Magpie Campground

0 review

One and a half miles north of Fairfield on Highway 85, then 15.5 miles west on gravel Road 712, near Fairfield, ND.

Quick Facts

2,228 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Medora Ranger District Ranger Station site

Official Website

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Quick Facts

2,228 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Medora Ranger District Ranger Station site

Official Website

Get Directions

Magpie Campground

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Overnight camping costs $10 per single site. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount (only for the pass-holder’s site)....

Standard Site Fee$10.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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USFS

Provider

701-227-7800

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Campground Map

One and a half miles north of Fairfield on Highway 85, then 15.5 miles west on gravel Road 712, near Fairfield, ND.

Magpie Campground

One and a half miles north of Fairfield on Highway 85, then 15.5 miles west on gravel Road 712, near Fairfield, ND.

Driving directionsTravel one and a half miles north of Fairfield on Highway 85. Turn west on Road 712 at the Magpie Camp sign. Travel 15.5 miles on gravel Road 712. The campground is located one-quarter of a mile northeast of Road 712.

The campground is accessed via Highway 85 and gravel Road 712. The gravel road covers 15.5 miles, potentially requiring a vehicle suited for unpaved roads.

Nearby places

Fairfield (about 16 miles via Road 712), Dickinson, ND (approximately 45 miles southeast).

Nearby supplies

Supplies available in Fairfield (16 miles) or Dickinson (approximately 45 miles away).

Best Time to Camp at Magpie Campground

The Dakota prairie transforms dramatically with each passing season, offering visitors a different experience throughout the year. Summer brings warm, sun-drenched days under expansive blue skies, with dry conditions perfect for hiking and exploration. As autumn arrives, the grasslands burst into golden hues while temperatures begin their gentle descent. Winter blankets the landscape in snow and silence, with freezing temperatures creating a stark but beautiful wilderness experience. Spring awakens the prairie with unpredictable weather patterns—from gentle warming trends to surprise cold snaps—as wildflowers begin their colorful emergence across the grasslands.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer offers warm days, shaded sites, and full services—prime season for this prairie campground.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Prairie transforms in fall; scenic but services are limited after Labor Day.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Changing prairie conditions in spring offer varied scenery but services may be limited early season.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

Open year-round but limited services and harsh prairie winters reduce comfort and activity options.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round. Limited services available between Labor Day and Memorial Day.
Current Alerts: Fire restrictions may be in effect. Visitors should monitor NDResponse.gov for updates.

About Magpie Campground

Hidden within the rolling expanse of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, Magpie Campground offers an authentic escape into North Dakota's untamed wilderness. This secluded haven features 11 thoughtfully spaced campsites, each equipped with its own picnic table, fire ring, and dedicated parking pad. Despite its remote location, comfort hasn't been forgotten—accessible vault toilets and fresh drinking water from a traditional hand pump ensure a pleasant stay. Adventure seekers will find themselves perfectly positioned to explore the mysterious Devil's Pass, while those seeking tranquility can simply soak in the prairie's endless horizons beneath a canopy of native trees.

Magpie Campground supports diverse camping needs with single-unit camp spurs for tent and RV camping. Equestrian camping is also allowed.

Weather and SeasonsThe Dakota prairie transforms dramatically with each passing season, offering visitors a different experience throughout the year. Summer brings warm, sun-drenched days under expansive blue skies, with dry conditions perfect for hiking and exploration. As autumn arrives, the grasslands burst into golden hues while temperatures begin their gentle descent. Winter blankets the landscape in snow and silence, with freezing temperatures creating a stark but beautiful wilderness experience. Spring awakens the prairie with unpredictable weather patterns—from gentle warming trends to surprise cold snaps—as wildflowers begin their colorful emergence across the grasslands.

Natural Features and SceneryMagpie Campground sits like a shaded oasis amidst the sweeping Dakota Prairie Grasslands, where ancient cottonwoods and hardy prairie trees provide welcome relief from the summer sun. The landscape here tells a story of geological wonder—venture out to discover the enigmatic Devil's Pass, where wind and weather have carved dramatic formations into the earth, or explore the fascinating Ice Caves that maintain their cool temperatures even in summer's heat. For those drawn to adventure, the legendary Maah Daah Hey trailhead beckons nearby, offering access to one of the most spectacular trail systems in the northern Great Plains, where riders and hikers can lose themselves in the rugged beauty of the badlands.

Geological RegionSet within the remarkable Dakota Prairie Grasslands, Magpie Campground occupies a unique ecological crossroads where vast grassland ecosystems meet ancient geological wonders. This diverse landscape showcases millions of years of natural history, from the windswept prairie grasses that dance in endless waves to the dramatic geological formations of Devil's Pass, where erosion has sculpted the earth into otherworldly shapes. The nearby Ice Caves add another layer of geological intrigue, their cool chambers formed by unique rock formations that trap cold air year-round. This is a land where the forces of wind, water, and time have created a playground for modern explorers, all set against the backdrop of one of North America's last great grassland wildernesses.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 consecutive days.

Groups

No group sites or details about group accommodations are mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsPotentially reservable; reservation fees may apply. Contact Medora Ranger District for details.

AccessibilityThe campground includes accessible unisex vault toilets.

Site SizeThe campground has 11 single-unit camp spurs with designated parking pads.

PrivacyThe campground is described as quiet and secluded, offering a private camping experience.

Total Campsites11 campsites

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a range of outdoor activities, serving as a base for exploring Devil's Pass and nearby attractions like the Ice Caves. It includes access to the Maah Daah Hey Trail, which supports non-motorized hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Winter sports such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also available.

HikingHiking opportunities include access to the Maah Daah Hey Trail, which features challenging sections and scenic views. Nearby attractions include Devil's Pass and the Ice Caves.

BikingThe Maah Daah Hey Trail accommodates mountain and road biking. E-bikes are considered motorized vehicles and are restricted to paved and established roads, not trails.

Winter Activities