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Dakota Prairie Grasslands - U.S. Forest Service

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Dakota Prairie Grasslands - U.S. Forest Service

The official government Facebook account for the
USDA - Forest Service - Dakota Prairie Grasslands. Each Grassland District has a flavor all its own.

Stretching over 1.2 million acres, the Dakota Prairie Grasslands offer visitors opportunities to view elk, antelope, whitetail and mule deer, bighorn sheep, coyote, sharptail grouse, greater prairie chicken, pheasant, wild turkey, eagles, falcons, and the busy prairie dog. Recreational opportunities available are hiking, camping, horseback and mountain bike riding, photography, canoeing, fishing, hunting, and backpacking. The Dakota Prairie Grasslands are not solid blocks of National Forest System lands; they are intermingled with other federal, state, and privately owned lands. This mixed ownership pattern contributes to the uniqueness of the Grassland. The Dakota Prairie Grasslands are publicly owned lands administered by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. These large blocks of land in North and South Dakota are home to four Ranger District Offices; the Grand River Ranger District Office on the Grand River and Cedar River National Grasslands; the Sheyenne Ranger District Office on the Sheyenne National Grasslands; and the McKenzie Ranger District Office and the Medora Ranger District Office on the Little Missouri National Grasslands. From the savannas of the Grand and Cedar River National Grasslands to the rugged badlands of the Little Missouri National Grasslands and the rolling plains of the Sheyenne National Grasslands visitors can enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreation activities and witness the varied resource uses available on the grasslands. Resource use encompasses paleontological and archeological digs, oil and gas production, livestock grazing, and recreation.

09/30/2026

SHEYENNE NATIONAL GRASSLAND FIRE RESTRICTIONS ORDER RESCINDED

The Emergency Fire Order and associated restrictions issued on July 29, 2026 (Order # 01-18-00-26-06), for the Sheyenne National Grassland have been officially rescinded, effective Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. CT.

Please note: Fire Restriction Orders remain in effect for the Little Missouri (Order # 01-18-00-26-08), and Cedar River/Grand River National Grasslands (Order # 01-18-00-26-05). These restrictions are in place to help reduce human caused wildfires during ongoing dry conditions.

To review all current Alerts and Fire Danger Status information, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/dpg/alerts

Thank you for helping protect our grasslands and communities. Stay safe and stay fire aware.

09/29/2026

MAAH DAAH HEY TRAIL BRIDGE WORK COMPLETED — ACCESS NOW OPEN

Work on the new trail bridge near Mile Post 143 on the Maah Daah Hey Trail is now complete, and access to the area is fully open. The bridge, located about one mile south of the CCC Campground on the Little Missouri National Grassland crosses an unnamed drainage ditch, and was coordinated by the McKenzie Ranger District of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands.

Built by Price Contracting, the new structure provides a safe and sturdy crossing for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. The previous bridge was decommissioned after erosion compromised its foundation and created safety concerns.

According to Curt Grudniewski, Grasslands Engineer Supervisor, the replacement bridge is a 40 foot-long, six foot wide wooden structure equipped with handrails and supported by durable glulam girders.

Looking for information about the Maah Daah Hey Trail? Start here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/dpg/recreation/trails/maah-daah-hey-trail

Curious about visiting CCC Campground? Check it out here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/dpg/recreation/ccc-campground

09/28/2026

Planning to hunt on public lands this season?

If you’re heading out to the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, make sure you’re ready by checking out our Hunting in the Grasslands page. It covers essential guidance for safely and responsibly enjoying the vast prairies—open to public recreational hunting under state rules and regulations.

Before you go, remember to review each state’s regulatory agency for the latest requirements and licensing information:

• North Dakota Game and Fish: https://gf.nd.gov/

• South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks: https://gfp.sd.gov/

And always stay updated on current conditions using our website where we offer information on:

• Alerts and Fire Danger: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/dpg/alerts
• Safety & Ethics Updates: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/dpg/safety-ethics

Staying informed and being prepared protects fellow visitors and the beauty of the land. Safe hunting and enjoy your time in the Grasslands!

Forest Service photo by Ryan Hammargren.

09/25/2026

FANTASTIC FERTILE FIELDS OF FLORA AND FAUNA IN THE GRASSLANDS

Ready for a nature adventure and looking for inspiration on where to go? Explore the fantastic, fertile fields of flora and fauna that make the Dakota Prairie Grasslands (DPG) so extraordinary!

Each grassland offers its own breathtaking landscapes—Sheyenne’s sweeping tallgrass prairie, the rugged badlands of Little Missouri, and the rolling, wildlife-rich hills of Grand River and Cedar River.

The Dakota Prairie Grasslands are alive with diversity: mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and vibrant native grasses and forbs all thrive in this rich ecosystem.

Here are a few images to spark your curiosity. Dive deeper and start planning your visit on the DPG Animals and Plants webpage:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/dpg/animals-plants

P.S. Remember to download the Plant and Wildlife Checklist available on the webpage to keep track of what you spot on your adventure.

09/23/2026

NEW TRAIL BRIDGE ENHANCES SAFETY FOR RECREATION IN THE LITTLE MISSOURI NATIONAL GRASSLAND BADLANDS

Work is moving along smoothly on the Trail Bridge near Mile Post 143, which crosses a drainage ditch in the Badlands on the Little Missouri National Grassland. Coordinated by the McKenzie Ranger District of the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, the bridge sits about one mile south of the CCC Campground on the Maah Daah Hey Trail. Crews from Price Contracting are making steady progress, and the project is expected to wrap up early next week.

According to Curt Grudniewski, Grasslands Engineer Supervisor, the previous bridge was decommissioned after its foundation eroded, creating a safety concern for trail users. The new wooden bridge is 40 feet long and six feet wide, replete with handrails and built with durable glulam (glued laminated timber) girders—engineered wood beams made by bonding layers of dimensional lumber with moisture resistant adhesives. Pound for pound, glulam is stronger than steel and capable of supporting very heavy loads, providing a sturdy, safe crossing for hikers, bikers and horse riders.

If you’re heading out from the CCC Campground, please note that this section of trail will remain closed through the end of September 2026.

09/21/2026

Only one more day to apply!

The Forest Service – Dakota Prairie National Grasslands is looking for motivated individuals to join our wildland fire workforce. As part of the 2027 Fire Hire event, we’re offering several permanent positions that support fire management and community resilience across the Northern Region.

Applications close tomorrow, September 22, 2026.

Curious about a wildfire career? Know someone who might be a great fit? Explore details, contacts, and application resources here:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/dpg/working-with-us/careers/employment-opportunities-wildland-fire

09/18/2026

DISCOVER THE RICH HISTORY OF THE DAKOTA PRAIRIE GRASSLANDS

Explore the rich history woven into the Dakota Prairie Grasslands! Visit our recreation and interpretive sites, where powerful stories come alive amid breathtaking landscapes.

Experience history at locations such as the Battle of the Badlands, Initial Rock, Sully’s Waterhole Interpretive Site, and the scenic Birnt Hills Overlook. Each site offers a unique opportunity to connect with the past in memorable and meaningful ways.

Want to learn more? Visit our Archaeology and Cultural Resources page to dive deeper into the heritage that shapes the Dakota Prairie Grasslands:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/dpg/natural-resources/arch-cultural

09/16/2026

The Forest Service – Dakota Prairie National Grasslands is looking for motivated individuals to join our wildland fire workforce! As part of the 2027 Fire Hire event, we’re offering several permanent positions that support fire management and community resilience across the Northern Region.

Applications are open now until September 22, 2026.

Curious about a wildfire career? Know someone who might be a great fit? Explore details, contacts, and application resources here:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/dpg/working-with-us/careers/employment-opportunities-wildland-fire

Please share and help us reach potential applicants.

09/15/2026

Happy Birthday, Woodsy Owl! 🎉🌲

Today we celebrate 55 years of Woodsy’s iconic message: “Give a hoot—don’t pollute!”

For more than five decades, Woodsy has inspired millions to care for our forests, keep our outdoor spaces clean, and protect the environment we all share. Here’s to a beloved conservation champion who continues to make a big difference!

Let’s all do our part to keep America’s public lands beautiful for generations to come.

Take a trip down memory lane and watch a few Woodsy Owl videos from yesteryear:
https://youtu.be/nidEDUDXk9M?si=ZwWY8sC38Bw44Jpl

09/14/2026

FREE NATIONAL PARK PASSES FOR 4TH GRADERS: EVERY KID OUTDOORS PROGRAM PROVIDES ACCESS TO PUBLIC LANDS

Calling all parents and teachers of 4th graders! You’ll want to take this call, and don’t just send this one to voicemail.

The Forest Service – Dakota Prairie Grasslands invites every 4th grader in public, private, and homeschool to earn a FREE annual pass through the Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) program. This national initiative gives students and their families a FREE annual pass for FREE entrance to more than 2,000 federal public lands, waters, federal wildlife refuges, and national parks.

The EKO pass lets the fourth grader bring along family members, covering all children under 16 and up to three adults riding in one car for FREE! Yes, we said FREE!

After completing a short online activity with a parent or classroom teacher, each student receives a voucher for an Every Kid Outdoors National Park Pass (valued at $80). Parents can then bring the student and their voucher to any of the five Dakota Prairie Grasslands offices to pick up the pass.

The 2026-27 school year EKO passes are valid through August 31, 2027.

Learn more about how to earn the EKO and also find the list of Dakota Prairie Grasslands offices here:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/dpg/educational/kids/every-kid-outdoors-fourth-grade-pass

Be sure to like and share with friends for whom you care!

Address

2000 Miriam Circle
Bismarck, ND
58501

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17019897300

Website

https://www.fs.usda.gov/dpg

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