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Best Tent Camping near Grassy Butte, ND

373 Reviews

The Dakota Prairie National Grasslands surrounding Grassy Butte, North Dakota offer several primitive tent camping options with Badlands-inspired landscapes. Bennett Campground, located directly in Grassy Butte, provides year-round tent-only sites with a 4.5-star rating. Approximately 30 miles southwest, Elkhorn Campground near Medora offers walk-in tent sites with basic amenities and access to hiking trails. West River Road dispersed camping areas provide free backcountry tent camping options for those seeking more remote experiences.

Most tent campsites in this region require campers to bring their own water or filter from natural sources. Bennett Campground features fire rings and picnic tables but lacks trash service and firewood. Elkhorn Campground provides pit toilets and a hand pump for water, though campers report the water quality can be questionable. Access to many sites involves unpaved roads, with Elkhorn requiring navigation of approximately 35 miles of dirt roads that may become impassable during wet weather. Summer temperatures can become extremely hot with limited shade at most sites, while thunderstorms are common and can create dramatic conditions across the open prairie.

Tent campers visiting these areas frequently encounter wildlife, including bison herds and feral horses. According to reviews, Elkhorn Campground offers isolation even during peak season, with one visitor noting, "Campsite was empty, so we had different sites to choose from." The primitive tent camping experience in this region provides opportunities to witness dramatic weather patterns. As one camper observed, "Thunderstorms rolling over the prairie is something you'll never forget." Sites typically remain uncrowded, with visitors reporting as few as one other camper even during summer months. The Elkhorn Ranch Unit trail provides hiking opportunities from the campground to Theodore Roosevelt's historic ranch site. Most backcountry tent sites require self-registration with payment envelopes at $6 per night for basic sites.

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Best Tent Sites Near Grassy Butte, North Dakota (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Grassy Butte, ND

2 Photos of 6 Grassy Butte Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Grassy Butte, ND

373 Reviews of 6 Grassy Butte Campgrounds

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2024

    Buffalo Gap Campground (ND)

    Convenient to the highway

    General: Small (37-site) forest service campground in two loops near Theodore Roosevelt National Park. No hookups or cell service (despite proximity to the highway). We arrived on a Thursday afternoon in late August with no reservation and had no problem securing a site, although it filled almost to capacity by evening. 

    Site Quality: Many are in direct sun, but we found one that had some afternoon shade. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. All camper pads are paved. 

    Bath/Shower house: There were six vault toilets (two by the entrance and two in each loop) that had sinks but no soap; they were reasonably clean. Two showers were in the other loop from where we stayed, and we did not use them. 

    Activities: There is access to the Buffalo Gap Trail, but we did not hike it as this was an overnight stop for us and quite hot. It is not far from the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

    It was hot when we were there (high 80s) so we just kind of collapsed upon arrival and took off the next day. The good news is you are close to the highway, but you will hear some road noise. $20 or$10 with the senior pass makes it a good deal. Cash or check if you cannot register online (no service with Verizon).

  • phillip L.
    Jul. 27, 2016

    Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    so much Buffalo

    All the sites were the same but I got to stay at site 15. The site is huge and is made for group camping not solo. There's a picnic table and fire ring. The park cost about 20 dollars to get into. There are restrooms that are pretty well maintained but had no showers. I went on a hot day so they prohibited fires for that day to prevent wildfires. There are a lot of animals and you may notice small animal droppings on the campground. The droppings are dried out so it doesn't have a strong odor. They don't let you collect firewood to prevent damaging the wildlife so I recommend bringing your own supply of wood. There are a lot of trails in this park. I took the Wind Canyon trail which offered the view of the Missouri river. There is also a lot of prairie dogs and buffalo. You are exposed to the sun and there are no trees for shade. This is also the same for the campsite. It is really hot. The visitor center is really friendly and they suggest places in the park you should visit.

  • Mary S.
    Aug. 7, 2018

    Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Peaceful camping in Theodore Roosevelt NP

    This campground in Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora ND has 76 sites. Half of the sites, the even-numbered ones, are not reservable. Sites 55-66 are walk in tent sites; parking spots and grills for these sites are numbered so you have a specific site.

    We arrived before 10:30 am on a Sunday and sites were being claimed quickly. There were 7 of us choosing sites at that time. The hosts had a whiteboard that listed available sites; we took a photo of the list and chose quickly as we drove around because sites that were listed as available were already being claimed. We ended up on a reservable site that was open for the next several nights. The host couple was really on the ball and their attention helped keep the site selection process orderly.  After you put your tag up, they fold it over later in the day and mark your departure date. This is a practice that is used in many campgrounds.

    Cottonwood has been full every day since Memorial Day so you can't show up in the evening or possibly even mid-afternoon and expect to find an open site.

    This campground has no hookups but has flush toilets, sinks, potable water spigots, a sink for washing dishes/disposing of grey water, a place for filling water tanks, trash disposal and firewood for sale. There are charcoal grates for cooking that can also be use for campfires, but there are no fire rings; your campfire will be a few feet off the ground in something that I think of as a grill!

    Showers? No, but there area couple campgrounds in Medora that have showers for $5.

    If you stay here, you're obviously here to see Theodore Roosevelt NP. Both the campground and park are worth a visit. The scenery is incredible and gave us a new view of North Dakota. There is a hike near Pleasant Valley Ranch where you can use a few trails to make a 5+ mile loop that will show you everything the park has to offer - Little Missouri River (and you have to cross it at the beginning and end), prairie dog towns, bison herds and beautiful scenery. I highly recommend this as a way to see the park from a better vantage point than the highway.

    One complaint - the position of our site (#19) had some people think it was acceptable to cut through our site on their way to the bathroom. Do you walk through someone's home to shorten your walk? Didn't think so but 3 people did within 30 minutes.

  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2021

    Sully Creek State Park — Sully Creek State Recreation Area

    Stayed 1 night

    Place had everything I needed, including a shower. Website states they are coin showers but mine was free so unsure if they just updated to free showers. Primitive sites are $17/night but you also have to pay the $7 state park fee. All sites had a fire ring and picnic table and had distance between neighbors. Trash available, nice vault toilets and a dump station. No ATT service but would definitely stay again on a weekend. About 80% full on a Saturday night mid may. Only 5 minutes to get to medora and the national park.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2022

    Camel's Hump Lake

    Nice lake

    This is a nice camping spot. Close to interstate. Which you can hear. Heard a train go by a few times. Lake gets a few fisherman throughout the day. Only 4 spots which filled up before dark. No water or dump. Campsites are right on edge of lake.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2022

    Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking

    Awesome spot beautiful views close to park

    We had an amazing spot on top of hill. Could see for miles. Saw nice mule deer buck. Lots of camping spots. Empty during the day gets close to full an hour or so before dark. 10 min from National park entrance. No water or dump. Can be very windy. Very close to petrified forest.

  • Stephanie B.
    Jul. 13, 2018

    Medora Campground

    Good Campground

    We stayed in a tent with electricity. The tent site was on the back stretch with the badlands as a backdrop. There was not a fire ring at the campsite but we didn’t feel like we were missing anything. Our site was extremely small wIth no room for our camp chairs. Alao, there was some inconsistency in sizes of the tent area sites. Bathrooms were clean. Showers were alright, they could use some work on the ventilation.

  • Jessica S.
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Buffalo Gap Campground (ND)

    Beautiful Scenery

    Campground was clean and well maintained, camp hosts were friendly and knowledgeable about the area. Easy access, nice parking pads, have picnic tables and fire rings at each camp site.  Offers RV dump and potable water in campground.  Does not have hook ups and have limited times to run a generator. Great option close to Medora (7 miles) without the hustle and bustle of town.  Very beautiful views of the badlands.  Easy access to trails for hiking and biking.

Guide to Grassy Butte

Tent camping near Grassy Butte, North Dakota, offers a unique experience surrounded by stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. With several well-reviewed campgrounds in the area, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to pitch their tents.

Some prices for tent camping range from $6 to $20

  • At Bennett, camping costs $6, making it an affordable option for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors.
  • The Elkhorn Campground offers a simple setup with no reservation fees, allowing campers to choose their site upon arrival.
  • For a more rustic experience, Custer Snow Camp provides a no-cost option, perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in nature without breaking the bank.

Tent campers should check out Elkhorn Campground

  • Elkhorn Campground features a large picnic table and fire ring, ideal for evening gatherings under the stars.
  • With access to nearby hiking trails, this campground is perfect for those looking to explore the scenic beauty of the area.
  • Campers can enjoy the solitude of the site, as it tends to be less crowded, providing a peaceful retreat.

Tips for tent camping near Grassy Butte

  • Bring your own water when visiting Bennett, as there are no water facilities available on-site.
  • Be prepared for changing weather conditions; thunderstorms rolling over the prairie can create unforgettable views, especially at Bennett.
  • If you're looking for a more secluded experience, consider the West River Rd Medora ND Dispersed area, where you can find a quiet spot away from the crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Grassy Butte, ND?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Grassy Butte, ND is Bennett with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Grassy Butte, ND?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Grassy Butte, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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