Volunteers Bring New Life to Pinnacles Dispersed Camping

Twelve new campsites • 1,000 ft of fencing • Prairie restored in time for National Grasslands Week

Volunteers install fencing at Pinnacles dispersed camping area

Just outside Badlands National Park, the once-trampled Pinnacles prairie is breathing again. In one week of sweat-equity, volunteers with Wilderness Volunteers, BHPFA, and the U.S. Forest Service carved out safe, signed campsites and let the grasslands start healing.

Why the Fix Was Urgent

Unregulated camping had gouged tire tracks, scarred buffalo-grass, and scattered fire rings across Buffalo Gap National Grassland.
The makeover…

Closes 10 rogue sites

To protect campers from eroding cliff edges and protect the view for all.

Adds 12 marked pads

Newly cleared, level, easy-to-find, and first-come / first-served (still free).

Strings 1,000 ft of split-rail fencing

Steer RVs and other vehicles away from fragile soil crusts. Keeps the grass in the grasslands.

The work done by the volunteers helps protect wildlife, gives the land a chance to heal, and improves the camping experience for everyone. We couldn’t have done it without them.

Christy Bentley, Recreation Manager for Buffalo Gap National Grassland

The volunteers built a fence to designate a picnic area. Buffalo Gap National Grassland plans to plant grass, place picnic tables, and interpretive signs.

BG 3

The trip consisted of volunteers from all over the country who came to camp and work on Buffalo Gap National Grassland for the week. Wilderness Volunteers organizes public lands service trips across the U.S.

The project was funded in part by the National Forest Foundation and Athletic Brewing Two for Trails Grant
Learn more camping at Pinnacles and recreation opportunities on Buffalo Gap National Grassland.