Safety and Outdoor Ethics
As a visitor to the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the natural environment, ensure the health and safety of all visitors, and promote a pleasant and rewarding outdoor recreation experience. Please be careful, remain mindful, stay alert for natural hazards and dangers, and mitigate risky behaviors. Everyone is primarily responsible for their safety.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Campfires in the Grasslands
Figure 1. An illustration of a campfire in a fire ring made from stones and rocks.
Recreational campfires in the Dakota Prairie Grasslands are a familiar camping component, offering warmth, cooking, and social gathering opportunities (Figure 1). However, all fire uses must be handled cautiously and adhere to fire restrictions and safety guidelines.
Closures and Restrictions
The Grasslands Supervisor may issue closure or restriction orders for using certain areas or activities as needed. Fire restrictions limit or prohibit fires at certain times due to high fire danger conditions. Visitors are responsible for monitoring current state conditions. Please refer to the Alerts and Fire Danger Status bar at the top of the page for fire restrictions information or the Fire page for additional resources and details.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Using and Reporting Fire
Many wildfires are caused by human activity, typically escaped campfires from dispersed campers. Everyone is responsible for keeping fires under control. Fire spreads aggressively. Every minute counts. If you ever detect any signs of fire not under control, anytime, anywhere, call 911 immediately. First responders will manage the situation.
Within established campgrounds and other developed recreation sites, build fires only in fire rings, stoves, grills, or fireplaces provided for that purpose. Campfires are allowed when dispersed camping, provided fire restrictions are not in effect. Please remember:
- Use existing fire rings to minimize the scarring of new rocks, soil, and plants.
- Clear an area of combustible material six feet from a campfire to reduce the chance of it spreading.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
Figure 2. Always be prepared for campfire maintenance by bringing a bucket, shovel, and axe to control and extinguish fires.
Be Prepared
Wherever you use fire, always be prepared. Always a bucket, shovel, and axe (Figure 2) to control and extinguish fires. Before leaving a campsite where fire was used, ensure it is dead out. You should be able to put your whole hand into the ashes without burning it, and it should feel cool to the touch.
Call 911 immediately if you detect or suspect any incidents of escaped fire, anytime, anywhere.
The Smokey Bear website offers more recreational campfire tips and resources.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Operating Vehicles in the Grasslands
Figure 3. E-bikes are designated as motorized vehicles and are not allowed on non-motorized National Forest System roads and trails.
Road Rules
Obey all traffic signs. State traffic laws apply to National Grasslands. License tags, insurance, and DUI violations are strictly enforced. Obey area and trail restrictions on using trail bikes, including E-bikes (Figure 3) and other off-the-road vehicles. Please consult the Visitor Maps and Guides page for Motor Vehicle Use Maps.
Parking
Please do not block, restrict, or interfere with others using roads or trails, especially gated roads. For example, don't park in the middle of a rural road expecting that you're alone. People will drive off the road or trail to go around you, which widens the road and impacts the habitat.
Figure 4. The image here is an example of when paths get tracked and rutted, people drive around and create new paths, further damaging the landscape and destroying vital grasses and plants.
Environmental Impact
Please do not damage the land or vegetation or disturb wildlife when operating vehicles. Avoid riding or driving on unpaved roads or trails when wet or muddy. Doing so creates ruts, which wear away the soil, vegetation, and natural habitats (Figure 4).
All motorized vehicles may enter and leave established campgrounds and recreation sites but must not enter trails unless specifically marked. If dispersed camping, be mindful of recent weather and how it may affect road conditions. If the ground is soggy, stick to the paved roads.
On established paths, if there is an impassable pathway pothole on the trail, don’t veer around. Turn back to the pavement. Please consult the Visitor Maps and Guides page for Motor Vehicle Use Maps.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Industrial Oil and Gas Sites in the Grasslands
Figure 5. Warning signs in the foreground caution of hazards—including hydrogen sulfide and the risk of machinery starting automatically—at a multi-well oil and gas production site in the Little Missouri National Grassland, managed by the Medora Ranger District, near Belfield, ND. A trio of pump jacks operates in the background.
Industrial oil and gas sites are common on the DPG, especially in the Little Missouri National Grassland. These fenced sites are found in remote areas and use advanced drilling to reach oil deep underground (Figure 5).
Never enter any well sites, even if they look inactive. These areas can pose serious health and safety risks, including:
- Equipment that may start or stop automatically, such as pumping units or flares
- The presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas and other harmful chemicals
- Possible equipment failures that could release fluids or gases
- High voltage electricity
Never shoot firearms toward or near oil and gas facilities.
By staying alert and following these safety guidelines, you help protect yourself and others near oil and gas sites. Additional safety guidelines are provided here.
For questions or more information, contact the Medora or McKenzie Ranger District offices.
Dangerous Dakota Denizens in the Grasslands
Although the grasslands are scenic and beautiful, all creatures, great and small, still pose dangers. Please prepare and use precautions and awareness to defend yourself. For more fauna facts, visit our Animals page.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Click an image to view the photo gallery in full-screen size and read the descriptive captions.
Additional Guidance in the Grasslands
Fees are required to use certain developed sites and facilities. These areas are signed or posted as requiring a fee. Where fees are required, you must pay upon selecting the site, facility, equipment, or service furnished.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Campgrounds and other recreation sites are only intended for recreation and may not be used permanently or as a principal residence without authorization.
The National Forest Service limits the continuous stay of designated campgrounds and dispersed camping areas within the National Forest System to 14 days, after which they must move to different locations.
Additionally, camping or occupying any number of sites for 28 days cumulatively in a calendar year is prohibited within all Northern Region (Region 1) National Forest System (NFS) lands, which includes the Dakota Prairie Grasslands.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
- No fighting or boisterous behavior.
- Keep noise at a reasonable level.
- Please be considerate of fellow visitors.
- Threatening, intimidating, or interfering with any forest employee is a federal offense.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Operate any audio device (radio, musical instrument, etc.) so that it does not disturb other visitors.
A permit is required for operating a public address (PA) system or loudspeakers in or near a campsite, developed recreation site, or over a body of water.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Do not carve, chop, cut, damage, or mark (paint, etc.) live trees. Leave natural areas the way you find them.
Do not disturb Native American sites, old cabins, etcetera. These structures and associated objects and artifacts have historic or archeological value. Do not damage or remove any historic or archeological resource or other property.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
- All pets must always be restrained or leashed in developed recreation sites.
- Clean up after your animals. Keep America beautiful.
- Pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas.
- Saddle or pack animals are allowed in recreation sites only where authorized by posted instructions.
- Hitching, tethering, or hobbling a horse that causes damage to live trees, soil, or water is prohibited.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
- Throw all garbage and litter in the containers provided for this purpose.
- If trash containers are not provided, follow the Pack In, Pack Out guidelines. What you bring in must be taken out when your visit is finished.
- Keep garbage, litter, and foreign substances out of lakes, streams, and other water sources to prevent pollution.
- Use toilets properly. Do not throw garbage, litter, or other foreign substances in toilets or plumbing.
- Wash food and personal items away from drinking water supplies.
- Use faucets only for drawing water.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Water gets contaminated by visitors who don't properly dispose of human waste or their garbage and food properly.
Human Waste:
- Dig a hole six inches deep and at least 200 feet away from any water source (creeks, wetlands, springs, or lakes).
- When you finish, fill the hole with the dirt you dug up and dispose of your toilet paper in a proper waste container.
- Never leave waste or leave toilet paper on top of the ground. Waste and trash could easily contaminate the local water source.
Washing
- Wash your body, dishes, etc., and dispose of wastewater at least 200 feet from any water source.
- Use biodegradable soap only.
- Do not use soap directly in a water source.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Dispersed camping, also known as boondocking, is a type of camping where camping is permitted outside of designated campgrounds on public lands.
Dispersed camping is prohibited near developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, boat ramps, picnic areas, or trailheads.
That means no toilets, picnic tables, trash cans, treated water, or fire grates.
Therefore, some extra responsibilities and skills are necessary, and you must know these before you try this new experience.
Dispersed Camping Guidelines
- Driving cross-country (off a road or trail) by motorized, wheeled vehicles is prohibited in the National Grasslands. Vehicles may drive up to 300 feet off-road to camp along certain roads. These roads are shown on the Grassland's Motor Vehicle Use Map.
- Choose your space carefully. It is your responsibility to determine if a particular area is private property. Make your campsite less visible to limit ruining the view for others.
- Camp on bare soil if possible, avoiding damage to plants and grass.
- Do not camp within 200 feet of any water source.
- You are responsible to know if fire restrictions are in effect before camping. For current conditions, refer to the Alerts bar above or visit the Fire Information page.
- Campers are responsible for being self-sufficient, bringing water, waste disposal, and electricity.
- Follow the Leave No Trace principles of Pack In, Pack Out to minimize your environmental impact.
- Use the cat hole method to dispose of human waste. Dig a small hole six to eight inches deep and a minimum of 200 feet from any water source. Since animals will often dig up cat holes and scatter the toilet paper, it is preferred that you pack out all toilet paper. If you must bury toilet paper, use a minimal amount and bury it with at least six inches of soil.
For additional information visit the Dispersed Camping page.
For more information about developed camping areas, refer to our Visitor Maps and Guides page.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Motor Vehicle Use (MVU) and Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) are available on the Visitors and Maps page.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands are open for public hunting under state rules and regulations.
Please research the specific state regulations:
North Dakota: North Dakota Game and Fish
South Dakota: South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Target shooting is generally allowed on National Forest System lands within the Dakota Prairie Grasslands if it adheres to specific regulations and restrictions. Guidance for recreational shooting is available on the Target Shooting page.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.
Permits are required for any commercial activity on public land.
Contact the local Ranger District Office for more information.