Campers visiting Aurora, South Dakota find themselves in eastern South Dakota's glacial lakes region, where rolling prairies meet small waterways at approximately 1,700 feet elevation. The area experiences distinct seasons with hot summers reaching the 80s and cold winters dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds near Aurora operate primarily from April through October, with some state parks offering limited winter accessibility.
What to do
Hiking and trails: Palisades State Park Campground offers unique quartzite formations along Split Rock Creek. "This is a sweet little tucked away oasis near Sioux Falls featuring trails, bluffs and climbing options. Great views and clean camp sites," notes Jennifer S. The park's trails wind through distinctive geological features uncommon in this part of South Dakota.
Water recreation: At Big Sioux Recreation Area, visitors access kayaking opportunities along the Big Sioux River. "Beautiful area, very shaded by trees in the RV camping spots. Clean bathrooms. Quiet camp grounds and easy access to the river. Loading area for kayaks and canoes right next to the campgrounds," mentions Ashley E. The river access point sits adjacent to campsites, making water activities convenient.
Historical experiences: Ingalls Homestead provides hands-on pioneer activities for visitors interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder history. "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, opportunities to learn how to make a jump rope, twist hay, wash clothes—all things the Ingalls family had to do," explains Brian C. These activities run throughout the day with most concentrated between 10am-4pm.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the generous spacing at Lake Herman State Park Campground, located about 25 miles east of Aurora. "Large spots maintained very well. RV spots have electric. Many spots have shade, some are near the lake, and some with lake views," reports Carrie F. The lakeside sites fill quickest, especially on summer weekends.
Quiet atmosphere: Campground 2 at Oakwood Lakes State Park receives positive reviews for its peaceful setting. "One of the best campsites I've been to! Large lots, campfires allowed, lakes, trails, friendly people and sooo incredibly quiet," writes Lynn A.C. The campground maintains designated quiet hours starting at 10pm.
Convenience for overnight stays: Many travelers use Sioux Falls KOA as a stopover point when passing through the region. "Super easy access as well as easy pull through. Level enough to not unhook. Nice play area and pool. Also a neat little micro brewery walking distance, across the road," notes Jeff G. The campground sits just 35 miles southeast of Aurora with easy interstate access.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer months, especially on weekends. At Big Sioux Recreation Area, one camper advised, "Definitely will return," but noted planning ahead is essential as the park frequently reaches capacity.
Seasonal considerations: The camping season runs primarily from May through October, with reduced services outside this window. "We stayed here in Aug 2019 - although it was a short visit, we had a nice time. Wasn't busy, kids liked playground, walking path, and checking out Mortimer's cabin," mentions Ason S. about Campground 2 at Oakwood Lakes State Park.
Site selection matters: When choosing a site at River of the Double Bend Campground, consider water access. "We rented kayaks and went up river, then floated to our camp site," says Laura R. The sites closer to river access points cost the same as others but offer better convenience for water activities.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: Families particularly enjoy Sioux Falls Yogi Bear campground where organized activities run throughout the day. "Our family spent a long weekend here enjoying all of the activities they had to offer. Everything from laser tag to chocolate milk chugging contests. The sites were extremely well maintained," reports Alec S.
Educational opportunities: For a unique learning experience, Ingalls Homestead provides interactive historical activities. "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," shares Corinna B. Children under five enter free while others pay $15 per person.
Playground access: When selecting a site at Big Sioux Recreation Area, note that some tent sites border the playground. "The families had to walk right through my campsite to get to the play area," mentions Carolyn M. Request sites away from the playground if seeking quiet, or directly adjacent for convenient access with children.
Tips from RVers
Dump station considerations: RV campers should note that some facilities have challenging dump stations. At Lake Herman, "the dump station is on a slope, making complete tank emptying challenging," according to visitor reports. Empty tanks before arriving or plan to visit another facility with a more level dump station.
Site leveling requirements: At Pipestone Family Campground, RVers note particular challenges with leveling. "We had a pull thru spot, leveling was tricky," reports S.G. Bring additional leveling blocks as the terrain throughout the Aurora region tends toward slight grades rather than perfectly flat sites.
Hookup variations: RV camping near Aurora, South Dakota offers various hookup configurations across campgrounds. "Pull thu sites are just big enough for truck and camper," notes Jon C. about Sioux Falls Yogi Bear. Most campgrounds offer electric hookups, but water and sewer connections vary significantly, with full hookups most reliably found at private campgrounds rather than state parks.
