Tent campsites near Sentinel Butte, North Dakota range across landscapes dotted with juniper and sagebrush at elevations between 2,500-2,800 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F during July and August, with limited natural shade at most primitive sites. Winter brings harsh conditions with temperatures frequently dropping below 0°F, making most backcountry camping areas inaccessible from November through April.
What to do
Hiking badlands terrain: The Little Missouri National Grasslands offer extensive trail networks accessible from Burning Coal Vein Campground. "Fun little hike to the Butte, or hop on the Maah Da Hey Trail and hike for miles," notes reviewer Brenda R. about Burning Coal Vein Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The open grasslands near West River Road provide excellent opportunities for wildlife observation. One visitor at Bennett Campground mentioned, "There are some nice long hiking trails, bison and other prairie critters. This is wide open country with no real facilities."
Off-highway vehicle recreation: For campers seeking motorized recreation, gravel access roads lead to designated areas. "In the morning there were few ATV out driving up the hills, but none were a bother," reports a camper at Glendive Short Pines OHV Area, located about 45 miles west of Sentinel Butte.
What campers like
Secluded camping experiences: Most primitive tent sites in the region offer significant privacy. "Nice and clean. No power, no dumps, hand pump for water," writes Steve D. about Elkhorn Campground, located approximately 35 miles from Sentinel Butte.
Scenic badlands views: The rugged terrain provides distinctive vantage points not found in other camping regions. According to Rhonda M. at Burning Coal Vein Campground, "Outstanding views - BIG lots - peaceful. Love it!"
Night sky visibility: The remote location of camping areas near Sentinel Butte offers minimal light pollution. "Thunderstorms rolling over the prairie is something you'll never forget!" explains Lynn G. about Bennett Campground, highlighting the atmospheric viewing opportunities in this open landscape.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads require high-clearance vehicles. A reviewer at West River Rd Medora ND Dispersed noted, "When I pulled into what I thought would be a spot, the road was deserving a 4WD. I went anyway and crossed paths with a couple of locals out there shooting."
Water sources are unreliable: Most camping areas have limited or no water access. Jim M. at Elkhorn Campground reported, "Hand pump was hard to pump which produced light brown water which wasn't something we wanted to drink, so bring in your own water."
Payment systems are basic: Most established campgrounds use self-registration. "The sign seemed to say $10 a night, pay with cash in an envelope," observed Erin G. after visiting Burning Coal Vein Campground.
Facilities are minimal: Even at established campgrounds, expect basic amenities. A visitor at Glendive Short Pines OHV Area described finding "a clean and well maintained porta potty" but little else in terms of facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Prepare for temperature fluctuations: The badlands region experiences significant day-to-night temperature changes. At Visitors Center - Beach, Jesse S. stayed "for 3 night" and found the campground "clean and we liked it alot" despite basic amenities.
Plan for wildlife encounters: Teaching children proper wildlife safety is essential. Kevin T. at Bennett Camp observed, "There is a lot of buffalo out hear ad there is a lot of dung," indicating active wildlife in camping areas.
Bring plenty of water: No reliable treated water exists at most sites. Brittany at Elkhorn Campground advised, "Toilet available and drinking water (you have to manually pump)," but many visitors find the water quality questionable.
Select shaded sites when possible: Summer heat can be intense in tent camping areas. Lara F. noted that at Burning Coal Vein Campground, "The sites are in a protected shallow valley with good shade. They are fairly private."
Tips from RVers
Boondocking preparation essential: No hookups exist at any sites near Sentinel Butte. Rhonda M. described Burning Coal Vein Campground as having "No hookups - one vault toilet - picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Boondocking only."
Site spacing accommodates smaller rigs: Most established campgrounds provide adequate space for modest-sized RVs. Cora H. found Burning Coal Vein to be a "Nice, cheap, quiet and well spaced campground."
Access roads require caution: Some campground approach roads have maintenance issues. Erin G. observed at Burning Coal Vein that "The short road in was in need of a bit of repair, but most vehicles could get through it, just a bit of a rut from people getting stuck in mud. Rather narrow as well, could definitely only accommodate one way traffic as a time."
