Dakota Prairie Grasslands – beautiful
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands combines four different grasslands. Each is unique but all share the traits of vastness and grass. Not as well–known as national parks or even national forests, national grasslands are wonderfully empty of hoards of people.
Little Missouri National Grassland (NG)
With it miles and miles of Badlands, Little Missouri NGis a delight for a geology junkie like me. The paleontologist in all of us will find the Little MO fun. Chunks of petrified wood and fossils can be found throughout the grassland.
Anyone interested in Lewis and Clark, Plain’s Indian wars, and military history, especially General Custer, need to spend time in the Little Missouri NG.
The Maah Daah Hey trail winds through the Little MO from top to down and is a challenge to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. I understand Adventure magazine rated this trail in the top 50.
The area’s drinking water is definitely an acquired taste. FYI: Don’t be surprised by the Little Missouri River’s appearance. It probably will look similar to a thick cocoa when made with only water. Caused, I assume, by the glacial slit and volcanic ash stored in the Badland’s rock that erodes and becomes suspended in the flowing water.
Cedar River NG
Little more than a “daycare for cattle”. Although, in theory, it’s open to all, who wants to camp or hike where a herd of beef have wandered?
Grand River NG
The recreational possibilities in this grassland are undeveloped. This is the type grassland you read about in your school’s history books – vast stretches of nothing but grass with an occasional island of trees, usually in some draw with a little seep of water. To me, the grass covered hillsides look like massive waves rolling toward some distant shore on an enormous gold and green ocean. There is one stocked fishing pond at a day use area but that’s about all the developed recreation in Grand River NG. The riches of Grand River NG maybe known to the locals but they aren’t interested in sharing.
Sheyenne NG
The most “urbanized” (and I use that term very loosely) of the Dakota’s grasslands, the Sheyenne NG has two areas. The larger area spreads north, south, and east of Lisbon, ND and boasts of the having a sections of the North Country National Scenic Trail. It is a good way to get an up-close-and-personal view of the grassland but not the only way. There are other shorter, less known trails – check with the Sheyenne NG folks for more details, information, and maps.
This larger section of the Sheyenne also contains a last piece of “virgin” prairie, some of the largest basswood and oak trees in the state, a “homemade” museum in McLeod (formerly named Sandhill), and more elbow room than you can imagine.
The smaller piece of the Sheyenne NG is just north of Hankinson, ND and has one of the prettiest campgrounds you’ll find in the state. Hankinson Hills campground is nestled in an area that reminds me of the camping in the coastal mountain of California where the Big Sur and the golden hillsides meet. I keep looking up for a seagull to soar by. To the north of this campground is a delicious horse camp, Jorgen’s Hallow. Adjacent to the North Country Trail, the campground is great for equestrian and mountain biker enthusiasts as well as campers.
DCF 1.0
Word of caution
The wind blowing across Dakota Prairie Grassland is not a gentle, hair ruffling, breeze but the type of wind that could blow the hair off a cow’s butt! Well, it did keep the mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and knats at bay.
Dakota Prairie Grasslands is a horseperson’s heaven. All the campgrounds but one (Buffalo Gap campground) permits horses inside the developed area. If there is a trail, it was designed for horses. And in most of the DPG, while we were there, the grasses were lush, green, and plentiful.
