Best Tent Camping near Killdeer, ND
The Dakota Prairie National Grasslands surrounding Killdeer, North Dakota offer several primitive tent camping options with varying levels of amenities and accessibility. Bennett Campground near Grassy Butte provides tent-only camping in a Badlands-like setting with hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities. Elkhorn Campground, accessible via unpaved roads, features walk-in tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables. BLM Schnell Recreation Area near Richardton also accommodates tent campers with walk-in sites that provide more privacy than typical campgrounds.
Most tent campgrounds in the region have basic amenities but require self-sufficiency. Campers should bring their own drinking water, as water sources may be unreliable or require filtering. At Elkhorn, a visitor noted the hand pump produced "light brown water" unsuitable for drinking without treatment. Sites typically include fire rings and some have picnic tables, though facilities vary by location. Vault toilets are available at most established campgrounds, but trash service is limited or nonexistent. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with thunderstorms and even hail possible during summer months. Ticks are prevalent in grassy areas, particularly in spring and early summer.
Tent campsites throughout the region offer unique experiences compared to developed campgrounds. According to reviews, Elkhorn Campground provides secluded camping with "nice views of landscape and trailhead nearby." Sites are often uncrowded, with one camper reporting only one other person at Elkhorn during an August visit. Bennett Campground offers opportunities to see bison and other prairie wildlife, though the sites lack shade. Campers at Schnell Recreation Area appreciate the privacy between sites and access to maintained hiking trails. The primitive nature of backcountry tent camping in this region rewards preparation, with dramatic prairie landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities for those willing to venture off the beaten path.