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Picnic Spring Campground in Custer Gallatin National Forest houses several glamping campsites with yurts set among ponderosa pines. The secluded accommodation area provides a peaceful retreat with spacious, well-maintained grounds where visitors can enjoy privacy between sites. A recent visitor mentioned, "This is a very private camping area with great access to vault bathroom facilities," highlighting the blend of natural isolation with essential amenities. The yurt sites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to clean vault toilets. Visitors appreciate the comfort of glamping with scenic views of surrounding sandstone cliffs and distant prairie landscapes.
The natural surroundings offer extensive hiking opportunities throughout the Cave Hills formation, one of North America's oldest geological areas. Campers can explore the network of trails that wind through small canyons and meadows between buttes while observing abundant wildlife including deer and elk. According to one guest, "The scenery is spectacular and offers cross country hiking for the adventurous. Awesome sunrise if you take a 10 minute walk." The eco-friendly glamping experience includes access to natural springs, though visitors should be prepared to bring drinking water or treat spring water for consumption. The location provides excellent stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution and reliable cell service through multiple carriers, allowing for a connected yet immersive natural experience.
"There are a couple picnic tables around in a field and you’re right along the lake which had a beautiful sunset. You are allowed to stay up to seven nights and it is free."
"Free, vault toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, and plenty of space between well-maintained sites. Its a few miles of gravel to the campground but the roads were in good shape."
"With this in mind, I made the trip from Medora on a Tuesday morning and I arrived around noon."
"Can drive to campging spots a fair distance in to be away from the highway, although the traffic is almost nonexistant."
"No water, no trash collection. Many sites are really private with long driveways. Not all had tables and/or fire pits. Only a couple other campers there."
TravelerGreta campground with many spots spread out for privacy. Two bathrooms at the top of a plateau. Extremely peaceful. Long drive down a gravel road and some avoiding of free range cows but this is a fabulous spot; even for bigger rigs since the campground has a loop. Highly recommend
GuideReally nice little campsite that feels very out of the way for being only a couple miles from ranches and off a good, solid gravel road. There are 2 other campers here at the moment. There is currently no fee and the sites aren't numbered. No trash so pack it out, water is not tested for safety so bring your own, and there are vault toilets.
The sites are well spaced out and private. A couple seemed to not have picnic tables but the sites were all nicely situated and near some ledges that look down into little valleys. A couple don't have room for more than one small tent, unless you're ok with uneven/sloped ground.
Note: the overview of the campground (which reads a bit like AI slop imo) quoted one person who said the way in was sketchy. I'm not sure what this was referring to as the roads were really good all the way in (you could do it in a beat up sedan, just don't be dumb and treat it like a racetrack). You do have to go through a couple pastures where there might be cows, but that's rangeland for you??
GuideThis is one of our favorite campgrounds! Free, vault toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, and plenty of space between well-maintained sites. Its a few miles of gravel to the campground but the roads were in good shape. There are fences and cattle guards so the cows can’t enter the campground itself.
GuideWe rolled in late and it was dark. Spots were plenty big enough to fit multiple vehicles and campers. Very peaceful and beautiful surroundings. 2 pit toilets available
GuideArrived around 2:00 pm on a Tuesday. There are 2 other campers here. One is a big rig and the other is a 5th wheel. I think they are hunters, not sure. It was over 6 miles down a dirt gravel road. The road was fairly nice. We have a great site for our 23ft trailer. This campground is so private and the sites are spaced far enough away you can’t see each other. We are only staying one night. I would definitely stay longer here if we weren’t in our way to Theodore Roosevelt NP.
ScoutMy son and I were antelope hunting near here last September and found this campground. We were not able to stay because we had a dog that needed to stay in the camper which required full hookup. For that we went in to Buffalo South Dakota and stayed at the campground there. I knew I'd make it back someday and we were on our way home from the Black hills to Sidney Montana and I remembered this place as we were passing by. We came up here with high expectations and all of our expectations were Met. Quiet, beautiful sunset. Plenty of room firewood at every site. Good internet service phone service on Verizon and T-Mobile and AT&T. This place is a grand slam for anybody that wants a great place to stay for free. Thank you USDA for all the hard work.
RangerFree campground in SD, not WY. Most sites are well separated. Most have picnic tables. Came over 4th of July and there were only 5 other campers when I left. Several piles of wood available for firewood (resulted from clearing trees); you will need to split it, however. Sites has been mowed for fire mitigation which also resulted in nice "lawns". I stayed in 1st on the right. It was more exposed to wind and rain, but I preferred the layout. Other sites are more protected.
RangerThis campground used to be on The Dyrt. I re-added it. Stayed in 2023. No water. No electricity . Well spaced sites. Vault toilets
RangerFree camping in Custer Gallatin NF. No water, no trash collection. Many sites are really private with long driveways. Not all had tables and/or fire pits. Only a couple other campers there. Good views of The Castle which is part of Slim Buttes. Bathrooms needed some attention. Lots of flies. There is a map of campsites at entry off of SD20.
Picnic Spring Campground sits on a sandstone plateau in the Cave Hills area of Custer Gallatin National Forest, approximately 7 miles from the main highway via a maintained gravel road. The campground consists of 8-10 widely separated sites set among ponderosa pines at an elevation of approximately 3,500 feet. Temperatures range from summer highs in the 90s to cool nights in the 40s, making spring and fall particularly comfortable for yurt accommodations and tent camping.
Wildlife observation opportunities: The Cave Hills area hosts deer, elk, and various bird species year-round. A visitor to Picnic Spring Campground noted, "While I was here in May I saw deer and elk. Stayed here twice, once in May when there were no other visitors and once in August when there were only a few others."
Hiking through geological formations: The sandstone bluffs and buttes offer cross-country hiking options with elevation changes of 300-500 feet. A camper at Reva Gap Campground shared, "Some trails to the north of Highway 20 and on the south end of Highway 79 that can take you above and along the cliffs of the buttes with some more spectacular views."
Stargazing without equipment: The remote location with minimal light pollution creates ideal conditions for night sky viewing. "As they say in Texas... 'The stars shine bright at night'," reported one Picnic Spring visitor after spending two nights in mid-September.
Site privacy and spacing: Most glamping sites in the Hettinger area offer significant distance between neighbors. A camper at Picnic Spring observed, "The 10 sites are spacious: it's hard to see any other campers from your site."
Cell service reliability: Despite the remote location, connectivity remains available at most sites. "We have a great site for our 23ft trailer. This campground is so private and the sites are spaced far enough away you can't see each other," noted a Tuesday afternoon arrival at Gascoyne Lake Campground.
Sunrise viewing opportunities: Morning light creates distinctive views across the prairie landscape. One Gascoyne Lake visitor mentioned, "You're right along the lake which had a beautiful sunset. You are allowed to stay up to seven nights and it is free."
Water availability considerations: No potable water exists at most glamping sites. At Picnic Spring, "There is no potable water but there is a spring where you can water to boil. They don't test it so you are using it at your own risk."
Distance from supplies: Plan ahead as services are limited. "Note the nearest groceries or any store for that matter is 25 miles away in either direction on Route 85," advises a Picnic Spring camper.
Firewood situation: Some sites provide wood from forest management. "Several piles of wood available for firewood (resulted from clearing trees); you will need to split it, however," notes a Fourth of July visitor to Reva Gap Campground.
Playground access: Some glamping locations near Hettinger offer basic play equipment. At Gascoyne Lake, "There are two little shelter areas & a playground but it has not been mowed yet for the season so hard to access."
Toilet facilities condition: Vault toilets receive regular maintenance but vary by season. "Bathrooms needed some attention. Lots of flies," reported a July visitor to Reva Gap, while another noted, "The vault toilets were very clean and the campground was quiet."
Stay duration flexibility: Free camping areas permit extended stays. A visitor to Picnic Spring Campground explained, "You can stay a max of 14 days. We highly recommend this campground!"
Road conditions for larger rigs: The gravel access roads remain navigable for most vehicles. "There is around 7 miles of gravel road to go up. But we were on street motorcycles and had no problem," notes a Picnic Spring visitor.
Site accessibility: Some glamping options near Hettinger accommodate larger vehicles. "One is a big rig and the other is a 5th wheel. I think they are hunters, not sure. It was over 6 miles down a dirt gravel road. The road was fairly nice," reported a Tuesday arrival.
Seasonal maintenance: Mowing schedules affect campground conditions. A July visitor observed, "Sites has been mowed for fire mitigation which also resulted in nice 'lawns'."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Hettinger, ND?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Hettinger, ND is Gascoyne Lake Campground with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Hettinger, ND?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 glamping camping locations near Hettinger, ND, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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