Top Horse Camping near Brookings, SD

Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Brookings. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. It's easy to find Brookings campgrounds for horse camping with The Dyrt. At The Dyrt, you can find top-rated spots for horse camping, as reviewed by campers.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Brookings, SD (5)


Recent Equestrian Reviews In Brookings

10 Reviews of 5 Brookings Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Thompson Rec Area
    Jul. 7, 2024

    Lake Thompson Rec 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.

  • Lynn A. C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Camden State Park
    Aug. 12, 2021

    Camden State Park

    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

  • Sethen E.
    Camper-submitted photo from Pelican Lake  State Rec Area
    Aug. 17, 2020

    Pelican Lake State Rec Area

    Family Friendly, too many cars on Friday

    Nice pebble beach, playgrounds, and walking areas. Flat camper parking. Power was great and showers were clean. Electric only. There is an area to dump waste on the exit. 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. Happy to see folks having fun. It was just a little busy for us. On the second time through one of the three bathrooms was very dirty, sad before the weekend- the showers remained clean. On the Friday stop there were a lot of people, some spots had 3-4 cars parked in the grass- it was too bad they allowed that. If one was to go here to find some quiet do so during the week or late weekend. It worked just fine as a quick overnight stop on our route. Lots of families having fun. Slept well. Well groomed area. Pretty views of lake. A little windy.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Camden State Park
    Sep. 12, 2019

    Camden State Park

    Nice bathroom, nice hiking trails.

    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.

  • Makayla B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Camden State Park
    Sep. 9, 2019

    Camden State Park

    Nice campground on the prairie

    There are two campgrounds in this park - the upper one is on the prairie while the lower one is situated among trees along the river. We stayed in the lower campground in site 30. The lower campground is close to the playground and swimming pond but it rained the whole time we camped so we didn't use either.

    Sites in the lower campground are fairly close together and we didn't have cell service (Verizon), which wasn't a big deal.

    I brought my fat bike and bike the Bluebird and Dakota Valley trails. Both are mowed paths that go through prairie and wooded areas. The actual mountain bike trail was disappointing, it was overgrown, narrow, and hugged a high ridge.

    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. There is a river that runs behind the sites in this loop. Our boys played on the rocks and had a great time.

    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.

  • Emma V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Camden State Park
    Jun. 1, 2018

    Camden State Park

    More than camping

    Great trout stream, swimming, tubing, camping, horse trails, hiking... my kids loved it

  • Kyle B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Camden State Park
    May. 9, 2018

    Camden State Park

    Great Quick Getaway

    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. The Camden Regional trail is 14 miles of paved trails between Camden State Park and Marshall, MN.

  • Anne G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Camden State Park
    Aug. 1, 2017

    Camden State Park

    Family Reunion Camping

    My family does a annual family reunion camping once a year! We stayed here and it was beautiful! Perfect for all the kids off all ages, adults, grandparents...we had a really good time ☺

  • Anup Ś.
    Camper-submitted photo from Camden State Park
    Aug. 27, 2016

    Camden State Park

    Great camping place to take your kids

    Pretty spacious seperated by lots trees, good place for camping with kida as well. has a swimming pond and beach. Clean restrooms.



Guide to Brookings

Camping near Brookings, South Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Blue Mounds State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "We went on a couple trails and just enjoyed the beautiful fall colors."
  • Wildlife Viewing: Check out the bison at Blue Mounds State Park Campground. A camper shared, "Was able to walk around before the sun went down and listen to the Bison."
  • Fishing and Water Activities: At Lake Vermillion Recreation Area, you can enjoy fishing and swimming. One reviewer noted, "Short walk or bike ride to the lake which had a great beach, fishing pier, and picnic area."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Palisades State Park Campground said, "Bathrooms exceptionally clean. Showers great."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One camper at Big Sioux Recreation Area mentioned, "Sites are big and roomy."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the helpful staff. A review from Dakota Sunsets RV Park said, "Owners were so nice--recommended local farmers market, gave us some fresh baked cookies."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby highways or train tracks. A camper at Sioux Falls KOA noted, "Lots of noise since it’s off the highway."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Split Rock Park mentioned, "There are no showers or toilets, just outhouses."
  • Privacy Concerns: Some sites may lack privacy. A camper at Oak Woods Campground stated, "When this campground is full you have zero privacy."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. One family at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park said, "It was an absolute blast for our kids with plenty of activities to keep them entertained."
  • Safety First: Be cautious around cliffs and water. A camper at Split Rock Park advised, "There are cliffs and water, so plan accordingly."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. A visitor at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area enjoyed the picnic area, saying, "Pretty busy in the picnic area with family parties."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Dakota Sunsets RV Park mentioned, "The site was more than long enough for our 39’ 5th Wheel."
  • Wi-Fi Availability: Some campgrounds offer Wi-Fi, but it can vary. A visitor at Shady Grove Campground noted, "WiFi was average but there were not many RVs in the park."
  • Be Prepared for Bugs: Bring bug spray, especially in warmer months. A camper at Palisades State Park Campground mentioned, "Mosquitos weren’t a problem during our stay with a little bug spray prevention."

Camping around Brookings, SD, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking a peaceful spot.

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 Camden State Park with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.

  • 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.