Camping cabins near Brandon, South Dakota provide convenient access to the Big Sioux River and surrounding recreational areas within 30 miles of Sioux Falls. The region sits at approximately 1,350 feet elevation in eastern South Dakota, where summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with occasional thunderstorms. Winter cabin camping sees temperatures dropping well below freezing, making heated cabin options essential from November through March.
What to do
**Hiking trails: Big Sioux Recreation Area offers multiple path options through wooded terrain. "Lots of trails for hiking!" notes a visitor, while another mentions, "We have stayed here many times. Nice quiet state campground. Our site was nice, level, spacious, and had plenty of grass coverage. Bike trails are awesome."
**Disc golf: The course at Newton Hills State Park provides a recreational option beyond standard camping activities. "Everything was great. There are plenty of parks and paved roadways to wander around on. The only thing that could be improved would be more established, kid friendly trails into the woods," mentions one camper who visited the park.
Water activities: Swim at the designated beach areas or fish in local lakes during warmer months. "Very nice campground with big sites. This area is very nice for hiking and pretty sure swimming and kayaking. We were there early spring so water was too cold to swim," reports a camper about Palisades State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many cabin areas provide adequate spacing for personal comfort. One camper at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area noted, "Our site was spacious enough for our 40' 5th wheel and F450. The electric hookup is at the back; we needed about 30' of cord. All sites here are electric only and nicely spaced apart."
Clean facilities: State park cabin areas maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. A recent visitor to Big Sioux Recreation Area stated, "Clean bathrooms with showers. Firewood available to purchase. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Plus plenty of privacy. Definitely will return."
Wildlife viewing: Cabin stays offer opportunities to observe local fauna. "Spring was coming alive with gobbling turkeys and cackling pheasants; we even got a show from a strutting tom turkey," reported a Lake Vermillion visitor in early May.
What you should know
Additional fees: Most cabin locations charge separate fees beyond the basic rental cost. A camper at Palisades State Park Campground shared this experience: "We made a reservation using the phone number provided. On short notice, we were charged 80+ dollars for two nights after requesting a tent site without electricity. On arrival, we were charged 30 dollars for entrance passes to put on the car."
Seasonal considerations: Spring and fall offer less crowded conditions. "During the off-season, Sep thru mid-May (when the kids are in school) is the perfect time to stay at this state park. I do not stay during the high occupancy times since I don't like crowded camping," advises one regular visitor to Lake Vermillion Recreation Area.
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for prime summer weekends. "Residents of South Dakota love their camping, so book a site as early as allowable," recommends a Lake Vermillion camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many cabin camping areas include play equipment near sites. A visitor to Sioux Falls KOA shared, "We requested a specific site and they were very accommodating. So friendly. We got a spot right in front of the playground which was perfect for our toddler."
Activity scheduling: Some parks offer structured events for children. "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," reported a visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Swimming options: Look for designated beach areas with gradual entry points. "The campground is somewhat bare because the trees are small, but the lakes are wonderful for swimming, fishing, and beaching," notes a visitor to Rivers Bend Campground, which sits about 30 miles from Brandon.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request corner locations for easier backing and setup. At Lake Vermillion Recreation Area, one RVer noted, "We continued to the end loop and backed into site 43 (50/30/20 AMP), which was easy thanks to its corner location."
Utility information: Verify hookup types and locations when booking cabins or RV sites. A camper at Lake Vermillion mentioned, "The electric hookup is at the back; we needed about 30' of cord. All sites here are electric only."
Connectivity: Cell coverage varies significantly between parks. One tech-savvy camper reported about Lake Vermillion Recreation Area: "Verizon had 3 bars, T-Mobile had 2, and our T-Mobile house internet clocked 207 Mbps down/3.49 Mbps up. Satellite reception should be fine in most sites except site 45, which is heavily shaded."
