For backcountry tent camping enthusiasts, Elkhorn Campground near Medora provides more isolated tent sites with hand-pump water access and pit toilets. One camper described Elkhorn as having "nice view of landscape and trailhead nearby," though they recommended bringing your own water since the pump produced "light brown water." Tent campers should be prepared for potentially dramatic weather, as thunderstorms can develop quickly over the open prairie terrain, and one visitor experienced "5 hail storms" during their stay.
