CCC Campground / Maah Daah Hey Access
ND · Grassy Butte / North Unit Area
Long X Road, 16 miles south of Watford City
CCC Campground is one of the North Dakota entries that matters because of where it puts you. Located south of Watford City near the North Unit side of Theodore Roosevelt country, it serves as a practical federal base for riders interested in the Maah Daah Hey corridor and related badlands travel. The atmosphere is less polished than the designated state horse parks, but the tradeoff is immediate access to a landscape that feels bigger, rougher, and more exploratory. For riders who like their trip to lean a little more backcountry and a little less curated, CCC has real appeal.
Riding guide
Highlights
A rugged federal basecamp for riders who want direct access to classic badlands trail country without a polished state-park feel.
Riding
The riding draw here is access. From CCC you are in reach of the Maah Daah Hey and Long X area, where the badlands begin to feel broad, spare, and genuinely adventurous. This is the kind of place that rewards riders who love route-based travel, dramatic western terrain, and the satisfaction of earning their views rather than being handed a short interpretive loop. It feels more like stepping into trail country than arriving at a park attraction.
Trailer parking
Parking is available at campsites, picnic areas, and the trailhead, which makes this a workable staging base for riders targeting longer Maah Daah Hey country near Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Horse regulations
All trails here are intended for non-motorized travel, and horse feed or straw must be certified weed-free. Fire restrictions and seasonal conditions can affect the experience, so checking current alerts before departure is worth the extra step. Riders should treat this as a more remote public-land setting and travel accordingly.
Getting here
Approach from Watford City via US-85 and Long X Road, and expect the final miles to feel intentionally remote. The campground provides parking at campsites, picnic areas, and the trailhead, which helps trailer users manage arrival without too much improvisation. It is best treated as a working trail base rather than a comfort-oriented campground, and that mindset makes the experience easier to enjoy.
Planning your visit
Choose CCC when your priority is trail-country access, not polished amenities. Bring everything you need, confirm conditions, and think in terms of a real riding basecamp instead of a campground with an attached trail. For a North Dakota itinerary that leans into the state’s wilder side, this is an excellent supporting destination.
Where to stay
CCC works well for horse travelers who prioritize location over campground polish. NPS specifically notes it as one of the places parties with horses may camp when riding Theodore Roosevelt National Park country, which gives it real relevance for equestrian trip planning. Horses are not provided. Come prepared for a simpler federal-camp setup with self-sufficient habits and a strong appreciation for being close to the trail.
Trails
No trails synced for this park yet.
Campgrounds
No campgrounds listed for this park.
Photos
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