Camping near Grassy Butte, North Dakota provides access to the Dakota Badlands terrain, which features colorful buttes and clay formations at elevations between 2,000-2,800 feet. Winter temperatures can drop to -30°F, while summer highs frequently exceed 90°F with limited shade across most camping areas. Road access to many sites requires vehicles with adequate clearance, particularly after rainfall when clay roads become slippery.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at dawn/dusk: Theodore Roosevelt National Park's North Unit hosts regular bison herds that sometimes wander through camping areas. "Bison will definitely stroll through your sites if you're over by the field like we were. Peaceful and beautiful," notes a visitor at Juniper Campground.
Stargazing after 10pm: The lack of light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. "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," reports a camper at Juniper Campground.
Hike the Maah Daah Hey Trail: This 100+ mile trail system connects multiple camping areas and offers varied terrain difficulty. "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," explains a visitor at CCC Campground.
What campers like
Isolation from crowds: Even during peak summer seasons, many campgrounds remain uncrowded. "We camped here for two nights, the first night was tricky for us to gage exactly where to camp because it we arrived at 3am. A lot of people hike/bike in from the Maah Daah Hey Trial," notes a visitor at Magpie Campground.
Morning wildlife encounters: Bison and wild horse sightings are common in early morning hours. "While we were camped here, 2 small herds of bison grazed through the camp," explains a camper at Juniper Campground.
Access to badlands landscapes: Many sites offer direct trail access to distinctive terrain features. "This campground is only about 1/4 mile from the entrance to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There are plenty of pit toilets, potable water, and electric. The views from the park are amazing!" reports a visitor at CCC Campground.
What you should know
Water quality varies significantly: Several campgrounds have water restrictions or quality issues. "The only drinking water is at the bathroom and not meant to fill your rv with so dont come here expecting to be able to fill your rv with safe water. The other spigots marked as unsafe have really high fluoride content and feels like slime," warns a Juniper Campground visitor.
Cell service is spotty: Coverage depends on exact location and elevation. At Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking, "Lots of spots in a beautiful area. Good cell service as well," while more remote locations have no connectivity.
Time zone confusion: The region straddles Mountain and Central time zones. "Funny tidbit, the campground is on the border of the time zone border, so my devices would change times and I thought there was a problem, took me a while to figure it out," mentions a Juniper Campground visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families needing entertainment options, Grassy Butte Community Park offers "a beautiful spot to land for a night or more. Quiet, we're the only people here and the host said that's usually the case. $15 a night with 110 extension cord power - can't beat that! Beautiful playground if you have kids."
Ranger programs: Educational opportunities are available at several campgrounds. "Nice National Park campsite that's just a short walk to the banks of the Little Missouri River. Has the standard National Park features, but our kids especially enjoyed the ranger presentation on prairie dogs," notes a visitor at Cottonwood Campground.
Safety around wildlife: Maintain distance from bison that frequently wander through campsites. "While we were camped here, 2 small herds of bison grazed through the camp," reports a Juniper visitor, while another adds "If you have kids don't let them wander around, the bison are close and plentiful!"
Tips from RVers
Limited large rig access: Many campgrounds weren't designed for modern RV sizes. "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," advises a Juniper Campground visitor.
Water tank management: Fill tanks before arrival as many sites have limited or questionable water quality. "There is no potable water for RV tanks. Drinking water is available at the wash house. The drinking of the water at the fill station is discouraged due to high levels of fluoride," notes a camper at Juniper Campground.
Road conditions: Access routes vary significantly in quality. "Easy 1 mile drive on well maintained gravel/dirt road off Highway 85. The campground appears to have been recently renovated," reports a CCC Campground visitor, while others note deteriorating conditions after rainfall.
