Sheyenne National Grassland
RV Guide
Introduction
Located in the southeastern corner of North Dakota, Sheyenne National Grassland is a blend of vast rolling plains and rugged sand dunes. Miles of multi-use trails cut through the area, making it a popular destination for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. You can also connect to the North Country Scenic Trail, one of the longest continuous trails in the country.
Big game hunting for deer and elk is allowed throughout most of the grasslands. You’ll also be able to spot hundreds of bird species throughout the year, including dozens of different types of birds of prey. The prairieland comes alive with hundreds of different species of wildflowers during the spring, including one of the largest populations in the country of prairie fringed orchids.
There are two main RV campgrounds in the grasslands, located at Jurgen’s Hollow and Hankinson Hills. The primitive sites offer secluded, rustic camping with access to a large network of trails. You can also disperse camp throughout all of the public land in the grasslands.
RV Rentals in Sheyenne National Grassland
Transportation
Driving
Tucked into the corner of southeastern North Dakota, Sheyenne National Grassland is a fairly remote natural retreat. It’ll take a few hours to reach the grasslands from any major city, although the area is near the intersection of I-84 and I-29, so you should have few issues getting there with a large rig.
If you are driving from Minneapolis, take I-94 out of the city, and you’ll get to the grasslands in around four hours. From Sioux Falls, take I-29 north, and you’ll reach the grasslands in around three and a half hours.
The roads in the grasslands are mainly flat and straight, presenting few difficulties for large RVs. Drive with caution if visiting the area during the winter, as the roads can get quite icy at night.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Sheyenne National Grassland
Campsites in Sheyenne National Grassland
First-come first-served
Hankinson Hills Campground
This 15-site primitive campground is popular for campers with horses. The primitive sites all have picnic tables and fire pits, and you’ll have access to a large group picnic pavilion. Drinking water and vault toilets can be found throughout the campground. Hiking and horseback riding are the two most popular activities near the campground, and you’ll have quick access to the Hankinson Hills Trail, an eight-mile loop that is great for birdwatching and wildlife viewing.
All of the sites in the campground are first-come, first-served. The campground is usually not crowded, although it will fill up some holiday weekends.
Jorgen’s Hollow Campground
This secluded RV campground has 14 primitive sites, with great shade and privacy provided by oak trees. Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit, and seven are designed to accommodate a horse. You can access drinking water at multiple points throughout the campground, and there are also vault toilets. There are a number of hiking and riding trails leading out from the campground, including the Oak Leaf and North Country National Scenic Hiking Trails. These trails are popular for birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding.
All of the sites in the campground are first-come, first-served. There are usually open spots, as the campground is rarely crowded.
Alternate camping
Dispersed Camping
The open expanses of the grasslands make for excellent dispersed camping. You’ll have plenty of privacy, and you can access a number of hiking and horseback riding trails in the area.
There are a number of private lots dotted throughout the grasslands, so make sure you park your RV on public land. Other than private land and along trailheads, dispersed camping is allowed throughout the grasslands for a maximum of 14 consecutive days.
Seasonal activities in Sheyenne National Grassland
In-Season
Hiking
The prairieland and rolling sand dunes of the grasslands make for perfect hiking throughout the year. You can connect to a number of popular trails in the area, including the famous North Country National Scenic Trail, which stretches over thousands of miles and eight states. You’ll also find trails leading out from Hankinson Hills and Jorgen’s Hollow Campgrounds. Hiking is best during the spring and fall, when the grasslands are at their most colorful and birds are migrating.
Horseback Riding
The open expanses of prairieland and sand dunes make the grasslands a great destination for horseback riding. You can explore several popular riding trails in the area, including the North Country National Scenic Trail, which gives you hundreds of miles of terrain to explore.
There are two RV campgrounds in the area that provide facilities for horses. Jorgen’s Hollow and Hankinson Hills both have sites where you can keep a horse, and you can quickly connect to a number of riding trails just outside the campground.
Mountain Biking
The rugged terrain of the grasslands makes for excellent mountain biking. You can connect to a vast network of trails from the main RV campgrounds in the area, giving you hundreds of miles of riding. The North Country Scenic Trail can be reached from Jorgen’s Hollow Campground, as can the Oak Leaf Trail, one of the most popular routes for wildlife viewing. None of the RV campgrounds rent equipment, so bring everything you need along with your rig.
Off-Season
Birdwatching
There are hundreds of birds that visit the Dakota grasslands throughout the year, making it an excellent location for birdwatching. You’ll be able to spot dozens of different birds of prey, including more than five varieties of hawks. The grasslands are also populated by dozens of species of bluebirds, blackbirds, and a number of owl species.
If you want to learn more about the birds found in the grasslands, visit the websites of local audubon societies. The Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory monitors the species found in the grasslands, and has checklists that list the birds by season.
Hunting
With over 70,000 acres of land, Sheyenne National Grassland is a popular destination for RV campers interested in hunting. The open prairieland is home to a wide range of big game species, including deer and elk. You’ll also be able to hunt for grouse, coyote, and prairie dog.
There are a number of private plots throughout the grasslands, so make sure not to trespass while hunting. You’ll need a North Dakota hunting license if you plan on hunting anywhere on the grasslands.
Cross-Country Skiing
If you visit the grasslands during the winter, bring a pair of skis along with your campervan. There are a number of cross-country skiing trails that cut across the frozen sand dunes and prairieland. You can also access portions of the North Country National Scenic Trail, which crosses eight states. Most of the trails in the grasslands are not groomed, so inexperienced skiers may struggle after heavy snow storms.
