Arlington is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Arlington camping trip.
$26 / night
"Despite being close to Brookings this park is quiet and i didnt find it very full."
"Super cool hiking trail around Scout Island! Great history at Ol Mortimers Cabin and the old military fort. Kayaking, boating, fishing, and swimming are excellent!"
$26 - $55 / night
"Nice path around lake for walking the dog. Lots of families having a good time! Very pleasant evening."
"Wasn’t busy, kids liked playground, walking path, and checking out Mortimer’s cabin. Electric hook-ups."
"Passing town of Arlington and found a couple of city parks with electrical hookup and about six sites with picnic tables! On busy truck route but very quiet after dark! Nice town to bike or walk!"
"We visited Arlington, SD on our way west and easily located this cute little campground on the main drag."
$22 / night
"It is close to two lakes. Lake Whitewood and Lake Thompson. Very good fishing at both lakes. You are within 10 minute drive from fishing, swimming and boating on 2 fun lakes."
"Driving from far north down south, stopped for an overnight that we had reservations for."
$15 / night
"This is a truly magical place, and if you’ve ever read any of the Little House on the Prairie books and are anywhere near De Smet South Dakota, do yourself a favor and swing by."
"For $30, we had W&E, fire pit (firewood not sold), picnic table and free access to the homestead. Bathrooms were so clean and smelled like cedar wood. "
GuideThis is just off the highway, but you wouldn’t know it when you’re in the rig. Super quiet and the owners were so sweet. They spaced us out with a beautiful pull through and plenty of room. They also gave us treats for the pups and cookies for us. Nice little thoughtful dog park with water and toys. Sunflowers right there for you to enjoy. The flies were definitely out, so had to manage getting in and out of the rig quickly as a few got in.
We’d definitely stay again.
LegendThe super nice and informative couple who own the campground (CG) checked us in and then we were escorted to pull through site 41 with FHUs. The site was more than long enough for our 39’ 5th Wheel and F-450 truck. WiFi was average but there were not many RVs in the park for our 3 nights stay, and we got 4 bars on Verizon. They do not have cable and not being too far from Sioux Falls, we got a good amount of OTA channels. The CG was well taken care of and very clean. We did experience flies this time of year and they were aggressive about getting inside our RV. I had some insect fogger and that worked well spraying before entering our rig. There is no formal dog park, but plenty of area around the CG to walk. The town of Salem down the road has your basic amenities and we enjoyed playing a round of golf on their 9 hole course that is decently priced. Well run little CG that we would definitely stay at again.
LegendThis is a truly magical place, and if you’ve ever read any of the Little House on the Prairie books and are anywhere near De Smet South Dakota, do yourself a favor and swing by.
The Campground
The Ingalls Homestead consists of two main parts. First is the "campground," which is a basically a large grassy slope where you can set up your tent for just $10. It includes hot showers, flush toilets, and a few picnic tables and fire-pits throughout the field. There's also fairly basic RV parking for $30 with electric and water hookups and a dump site as well as some basic but cool covered wagons for $60. We arrived just as the sun was setting, found a lovely spot for our tent, and then paid in the shop the next morning. The bathrooms were clean, the showers were a little strange but also clean and hot (basically a large room cordoned off by several shower curtains).
The Homestead
De Smet is where the Ingalls family lived during the "Long Winter" of 1880-1881, and the Ingalls Homestead is a "family run business" that brings to life many activities from the 1880s such as visiting a one-room schoolhouse, making a corn on the cob doll, going on a covered wagon ride, etc. It's truly hands-on and some of our favorite time was spent hanging out in "Pa's" lean-to barn with the barn kitties and riding horses and ponies. My oldest son also learned how to drive the covered wagon to the schoolhouse down the road (another treat). Each station on the self-guided tour has an activity with incredibly nice and informed hosts. Most of the buildings are based on the original plans and descriptions from the Ingalls family, though no original buildings remain on the site. Visiting the homestead is an additional $15 per person over the age of five, and while you could camp without visiting the homestead, it was definitely worth a half or full-day visit.
TravelerPassing town of Arlington and found a couple of city parks with electrical hookup and about six sites with picnic tables! On busy truck route but very quiet after dark! Nice town to bike or walk! Grocery store, gas mini mart and Main St all close. No vehicle needed!
LegendWe visited Arlington, SD on our way west and easily located this cute little campground on the main drag. The sites back right up to a cute little park with a lake/pond complete with bridge and small island. Nothing fancy , very functional though with electric and nice shade. Not much in the way of privacy however you also shouldn’t be bothered and no reason for the locals to drive through. It just seemed very peaceful. Amenities nearby , good for overnight or visiting local events, relatives. You pay at the Municipal Bldg/ Firehall 202 W Elm St.
LegendA very utilitarian campground in Arlington, SD. Best feature aside from the shade is there is a laundrymat in the same lot! Electric, shade and a shrub row separates you from the road. This would be an ideal spot to stop overnight or stay at to attend a local event or visit relatives in the area. Stop by the Municipal Bldg\ Firehall at 202 W Elm St to pay your fee , after hours use the drop box.
GuideCamped in the more open area (72E in campground 2). Large grassy sites with fire pit and picnic table. Clean bathrooms with hot showers. Nice path around lake for walking the dog. Lots of families having a good time! Very pleasant evening.
RangerThis campground was not far off I90 and was easy to find and navigate. Gravel sites in the pull through. Water and electric with a dump station. Lots of grass and places to walk the dog. Bath house was clean and close by. There is a small play area and also a pool with a lifeguard. It does cost extra but I’m sure it’s affordable.
The camp host were so very nice and friendly. We had a small problem when we were getting ready to leave. And he was there ready to help and offer any assistance. And she called a place nearby to check on hours and service.
We ate the nice restaurant in town…My Place… and it was very good!
Would definitely return and recommend!
TravelerWe had a reservation and told them we would be coming in late due to a family reservation in another campground. The woman I spoke with said that wasn't a problem and that, if the office was closed, she'd be in the house next door. The office WAS closed so I knocked on the door. No answer. I called and left a message that we had arrived and needed help finding our site. No return call. We finally found our site only to discover a truck parked in front of the pull through. Once the owner was found and moved the truck, we had to make a sharp turn between two trees on either side of the drive. We didn't even unhook as we had to be out at noon the next day. The next morning, we discovered the site had dead birds with flies buzzing around them, dog poop that hadn't been cleaned up, and cigarette butts on the ground. The dead birds had been there a while as had the evidence of dogs (we have a dog we always clean up after and follow leash rules). The park is nothing special but it is on the lake and may have some decent fishing access. The neighbors on one side had a dog off leash and it came over to check out our on-leash dog. Rules are not enforced and the hosts apparently don't check on things. We never did hear from them. The campground is a winding ways from I29 but we have Google maps so it wasn't a problem finding it. It just wasn't very convenient at all. We were not impressed with the service or lack of.
If you're looking for a great spot to camp with your furry friends near Arlington, South Dakota, there are several welcoming options that cater to pet owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Arlington, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Arlington, SD is Campground 1 — Oakwood Lakes State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Arlington, SD?
TheDyrt.com has all 44 dog-friendly camping locations near Arlington, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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