Best Tent Camping near Fairfield, ND
The Little Missouri National Grasslands near Fairfield, North Dakota offers tent campers several secluded options in the rugged badlands landscape. Burning Coal Vein Campground provides primitive tent sites with scenic views and spacious campsites set in a protected shallow valley with good shade. Elkhorn Campground offers isolated tent camping with access to hiking trails and proximity to Theodore Roosevelt's historic ranch site, while Bennett Camp provides a true badlands experience with minimal facilities.
Most tent campgrounds in this region require self-sufficiency and preparation. Burning Coal Vein features picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets but no hookups - strictly boondocking on National Forest land. Water sources can be unreliable, with visitors noting Elkhorn's hand pump produces "light brown water" that many campers avoid drinking. Cash payment is typical, with fees around $6-10 per night using self-registration envelopes at campground entrances. Road conditions vary significantly, with some campsites requiring travel on unpaved roads for substantial distances. Seasonal access generally runs May through October, though some areas remain open year-round.
The remote nature of these tent campgrounds provides exceptional solitude and wildlife viewing opportunities. Sites are typically well-spaced for privacy, with one visitor describing Burning Coal Vein as having "BIG lots" that offer peaceful camping experiences. The terrain supports hiking directly from campsites, with access to notable trails like the Maah Da Hey Trail and routes to scenic overlooks. Weather conditions can change rapidly across the open prairie landscape. Visitors should prepare for potential thunderstorms and, in some locations, hail. As one camper observed, "Thunderstorms rolling over the prairie is something you'll never forget."
