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You want an affordable base camp near Theodore Roosevelt National Park with real showers and spacious sites.
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Price
$20/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Opens May 23, 2025; ...
Cell
Has Service
Pets
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Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$20/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Opens May 23, 2025; ...
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Check Policy
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Learn more about alerts →Buffalo Gap Campground (Nd)
46.9550, -103.6737
You want an affordable base camp near Theodore Roosevelt National Park with real showers and spacious sites.
You need off-season access or prefer campgrounds with extensive on-site recreation beyond hiking.
Context for the broader area surrounding Buffalo Gap Campground (Nd), sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.
<h3>Some tips to help you enjoy your recreation experience...</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Fireworks</strong> are not allowed on the Grasslands.</li> <li>Winter brings snow and extreme temperatures. Be prepared for cold weather even as early as spring, or as late as fall!</li> <li>When camping or picnicking, please keep your site clean, free from trash and food. Otherwise animals and insects are attracted to your site.</li> <li>Bag your trash and take it home with you. Help us keep our grasslands clean by "Packing It Out!"</li> <li>Never leave your campfire unattended. When you leave, <strong>put it out, dead out!</strong> See <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/coconino/landmanagement/?cid=stelprdb5331631&width=full"><strong>Forest Orders</strong></a> for any current fire restrictions</li> <li>Human waste can be a problem when recreating on the grasslands. Please see <a href="http://lnt.org/learn/principle-3" target="_new"><strong>Leave No Trace - Dispose of Waste Properly</strong></a> for detailed instructions on handling this "delicate" situation.</li> </ul> <h3>Sharing the trail with horses</h3> <p>“<em><a href="https://www.trailmeister.com/what-a-horse-sees/?cat=5"><strong>What a Horse Sees!</strong></a></em>” – a short film illustrating safe ways of passing horse and rider on the trail.</p> <h3>Driving motorized vehicles on the Grasslands</h3> <h4>Keep motor vehicles on designated routes and areas.</h4> <h5>Off-Highway Vehicle:</h5> <ul> <li>Driving cross-country (off a road/trail) by motorized, wheeled vehicles without a permit is generally prohibited (except for limited administrative and emergency uses) on the national grasslands for any purpose. Off-road travel is restricted in order to protect grassland resources.</li> <li><strong>Vehicles may ONLY travel on existing roads/trails</strong>. The road/trail must be wider than the vehicle.</li> <li>Motorized travel to a campsite is allowed within 300 feet of a road/trail. Off-road travel beyond 300 feet of a road/trail to access a favorite camp sport, hunting spot, deer stand, or for any other purpose is <strong>prohibited</strong>.</li> <li>Snowmobiles are not included in the off-highway vehicle regulations. Contact your local USFS Ranger Station for specific snowmobiling rules.</li> <li>To ensure your vehicle’s undercarriage and tires aren’t carrying weed seeds, wash your vehicle before and after traveling established roads/trails.</li> </ul> <h5>Designated Non-Motorized Areas:</h5> <ul> <li>Non-motorized restrictions are in effect for areas designated as Non-Motorized Areas on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands that prohibits any motorized use, including snowmobiles (except for limited administrative and emergency use). These areas are posted with signs and are marked on the grasslands maps that are available for purchase at each Ranger Station.</li> </ul> <h4>Contact your local USFS Ranger Station for more information</h4> <h3>Where do recreation fees go and how are they used?</h3> <p>Recreation fees support the Grasslands ability to continue providing high levels of service to visitors at popular recreation sites. The Grasslands have made major investments to several sites such as water system upgrades, road improvements, new toilet buildings and accessible picnic tables, fire rings, and pathways. Reasonable fees paid by users of these sites and services help ensure that the Grasslands can continue maintaining and improving the sites for future generations. </p> <p>With your help, we can protect our natural resources for future generations. Thank you!</p>
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Best season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliable access to the badlands and the longest daylight for hiking and wildlife viewing, with daytime highs typically in the 80s–90s°F and nights in the 50s–60s. Trails and overlooks are fully accessible, bison and prairie dogs are highly visible, and the painted canyon colors are most vivid in strong sunlight and long golden hours. Expect higher visitor numbers (especially July) and bring sun protection, plenty of water, and plan to arrive early for a first-come Peak months: July, June, August, May Avoid: October, November, December, January
Late spring (opens May 23) noted as ideal for birding and plants, though season starts late.
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Buffalo Gap Campground in North Dakota features a mix of natural beauty and basic amenities. The campground provides two flush toilet buildings and one building with three showers. "The bathrooms were clean," as noted by one reviewer, though others report issues such as, "Two of the four toilets were locked," and concerns with spider webs and ticks in the shower area. Potable water is available on-site, but specific details on locations or water pressure are not provided. Sites include picnic tables and fire pits, which enhance the camping experience. RV parking is available, and some sites are leveled, though reviews indicate "sites not level" and "very poorly laid out" at times. A dump station is present but reportedly inoperable as per user feedback ("The dump station is inoperable"). Cell phone service is limited, with one user reporting, "Limited Verizon coverage unless you climb to the top of the hill." Showers are clean and spacious with hot water ("Showers are large and clean with hot water," according to a reviewer). The campground lacks on-site Wi-Fi except near the camp host area. Firewood availability is not mentioned, and there is no clear indication of a camp store. Accessibility features include paved parking and accessible picnic areas. Trash and recycling facilities are not explicitly described in the source materials.
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Pulled from per-site mentions in 91 reviews.
Site 11 in the Mandan loop is frequently mentioned, with some users praising its spaciousness and privacy, while others noted it was poorly leveled.
Site 13 in the Mandan loop is highlighted for its scenic views and proximity to trails.
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