Established Camping
Magpie Campground
About
USDA Forest Service
Turn west on Road #712 at the Magpie Camp sign, located 1.5 miles north of Fairfield on Highway 85; travel 15.5 miles on gravel road #712. The campground is located ¼ mile northeast off road # 712. A day use parking lot right adjacent to the MDH trail is located ½ mile south of the campground. This fenced camp features 11 camp spurs. A handicap accessible vault toilet and a potable water well are available during the summer months. A convenient meeting area for those traveling to Devil's Pass or the Ice Caves. A great shaded area in the summer!
Location
Magpie Campground is located in North Dakota
Directions
Turn west on Road #712 at the Magpie Camp sign, located 1.5 miles north of Fairfield on Highway 85; travel 15.5 miles on gravel road #712. The campground is located ¼ mile northeast off road # 712. A day use parking lot right adjacent to the MDH trail is located ½ mile south of the campground.
Coordinates
47.30937938 N
103.47419418 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Quiet, remote
8 camp spaces, mostly hunters, no cell coverage
Great stop near the national park!
We were headed to the north unit of TRNP and found this nice campground. Small and private, only one other group there who were visiting with their horses. They said they had good trails, but we didn’t have much time to explore. Beautiful views and very peaceful. Only downfall was the long drive on the rough/ unpaved roads. My Toyota Corolla isn’t the best “off roading” car, but we got there safely. Definitely would visit again!!! Paid $10 cash for the evening.
- (5) View All
Great views!
I was able to see the northern lights here once! Good trail access
Free & Easy
Easy access off Hwy 2. We were there in first week of June & had place to ourselves, but there are MANY sites, most on the reservoir. Not a walking or swimming beach, but lots of birds & waterfowl, and gophers! Grass sites & trees, pit toilets & that’s it.
Great site off the beaten path
This site was very scenic and secluded, with trees between the sites making them much more private. Great hiking nearby, and only a couple other people there on a weekend in June. Great option if other sites are booked. $10 cash.
Scenic and Quiet
We camped here for two nights, the first night was tricky for us to gage exactly where to camp because it we arrived at 3am. We ended up sleeping just outside of the site (haha so close!), but we found it in the morning! A lot of people hike/bike in from the Maah Daah Hey Trial what we initially thought you had to do. The sign for hiking/biking in to this site is outside of a gated area, but the actual camping is INSIDE this gated area! (Go figure 😂) We found out the next day you can actually drive into these sights as well! The GPS sent us to a dead end, but if you go a bit further down the road, there will be a sign indicating Magpie CG. We camped here in the middle of the week and we saw only three other camping groups during our two days here. There is a we’ll to pump your own water from and a super clean, enclosed pit toilet. The sights have a picnic table and a metal fire ring with a grill attached. The stars were beautiful and the camp was so quite. There were a lot of flies but there where hardly any mosquitos or other biting bugs. Would recommend to for anyone to visit and would definitely go back. Such a beautiful area!
Worth the drive for the peace
The campsite is a good 25 min off the highway on a dirt road so don't plan to go back-forth a lot. But it's worth it for the peace and surrounding beauty. That's what you came for right?
We stayed Sat-Mon in late June and it wasn't crowded at all. I think the most we saw were two other camp sites filled. Even if it was at capacity, you wouldn't hear or see much of others. The sites are spaced apart and surrounded by trees.
The water pump is a blessing since it was in the 90s when we visited. You really have to work the old fashioned pump but the crisp water is worth it. The pit bathroom is cleaned and was stocked with toilet paper.
We wandered around the hiking area (Magpie Trail starts nearby) which follows a small creek.
- (4) View All
Great scenic campsite, wonderful tree filled area where there typically aren’t many, or any really.
A little difficult to access if you’ve never been but worth it. Direct access to 100+ miles of the Maah Daah Hey trail!