By way of background, Antelope Creek Campground is one of two campgrounds maintained by a donor-funded nonprofit known as American Prairie. Founded in 2001, this organization’s mission is to “create one of the largest nature reserves in the United States, a refuge for people and wildlife preserved forever as part of America’s heritage.” They do this by connecting and restoring enough land (buying up private property) to support natural temperate grassland ecological processes. Their strategy is to add to and complement existing public lands, thus connecting important migratory paths. They are located in northeastern Montana, which is part of the Great Plains, one of four places left on the planet with the potential to protect the temperate grassland biome.

Crossing the border from Canada into the US, we were delighted to find Antelope Creek Campground open for the season. This small campground is located on rolling sage/shortgrass prairie along U.S. Highway 191 just north of the Missouri River, and includes a 2-2.5 mile interpretive hiking trail, an on-site Prairie dog town and wetlands for birdwatching. We witnessed the most spectacular sunsets during our stay!

The campground offers tent spaces, RV sites with electric, small cabins, and teepees, all with access to a truly gorgeous bath house with showers.

We loved staying here as there is something very special and serene about the prairie. It was wonderfully peaceful and quiet despite all the activity around us – birds, prairie dogs and frogs all chirping away. Sue especially enjoyed staying on the prairie as it reminded her of her childhood in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She would take her time walking home from Kindergarten across the prairie. So many flowers, bugs and rocks to distract a five year old! The grass was just so beautiful waving in the wind and bright sunshine bringing both a smile and a tear of profound gratitude.

Joe found joy photographing the water fowl that visited the nearby watering hole, aka Prairie “pothole”.

Joe added two new birds to his “Life List” and captured some photos of some species he has known for a long time.

We will definitely return to this campground someday. In the meantime, you may have heard that The Bureau of Land Management has decided to revoke American Prairie’s bison grazing permits, requiring the removal of their bison from public lands by the end of September. Prior to European settlement, an estimated 30 to 60 million bison roamed North America. By 1889, only a few hundred remained. As a keystone species, bison are essential to the prairie ecosystem, benefitting countless plants and other animals. During our trip, we also heard long-time ranchers complaining that bison interfere with their cattle grazing rights and bring no financial benefit. It seems clear to us but you decide. For us, we believe that bison belong on the prairie. Surely, a compromise can be found.

Leaving you with a view of our campsite….

Thanks, as always, for following along.