Scoria Pit Dispersed Camping near Sentinel Butte offers free camping in North Dakota's badlands region, 2,500 feet above sea level. Located in the Little Missouri National Grassland, this area experiences temperature swings of up to 40 degrees between day and night during summer months. Accessible dirt roads lead to several established sites with wide-open prairie views.
What to do
Explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park trails: Visit the park just a short drive from Buffalo Gap Campground, where you can access the Buffalo Gap Trail directly from camp. "NF Campground. Pay $6 per night or less with America the Beautiful pass. First come first serve. Lovely wildflowers to admire. Right on Buffalo Gap Trail which bypasses TRNP for us MTB folk," notes Erin G.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Watch for local wildlife including bison, wild horses, and various bird species. At Cottonwood Campground, one camper reports, "We woke up to find bison all around us. Truly a beautiful and unique experience I'll never forget." Birders will appreciate Sully Creek State Park where one visitor observed, "Great birds!! Chats, American Redstart, Cedar Waxwings, Spotted Towhee, Eastern Kingbird and more!"
Little Missouri River access: Fish, wade, or simply enjoy the riverside scenery. A camper at Medora Campground mentions, "Pretty tight, but other than that gorgeous. Very close to town, the river, and the national park." Some sites offer direct river views or access points for water activities.
What campers like
Free dispersed camping options: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate the free boondocking at Scoria Pit Dispersed Camping, which offers no amenities but tremendous views. "We stayed 2 nights in July in this area and it was great! Plenty of spots, so we didn't feel like we were on top of other campers," writes Lynsey M. Another camper adds, "The coordinates are for the first spot. I don't know how many spots there are, but I just went until I found an empty spot."
Clean facilities at established campgrounds: Many pet-friendly campgrounds in the region maintain excellent facilities. At Sully Creek State Park, now called Rough Riders, a visitor notes, "It has nice facilities, great shaded primitive sites, access to the Mah Dah Hey trail that goes along the Little Missouri River, and its a short drive from Medora/TRNP."
Affordable camping near attractions: Campers value economical options with easy access to area highlights. At Buffalo Gap Campground, a camper shares: "We spoke to the very friendly camp host the next morning and he confirmed the nightly charge of $6 per site. If you have the National Park Senior pass it is only $3!!! Quite the bargain for a night's stay in a very clean and convenient campground."
What you should know
Campground reservations and availability: Many sites fill quickly during peak season. At Camel's Hump Lake, a visitor noted, "Only 4 spots which filled up before dark." Another camper at Scoria Pit observed, "There is alot of people looking for spots on a Monday. Get here early. It's worth it!"
Weather considerations: Temperature fluctuations and wind can affect your camping experience significantly. A visitor to Scoria Pit mentions, "Rooftop tent campers be aware the top ridge is so windy the first night we stayed we were whipping around all night but the second night we stayed on the lower ridge and the wind was much better."
Highway noise at some sites: Several campgrounds are located near Interstate 94, creating ambient noise. A camper at Camel's Hump Lake reports, "Close to interstate. Which you can hear. Heard a train go by a few times." Similarly, at Buffalo Gap, a visitor mentioned, "While located right off the highway, the noise was not excessive."
Tips for camping with families
Campground amenities for children: Choose sites with recreational facilities for kids. At Medora Campground, a visitor shared: "Good recreation for kids, basketball/volleyball/gaga ball and city pool at front of campground $5/person. Medora is a small town, easy to bike or walk."
Pet-friendly trail access: Families with dogs can enjoy direct trail access at certain campgrounds. Buffalo Gap Campground provides immediate access to hiking trails where pets are welcome. As one camper noted, "Lovely wildflowers to admire. Right on Buffalo Gap Trail which bypasses TRNP for us MTB folk."
Wildlife viewing safety: Teach children about wildlife safety in this active ecosystem. At Cottonwood Campground, a visitor observed, "This spot is unbelievable. Gorgeous views. Buffalo in the campground. Quiet, private enough, clean pot toilets, secure bear garbages. Just amazing!"
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some sites require additional equipment for proper leveling. At Boots Campground, an RVer mentioned, "Very close to neighbors and site 7 is very hard to get level. We had to buy more leveling blocks."
Full hookup availability: RV-specific services vary widely between campgrounds. A visitor to Boots Campground noted, "Good location, pretty. Sites are small, tight and un-level. Close to Theodore Roosevelt NP. Good cell reception. Good for stop over only."
Size limitations and accessibility: Larger rigs may struggle at certain campgrounds. An RVer at Buffalo Gap noted, "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."
