2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Lake Thompson Recreation Area provides glamping options in cabins and yurts near Brookings, South Dakota. Located about 45 miles southwest of Brookings, this year-round recreation area combines comfortable accommodations with lakeside views. The area also includes Palisades State Park Campground in Garretson, where visitors can stay in cabin-style glamping units surrounded by dramatic quartzite rock formations. Most glamping accommodations feature electricity, comfortable bedding, and climate control systems to ensure guest comfort regardless of season. Sites typically include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to modern bathroom facilities with showers. "Beautiful location on the north shore of Lake Thompson. Some sites face the lake, others have shade with enough open sky for your StarLink dish," noted one visitor about their glamping experience.
Nearby Camden State Park Campground, approximately 70 miles west of Brookings, offers unique yurt accommodations amid scenic hiking trails and a swimming pond. Guests staying at these glamping resorts can enjoy water activities like kayaking, fishing, and swimming during warmer months. Lake Thompson provides excellent fishing opportunities with cleaning stations available for anglers. History enthusiasts can visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead near De Smet, less than 10 miles from some glamping sites. Winter visitors have access to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails at several parks. According to a camper, "Palisades is a great state park! Everyone there was so friendly and informative. The park itself is beautiful!" Most glamping canvas tent and yurt rentals require advance reservations, especially during peak summer season from May through September.
"The bathroom facility at the drive-in campground is much nicer than the one for the tipis and cart-in sites."
"New bath house. They have done a lot to make this park accessible. Grassy sites, some better positioned than others. Very good shade."
Available this weekend
from $24 - $50 / night
"Some have electric hook up, others are just for tent camping. All of them provide a picnic table and a fire pit. They also have little log cabins. We stayed at campsite 6 which was a very good spot."
"We passed through Palisades State Park earlier this year and spent some time in the day-use area so we knew it was a good place to camp as we passed through South Dakota on another trip."
"Electric and water hookups. Spots are very close together. Luckily several people cancelled for the weekend and we were allowed to pick any spot. Shower houses are nice."
"So beautiful to wake up to the sunrise on the lake. Perfect stop in our way .. great location for kids - there are 2 parks and little “beaches” with sand to play next to the lake"
"There’s a fair size staff working; you could see 3-5 people at any given time. Good selection in store open 8am to 9pm in July. Nice size pool and laundry room."
"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!"
"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."
"A very cool and unique campsite on the grounds of the Laura Ingalls Homestead near De Smet, SD. Unique in that you can camp right on the open prairie and for only $10 a night."
"Early season, bathrooms are closed, so pit toilets were open. Very pretty very nicely well maintained park. In true, South Dakota fashion, I think it's pretty expensive."
"This campground has both electric standard sites for campers and tent sites. Two shower houses and multiple vault toilets throughout the campground for accessibility."
"Nice, secluded and wooded sites."
"Camp site was easy to access and close to the restrooms/showers. The camp sites along the river have little trails that go down to the water, beautiful river bottom scenery a few yards away."
Available this weekend
from $24 - $75 / night
"We stopped to walk around. I think we saw everything on the walk from a chapel. Two paths to gardens to campsites to full hookups, numerous bathrooms and other amenities."
"I was fortunate enough to score a tent spot very close to the bathrooms and showers, which weren't pristine but were also much better than using a hole in the ground or not showering."
GuideIn the King's area, the camp sites are very spacious and even have fancy Fire Pits with Cooking area @ Every Sight! Cutting my 7 day stay down to 4 🤟👋 off to the Next Great Campground 🤙
GuideThe Ranger at the desk polite and full of information. The only thing we did not like is the cold room where the showers are. Loads of hot water.
RangerNice showers, sites online can be a bit deceiving. We thought we were getting a more remote site but it ended up being right in the middle of everyone with a direct view of the trashes. Because we were so close to said trash the flies were terrible and got into our camper and stayed in it for days. But showers and bathrooms were clean and overall a cute site with a nice trail nearby!
GuideLocated off the interstate with easy access to everything. Staff was super friendly and loves dogs. Dog run clean. So nice stayed an extra night.
GuideWe did not personally stay at the campgrounds however we checked it out when we went hiking there. It is cheaper if you book on the web verses their call center. They have electric and non-electric sites, and they all have a table and fire pit. For more information or to book you can visit the Minnesota DNR website. If you just want to enjoy the hike they offer vehicle day passes for $7 which is what we opted for (they have slips for your car on the info board by the parking lot) This hike takes you to the quarry which has super cool rock formations as well as to multiple bison viewing areas
GuideConvienent, clean, and great internet. Pool was nice, dog area is nice, but sites are close and I-90 is right there, so a lot of road noise. We knew that coming in so no big deal.
GuideNice spot for my overnight stay. The camp host was nice and polite. There was an add-on fee for phone, online, and apparently in person reservations. I didn't get it but, I payed it, Inwas there and I was tired. I was fortunate enough to score a tent spot very close to the bathrooms and showers, which weren't pristine but were also much better than using a hole in the ground or not showering. My spot was also right on the water. I feel asleep to the sound of water breaking on the rocks. Would definitely stay again in the future.
GuideOur favorite spot to date! Spacious, immaculate bathhouse, well-designed dump station, lengthy lots. We will be talking about this spot for a long time.
GuideStayed in a tent in early may. Camp site was easy to access and close to the restrooms/showers. The camp sites along the river have little trails that go down to the water, beautiful river bottom scenery a few yards away. There is a swimming pond near by and miles of beautiful southwest Minnesota scenery. Trails include river bottom, prairie, and woodland.
Cabin camping options surround Brookings, South Dakota, with sites available within 45 miles of this eastern South Dakota city. Located at 1,700 feet elevation on the prairie, this region experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 80°F and winter dropping below freezing. Winter cabin rentals typically cost $45-90 per night while peak summer rates may reach $75-125 depending on amenities.
Hiking quartzite formations: Palisades State Park Campground offers distinctive geological features for exploration. "I love this park for both it's camping and hiking. Stunning quartzite formations make for some great climbing. It's a really small park which is both good and bad. The trails aren't very long, but it's not usually overcrowded," noted Jessica B.
Trout fishing: Camden State Park Campground provides access to excellent fishing spots. "Great trout stream, swimming, tubing, camping, horse trails, hiking... my kids loved it," commented Emma V. The park maintains stocked fishing areas throughout the warmer months.
Historical immersion: Experience pioneer life through hands-on activities at Ingalls Homestead. "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," writes Corinna B. The homestead offers covered wagon rides and pioneer craft demonstrations daily from May through September.
Beach access: Lake Thompson Recreation Area provides multiple water entry points. "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," reports Audrey F.
Family-friendly amenities: Glamping in Brookings, South Dakota area includes options with kid-focused facilities. "Our stay here was perfect! We don't usually stay at campgrounds because we prefer dispersed camping but this was great. We requested a specific site and they were very accommodating. So friendly. Impressed with the camp store. Everything clean and well maintained. We got a spot right in front of the playground which was perfect for our toddler," shared Laura C. about the Sioux Falls KOA.
Clean facilities: Sites maintain regular cleaning schedules for comfort stations. "Bathrooms were so clean and smelled like cedar wood," mentions Lora H. about Ingalls Homestead. Most glamping locations near Brookings offer shower houses with hot water available 24 hours.
Site selection considerations: Choose sites based on shade requirements and view preferences. "Beautiful location on the north shore of Lake Thompson. Some sites face the lake, others have shade with enough open sky for your StarLink dish," notes Steven W.
Reservation timing: Book luxury cabins and yurts 3-6 months in advance for summer weekends. "We just needed a small spot for the night with our teardrop, they provided a wonderful trailer spot just in time to avoid a really hard rain. Really grateful for these guys!" explains Vincent B. about his experience at Sioux Falls KOA.
Seasonal variations: Memorial Park has different offerings throughout the year. "Close to beach, fishing dock and close to playground for kids!" reports Rebekah M. Many glamping sites near Brookings close water systems from October through April due to freezing temperatures.
Interactive historical experiences: Schedule pioneer activities for children at Ingalls Homestead. "Lots of things for the kids to do and play just like its 1880," recommends Gregory B. The site offers corn-cob doll making workshops and schoolhouse visits daily during summer months.
Swimming options: Camden State Park Campground maintains designated swimming areas. "Pretty spacious separated by lots trees, good place for camping with kids as well. Has a swimming pond and beach. Clean restrooms," notes Anup S. Swimming areas typically open Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.
Multiple playground access: Several glamping sites near Brookings feature play equipment. "We stayed in the lower campground. It is very opened. The campsites are medium size and close together. The bathroom was well taken care of. There are train tracks really close to the campground. The trains didn't seem long nor did they blow the horns. The swimming area looked nice, but it was too cold to use," explains Shelly E. about Camden State Park.
Dump station placement: Check dump station location and accessibility. "Grey water dump is on a slight hill, with the ground washed away, and people sometimes park around it," warns Craig F. about Ingalls Homestead.
Site approach strategy: Review approach angles for larger rigs at some glamping locations. "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," advises Michelle B.
Electric hookups: Most luxury cabin sites provide 30-amp service for air conditioning units. "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. Very nice staff and an RV dealer next door," explains Jeff G. about staying at the Sioux Falls KOA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Brookings, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Brookings, SD is Maxwell Park with a 3-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 11 glamping camping locations near Brookings, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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