Arlington, South Dakota camping areas sit at an elevation of about 1,800 feet within the Coteau des Prairies plateau region of eastern South Dakota. The area experiences distinct seasons with warm summers (average highs around 82°F) and cold winters, making late spring through early fall the primary camping season. Most campgrounds in the region are situated near small lakes or prairie landscapes that dominate this agricultural region.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Herman State Park Campground offers excellent fishing access with dedicated fishing docks. "There is a lower park that's great for families, with activities on the weekends, a large playground, and easy lake access," notes one camper about Lake Herman State Park Campground.
Historical exploration: Visit the Ingalls Homestead in nearby De Smet for a unique historical experience. "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," recommends a visitor to Ingalls Homestead.
Water recreation: Oakwood Lakes State Park offers multiple activities on the water. One reviewer at Campground 2 — Oakwood Lakes State Park mentions: "Large grassy sites with fire pit and picnic table. Clean bathrooms with hot showers. Nice path around lake for walking the dog."
What campers like
Peaceful rural settings: Many campgrounds in the region offer quiet environments surrounded by farmland. A camper at Dakota Sunsets RV Park shared: "The park is surrounded by corn and soybean fields and is quiet. This is a real gem of a campground."
Clean facilities: Travelers consistently mention the cleanliness of rv parks near Arlington, South Dakota. A visitor to Dakota Sunsets RV Park noted: "The attention to detail you see in this park is not something we have seen a lot during our travels. The gravel roadways to each campsite are groomed perfectly level."
Proximity to lakes: Arlington's camping areas often feature lake access. Norland Park in Arlington itself provides waterside sites, with one camper noting: "The sites back right up to a cute little park with a lake/pond complete with bridge and small island."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most Arlington area campgrounds operate from April through October. Outback Campground, one of the newest camping options in the area that opened in July 2024, notes that while it lacks shower facilities, it's "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."
Internet connectivity: Many Arlington, South Dakota RV parks offer reliable internet access for remote workers or those needing to stay connected.
Limited shower facilities: Some smaller campgrounds like Outback Campground offer full hookups but lack shower facilities, requiring self-contained camping.
Site selection: At Ingalls Homestead, one camper advised: "We had a wonderful experience dry camping here. There are only a few sites with water and electric. There are no dedicated sites and they asked us to park our pop-up at the far end/bottom of the parking lot next to the grass."
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Ingalls Homestead offers unique historical activities for children. A family camper shared: "The other really cool thing about this spot—especially for families—are all 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."
Swimming areas: Lake Herman State Park provides a swimming beach that's popular with families. "Great campground with a lot to do. Nice beach and walking trails and outdoor exercise area," reports one visitor to Lake Herman State Park Campground.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. A visitor to Dakota Sunsets RV Park mentioned: "The kids played great together. Decent pool & showers, fun activities like bags tournaments and a potluck."
Historical activities: At Ingalls Homestead, families can experience pioneer-life activities. "Each station on the self-guided tour has an activity with incredibly nice and informed hosts," explains one family.
Tips from RVers
Big rig accessibility: Many RV parks in the Arlington area accommodate larger vehicles. "This RV campground is perfect... This park is Big Rig friendly with very large pull throughs," notes a reviewer at Dakota Sunsets RV Park.
Dump station challenges: RVers should note potential issues with some dump stations. A camper at Ingalls Homestead observed: "There is a dump station but be forewarned it's on a slope, so emptying your tanks completely will be a challenge."
Site leveling considerations: Some campers report needing to make adjustments for leveling their rigs. At Pipestone Family Campground, about 50 miles east: "We had a pull thru spot, leveling was tricky. They let us put up a tent for no additional cost."
Internet performance: For remote workers, Dakota Sunsets RV Park received strong reviews for connectivity: "The Wifi was really fast…the best we have seen in over 1 yr and full time camping. We had over 50Mbps on our Verizon and ATT hot spot."
