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Hankinson Hills Campground
FSU.S. Forest Service — Dakota Prairie National Grasslands
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Dakota Prairie National Grasslands |
| Location | Dakota Prairie National Grasslands |
| Sites | 16 public sites counted from the federal listing — 7 standard nonelectric; 6 equestrian nonelectric; 2 rv nonelectric; 1 group shelter nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 16 sites Water hookups at 0 of 16 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 16 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 16 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 60 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 15 sites · 30 ft: 15 sites · 35 ft: 12 sites · 40 ft: 12 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | All sites are first-come, first-served & not available for online reservations. Please pay your camping fee immediately upon selecting your campsite 1. Write your information on a fee envelope, insert payment into envelope, and seal envelope 2. Detach proof of payment hangtag and stub, then deposit envelope into the secure fee tube provided 3. Hang the hangtag from your rearview mirror, and clip the stub to your campsite’s numbered post 4. When leaving at the end of your stay, please remove the stub from your campsite’s numbered post Holders of an Interagency Pass receive a 50% discount on the camping fee. Write your Pass # on your fee envelope and include discounted payment. Display your Pass in your vehicle so it is visible to compliance officers. Passes are available for purchase at the Sheyenne Ranger District Office and online at store.usgs.gov If using scan & pay with the recreation.gov app, please download the app before arrival and follow pay instructions posted on-site at the kiosk. |
| Check-in / out | In 02:00 PM · Out 02:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 16 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 6 marked accessible in the listing |
| Phone | 701-404-8950 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-07-25.
From the official listing
Overview The Hankinson Hills Campground is located within the Hankinson Hills Recreation Area as part of the 2,833 acres of designated public lands managed by the US Forest Service - Sheyenne National Grassland. The campground provides a semi-primitive recreation opportunity for most camping types and equestrian use. The 2,833 acres of public lands surrounding the campground is managed for multiple use to include cattle grazing, wildlife, recreation, and prescribed fire activities. Explore this area of the Sheyenne National Grassland for hiking, biking, equestrian use, hunting, and wildlife viewing.
Recreation Recreation opportunities include hiking, biking, equestrian use, wildlife viewing, and hunting. Non-motorized activities are allowed on the 8-mile gravel surface Hankinson Hills Trail. Access the trail by three trailheads and the campground. Motor vehicle use is allowed on a network of designated forest roads. All hunting activities follow North Dakota Game and Fish regulations.
Facilities The campground provides a semi-primitive camping opportunity with fifteen (15) designated campsites separated into two loops. Sites 1-9 are designated as non-equestrian and 10-15 are designated equestrian sites. Three vault toilets and two potable water hand-pumps are available. A covered day-use pavilion with four picnic tables is in the non-equestrian loop. Each loop has a community fire ring surrounded by four benches for group use. There are no electric or water hookups at any location. There is no RV dump station or manure pit available. All activities follow a pack-in pack-out policy.
Natural Features The geology of the Hankinson Hills Recreation Area is characterized by shifting sand dunes and sandsheets. The sand was deposited in an underflow fan in early stages of former glacial Lake Agassiz. As the water of the great glacial lake receded, the sand was exposed to the air. As a result, low-relief dunes up to 30 feet high formed stabilized by vegetation. Today, native and non-native grasses cover the landscape with pockets of Bur Oak and Aspen stands.
Nearby Attractions The small town of Hankinson, ND is located about seven miles southeast of the campground. The town provides dining, shopping, and fuel. Nearby Lake Elsie is a spring fed lake with a sandy public beach, restrooms, and boat dock. The Dakota Magic Casino and Dakota Winds Golf Course are located nineteen miles south of the campground.
Directions, from the listing
From Fargo, ND
South on I-29 for forty-seven miles.
Take exit 15 for Co Rd 16 toward Great Bend/Mantador for 0.3 miles
Turn right onto Co Rd 16/87th St SE for 5.4 miles
Turn left onto 165th Ave SE for 2.0 miles
Turn right onto 89th St SE into the Hankinson Hills Recreation Area
Follow Forest Road 1250 for 1.0 miles
Campground is on west side of Forest Road 1250
Trip Card — Hankinson Hills Campground
Dakota Prairie National Grasslands
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Dakota Prairie National Grasslands |
| Fees | All sites are first-come, first-served & not available for online reservations. Please pay your camping fee immediately upon selecting your campsite 1. Write your information on … |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 60 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 16 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10369364 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.