Nebraska & Samuel R. McKelvie National Forests
Buffalo Gap, Fort Pierre, & Oglala National Grasslands

Camping

French Creek Campground is 10 miles east of the town of Fairburn. This is the only developed campsite on Buffalo Gap National Grassland. Pit toilets and picnic tables are available at this campsite. You can primitive camp anywhere on the national grassland. Primitive means no toilet facilities or drinking water. You must take out what you bring in. We recommend that your fire is in a firepan, and you are ultimately responsible for that campfire, make sure your fire is put out and cold to the touch of your hand before leaving the area.

Fishing

The stock ponds on Buffalo Gap are great for all kinds of fishing preferences, including ice fishing and fly-fishing for bass and other pan fish. There are a greater number of stock ponds near Wall, but due to drought the past several years, the fisheries are fair to poor. Additional information about public fishing waters can be obtained from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.

Hiking and Biking

Follow the numerous dirt two-tracks or bike and hike cross-country. You can hike anywhere on the national grasslands. Anywhere may seem like an overwhelming choice. The National Grasslands are unique in that anywhere is often a new experience for recreationists. There is one developed trail near Wall, SD. To access this trail, from Interstate 90 take exit 116, go south, cross two auto gates, then park. Wooden 4 by 4 posts mark this 5 1/2-mile loop trail. There is an extension of this trail to make it a 15-mile loop. The Badlands Wall formation is always in view of this trail.

Horse Riding and Camping

While there are no developed horse facilities on the National Grassland, the wide-open spaces are especially well suited for horseback travel. Please leave the gates as you find them to assure that livestock grazing systems work as they are designed. Certified weed-free feed for recreational stock is required on the National Grassland.

Hunting: Big Game, Upland Game, and Varmint

All areas are open for public hunting and fishing under state rules and regulations. Shooting a firearm within 150 yards of a developed recreation site or across a forest road is prohibited. (36 CFR 261.10.d.1) Big Game archery and firearm opportunities include white-tailed and mule deer, and antelope. Varmint opportunities include coyote and prairie dogs . All hunters need to be certain of hunting regulations, hunting unit boundaries and public land ownership. Contact the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks for license information.

Off Highway Vehicle Travel

Currently, OHV use is allowed on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland with the exception of one area, Indian Creek. Indian Creek is located west of Scenic and east of the Cheyenne River. All OHVs must have a Forest Service approved spark arrester. Railroad Buttes is a popular OHV area located off of Highway 44 twenty miles southeast of Rapid City.

The Forest will soon be engaged in an analysis and public involvement process to determine what travel routes to maintain open to motorized travel. If you wish to participate in the process, contact us or the Nebraska National Forest Supervisors Office. On the envelope, write Attn: Travel Management Team Leader. Your name will be added to a mailing list to receive information about upcoming meetings.

Rockhounding

The Buffalo Gap National Grassland and surrounding area is a virtual paradise for those interested in rocks, minerals, gemstones and fossils. Those who collect these treasures are often called rockhounds. Rockhounding is allowed anywhere on the National Grasslands, with some restrictions. Collecting on private land requires permission from the owner. A permit is required for the collection of vertebrate paleontological specimens, including their trace fossils (tracks) on any federal lands. These permits are issued only for scientific research and educational purposes. For further information, contact us.

Restrictions associated with rockhounding are as follows: collection of any objects for commercial purposes is prohibited; trading and bartering are considered commercial activities. USDA, Forest Service policy and guidance in 36 CFR, 261.9 states "The following are prohibited: digging in, excavating, disturbing, injuring, destroying, or in any way damaging any prehistoric, historic or archeological objects."

Special Places

Indian Creek and Red Shirt are two areas proposed for wilderness. To get information about these areas, contact us at the National Grasslands Visitor Center.

Wildlife Watching

The most endangered mammal in North America is thriving in the Conata Basin area of Buffalo Gap National Grassland. Over 250 black-footed ferrets are established on numerous prairie dog towns. Over 230 species of birds are known to spend part of the year on the national grasslands. Though birds associated with open prairie are predominant, other habitats include: cottonwood floodplains, woody draws, juniper breaks, open water and shorelines along stock ponds, prairie dog towns, and cliffs and steep banks.