The Little Missouri National Grasslands near Sentinel Butte, North Dakota cover over one million acres of rugged terrain at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 3,600 feet. Summer temperatures can reach 90°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while spring and fall provide milder conditions for horse riding and camping. Most equestrian facilities in the region maintain open status from late April through October, weather permitting.
What to do
Trail riding on Maah Daah Hey: Access the 100+ mile trail system directly from Magpie Campground, which connects riders to both Devil's Pass and the ice caves. "Either head south on Magpie road to Magpie trailhead, or follow the campground road away from the main road past the cattleguard and find the connecting trail there," notes rider Cullen C.
Wildlife viewing expeditions: Many riders encounter wild horses, bison and other native species while exploring the grasslands. At Sully Creek State Park, you'll find "great birds!! Chats, American Redstart, Cedar Waxwings, Spotted Towhee, Eastern Kingbird and more," according to Janet K.
Short hiking excursions: Even without horses, several campgrounds offer walking-distance trails. Burning Coal Vein Campground provides "great access to the Columnar Junipers hike and bluffs for beautiful overlook of this part of the Little Missouri National Grassland," as Lara F. points out.
What campers like
Proximity to national park: Many horse campgrounds serve as bases for exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Medora Campground earns praise for being "close enough I was able to walk into the national park one morning," according to Tori K., making it convenient for day trips.
Peaceful surroundings: The secluded nature of horse camping areas creates quiet environments. Jenny K. describes Magpie Campground as "worth the drive for the peace and surrounding beauty. That's what you came for right? The sites are spaced apart and surrounded by trees."
Reasonable costs: Horse camping facilities near Sentinel Butte offer good value. Coal Creek Campground costs $10 per site with Victor E. noting it has "level, hard gravel with a firepit and picnic table. Sites are well separated with plenty of trees and brush between sites."
What you should know
Water availability varies: Many equestrian campgrounds have limited water facilities. At Magpie Campground, "you really have to work the old fashioned pump but the crisp water is worth it," reports Jenny K.
Bathroom facilities: Horse campgrounds typically offer basic facilities. Buffalo Gap Campground provides "flush toilets and sinks available in a couple of locations in the loops. Showers and toilets are clean and all are individual rooms," according to Hannah W.
Road conditions: Access to remote horse camping areas often requires traveling on unpaved roads. Jim M. notes that reaching Elkhorn Campground meant "traveled about 35 miles on unpaved road in RAV4 AWD. Campsite was empty, so we had different sites to choose from."
Tips for camping with families
Shade considerations: During hot summer days, seek campgrounds with tree cover. At Burning Coal Vein Campground, "the sites are in a protected shallow valley with good shade. They are fairly private," observes Lara F.
Recreation options: Some campgrounds offer more family-friendly activities than others. Amber W. highlights that Medora Campground has "a city pool right on site that is heated, a dog park beautiful grounds with huge trees. Great playground."
Alternative accommodations: For families new to horse camping, Boots Campground offers varied options. Tori K. mentions that at nearby campgrounds "you can rent covered wagons here to sleep in as well if you are looking for a truly unique and western experience."
Tips from RVers
Levelness challenges: Several equestrian campgrounds present leveling difficulties for RVs. At Boots Campground, Clean Slate D. notes "site 7 is very hard to get level. We had to buy more leveling blocks."
Site spacing: Horse trailers require ample space, which varies by campground. Mark J. shares that at Buffalo Gap Campground, "many campsites have trees providing shade. The campground also has vault toilets by the pavilion and the dumpstation."
Hook-up limitations: Most horse campgrounds near Sentinel Butte lack full hook-ups. Ben H. says Boots Campground has "full hookups for RV and everything worked great. Only thing that left us wanting a little bit was the spots were a bit close together and there are no picnic tables or fire rings."
