Patterson Lake Boat Ramp

Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Grasslands OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no picnic tables, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates. Typically, dispersed camping is NOT allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, boat ramps, picnic areas or trailheads. There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It's your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience.

Driving cross-country (off a road or trail) by motorized, wheeled vehicles is prohibited in the National Grasslands.  Along certain roads, vehicles may drive up to 300 feet off road to camp. These roads are shown on the Grassland's Motor Vehicle Use Map.

Picking a Campsite

If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that's been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites, so using existing ones will minimize your impact on the grassland. If there is no existing campsite, then follow these Leave No Trace guidelines:

Camp on bare soil if possible, to avoid damaging or killing plants and grass.
Do NOT camp within 200 feet of any water source, plants near water are especially fragile.
Don't camp in the middle of a pasture or clearing. Make your campsite less visible so that other visitors will see a "wild" setting.
Campfires

Many wildfires are caused by human activity, typically escaped campfires from dispersed campers. Campfires are allowed when you are dispersed camping UNLESS there are fire restrictions in effect due to high fire danger conditions. It is YOUR responsibility to know if fire restrictions are in effect before you go camping.
Use existing fire rings if they exist. Minimize the scarring of new rocks, soil and plants by using existing fire rings.
Clear an area of combustible material six feet away from a campfire to reduce the chance of it spreading into a wildfire.
NEVER LEAVE A FIRE UNATTENDED.
You should have a bucket, shovel, and axe available to control or extinguish escaped fire.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR CAMPFIRE, MAKE SURE IT IS DEAD OUT. You should be able to put your whole hand into the ashes without being burned and it should be cool to the touch.
Protect Water Quality

Water gets contaminated by visitors who don't take care of their human waste or their garbage and food properly.
To dispose of feces, dig a hole 6 inches deep and AT LEAST 200 FEET AWAY FROM ANY WATER SOURCE (creeks, wetlands, springs, or lakes).
When you're done, fill the hole with the dirt you dug up and take your toilet paper with you to dispose of in a proper waste container.
Never defecate or leave toilet paper on top of the ground, it could easily get into the local water source and contaminate it.
Wash your body, dishes, etc., and dispose of waste water AT LEAST 200 FEET AWAY FROM ANY WATER SOURCE.
Do not use ANY soap directly in a water source.
Use biodegradable soap.

Dispersed Site - Scoria Pit

Little Missouri National Grassland is located in western North Dakota, USA. At 1,033,271 acres (418,150 ha), it is the largest grassland in the country.[1] Enclaved within its borders is Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which is managed by the National Park Service (and therefore not included in the preceding statistics). The Little Missouri National Grassland was once a part of the Custer National Forest, but is now a part of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, a National Forest unit consisting entirely of National Grasslands. A predominant feature of the grassland is colorful and beautiful badlands and rugged terrain extensively eroded by wind and water. It is a mixed grass prairie, meaning it has both long and short grass. The boundaries of the grasslands on certain maps can be misleading. Within the boundaries of the national grassland are significant portions of state-owned and privately owned land, much of it leased by cattle ranchers for grazing. Overall, in descending order of land area, it is located in parts of McKenzie, Billings, Slope, and Golden Valley counties. White Butte, North Dakota's highest point, is located in the extreme southeast corner of the grassland, south of the town of Amidon. The grassland is administered by the Forest Service as part of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands from offices in Bismarck, North Dakota. There are local ranger district offices in Dickinson and Watford City.

Little Missouri National Grassland

West River Rd Medora ND Dispersed

Planning a dispersed camping trip in North Dakota? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your North Dakota camping excursion.

North Dakota

The Best Dispersed Camping in North Dakota

If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, look no further. Find the best information on dispersed campgrounds near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, including photos, reviews, and tips. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

The Best Dispersed Camping Near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

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The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Bismarck. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Bismarck campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Bismarck, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

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The Best Bismarck, ND Campgrounds | ND Camping

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Wahpeton

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Near Medora, ND, you can find some of the best camping in the area where elk, bison, and prairie dogs are a few of the common Great Plains sites campers can expect to see. Choosing campsites near the Badlands in North Dakota gives visitors easy access to the three sections in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which include destinations like the stunning Painted Canyon and the former home of President Theodore Roosevelt, the Maltese Cross Cabin. RV owners have plenty of campgrounds to choose from, some within walking distance of the park’s attractions. Don’t forget to tour the Scenic Loop Drive for unforgettable views.

The Best Camping Near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

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Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Little Missouri National Grassland, ND has a lot to offer. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Little Missouri National Grassland, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Little Missouri National Grassland camping trip.

The Best Camping Near Little Missouri National Grassland, North Dakota

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The Best Dispersed Camping in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Top Campgrounds in Theodore Roosevelt National Park (4)

1.

Dispersed Site - Scoria Pit

2.

Little Missouri National Grassland

3.

West River Rd Medora ND Dispersed

4.

Patterson Lake Boat Ramp

Dispersed Campgrounds in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Theodore Roosevelt National Park

18 Reviews of 4 Theodore Roosevelt National Park Campgrounds