The Little Missouri National Grasslands offers secluded tent camping opportunities amid rugged badland terrain. Primitive campsites span across the prairie landscape with varying accessibility, typically requiring 30-45 minutes of travel on unpaved roads. The region experiences dramatic weather shifts, with summer temperatures reaching 90°F during day and dropping to 50°F at night, while spring brings frequent wind gusts exceeding 25 mph.
What to do
Hiking to scenic bluffs: Burning Coal Vein Campground provides direct access to the Columnar Junipers trail. "Fun little place to camp, and fun little hike to the Butte, or hop on the Maah Da Hey Trail and hike for miles," notes camper Brenda R.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings offer prime wildlife viewing opportunities. At West River Road dispersed camping area, one camper reported "a large beautiful herd of feral horses bedding down with their little ones here in the evening."
Historic site exploration: Visit Theodore Roosevelt's ranch site near Elkhorn Campground. "Nearby is Elkhorn Ranch Unit trail leading to Theodore Roosevelt Ranch site. No buildings but interpretive signage," explains camper Jim M.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campgrounds provide ample separation between sites. At Burning Coal Vein, camper Rhonda M. states: "No hookups - one vault toilet - picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Boondocking only. National Forest land - part of the Little Missouri River Grasslands. Hiking from park. Outstanding views - BIG lots - peaceful. Love it!"
Natural seclusion: Many campgrounds offer isolation from crowds. "Not a busy spot, there was only one other person camping when we were there mid first week of August," reports Brittany about Elkhorn Campground.
Dramatic weather experiences: The open landscape provides unobstructed views of weather patterns. One camper at Bennett mentioned, "Nowhere to rent a canoe/kayak in the whole area. Sunny open sites without shade."
What you should know
Payment systems: Most campgrounds require self-registration. "The sign seemed to say $10 a night, pay with cash in an envelope. We passed a forest ranger coming out to check on the campground while we were there," reports Erin G. about Burning Coal Vein Campground.
Water concerns: Campground water sources can be problematic. At Elkhorn Campground, Jim M. found: "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."
Seasonal pest awareness: Spring and early summer bring tick activity. At Schnell Recreation Area, one hiker warned: "I just hiked. The trail is lovely, though not as well maintained as it could have been. There were a lot of TICKS! But I found the few that were on me before they latched."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Look for protected locations during storm season. "It is a wet year and everything is very green and yes you need to be prepared for ticks to hike in the tall grass. The trails are well marked and easy to follow," notes Teresa T. about Schnell Recreation Area.
Toilet facilities: Most campgrounds offer basic facilities. At Visitors Center - Beach, Jesse S. describes: "This was a small rv park we stayed at for 3 night there is space for around 7 units. And some tent space as well. It was clean and we liked it alot."
Emergency preparation: Severe weather can develop quickly. "Lovely place to stay, clean with trash cans and vault toilets. Unfortunately we had 5 hail storms that night," reports Bill P. about his experience at Schnell.
Tips from RVers
Vehicle clearance requirements: Access roads can present challenges. "The short road in was in need of a bit of repair, but most vehicles could get through it, just a bit of a rut from people getting stuck in mud. Rather narrow as well, could definitely only accommodate one way traffic as a time," notes Erin G. about access to Burning Coal Vein.
Limited amenities: RV campers should prepare for primitive conditions. "Traveled about 35 miles on unpaved road in RAV4 AWD. Campsite was empty, so we had different sites to choose from," reports Jim M. about West River Rd Medora ND Dispersed conditions.
Road navigation: Some campgrounds require substantial travel on unpaved surfaces. At West River Road, Maddy T. encountered challenging conditions: "When I pulled into what I thought would be a spot, the road was deserving a 4WD. I went anyway and crossed paths with a couple of locals out there shooting."
