How much does camping cost at Magpie Campground?

Camping fees at Magpie Campground range from $10/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Magpie Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Magpie Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Magpie Campground before I book?

Yes! Magpie Campground has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Magpie Campground?

Magpie Campground is open Open year-round. Limited services available between Labor Day and Memorial Day.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Magpie Campground?

Magpie Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Magpie Campground?

Fire policies at Magpie Campground: Fire restrictions might be in effect; visitors should check conditions in advance.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Magpie Campground have?

Magpie Campground has 11 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Magpie Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Magpie Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Magpie Campground?

Magpie Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Magpie Campground?

Popular activities at Magpie Campground include Hiking, Biking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

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.

Tent Camping

Featured in:Pet-Friendly Campgrounds North Dakota

Quick Facts

2,228 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

2,228 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Check Availability 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

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

USFS

Provider

701-227-7800

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Magpie Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

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.

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).

Weather at Magpie Campground

Current alert: Fire restrictions may be in effect. Visitors should monitor NDResponse.gov for updates.

Best Time to Camp at Magpie Campground

Summer delivers the most reliable conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to low 90s°F and cool nights between 45 and 60°F. Long sunny days make this the best window for hiking, biking, and exploring Devil's Pass and the Ice Caves. Trails are fully accessible and water service is available. The remote location keeps crowds low to moderate, picking up mainly on holiday weekends. Winter brings freezing temperatures and snow. Spring weather swings unpredictably between warm spells and cold snaps.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer has the most reliable weather and is best for hiking, biking and exploring features.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round. Limited services available between Labor Day and Memorial Day.

About Magpie Campground

Magpie Campground sits in the Dakota Prairie Grasslands near Fairfield, North Dakota, offering quiet access to grassland trails and geological formations. The campground has 11 single-unit sites with parking pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. At $10 per night, it provides vault toilets and hand-pumped potable water. The setting is described as secluded and private.

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

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the most reliable conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to low 90s°F and cool nights between 45 and 60°F. Long sunny days make this the best window for hiking, biking, and exploring Devil's Pass and the Ice Caves. Trails are fully accessible and water service is available. The remote location keeps crowds low to moderate, picking up mainly on holiday weekends. Winter brings freezing temperatures and snow. Spring weather swings unpredictably between warm spells and cold snaps.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a spot where prairie grasslands meet notable geological features. Devil's Pass, accessible from the area, displays erosion-carved rock formations. The Ice Caves nearby maintain cool interior temperatures year-round due to rock formations that trap cold air. Elevation sits at 2,228 feet. Trees provide some shade at the campsites, breaking up the otherwise open grassland terrain.

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.

Scenic ViewsReviews and descriptions highlight scenic grassland views, shaded areas in summer, and proximity to unique geological features.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging accommodations are mentioned.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

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

Need help booking Magpie Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Potable water is not available at this site. Potable water is available from spring to fall seasons (turned off during winter). No electrical hook-ups are available.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

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.

Hiking

Biking

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include changing weather conditions, remote access, and possible wildlife encounters.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Magpie Campground

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.

From Booking Sources

0.0

0 reviews

Limited Reviews

Magpie Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Review Summaries

No review summaries available for this campground yet.

Check back later as we continuously analyze new reviews.

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

Hikers and mountain bikers targeting the Maah Daah Hey Trail will get the most out of this. Summer is the reliable window, water is hand-pumped on-site, sites have shade and privacy, and the $10 fee with a possible senior pass discount is hard to argue with.

Skip if

Cash or check only for payment, 15-plus miles of gravel just to get in, no hookups, and cell coverage is unknown at best. Anyone who needs reliable connectivity, paved access, or modern facilities will find the remoteness more frustrating than freeing.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited