Hankinson Hills Is One Of The Most Underrated Summer Destinations In North Dakota
By Tori Jane|Published January 21, 2023
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Nestled away within the Sheyenne National Grasslands is a seldom-trekked hiking and camping ground that’s perfect for a summertime getaway. It’s definitely one of those unsung premier summer destinations in North Dakota, and it’s easy to see why: there’s seldom anyone here. If you’re a fan of peace and quiet and hope to find a campground that feels the same way, you can’t miss an adventure at Hankinson Hills. Come on out, pitch your tent, and look up at the stars: this place is a little slice of heaven right here in the northern Midwest.
The area is fairly small, having just 15 campsites available.
It's one of those no-frills places you seek out when you simply want to enjoy the outdoors away from other humans and tucked safely within the confines of our naturally stunning world. During the summer months, it's astonishingly lush and green.
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We highly recommend bringing mountain bikes along - the campground and the surrounding hiking trail are perfect for biking as well as hiking.
The Hankinson Hills loop is an eight-mile trek through the woods and prairie surrounding the campgrounds. It's marked, graveled, and quite easy, though its length does ensure it'll take a few hours to complete.
Each campsite comes with a fire ring, so you can start up a nice, friendly campfire and make smores while you tell ghost stories (or just curl up with a good book, if you prefer to camp solo). Or, skip the fire and look up, allowing your eyes time to adjust to the dark.
The North Dakota night sky over Hankinson Hills is second to none. We promise you've probably never seen so many stars overhead in your life.
Horses and dogs are welcome at this campground; there are six horse-friendly campsites among the available 15. It's definitely important to note that reservations cannot be made, so get there early, though competition for space isn't much of a thing at this place.
What is it about relaxing in the perfect silence of North Dakota's beautiful wildlands that brings out the best in us?
We're not sure, but we absolutely love it. North Dakota is an amazing state for those who love the outdoors; come see why we love this little campground and feel it's one of the best summer destinations in North Dakota for those who dislike crowds.
For more information about Hankinson Hills and all its good stuff, be sure to check out the Forest Service website.
What’s your favorite summer destination in North Dakota? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! And for more beautiful natural areas to explore, check out these three lovely nature centers in North Dakota.
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