Byre Lake Recreation Area in South Dakota features flat terrain with open spaces and scattered trees. Temperatures range from lows of 10°F in winter to highs of 85°F in summer. Nearby, visitors can explore the Missouri River and the Fort Pierre National Grassland.

Byre Lake Recreation Area

Looking for the best campgrounds near Chamberlain, SD? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Chamberlain is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Discover great camping spots near Chamberlain, reviewed by campers like you.

Chamberlain

The Best Camping Near Chamberlain, South Dakota

Stayed one overnight in a rooftop tent while passing through. Only a few other campers there on a Saturday evening. Pit toilet. Pay for electric hookup. For the most part it was peaceful, except for one truck that came through around midnight revving it’s engine and honking the horn. Startled me out of my sleep but otherwise, felt safe at this camping area. Added plus that it was a close drive to Badlands NP.

Overnight haven

This is a fantastic free campsite, not crowded, beautiful views and a wonderful lake.

The bathrooms are terrible and there is no running water though, so make sure to bring some toilet paper and some hand sanitizer.  That said, it's better than nothing!

Great free tent spots, awesome lake

This place is about as perfect as it gets! Free camping - dispersed so pull up where you want. Or choose a spot with a fire ring and table. 

  

Views are OUTSTANDING! You can fish, kayak, hike, etc. Right off highway but very quiet and peaceful. Slept great. 

  

They do have toilets (I didn't use them) and they do have a couple electric spots that are $20/night (I didn't use them). 

  

Just super easy, super beautiful and a great place to call home for a night or a few. 

  

Lots of mozzies at night - so use spray or plan to be in your tent/vehicle once the sun goes down.

Hidden Gem! 

There are two spots here for camping. One spot with primitive "sites" in an open grassy field with no sites that has some firepits (2-3) with no cooking grates, two picnic tables that can be moved and two under a roof on cement. The other spot (see separate dyrt listing) has electric sites that are supposedly $20 per dyrt but I didn't see nor look at how to get those spots (5-6 of them). They were actually looking all full. We set up in the grassy area with unfortunately a big trash bin in the way (hopefully someone moves it to a different spot). People before us had left trash in the firepit (no cooking grate) anyway even though the big bin was 20 ft away. 

  

The restrooms are over by the electric sites and were disgusting. It seems bored locals come and trash the place as they had signs about keeping poop in the pits and not on the walls. I was happy we had bikes to get over to the restrooms and we did use the one that wasn't utterly disgusting once for a #2.  

  

When we woke were in the midst of tons of wind again but some electric site folks had left so we packed up and drove over to one of those sites which are up by some trees and got out of the wind to cook some breakfast and food for the drive. The trees also provided some kindling to get the fire started.  

  

Overall, OK stay, best for just pitching a tent late and hitting the road early though unless some improvements are made like more firepits and trees in grassy area or you can cook and be totally self contained.

free open field with some amenities

Beautiful park like setting a short drive from a small town.  Campground has garbage service and a vaulted toilet.  The toilet was a total disaster, not good, like someone spray painted the toilet with poop.  Despite the toilet, I would recommend based on the idelic location.

Beautiful park next to a Lake but...

This is a great open camp area around the lake. There is a vaulted toilet, fishing docks, dumpster, picnic tables, and for a $20 per day fee there is shore power. To get the power unlocked do you have to call the city at this number, (605) 869-2263. The state limit is five days. You can get pretty windy here, but there is a good wind block along the row of parking for the camping with power. Great views, quiet spot. Very accessible with big rigs. Little to no shade. Most spots are somewhat level, but if you’re camping outside of the electrical hook up area, there is an angle to the terrain, so be prepared to level as needed.

Photos of Byre Lake Recreation Area

Real photos from real campers