Campers visiting Brookings, South Dakota can experience a mix of prairie and lakeside camping environments within the glacial lakes region of eastern South Dakota. The area sits at approximately 1,700 feet elevation with hot summers reaching 85-90°F and cold winters that drop well below freezing. Many campgrounds remain open from mid-May through mid-October with seasonal closures affecting facility access during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: At Oakwood Lakes State Park, visitors can enjoy kayaking and canoeing on the scenic lakes. "This state park in eastern SD is a great place to camp, there are two modern camping areas, a swimming beach, several boat launches, handicap accessible fishing dock," notes one visitor.
Historical experiences: Ingalls Homestead offers authentic 1880s activities for educational family outings. "Each station on the self-guided tour has an activity with incredibly nice and informed hosts. Most of the buildings are based on the original plans and descriptions from the Ingalls family," shares a camper who visited with children.
Rock climbing adventures: Quartzite formations at Palisades State Park provide natural climbing opportunities. "I love this park for both its camping and hiking. Stunning quartzite formations make for some great climbing. It's a really small park which is both good and bad," writes one reviewer who visited the park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms at Lake Herman State Park. A visitor who stayed for two weeks noted, "Very nice place to stay. Had days of warm weather, spring rain showers and 5 inches of snow. I was right next to a little lake on one side and Lake Herman about 150ft away."
Family-friendly activities: Organized events for children make Sioux Falls Yogi Bear popular with families. "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," explains a satisfied family camper.
Level sites: Many RV campers appreciate the well-designed parking areas at Sexauer City Park. "Clean and quiet, convenient edge of town. Has 30 amp service. Clean shower house. Perfect spot to visit Brookings without paying for hotel," shares a visitor who stayed for four nights.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds near Brookings close bathroom facilities during cold weather. A winter visitor at Sexauer City Park reported, "Driving from far north down south, stopped for an overnight that we had reservations for. Apparently when temps reach towards freezing they close all restrooms and showers (only listed on Facebook)."
Reservation systems: Some parks use multiple reservation methods which can create confusion. At Sexauer City Park, one camper explained, "Although an envelope system is in use and we were told we didn't need one, reservation slips made out by the park (ON ORANGE) take precedence over the white slips."
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railroad noise disruptions. At Palisades State Park, a visitor mentioned, "The trains ran close by, and the flies were terrible."
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Children can experience historical activities at Ingalls Homestead. "A very cool and unique campsite on the grounds of the Laura Ingalls Homestead near De Smet, SD. The other really cool thing about this spot—especially for families—are all of the fun activities at the homestead itself," explains a family who enjoyed the educational aspect.
Swimming options: Multiple state parks offer designated swimming areas for children. At Oakwood Lakes State Park, campers appreciate that there is "a swimming beach, several boat launches, handicap accessible fishing dock."
Playground access: Request sites near play equipment when traveling with small children. One parent at Sioux Falls KOA shared, "We got a spot right in front of the playground which was perfect for our toddler. The trees provided nice shade."
Tips from RVers
Electric service variations: RV camping near Brookings, South Dakota offers different amperage options depending on the park. At Sioux Falls KOA, one camper noted, "Super easy access as well as easy pull through. Level enough to not unhook."
Dump station considerations: Some facilities have challenging dump station designs. A visitor to Ingalls Homestead warned, "There is a dump station but be forewarned it's on a slope, so emptying your tanks completely will be a challenge."
Weather preparedness: RVers should prepare for rapid weather changes in eastern South Dakota. A long-term camper at Lake Herman State Park experienced "days of warm weather, spring rain showers and 5 inches of snow" during a two-week stay, demonstrating the need for all-season preparation when RV camping in this region.
