Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Aurora, SD has a lot to offer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that South Dakota camping has to offer. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Aurora, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$20 - $35 / night
$24 - $45 / night
Camp on the Open Prairie Camping at Ingalls Homestead is a unique way to experience the prairie. All sights are located on the land Charles Ingalls homesteaded. With just a handful of sites - 4 covered wagons, 1 bunkhouse, 4 RV sites, and tent camping - the prairie doesn't feel crowded.
Peaceful and serene, great site. Was able to walk around before the sun went down and listen to the Bison, wasn't able to see them but we could hear them. Sites were great and amenities were clean and spacious.
Totally new entrance with easy access to new section that will handle larger RVs with toads. Open area with no shade but easy placement for satellite reception on RV or ground. New hard surface roads with gravel sites.
This campsite was great! We had a tent site, number 24, and it was tucked into the woods but still close to the parking lot!
The neighboring sites are far enough away where you still have privacy but if you had two next to each other with a large group it could still function as one. Beautiful hiking trails, play grounds, disc golf, volleyball net, and so much more. Also, the lady at the front was cute as a button!
Highly recommend!
We booked this site last minute as we needed a place to stop for the night. The website was pretty easy to use to book the site. The ranger at the station was super friendly and helpful. Our camp site is beautiful and there is plenty of room. There are lots of trails here, so I got a good run in. My husband biked over to Brandon to get a good ride. There is a sweet disc golf course too! I’m mad I didn’t bring my discs!
Level spots with electric. Has a nice bike bath and is very peaceful.
Love that there are only 4 sites. We stayed here with family and had 3 of the sites. Beautiful land! 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. $20pp to tour the property for the whole time you are staying. Check out the dugout, house, barn, schoolhouse, church and garage.
This campground has both electric standard sites for campers and tent sites. Two shower houses and multiple vault toilets throughout the campground for accessibility. Walking trails in grass or gravel. Three walkways down to the water’s edge with one being a large swimming area. Boating is permitted as well. Be sure to use bug spray as mosquitoes were all over- maybe due to wet weather. This is a natural lake formed by farmland that flooded in the 1980s.
What an amazing time! We stayed at site 54E which was pretty secluded our first night there. We got there a little late in the afternoon to do anything but get set up after which we got our grill going and enjoyed a delicious steak dinner. The next morning we went on a couple trails and just enjoyed the beautiful fall colors and we lucked out because the buffalo were close to the ranger station. It was quiet our entire stay and the weather cooperated except for some wind and a little rain. Definitely will be coming back!
We stopped here for one night, site 29E. Really nice area except there was a bunch of wasps invading our space as there is some sort of fruit tree above. Nice space, so clean, lots of amenities. Park rangers stopped by to say hi. There is a train you can hear during the night. Almost all the sites were full, mostly RVs.
We are on a e/w road trip. We knew absolutely nothing about this state park but it was on our route so took a chance. An excellent choice! Sites are big and roomy. We have two big dogs and were able to put them both on 30 foot leads. Lots of trails. Bathrooms exceptionally clean. Showers great. Park staff friendly and helpful. We liked it so much we stayed a second night. Definitely would return.
Stayed at Blue Mounds on one of the hottest weekends this summer! We booked site 12 initially based off of reviews from the Dyrt suggesting riverside sites. Site 11 and 12 were NOT good. There's a dumpster in the middle of the two sites, absolutely no privacy, and no shade. Thankfully, there is good cell service (and free wifi!), and we looked up what other sites were open. 13 was open! And boy did we luck out with this. Even though it's just adjacent, 13 had a nice little secluded area for our tent, and a *private* riverside walk out to the cliffs overlooking the river! No direct river access- it's about a 15 foot drop to the river. The moonrise from this site was gorgeous. Had a spooky visit from the Starlink satellites. We drove in the morning to the bison area and saw about 12 of them roaming near the fence. Bathrooms were decent. Close by to Luverne for any last minute needs while camping.
We stayed at Blue Mounds at the very end of July and it was a great first tent camping experience! We stayed in site 73E which was a little secluded from the rest of the campground but was across from the parking lot. We stayed on a Sunday night so being at the entrance of the park/across from the parking lot wasn't really an issue at all but I could see if it was a Friday/Saturday it might be. We only stayed one night so didn't use the showers but the bathrooms were very nice and clean. We weren't able to hike as much as I would have liked but my kids 5/9 still made it about 3 miles on one of the loops and we found our hiking club password. We didn't have any issues with bugs. Luverne is super close and we hit up Tasty's Drive In for supper and it was great!
One of my favorite state parks I’ve been to in any state. Sites are spacious and the showers/bathrooms are clean and well kept. It offers the most lovely paved path for walking/running/cycling that meanders by the river and through the woods, in addition to more dirt hiking/cycling paths. The disc golf course really took this park to the next level, though be warned—the narrow fairways and dense OB make it challenging (I lost one of my discs on 10). Site 35E was ideal as it’s angle par to the tree line for additional privacy and it’s just a 3 minute stroll to the showers. Tip: the best spots are those that back up to the river as you can cut through the tree line to pop out on the walking path. Con: there is a race track nearby that was very loud Sunday night when I arrived until nearly 11PM, but that was the only real downside.
Very well maintained park! Good easy hiking trails. Bison tour was super, was brought up close to the bison and educated about them and the prairie. Quarry was neat to view from on top and from inside the quarry. Many great views looking over the prairie.
Campsites are spaced apart fairly well, all open between sites. Many nice trees in the campground for shade.
Bathrooms are SUPER CLEAN and there are two different bathroom and shower buildings. The older building Mens showers we prefer because the water temperature isn’t scalding hot. The newer bathroom showers are well designed like at the other newer MN State parks and have nice handicap bathrooms and showers.
We enjoyed our stay in site 10. It was a large site, though on a busy weekend the proximity of 7, 8 and 9 would be bothersome. They have RV/Camper sites, tent only and adorable camper cabins. We were very happy to stay somewhere without a fire ban. The park is also close to Split Rock Park and Devils Gulch. There is plenty of hiking and it is only about 30 min from Sioux Falls. Overall, after looking around, I think 20 would have been the best tent site.
Lots of noise since it’s off the highway. Has running water and bathrooms at least.
The sites were nice and clean. Ok size. We weren't on top of anyone but would have been nicer if they were just a tad larger. We loved the fire ring! Not to large or deep that we couldn't see our campfire in the evening.
Great state park. Bathrooms are nice and clean. There's a little library near the restroom. Layout for getting water and dump station is a little odd. Would love to come back and do some rock climbing here now that I learned there are spots!
Well maintained even, grassy trail circling the campground + huge ample restrooms
The campground is grass and trees, with gravel pull outs. Sites are reasonably spaced, but not very private. Sites at the end of loop A have a view of the prairie.
Bathrooms and showers are clean and modern.
First experience with a KOA. Easily accessible from the highway. Felt clean and secure. Staff was friendly.
We arrived on a Saturday, and there was a food truck at one of the sites!
There was no fire pit at our site, and we fell asleep to the familiar sounds of highway traffic.
Made a decent one night stop to start on route to Yellowstone, and will consider stopping through here again, but not as a destination.
This is a transient campground, It is in an industrial park, noisy from traffic and constant planes flying over from nearby airport. It was clean.
We happened upon this park during the 50th anniversary of the park so there were lots of park events happening. This is a very clean and well maintained park. We tent camp so much of my observations are geared for the tent camper. We stayed at site 34E, a long but narrow and slanted site. We were lucky to find some awkward somewhat flat place for our two tents. This site would be just fine for RV camping but I’d steer clear for tent camping. I’d estimate that 50% of the sites are flat and suitable for tents.
Here are some key take aways from our 3 night stay in late July 2022.
-clean and well maintained park
Negatives:
The interesting:
This campground is a gem. Tons of trails to see the Bison. Only walk in trail or biking not vehicles allowed. Extremely decent cell service.
Convenient to Sioux Falls arts and night life district. RV park is located just a block off of I-90 for easy access. Good location about 4 miles north of the Sioux Falls Park (waterfalls on Great Sioux River near downtown) and a couple more miles to the south in downtown is a great mile or more of restaurants, breweries, bars and other entertainment.
Spots are private and shaded. Bathrooms are clean and up to date. The state park itself is beautiful with a lot of wonderful hiking.
Great staff. Easy to pull in & around. Has everything you need plus camping world next door. Mature trust for shade. Pool is good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Aurora, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Aurora, SD is Blue Mounds State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 46 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Aurora, SD?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 glamping camping locations near Aurora, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
