Wind sweeps across the ridgeline at this dispersed camping area, where gravel roads climb through open grassland to elevated sites overlooking the badlands. Campers spread out across multiple levels of terrain, from lower spots near the access road to higher perches that require navigating steeper grades and tighter turns.
The area operates on a first-come basis with numbered sites recently added by forest service workers. Joseph G. notes that campers typically find "A TON of space to ourselves" with "closest neighbors about 100 yards away in either direction." Road noise from Interstate 94 carries across the open terrain, though most campers report the sound fades into background white noise after dark.
Access varies significantly by vehicle type and weather conditions. The gravel road handles dry conditions well for most RVs, but Eric A. warns it's "not a place I'd bring a trailer or bigger RV if it was wet out." Larger rigs typically stay in lower areas, while smaller vehicles can navigate the full loop to ridge-top sites with expanded views. Cell service improves with elevation, particularly for AT&T and Verizon users.
The location serves as a convenient base for exploring Cottonwood Campground — Theodore Roosevelt National Park and accessing the Painted Canyon Visitor Center for basic facilities. Campers often drive to nearby Sully Creek State Park for water and dump station services. Exit 23 lacks westbound Interstate access, requiring eastbound travel to Exit 24 for westbound re-entry.
Plan for wind exposure on ridge sites and consider lower elevation spots during storms. Mud can create challenging conditions near the entrance after rainfall.
Description
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsDispersed Site is located in North Dakota near Medora
Coordinates
46.94532829414717 N
103.58861622550067 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 22 usersLast on 5/13/26- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 25 usersLast on 5/13/26
AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 28 usersLast on 5/13/26
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 22 usersLast on 5/13/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 25 usersLast on 5/13/26
- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 28 usersLast on 5/13/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Dispersed Site - Grassland Boondocking needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 50 min from Bismarck, ND
- 3 hrs 9 min from Minot, ND
- 3 hrs 45 min from Rapid City, SD
- 3 hrs 48 min from Billings, MT
