If you’re a fan of North Dakota’s unique prairie landscape, you’re going to be a huge fan of this amazing preserve area where you can camp ’til your heart’s content. Whether you prefer drive-up or hike-in types of camping areas, you’re sure to love camping at the Sheyenne National Grasslands, which boasts two developed campgrounds and allows for dispersed camping elsewhere. This “unofficial” campground has made its way into our hearts as one of our favorite campgrounds in North Dakota:

Welcome to Sheyenne National Grassland, an arguable paradise on earth.

Annmarie DeAngelis/AllTrails If you’re interested in a campground - albeit one with primitive campsites, no hookups here! - you’ll want to stay at Jorgen’s Hollow Campground, which is located on the northeast corner of the prairie. There is also Hankinson Hills Campground, which allows for large group camping.

If not, though - if you’d rather rough it away from other people - you’re going to want to take advantage of the dispersed camping available onsite.

Derek Peterson/AllTrails “Dispersed camping” means camping away from other campers and off designated campgrounds. It’s legal in many areas of the grassland, and honestly, it’s our favorite way to do things.

This area is special; it’s home to some amazingly rare and intriguing species of flora and fauna, like the western prairie fringed orchid, and the Sharp-tailed grouse.

Alec Tvedt/AllTrails If you’re lucky (and you know where to look), you just might spot one of those or any number of other uncommon and rare species calling the grassland home. For example, if you’d like to admire the orchids, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the tiny flowers on the roadside and in ditches, usually during the month of July.

There’s something primal and wonderful about primitive, dispersed camping.

Justin Germann/AllTrails When it’s just you and the great outdoors, it seems to hit differently. This grassland is one of the last remaining “virgin,” meaning unmowed and wild, prairies in North Dakota. When you find yourself at a campfire surrounded only by the wilderness, especially this one, it stirs an old sense of belonging in the soul.

It’s especially wonderful when there’s nobody else around for miles, and it’s just you, the sky, and the prairie.

Derek Peterson/AllTrails Well, and your campfire. There’s always that. You’ll definitely never want to leave it unattended, though, and make sure it’s dead-out before you leave. Don’t forget the principles of Leave No Trace - let’s keep North Dakota’s landscapes perfect.

For dispersed camping, vehicles are allowed to drive up to 300 feet offroad to set up camp.

Kindra Mahler Vennes/AllTrails This is constrained to specific roads, though, so make sure to double-check your plans on the official USDA website.

So, what are your thoughts? Which campgrounds in North Dakota are your favorites? Tell us about them in the comments and you might just see your favorites featured in an article of their own someday!

Annmarie DeAngelis/AllTrails

If you’re interested in a campground - albeit one with primitive campsites, no hookups here! - you’ll want to stay at Jorgen’s Hollow Campground, which is located on the northeast corner of the prairie. There is also Hankinson Hills Campground, which allows for large group camping.

Derek Peterson/AllTrails

“Dispersed camping” means camping away from other campers and off designated campgrounds. It’s legal in many areas of the grassland, and honestly, it’s our favorite way to do things.

Alec Tvedt/AllTrails

If you’re lucky (and you know where to look), you just might spot one of those or any number of other uncommon and rare species calling the grassland home. For example, if you’d like to admire the orchids, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the tiny flowers on the roadside and in ditches, usually during the month of July.

Justin Germann/AllTrails

When it’s just you and the great outdoors, it seems to hit differently. This grassland is one of the last remaining “virgin,” meaning unmowed and wild, prairies in North Dakota. When you find yourself at a campfire surrounded only by the wilderness, especially this one, it stirs an old sense of belonging in the soul.

Well, and your campfire. There’s always that. You’ll definitely never want to leave it unattended, though, and make sure it’s dead-out before you leave. Don’t forget the principles of Leave No Trace - let’s keep North Dakota’s landscapes perfect.

Kindra Mahler Vennes/AllTrails

This is constrained to specific roads, though, so make sure to double-check your plans on the official USDA website.

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Address: Sheyenne National Grassland, Shenford, ND 58054, USA