The Larchwood area sits at the junction of Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota, with an elevation around 1,400 feet above sea level. Located within the Prairie Pothole Region, camping near Larchwood offers access to both expansive agricultural landscapes and wildlife-rich conservation areas. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during peak camping season from May through September.
What to Do
Hiking trails: Lake Vermillion Recreation Area offers multiple trail options suitable for various skill levels. "Spring was coming alive with gobbling turkeys and cackling pheasants; we even got a show from a strutting tom turkey," noted one camper about their wildlife viewing experiences.
Water recreation: Big Sioux Recreation Area provides river access for kayaking and fishing along the Sioux River. "Bike trails are awesome," mentions one regular visitor who enjoys the paved pathways along the waterfront.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds include disc golf amenities for guests. "They do have a Frisbee golf course," notes a traveler who spent time at Big Sioux Recreation Area, providing an activity option beyond standard camping experiences.
What Campers Like
Spacious sites: Palisades State Park Campground earns praise for its site layout. "Very nice campground with big sites. This area is very nice for hiking and pretty sure swimming and kayaking," writes one visitor about the park located 45 minutes from Larchwood.
Clean facilities: Newton Hills Campground maintains well-kept amenities according to guests. "Beautiful, quiet, shaded, level sites with plenty of space between. Great trails and a short scenic road, plus some nice open spaces," reports one camper about their experience.
Quiet atmosphere: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers a family-friendly environment with controlled noise levels during evening hours. "The staff was friendly and quite helpful. The people visiting where nice and easy to talk to. I had a great relaxing week," shares one visitor.
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Summer weekends fill quickly at popular rv campgrounds near Larchwood, Iowa. For Red Barn RV and Campground, a visitor notes it's a "Nice secluded campground yet 10 min from Sioux Falls," making it a convenient option that requires advance booking.
Non-resident fees: South Dakota parks charge additional fees for out-of-state visitors. "We had already paid the $30 a night plus $10 nonresident reservation fees, to find out starting this year we needed to pay a non-resident $15 a night state park fee or $60 for a year pass," explains one Lake Vermillion camper.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October with varying closing dates. Parker RV Campground stays open later with limited amenities: "Sites 1 - 4 have water, electric (50, 30, 15 amp) and sewer. Those sites go for $25.00 per day. Sites 5 - 6 are electric only and are in full sun."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Newton Hills Campground provides dedicated play areas for children. "I had an amazing time at Newton Hills Campground with my family and young children. The spacious and clean facilities provided the perfect backdrop for our outdoor getaway," writes a parent who visited with young kids.
Swimming options: Lakes and designated swimming areas offer cooling relief during summer months. "The campground was fairly empty, but there were many families enjoying the lake on Sunday afternoon," notes a Lake Vermillion visitor about recreational opportunities.
Activity planning: Schedule around organized events at family-focused rv parks around Larchwood. "Our family spent a long weekend here enjoying all of the activities they had to offer. Everything from laser tag to chocolate milk chugging contests," shares an enthusiastic visitor at Jellystone Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Grand Falls Casino offers convenient overnight options for travelers. "It's a casino RV park. Basic amenities. They offer free dry parking in their main parking lot. FHU 30/50 available," explains one RVer about this Larchwood-adjacent option.
Parking considerations: Level sites are available but vary by campground. "Easy on and off freeway. Pull thu sites are just big enough for truck and camper," notes a Jellystone visitor about the practicality of their site dimensions.
Seasonal rates: Price variations occur based on time of year and day of week. "Good stopover site on way to black hills. We stayed here at site 69 E for one night in August 2020. Nice, clean campground with partial shade in some sites," shares a Lake Vermillion camper about their experience with summer pricing.
