Little Missouri National Grassland, ND

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Outdoor landscape at Little Missouri National Grassland in North Dakota
Photo via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.

Today’s Forecast:

🌤
55°F
Current Temperature
Station: KS25
Observed at: 5:15 am CDT
Wind: 5 mph | Humidity: 100%
Overnight:Mostly cloudy. Low around 56, with temperatures rising to around 58 overnight. Northeast wind around 6 mph.
Thursday:A chance of rain showers before 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 76, with temperatures falling to around 71 in the afternoon. East wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Thursday Night:A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 4am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy. Low around 58, with temperatures rising to around 62 overnight. East wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
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Today’s Report:

🥾 Hiking

Excellent
  100 /100

Excellent for hiking. High near 71°F. Low rain risk (2%). Light wind (10 mph).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Use Caution 46/100
Use Caution for hiking. High near 78°F. Low rain risk (27%). Light wind (7 mph). Slight chance of thunderstorms.

⛺ Camping

Excellent
  100 /100

Excellent for camping. High near 71°F. Low rain risk (2%). Light wind (10 mph).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Use Caution 47/100
Use Caution for camping. High near 78°F. Low rain risk (27%). Light wind (7 mph). Slight chance of thunderstorms.

🚲 Biking

Excellent
  100 /100

Excellent for biking. High near 71°F. Low rain risk (2%). Light wind (10 mph).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Use Caution 47/100
Use Caution for biking. High near 78°F. Risk of rain (27%). Light wind (7 mph). Slight chance of thunderstorms.

🎪 Outdoor Events / Activities

Excellent
  100 /100

Excellent for outdoor events / activities. High near 71°F. Low rain risk (2%). Light wind (10 mph).

  • Temp: Favorable conditions
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Use Caution 46/100
Use Caution for outdoor events / activities. High near 78°F. Risk of rain (27%). Light wind (7 mph). Slight chance of thunderstorms.

About Little Missouri National Grassland

Little Missouri National Grassland offers dispersed travel across open prairie and badlands with limited shade, variable gravel roads, and long distances between services.

Planning an Outing at Little Missouri National Grassland

Select a route around wind, heat, thunderstorms, smoke, recent rainfall, and hunting-season activity. Share the route and carry supplies for delays.

Weather Tips for Little Missouri National Grassland

  • Treat recent rain as an access forecast: clay and gumbo roads can remain slick after the storm ends.
  • Carry more water than expected and avoid exposed ridges or open prairie when lightning approaches.
  • Watch for severe thunderstorms, hail, smoke, and sudden wind shifts; keep a sheltered alternative available.
  • Use the latest notice for Watford City and the exact trailhead, ramp, campground, or facility you plan to use.

Nearby Towns and Areas

Use this forecast as practical context for outdoor plans near:

  • Watford City
  • Medora
  • McKenzie County badlands
  • Little Missouri River
  • CCC Campground
  • Burning Coal Vein
  • Elkhorn Ranch
  • Killdeer Mountains

Adjust the Day to the Forecast

Let current access conditions—not the calendar—decide whether the full outing or a shorter alternative makes sense.

7-Day Forecast for Little Missouri National Grassland

🌤
55°F
Current Temperature
Station: KS25
Observed at: 5:15 am CDT
Wind: 5 mph | Humidity: 100%
Thu 🌧
76° 58°
48%
Fri ⛈
73° 55°
76%
Sat 🌧
74° 51°
16%
Sun ☀
79° 56°
8%
Mon ⛅
84° 56°
14%
Tue ⛈
80° 55°
31%
Wed ⛈
77° --°
35%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

76° Thu 73° Fri 74° Sat 79° Sun 84° Mon 80° Tue 77° Wed

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

58° Thu 55° Fri 51° Sat 56° Sun 56° Mon 55° Tue 50° Wed

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 21 Thu 23 Fri 100 Sat 76 Sun 20 Mon 42 Tue 45 Wed
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: August 15, 2026 6:19 pm CDT

Weather by Season

Winter

Winter offers clear skies between storms, but deep cold and strong wind can change the risk quickly. Check daylight, traction, and operating notices. Check conditions near Watford City because local access can change first.

Spring

Windy transitions, soft shoulders, ticks, and muddy trailheads reward flexible routing. Avoid damaging saturated trails. Check conditions near Medora because local access can change first.

Summer

Dry periods improve gravel access, while downpours can rapidly reverse that advantage. Allow time for wildlife, road work, and crowded ramps. Check conditions near McKenzie County badlands because local access can change first.

Fall

Crowds ease after summer, but services and campgrounds may reduce hours. Check seasonal operations and prepare for freezing nights. Check conditions near Little Missouri River because local access can change first.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Annual average temperature: roughly 43–46°F across the western badlands, with colder readings in exposed uplands.
  • Annual snowfall: commonly 30–45 inches, although wind redistributes snow and creates deep drifts beside exposed roads.
  • Warmest months: July is usually warmest; exposed badlands and prairie heat faster than wooded or lakeshore settings.
  • Coolest months: January is generally coldest, with wind chill often more important than air temperature.
  • Wettest season: Late spring and early summer usually bring the most precipitation, including severe thunderstorms.
  • Driest season: Winter is often driest by liquid precipitation, although drifting snow can dominate access.
  • Best outdoor window: Late spring through early fall for warm-season activities; winter destinations require verified ice, snow, roads, and operations.