Best Equestrian Camping near Aurora, SD
Are you looking for a place to stay in Aurora with your horse? It's easy to find Aurora equestrian campgrounds with the Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect site for your South Dakota horse camping excursion.
Best Equestrian Sites Near Aurora, SD (7)
1. Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Brandon, South Dakota33 Reviews•62 Photos•228 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
2. Camden State Park Campground
Lynd, Minnesota8 Reviews•5 Photos•38 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$24 - $45 / night
3. Lake Thompson Recreation Area
Lake Preston, South Dakota1 Review•7 Photos•20 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
4. Horse Campground — Oakwood Lakes State Park
Be the first to review!Bruce, South Dakota•1 SaveHorse camp - horses required to stay at this campground. Non electric sites.
Nestled among eight connecting glacial lakes, this park provides a never-ending variety of activities throughout the year, from hiking and swimming, to ice fishing and cross-country skiing. Shaded campgrounds and picnic areas complement the park's excellent swimming and boating facilities. The park was once used as a summer camp and an annual gathering spot for American Indians. Later, Samuel Mortimer arrived in 1869 and built the log cabin that still stands at the park.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Equestrian
- Trash
$22 / night
5. Garvin County Park
Lynd, Minnesota2 Reviews•6 Photos•4 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
6. Skooter’s Place
Be the first to review!Lake Benton, Minnesota•3 Photos- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
$20 - $25 / night
7. Pelican Lake Recreation Area
Watertown, South Dakota1 Review•3 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
Recent Equestrian Reviews in Aurora
45 Reviews of 7 Aurora Campgrounds
Nathan L.
Scout
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Nice little nook with lots of cover!
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!
Jessie C.
TravelerBig Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Fun and relaxing
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!
Barb N.
RangerBig Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Wilderness abound
Level spots with electric. Has a nice bike bath and is very peaceful.
- AAudrey F.
Guide
Lake Thompson Recreation Area
Great beach & campground
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.
- LLizGuide
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Great choice
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.
Cari E.GuideBig Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Absolutely lovely
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.
- EEric G.
LegendBig Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Nice sites, things to do
It is a nice quiet campground. Paved bike path. Frisbee golf, deer. River for fishing or kayaking.
- MMarie B.Guide
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Clean and Dog Friendly
Such a nice campground. Nice big shady trees and manicured lawns. They sell campfire wood for 6$ a bundle on site so we had some great campfires going. They have nice long paved trails for walking and biking. We got to walk our dogs on it to avoid tick contact from the grassy trails. There was a cool suspension bridge that was fun to walk on. The showers were very nice and hot without a lot of traffic.
There is no sewage hookup or water hook ups. They do that 50/30 amp sites available. There is a dump station right at the entrance to dump when you leave and it also has a separate fresh water station if you want to fill up right when you get there so youre not traveling with a bunch of water in your tank.
It was a great campground and the falls were close by and palisades state park was also in the area with a nice hike.
There is an extra $8 car fee per night that you have to pay on top of any camping fees. If you are staying longer than 5 days it better to just get the annual parking pass for $32, which would cover parking for all state parks and recreation areas in SD.
They have great discounts if you are a veteran and south dakota resident.
- HHunter F.Scout
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Nice spot
Arrived late to the camping grounds, it was easy to find and navigate to our spot. Clean facilities and friendly community.
- JJenniferTraveler
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Big Sioux
Great sites, very level, very clean facilities. Only strange thing was a bad smell near the restrooms. Regardless we would definitely go back.
- NNicholas H.Traveler
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Great state park
Site are big. Nice trails, and really quiet!
- Kimberly S.Guide
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Beautiful tent site
We didn’t stay long due to some severe storms that came through the area, but we had a beautiful tent campsite in the woods very close to some trails and the river. Just be prepared for a short walk from parking to some of the tent sites. The cabins and RV sites looked nice, too. If we’re in the area again we wouldn’t hesitate to stay here.
- JJustinScout
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Great place
Clean facilities
Sherry N.GuideBig Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Nicely designed campsites
Another beautiful state park. The RV sites are spacious, level and well-arranged. The Verizon cell service is not perfect but manageable. The entire park is very clean and well-maintained. The dump station is very accessible and well-equipped. Overall, this is a great park. If it had full hookups, it would be perfect!
- PPete H.Scout
Camden State Park Campground
Camden State Park = Nice Campdround
Nice, secluded and wooded sites.
Lynn A. C.GuideCamden State Park Campground
Camden State Park
Pros: lotsa trees. Cons: Go to the lower park, more to do, more to see. Upper camp, not much to see, plus our site was really steep
- TTammy A.Traveler
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Shady and relaxing
Beautiful campground! Sites are well spaced. Lots of trees for great shade in the hot summer. Very nice bathroom and shower house. Easy drive in to Sioux Falls. Several trails around the park. This was our final stop on our South Dakota trip. It was a wonderful and restful campground for us. After we arrived, Park staff came around and shared maps and info on things to do in the area. The first night a storm rolled through and the host drove thru and knocked on doors to check on people and let them know where shelter was just in case. Definitely will keep this campground on our list for future trips.
- jjennaScout
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Awesome
Excellent campground. Nice facilities and well maintained.
Judy C.ScoutBig Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
fine for an overnight
It was okay for an overnight, The sites are nice, plenty of shade. It was crowded the night I was there but quiet. It's a strange place in that it is on the edge of suburbia, located right next to an apartment housing development. If you like proximity to services, restaurants, etc. It would be a good stop. It would be great if you were visiting family/friends in the area, easy to get to. Just not what I was looking for.
- KateGuide
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Beautiful and spacious
This place is beautiful and well maintained. Excellent bathrooms and showers. Only downside is that the dump station is stinky. The hiking and biking trails are gorgeous!
- TTim K.Guide
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Great Weekend Spot
We only stayed for one night on our way to the Badlands, but wish we could’ve stayed longer. This park is perfect! Literally not a bad spot in the CG. Good shade. Clean shower house. Paved bike and walking trail. This place definitely gets 5 stars
- MMalibuDave42 L.Guide
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Give this one a go
Super clean, nicely spaced, tons of trails. As Google guided is to the campground, we were getting concerned. Turns out, great campsite.
- MMalibuDave42 L.Guide
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
This is a super nice state campground
The sites are nicely spaced designed in a way there are many "corner" sites with privacy. Super well maintained, shower facility very new looking and comfortable. Lots of trails. Multiple nights is a great option.
- JJohn N.Traveler
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Eastern South Dakota Gem
South Dakota State Park, Brandon SD. Great stop. We spent 2 days. Very nice campground with lots to do and see. Big spacious sites ours backed up to the bike path and river. New bathhouse entire park was very clean. About half hour to Sioux Falls. Worth the trip to see the Falls and the bike/hike trail around the city.
- SSarah O.Guide
Garvin County Park
Beautiful park with nice hiking trails
We stayed in the Upper Campground in the site closest to the equestrian campground. The kids loved being able to meet & visit with the horses.
The sites were a good size, but not much privacy or tree coverage in the area we stayed. There were a lot of trails to hike and a river/stream that they said you could wade/swim in, but we didn't go into it.
There were a lot of playgrounds, and one really huge one the kids wanted to play on, but with COVID-19 still going strong, we didn't use it.
Susan L.LegendBig Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Convenient camping near Sioux Falls
This Recreation Area is large and located off the Sioux River, which was slow flowing when I visited. It’s not the most picturesque river I’ve seen, so if you’re looking for that look further. However, because it was slow moving it made for a nice round trip paddle.
Easy access from 90W, not much road noise and close to the town of Brandon for supplies.
There’s a fantastic disc golf course complete with a creaky suspension foot bridge that spans the fiver.
Great hiking and biking trails too. I hiked the Valley of the Giants trail, which earns its name because of the many old, “giant” oaks in this river bottom area. It’s an easy hike with one slight incline/decline, but the loop was curtailed by a giant felled oak tree. The path was completely covered and no matter which way I tried I couldn’t see the trail it had become so overgrown. Sadly it seems that this has been the fate of several the the Giants, perhaps due to the river flooding.
The campground has gravel pads. My site backed up to the river but there was a bushy berm and the bike/walking bath between the site and the river. No problem to access the river though because there are little paths worn through the bushes. Lots of trees for shade and good space between sites. There’s electric but no water at site. Fill up by the restrooms or before you come. Picnic table and fire ring with grill connected. Fire ring is on a cement pad. I’d never seen that before.
There are also cabins for rent and when I was there the restrooms looked clean and functional. Picnic shelter and gazebo are on site as well as the Bergeson’s Homestead. It’s always nice to see history being preserved like this! When I’m passing through this area again, I’ll revisit this recreation area.
- MMari H.Guide
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Quiet, good paved bike path
Very nice, well kept state recreation area along the Big Sioux River. Large campsites and nice cabins, too. Rode our bikes from the campsite along the river. You can ride into Brandon if you like. Big trees, lots of shade, nice people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Aurora, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Aurora, SD is Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux with a 4.5-star rating from 33 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Aurora, SD?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Aurora, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.