Lake Thompson Recreation Area and surrounding campgrounds offer diverse camping experiences in eastern South Dakota's prairie landscape. Located at approximately 1,700 feet elevation, this region features natural lakes formed from flooded farmland in the 1980s. Camping options range from basic tent sites to fully-serviced RV spots, with specialized yurt accommodations providing distinctive overnight stays in multiple locations near Arlington, South Dakota.
What to do
Water recreation access: Lake Thompson provides multiple water entry points with boat launch facilities. According to Audrey F., "Three walkways down to the water's edge with one being a large swimming area. Boating is permitted as well."
Fishing opportunities: Lake Thompson Recreation Area offers excellent fishing spots throughout the property. Steven W. notes, "Great fishing spots with cleaning stations available. For history buffs, campground is less than 10 miles from the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead and De Smet."
Historical exploration: Visit the Ingalls Homestead for hands-on pioneer experiences within 10 miles of Arlington. Gregory B. explains, "Friendly folks and simple camping. Lots of things for the kids to do and play just like its 1880."
Kayaking excursions: River of the Double Bend Campground offers kayak rentals for river adventures. Laura R. shares, "We rented kayaks and went up river, then floated to our camp site. Half way we ran out of beer - AND THEY BROUGHT US SOME!!!"
What campers like
Spacious lakefront sites: Campers appreciate the open views at Lake Thompson. Steven W. mentions, "Some sites face the lake, others have shade with enough open sky for your StarLink dish."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high standards for restrooms and showers. Douglas L. noted at Dakota Sunsets RV Park, "Bathrooms were spotless and showers were nice and hot."
Quiet atmosphere: Several campgrounds offer peaceful settings away from urban noise. Veronica S. describes Dakota Sunsets as having "Nice grassy spaces between each site. Stunning sunsets and amazing dawns."
Unique yurt camping: Arlington, South Dakota area offers yurt accommodations at multiple locations. Campers can experience tent-like structures with solid amenities while maintaining connection to the outdoors.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Bug protection is essential during warmer months. Audrey F. advises, "Be sure to use bug spray as mosquitoes were all over- maybe due to wet weather."
Limited cell service: While some campgrounds offer WiFi, connectivity varies throughout the region. At Dakota Sunsets, Robert O. found "The Wifi was really fast…the best we have seen in over 1 yr and full time camping."
Weather preparation: Open prairie locations can experience significant temperature variations and wind. Pack accordingly for rapid weather changes common in South Dakota.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance booking during peak season. Memorial Park fills quickly but accepts last-minute reservations when available. Keith F. notes, "Called last minute to see if they had anything available, as we had been driving for 2 days without a shower."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. Rebekah M. recommends Memorial Park for its "Close to beach, fishing dock and close to playground for kids!"
Educational experiences: The Ingalls Homestead offers unique historical learning opportunities. Brian C. describes it as "especially for families—are all of the fun activities at the homestead itself. There's a one-room school house with tours, a barn with animals, a covered wagon ride where you (or your kids) can lead the horse-drawn wagon."
Lakeside recreation: Norwegian Creek County Park provides family-friendly water access. Shirlee A. mentions it's a "great location for kids - there are 2 parks and little 'beaches' with sand to play next to the lake."
Yurt camping alternatives: When traditional camping seems too challenging with small children, consider yurt camping near Arlington, South Dakota for comfort without sacrificing outdoor experiences.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Ingalls Homestead, Michelle B. advises, "Our suggestion if you stay here is, pull in the parking lot and back up the driveway to the camp sites. Unless you have a small vehicle and camper, it is tricky to get turned around if it is full."
Dump station considerations: Some locations have challenging dump stations. Craig F. notes at Ingalls Homestead, "Only 'issue' is the Grey water dump is on a slight hill, with the ground washed away, and people sometimes park around it."
Early checkout times: Be aware of checkout policies that may be earlier than standard. Beth B. points out at Dakota Sunsets, "Only draw back was early check out at 1000."
Electric hookup availability: Multiple campgrounds offer electric-only sites with central water access points. RV campers should plan accordingly for partial hookups at many locations.
