1 campground with availability this weekend
Horse Campground at Oakwood Lakes State Park serves equestrian visitors with family-friendly camping and horse accommodations. Located 44 miles northwest of Brookings, the campground features cabin options, drinking water, picnic tables, and clean restrooms. The campground allows reservations and is suitable for large trailers with its big-rig friendly design. Visitors can access the site by vehicle on maintained roads. The campground maintains very clean bathroom facilities, beach areas, and boat ramps. Pets are permitted in the camping area according to park regulations. Trash service is available on site, and the campground includes a sanitary dump station. A park entrance pass is required with an additional fee for out-of-state visitors.
Several nearby recreational areas offer additional equestrian-friendly camping options. Lake Thompson Recreation Area, located 44 miles southwest of Brookings, provides cabin accommodations along with tent, RV, and glamping options. The recreation area features electric hookups, drinking water, showers, toilets, and trash service. Beautiful lakefront sites face directly onto Lake Thompson with enough open sky for satellite reception. The recreation area includes multiple fresh water hookups around the campground and four dump stations near the entrance. Some sites provide shade while others offer lake views. For history enthusiasts, the campground is less than 10 miles from the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead and De Smet.
from $22 / night
"In true, South Dakota fashion, I think it's pretty expensive."
"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."
"Great trout stream, swimming, tubing, camping, horse trails, hiking... my kids loved it"
"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
"Beautiful sites and well marked, flat trails for the very civilized camper. 4.5 miles of trail, even though they have a horse camp....but the horse camp is nice. Just not a lot of trails to ride."
"The sites is very well maintained with what look to be a number of new investments like trails, docks, shooting range for bows."
from $20 - $25 / night
GuideBeautiful sites and well marked, flat trails for the very civilized camper. 4.5 miles of trail, even though they have a horse camp....but the horse camp is nice. Just not a lot of trails to ride. No off road or off grid type experience here, if you are looking for that.
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.
LegendWe stayed in spot number 2 back hidden under the trees. Because the wind was so bad. 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. It's forty dollars for a spot with electric only if you're from out of state and you still need to pay your park entrance fee on top of that if you don't have a state parks pass.
LegendThe sites is very well maintained with what look to be a number of new investments like trails, docks, shooting range for bows. It was early in the season so bathrooms weren't open but the spigots were on and the pit toilets were clean. Nice lake views and a few short trails for hiking or horses. Boat dock for big boats, fishermen and canoeing. Might be super busy in summer but early season was beautiful.
TravelerThe bathrooms and showers were very clean. Also, the campsites are very clean beach areas and boat ramps were very clean. Also a nice frisbee, golf course and great beach access. Also not real expensive but you do need a park pass and they do charge out of stators $10 more for campsites but at the end of the day very nice and well worth it garbage and fill stations and dump station.
TravelerBeautiful location on the north shore of Lake Thompson. Some sites face the lake, others have shade with enough open sky for your StarLink dish. Beach access at the campground. Great fishing spots with cleaning stations available. For history buffs, campground is less than 10 miles from the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead and De Smet. There are 4 dump stations near the campground entrance with multiple fresh water hookups around the campground. Staying here mid-week and there are few campers here.
ScoutSeems run down compared to 20 years ago. The swimming pond is very gross. Lots of weeds. They really need to clean it out. You can even see the spring anymore it’s so overgrown. Very sad to see something that was so clean and beautiful to be muddy, not clear and full of weeds.
GuideThis 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.
ScoutNice, secluded and wooded sites.
Horse campgrounds near Brookings, South Dakota offer outdoor recreation opportunities in the eastern South Dakota prairie lands. Located in a region known for its glacially formed lakes and rolling grasslands, these campgrounds provide access to water recreation, hiking trails, and equestrian activities. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, while spring and fall camping requires preparation for temperature fluctuations common to the northern Great Plains.
Trout fishing: Camden State Park features quality trout streams for anglers seeking freshwater fishing opportunities. "Great trout stream, swimming, tubing, camping, horse trails, hiking... my kids loved it," reports Emma V. from Camden State Park Campground.
Beach activities: Lake Thompson Recreation Area provides beach access directly from the campground. Audrey F. notes, "This campground has both electric standard sites for campers and tent sites. Three walkways down to the water's edge with one being a large swimming area. Boating is permitted as well."
Hiking trails: Multiple trails wind through both prairie and wooded areas around Oakwood Lakes State Park. "We visit this place for a quick getaway a few times a year. Great hiking and biking trails, swimming pond and right on the redwood river," explains Kyle B. about outdoor recreation options available at Camden State Park.
Swimming areas: Clean, maintained beach areas make water recreation accessible. At Pelican Lake Recreation Area, visitors appreciate the "Nice pebble beach, playgrounds, and walking areas. Flat camper parking. Power was great and showers were clean," according to Sethen E.
Historical attractions: The proximity to historical sites enhances camping experiences in the region. Steven W. mentions that Lake Thompson Recreation Area is "less than 10 miles from the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead and De Smet. There are 4 dump stations near the campground entrance with multiple fresh water hookups around the campground."
Campground cleanliness: Well-maintained facilities remain a consistent positive across reviews. Tony H. states, "The bathrooms and showers were very clean. Also, the campsites are very clean beach areas and boat ramps were very clean. Also a nice frisbee, golf course and great beach access."
Seasonal insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be prevalent in wet conditions. "Be sure to use bug spray as mosquitoes were all over, maybe due to wet weather," advises Audrey F. about Lake Thompson Recreation Area.
Weekend crowds: Popular campgrounds fill quickly on weekends. At Pelican Lake, one camper observed, "Stopped on Sunday on the way westward and the place was empty, stopped Friday on the way home and it was packed. Lots of kids and families, and almost every spot was full."
Train proximity: Some campgrounds have nearby railroad tracks. Makayla B. from Camden State Park notes, "There are nearby train tracks and trains ran by several times a day, though luckily they don't blow the horn so we didn't notice them much."
Playgrounds and recreational areas: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "Perfect for all the kids of all ages, adults, grandparents...we had a really good time," shares Anne G. about family reunion camping at Camden State Park.
Campground selection: Choose the location within larger parks strategically. Lynn A.C. advises, "Go to the lower park, more to do, more to see. Upper camp, not much to see, plus our site was really steep."
Swimming ponds: Designated swimming areas provide safer water recreation for families. Anup Ś. confirms Camden State Park is a "Great camping place to take your kids. Pretty spacious separated by lots trees, good place for camping with kids as well, has a swimming pond and beach. Clean restrooms."
Campsite selection: When choosing sites, consider proximity to amenities and terrain. Shelly E. notes that at Camden State Park "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."
Hookup availability: Electric-only sites are common, with dump stations typically located at campground exits. "Electric only. There is an area to dump waste on the exit," explains Sethen E. about facilities at Pelican Lake Recreation Area.
Site levelness: Pay attention to site grade when selecting a spot. "Our site, 30, sloped away from the parking pad. You wouldn't be able to set up chairs under your awning at this site and the picnic table sat in a low spot that got muddy after 2 straight days of rain," warns Makayla B. about certain sites at Camden State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Brookings, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Brookings, SD is Horse Campground — Oakwood Lakes State Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Brookings, SD?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Brookings, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
