Map showing campground location near Chamberlain, South Dakota

Camper submitted image from Kennebec KOA

Kennebec KOA

Hunters and road trip travelers making their way across Interstate 90 use Kennebec KOA as a convenient overnight stop in south-central South Dakota. Located just off the highway in the small town of Kennebec, this campground accommodates RVs up to 70 feet with full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections. The facility operates seasonally from May through October and offers basic amenities like restrooms, showers, and a small on-site store.

The campground layout consists primarily of gravel pull-through sites, which several campers appreciate for easy setup without unhitching. Aaron L. notes "very nice site with clean bathrooms and showers" along with friendly owners who maintain the property. Some sites provide shade trees, though the overall setting resembles more of a parking lot than a traditional campground. Highway noise reaches the sites but remains manageable for most visitors passing through the area.

Staff availability runs from 2 PM onward, as owners live on the property but don't respond to calls until afternoon hours. The campground can experience flooding during severe weather, which may limit site availability. Laundry facilities include two washers and dryers, while a small pool serves families during peak season.

Campers seeking additional options in the region can explore sites around Chamberlain about 30 minutes east, or consider Byre Lake Recreation Area for a more natural lakeside setting just minutes northeast of town.

Fee Info

Adults 18+, Kids 6-17, Free 0-5

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Location

Private Campground

Kennebec KOA is located in South Dakota

Directions

From jct I-90 (exit 235) & CR 273: Go 1/4 mi N on CR 273.

Coordinates

43.90167369 N
99.86636655 W

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Connectivity

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Some Coverage
Verified by 8 users
Last on 4/30/26
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Excellent Coverage
Verified by 9 users
Last on 4/30/26

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 4/30/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 8 users
Last on 4/30/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 9 users
Last on 4/30/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins

Features

For Campers

Market
ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
50 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time

2 hrs 15 min from Sioux Falls, SD
2 hrs 20 min from Rapid City, SD
3 hrs 17 min from Sioux City, IA
4 hrs 2 min from Bismarck, ND

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

3.5

out of 5

10 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the friendly staff and clean facilities at this highway-convenient stopover. Visitors often highlighted it as suitable for overnight stays, though some noted limited amenities and described it as more utilitarian than destination-worthy.

Donna H.

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 11, 2025

If the owners say don't come till 2pm, then don't come till 2pm.

The park is right off the highway in a pretty desolate part of South Dakota. It was the end of the season, and so although I didn't expect a crowd, I also didn't expect to be the only person there at 1 pm.

Severe thunderstorms had followed me for the preceding three days, meaning that I was tired and ready to plug in, put on fuzzy socks, and read a good book, but when I pulled into this KOA, the office was dark, and there wasn't another soul in the campground. I pulled through anyway since I had already paid, only to find that most of the spaces were flooded. I have a 1-ton camper van with rear wheel drive and didn't want to get stuck, so I pulled back around to the front of the park. About 1/2 hour later, another camper couple showed up, and then a third. There was no answer to our phone calls to the owners, and since there wasn't another campground for 20 or so miles, we all decided just to stay put and hope the owners showed up. Finally, at 2 pm, they showed up and sorted everything out. Although they live on the property, they don't respond to calls until after 2 pm.

Evidently, the storms were a rarity and caught everyone off guard. It may well be that I would have had a better experience had the weather been better and/or during peak season. My only suggestion to the owners is to please return calls/answer the phone. Travellers are usually tired and unfamiliar with the areas, so a reassuring voice can be crucial.

They do have a store of sorts, but it's minimal. I'm not sure I would stay here again.

Month of VisitSeptember

Aaron L.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 29, 2022

Clean, Friendly , No frills

Very nice site with clean bathrooms and showers. Some sites have shade. Well maintained and the owners are very friendly. Convenient location and just a short drive from the highway. Some road noise but not bad at all. The wind was very slack the day we stayed so the mosquitoes were out at night. Would 100% stay again if traveling thru South Dakota.

Site9

Month of VisitJune

(6) View All

Laura N.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 29, 2021

Okay for a night

We stayed here on our way to Yellowstone and had a wonderful site coming back we stayed again site #216. Nothing at all fancy, gravel, and a picnic table. The bathrooms were okay, not the best we’ve seen. For one night this site was fine would not stay more than one night. I wish I could remember our site # from the first night

Site215

Month of VisitAugust

Theresa N.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 13, 2021

Good for one overnight stop

It started in 1970s. It looked like at one time it was kid friendly. It’s clean. 2 washers and 2 driers. Owners really nice. Small pool and kiddy pool. Nothing to do…. Little half block town.

Better than rest stop😆

Sitereally doesn’t matter. open spaces everywhere . rigs come in at night and are gone the next morning.

Month of VisitAugust

lori W.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 3, 2021

Perfect

This place has everything we needed for an overnight! Superb service and excellent customer experience ❤️

Month of VisitJune

Barb W.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 18, 2021

Just an overnight

This was okay! We stayed one night passing through. Staff was friendly. Bathrooms were okay! I would not stay multiple nights!

Month of VisitJune

Sam C.

Guide

Reviewed Dec. 6, 2020

Great stay along the way

This KOA in Kennebec has been a good stop over for us when traveling through South Dakota. Kennebec is a sleepy town off of I-90, and this KOA seems to be the life of the town.

The staff has been welcoming, friendly, and accommodating. The facilities seem well cared for and clean. For our stays we have just been passing through and have opted for pull-thru sites with full-hook ups to keep it easy and we have never had to disconnect from our TT to get level for the night.

This KOA will probably not a destination for us, but it is a great stay along the way.

We already have a trip planned for next year across I-90 and Kennebec is on the itinerary.

Shelly S.

Legend

Reviewed Nov. 11, 2020

Not much going on

Kennebec KOA, SD

Next to Bowling Green, Ky KOA this is my least favorite KOA so far. I can see no reason to use this KOA except as a last minute/everything else is full , one night stop. OR ITS HUNTING SEASON.zz There are two “restaurants” in local bars. A cafe that’s open mornings and that’s about it. There is NOTHING here. The staff was very friendly and answered all my questions thoroughly. The park was clean, I would call it more of a parking lot, like so many of the KOA’s and other campgrounds are anymore. This one is definitely a no frills KOA though. The dog square was set off to the side as an afterthought it would appear, with sticker weeds covering about half the small area. No shade whatsoever! If your going to take the time to put up the required fence, etc, you could at least put it in a half way decent area! The tent area seemed to be closed down and there was no playground.

The laundry room and swimming pool were closed due to COVID. The shower was open and CREEPY! It’s amazing to me , I stop at one KOA , no masks everything is open, the next KOA, you can’t use any of their facilities and everyone is in mach one contamination suits. Camping in 2020 has been interesting to say the least!

(7) View All

Elena T.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 15, 2020

Great Option

Was perfectly situated on our way from our trip to the Badlands/Black Hills. The camp was located right off the highway so had a little bit of traffic noise. Had all the necessary hook ups. A solid option.

Shelby R.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2018

middle of nowhere gem with friendly hosts

I love the Kennebec KOA! I stayed here for the first time last October on my way to the Badlands. It was my first KOA experience and it was wonderful! because I got there late, I stayed in the one-room simple cabins instead of pitching my tent. Those things are rad! The bathrooms are clean and the general store has good stuff. The camp hosts are really friendly and welcoming. I stayed here again in July (again on my way to the Badlands) and will always stay here if I’m close to Kennebec on a road trip.