Equestrian Camping near Brandon, SD

4 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    None of the campgrounds in the provided data explicitly list "horse-corral" as a feature near Brandon, South Dakota. All four campgrounds (Big Sioux Recreation Area, W.H. Lyon Fairground, Newton Hills State Park, and Union Grove State Park Campground) show "NO horse-corral" in their features lists. The data does not include information about any other horse-specific amenities such as stalls, pens, tie-outs, wash racks, or dedicated equestrian campsites.

    While these campgrounds allow pets, there is no indication they accommodate horses specifically. Big Sioux Recreation Area and Newton Hills State Park offer extensive trail systems that users mention in reviews, but none specifically reference horseback riding opportunities. These parks provide camping options for tents, RVs, and cabins, but without specialized equestrian facilities.

    Equestrians seeking horse-friendly camping near Brandon should contact these parks directly to inquire about potential horse accommodation policies not reflected in the data. Some parks may permit horses with special arrangements even without dedicated facilities. The parks' trail systems, particularly at Big Sioux Recreation Area and Newton Hills State Park, might allow horseback riding on certain trails, though this is not confirmed in the provided information.

    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Brandon (4)

      1. Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

      4.5(38)1mi from BrandonRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      "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."

      2. W.H. Lyon Fairground

      4.3(3)10mi from BrandonRVs, Tents

      "Convenient location to a lot of attractions, stores, and restaurants. Can camp during events. Huge area."

      from $50 / night

      Check Availability

      3. Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park

      4.6(11)25mi from BrandonRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "I had an amazing time at Newton Hills Campground in South Dakota with my family and young children."

      "Love this place very close to the major city of anything is needed. Nature and trails all around, lake for fishing and swimming, love to come out during the summer with the dogs!"

      4. Union Grove State Park Campground

      4.1(11)47mi from BrandonRVs, Tents

      "Play equipment, horse trails, hiking trails, well maintained. Beautiful area."

      "Lower one is for horses. Upper is not. Sites in upper campground are a little small and close together but very well maintained. Hosts are very friendly."

      from $10 - $15 / night

      Check Availability

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Brandon, SD

    63 Reviews of 4 Brandon Campgrounds


    • J
      Sep. 19, 2020

      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.

    • G
      Oct. 3, 2021

      W.H. Lyon Fairground

      Convenient to downtown and fine for the night

      We stayed here one night and got to experience some South Dakota wind rocking our camper during the night. The bathrooms are huge and very clean but someone left dirty diapers in trash and by morning the smell was rough. Area along fence borders highway with  much closer sites and road noise. We opted for area on grass near arena.

    • Nicholas S.The Dyrt PRO User
      Oct. 15, 2023

      Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park

      Perfect to relax and bring the kids!

      I had an amazing time at Newton Hills Campground in South Dakota with my family and young children. The spacious and clean facilities provided the perfect backdrop for our outdoor getaway, offering a blend of adventure and relaxation away from the city. The kids had a blast exploring the natural surroundings and participating in the family-friendly activities. This campground is a true gem for those seeking a wholesome outdoor experience.

    • M
      Jun. 18, 2022

      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.

    • T
      Aug. 6, 2021

      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.

    • John D.The Dyrt PRO User
      Oct. 7, 2025

      Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

      Nice for occasional family camping.

      This SD State Recreation site is next to Sioux Falls. Make reservations early. It will get filled on weekends and holidays. Not a bad park for a family, first timers, or those who want to just get outside. This park may be in the city limits of Brandon SD. Grocery store, restaurants, and gas stations within about two miles. This is a very good park if you are visiting someone in the area or a traveler.

    • Myrna G.
      Jul. 24, 2019

      Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

      Beautiful and peaceful

      Heading home needed a one night camp spot. This one fit the bill.
      Located in Brandon not far from Sioux Falls. Clean bathrooms with showers. Firewood available to purchase. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Bike and hiking trails. Plus plenty of privacy. Definitely will return.

    • Amy S.
      Apr. 26, 2020

      Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

      Beautiful area with many recreational activities.

      This park is tucked in the middle of a Brandon neighborhood. I've always been a tenter in the past. I am new to RV camping. I was pleasantly surprised how much space there was between each campsite. We stayed in 37E. It was level as most of the sites appeared to be. It's spring now so the trees are just starting to bud but this site will have some shade and privacy when everything blooms. The picnic table and fire ring were clean and in good repair. I enjoyed my stay here. My only criticism is the overly full vault toilets. I'll spare you the details but it was un pleasant. I would visit again!

    • M
      Sep. 5, 2020

      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.


    Guide to Brandon

    Equestrian camping near Brandon, South Dakota is limited without dedicated horse facilities at local campgrounds. The terrain around Brandon consists primarily of prairie lands, rolling hills, and river valleys with elevations ranging from 1,300-1,600 feet. Seasonal considerations are important as summer temperatures average 70-85°F while winter drops below freezing, making April through October the primary camping season.

    What to do

    Trail exploration: Explore the hiking paths at Newton Hills State Park, located about 30 minutes from Brandon. "Love this place very close to the major city of anything is needed. Nature and trails all around, lake for fishing and swimming," notes a camper named COD W.

    Disc golf: Test your frisbee skills at Big Sioux Recreation Area, which offers a complete course among its amenities. As one visitor notes, "They do have a Frisbee golf course. Took a short walk on their trail system to the suspension walking bridge."

    Fishing opportunities: Cast a line at Lake Lakota in Newton Hills State Park, where visitors can fish alongside other water activities. "If you enjoy water activities, spend some time at Lake Lakota swimming, kayaking, fishing, or just relaxing," shares Lisa H.

    What campers like

    Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities at Union Grove State Park Campground. "Shower rooms/bathrooms are immaculate, and smell so nice," notes Austin and Natasha S. Another camper adds, "Restrooms were just as clean and nice. Nearly had the park to ourselves (end of October) and it was wonderful!"

    Spacious sites: Many visitors appreciate the roominess between campsites at Newton Hills, allowing for privacy despite being a family-friendly destination. "Beautiful, quiet, shaded, level sites with plenty of space between. Great trails and a short scenic road, plus some nice open spaces," according to Victor E.

    Convenience: The location of W.H. Lyon Fairground campground near Sioux Falls offers easy access to urban amenities while camping. "Convenient location to a lot of attractions, stores, and restaurants. Can camp during events. Huge area," reports Carrie F.

    What you should know

    Fee structure: Be aware of potential additional charges beyond the basic camping fee. At Big Sioux Recreation Area, a camper shares: "My complaint would be the fees. I thought I was paying one fee for the non-e tent site but then there was an additional fee for non-res and another fee for park day use fee or permit."

    Train noise: Some campgrounds in the area experience railway disruptions. At W.H. Lyon Fairground, a visitor mentioned train tracks nearby that can create noise disturbances for light sleepers.

    Limited horse facilities: While horse trails exist at Union Grove State Park, dedicated equestrian camping near Brandon is sparse. "Two campgrounds within the park. Lower one is for horses. Upper is not," notes Leslie B., indicating some separation between equestrian and standard camping areas.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play equipment for children. At Union Grove State Park, "Play equipment, horse trails, hiking trails, well maintained. Beautiful area," reports S U., making it suitable for families with children needing recreation options.

    Site selection: Choose camping spots strategically based on playground proximity. At Big Sioux Recreation Area, one camper noted: "They had only a few tentsites available amid all the RV sites, but they were right on the edge of the playground, so the families had to walk right through my campsite to get to the play area."

    Kid-friendly trails: Newton Hills offers outdoor exploration options but parents should note trail conditions. "The only thing that could be approved would be more established, kid friendly trails into the woods," suggests Zach E., indicating families should prepare for potentially challenging paths.

    Tips from RVers

    Power options: Electric hookups vary between campgrounds. At Union Grove, Riding with S. notes: "30& 50 amp service, dump station." This information helps RVers prepare power adapters accordingly.

    Size considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. "This a a huge open area at the fairgrounds. There are some hookups," shares a camper about W.H. Lyon Fairground, suggesting ample space for larger vehicles compared to more restricted forest campgrounds.

    Level sites: RVers appreciate flat parking at Big Sioux Recreation Area where Carol J. reports: "Site was level. Trees surrounding area. Electric hook up but no water. Flush toilets with showers very nice."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Brandon, SD?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Brandon, SD is Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux with a 4.5-star rating from 38 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Brandon, SD?

    TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Brandon, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.