little missouri national grassland

I found North Dakota and the grasslands fascinating. When I was planning my trip to North Dakota, I was told to be sure to check out the grasslands area by the people on the North Dakota forum. I did not know what a "fun thing": it would be until I was there. Its fascinating to see the various grasslands, and the animals (bison, etc.). As mentioned by others, the red mud is something else to encounter in North Dakota. I was happy when I returned to my motel and a rain storm came through to "wash" off the car. However, I had to smile at the "mud path" I left in my parking spot at the lodge.

The Forest service improves it every year and the additions are well placed and helpful. The red scorria roads are hard on tires though. All camping is primitive, although they are adding hand water pumps at some locations.

I guess that's the best way to put it. It's humbling and beautiful here. Watching Bison graze on the grasses or sleep the afternoon away. Take a walk down into one of the many small canyons to fully immerse yourself in the quite desolation such a place would have been long ago. You really get an appreciation for life in the plains here. If you have any Indian ancestry, you can almost hear them speaking to you through the winds of the valleys. An incredibly grounding place you can really find peace in.

The infinite views of the grasslands gives an understanding of why the Native Americans of the plains needed to protect their land. The farmers destroyed the native grass and caused the soil to erode. It is a real education to see the restoration of the grassland.

Aside from a few short trails, we actually didn't spend much time exploring the grasslands. But we did stay at the small campground just off the interstate in the grasslands. The campsites are small, but nice. The bathroom facilities were in great condition, better than most state parks. You are only a few hundred yards from the interstate, so the sound of traffic may encroach the wilderness experience, but you're only 10 minutes from Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the camping fees are cheaper. Not a bad place to camp.

Everytime we're in the area we get out our grasslands map and explore the back roads. From cottonwood-lined river bottoms to dissected badlands to immense expanses of shortgrass prairie--there's no landscape quite like this place.

Living on the eastern side of North Dakota it was such a change to see the rolling hills instead of the flat priairie

We drove through one evening looking for buffalo and wild horses. While we saw deer, elk and a lot of prairie dogs, we did not see buffalo. Still, the beauty of this area was a real treat to see.

There is nothing to see or do it is grass covered prairie.

very pretty place to drive thru. We got pictures and enjoyed sharing them.

We went 2 days in a row with our utv & atv on the south side. We took the custer trail auto tour. Stopped first at the BLM to pick up a map & make sure we would be taking the right roads for our toys. Would recommend doing the same if you are going to explore because there are so many unmarked roads. Low traffic. Seen quite a bitt of antelope, deer, pheasant, birds, etc... Left at sunset & it was perfect. That's when we saw the most animals. It's not a short visit. Have time to enjoy. One of the turnaround points on the trial had a restroom.