French Creek Campground

Open — Open year-round, first-come, first-served. No reservations. 14-day stay limit typical for USFS sites.

About

French Creek Campground is a small, free primitive campground located on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland approximately 11 miles east of Fairburn on French Creek Road. Set in a remote badlands and prairie landscape, this rustic campground attracts rockhounds, OHV enthusiasts, and those seeking solitude in the Great Plains. The campground features basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. No drinking water is available, so campers must bring their own supply. Adjacent to the campground is a barren hill with exposed rock layers where rockhounds can search for agates and other minerals. A small creek flows nearby, adding to the natural setting. Some campsites are gated to allow horses to graze close to camp, making this a suitable destination for equestrian camping. The surrounding Buffalo Gap National Grassland offers opportunities for exploring badlands formations, prairie hiking, horseback riding, and off-highway vehicle use. The area is known for its geological diversity and fossil-rich terrain. Campers should note that collection of vertebrate fossils requires a permit, and no commercial fossil collection is permitted except for petrified wood. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with a typical 14-day stay limit.

Directions

From Fairburn, travel approximately 11 miles east on French Creek Road to the campground turnoff on your left.

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