I found myself camped in my RV on public lands the North Dakota grasslands. I never knew prairie grass could be so beautiful!
Finding Free Camping in North Dakota
After leaving Montana via Yellowstone National Park, which I didn’t stay long and promised myself I’d come back some day, I cruised into North Dakota.
I didn’t know much about North Dakota previously and had never been there. I knew it bordered Canada and the winters could be brutal.
After a brief visit in Montana (pretty much just staying at Cabela’s parking lot in Billings then I drove on) I entered North Dakota from it’s western border via highway 94.
Free camping options off Hwy 94 in North Dakota are pretty limited, which always worries me while traveling since I rely on public lands for my overnight stays in my RV. Luckily what exists is, well, AWESOME!
Using my favorite camping app, Campendium, I found Scoria Pit Dispersed Camping in the Little Missouri National Grasslands.
Access to the camping spots was super easy and campers are well dispersed which means quiet and privacy.
At first this California girl was not much impressed with this grassy region. Grass, grass and more grass really doesn’t thrill me much, especially when I’m highly allergic to it. And all that grass came an abundance of grasshoppers. I’m not too find of bugs. (I know, I live outside but that doesn’t mean I need to like bugs.)
Yet as I parked, leveled the RV a bit and set up a calm came over me.
I had been driving quite a bit since leaving Yellowstone a few days previous and to be honest I hadn’t any plans, which generally stresses me out. Though being a nomad usually means wondering about I like to have a destination in mind. This time I didn’t.
I couldn’t explain the calm.
Could it have been the inviting, quiet solitude after experiencing crowds in Yellowstone and Billings, MT? Could it have been the warm breeze that flowed through my hair just like it did the grasses? Could it have been the fascinating yellow-winged grasshoppers I couldn’t avoid with every step I took outside?
Whatever it was I was really digging it!
The Calm Before the Storm in North Dakota
Day 1 was setting up camp and a short bike ride up and down the hills here.
Day 2 started with a wonderful bike ride down the main dirt road to happen upon wild horses!! This was my first real experience seeing these untamed beauties up close. They were as skittish as many other wild, hooved animal and wanted nothing to do with me and my bike. They kept their steady distance while we watched each other in curiosity.
As the day progressed a slow moving storm moved in. I had seen clouds like this before in Arizona and Utah during monsoon season so a North Dakota summer storm didn’t worry me much. As the winds became stronger I checked my gear outside to be sure it was secure. As well as bring my awning in and place more weight on my outdoor rug.
This storm came in strong! And raged with thunder right above my head. I never checked the wind speed but I was very thankful to be parked with the nose of my RV into the wind. Why? The RV rocked like a ship in an ocean storm. I was a bit scared but there was nothing I could do but witness the hard rain and hope the winds didn’t worsen.
You can see video of the North Dakota storm I experience on my Instagram account here. Be sure to watch the 5th slide and listen closely to the scary thunder right above my RV.
Once the storm passed, and truly scared my a few times, Mother Nature delivered a gorgeous rainbow over the golden grasses. My eyes couldn’t stop watching this sight!
I plan on going back to North Dakota and exploring more of this wonderful state’s natural beauty more some day.
I’ve experienced a few scary moments while I the road. High winds, unexpected snow and hail and hard rains can all threaten your RV’s stability while driving or parked. Traveling alone I’ve had to learn to keep my wits about me and think as realistic as possible and not let my emotions run my thoughts.
Has there been a time you’ve had to deal with a hard decision that made you scared, angry or upset that you wanted to lash out or cry yet held your composer?
If you have be proud of yourself. If you haven’t, what could you have changed? Or do you feel you need to express emotions at times to get through a bad situation?
Feel free to leave comments below.
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I’m Allie. At 48 I set out solo to live in my RV. That journey is on hold but my passions for hiking and living well in my 50s still live on! Join me below for more inspiration and adventures. We’re older but even stronger!
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