Best Camping near Bruce, SD

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Bruce, SD has a lot to offer. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Bruce is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Bruce, SD. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Best Camping Sites Near Bruce, SD (49)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 49 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Bruce

Recent Reviews in Bruce

77 Reviews of 49 Bruce Campgrounds


  • D
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Cochrane Recreation Area
    Sep. 3, 2024

    Lake Cochrane Recreation Area

    Camp host here

    Really a nice little park! We have been camp hosts here for the summer. Had never been here before, didn't know it existed. 30 back in sites with #30 being host site.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Split Rock Creek State Park Campground
    Jul. 19, 2024

    Split Rock Creek State Park Campground

    Small peaceful campground

    Nice peaceful campground with large sites nicely spaced apart for privacy. We stayed in #6 (non-electric but there are lots of electric sites.) Cleanest pit toilet ever with many amenities!! Mirror, shelf, hooks, hand sanitizer, garbage can, reading material on wall listing ‘things to do’!! Showers clean too with plenty of warm water. Saw some fireflies, no mosquitoes!! We had a very pleasant one night stay.

  • Michelle B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Ingalls Homestead
    Jul. 7, 2024

    Ingalls Homestead

    Love the quaintness!

    Love that there are only 4 sites. We stayed here with family and had 3 of the sites. Beautiful land! 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. $20pp to tour the property for the whole time you are staying. Check out the dugout, house, barn, schoolhouse, church and garage.

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

    Lake Thompson Recreation 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.

  • Bibs O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Carthage Lakeside Use Area
    Jul. 2, 2024

    Lake Carthage Lakeside Use Area

    We stayed overnight here

    2 fire pits. 1 porta-potty. Open area you can camp anywhere. No water, no electric, no dump station, no potable water.

    Town is 2 miles away, and they have a free dump station. Town also offers free showers. The laundry mat is available next to showers.

    One mile out of town is a paid campground at the Lake Carthage campgrounds.

    In town at the city park is a paid campground ss well.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from DeBates Memorial Park
    Feb. 20, 2024

    DeBates Memorial Park

    Quiet. Electric. 4 sites.

    Nice, easy quick in and out overnight while traveling through. Not sure if it’s plowed in the winter. No snow this year.

  • DakotaMiner
    Camper-submitted photo from Sexauer City Park
    Oct. 29, 2023

    Sexauer City Park

    Winter pass through

    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), unfortunately our RV was winterized so we stayed overnight with zero accessible restrooms or showers.

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from DeBates Memorial Park
    Sep. 19, 2023

    DeBates Memorial Park

    Pretty basic

    This is a grassy lot with gravel RV sites four of them Water and electric $20 a night There is a dump station 3 1/2 blocks away Restroom is a porta potty There’s a shelter Just to the south, there is some maintenance yards with a lot of noise but not too bad

  • George D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sexauer City Park
    Aug. 27, 2023

    Sexauer City Park

    Quiet. Near highway 29

    Quiet small city campground. A few nice pullouts. Plenty of back ins, and a tent area. Showers and toilets clean and well lit. Pay at front of park or reserve online.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Campground 2 — Oakwood Lakes State Park
    Aug. 20, 2023

    Campground 2 — Oakwood Lakes State Park

    Clean pleasant campground

    Camped in the more open area (72E in campground 2). Large grassy sites with fire pit and picnic table. Clean bathrooms with hot showers. Nice path around lake for walking the dog. Lots of families having a good time! Very pleasant evening.

  • Mary Jo S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Split Rock Creek State Park Campground
    Aug. 5, 2023

    Split Rock Creek State Park Campground

    Great stay

    We had a great time camping here. The shower houses were super clean(not even a spiderweb), the park rangers were nice and helpful. Really big sights with plenty of space between them. A small lake with 5 docks and a swimming beach. A few small hiking trails and a park for the kiddos.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Walkers Point Recreation Area
    Jul. 15, 2023

    Walkers Point Recreation Area

    Nice views

    Smallish campground on the lake. Sites are a bit close together. Huge thunderstorm came during the night but winds were blocked somewhat by location and trees.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Split Rock Creek State Park Campground
    Nov. 19, 2022

    Split Rock Creek State Park Campground

    Small park with a small cozy campground

    Showers and bathrooms in campground. Playground nearby. The campground is right off the hiking club trail for that doing that. Site 22 had nice trees for hanging hammocks. Firewood is available at the office.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Sexauer City Park
    Sep. 7, 2022

    Sexauer City Park

    Ideal small campground, reserve in advance!

    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 (which are the duplicate layer of your registration form). After we came, found a pull- through spot open that night, filled and posted our form, we we left - and returned to a filled spot- THAT camper reserved by phone just hours earlier (perhaps while we were selecting). Fortunately we saw another spot where we could still stay hooked up. This is a really pleasant (under big oaks) electric only sites campground. 2 handicap shower/bathrooms. Picnic tables and fire rings. Little free library.

  • Alley-oop M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Memorial Park
    Jul. 8, 2022

    Memorial Park

    Family fun

    We had a great time at the lake our campsite was in view of the water beautiful Town beautiful atmosphere very green the one and only thing I would say is that there is a rocky very Rocky Lake other than that time spent was a week and it was really good

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Colman City Park
    Jan. 1, 2022

    Colman City Park

    Good for a city campground!

    Bathrooms were clean and well maintained. Nightly site only had electric. Full hook up sites can only be rented seasonally. Lots of road noise and none of the site were very level. Nightly/weekly rate available. Campground can get very cramped. Hard to park if you have a bigger camper.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Pipestone Family Campground
    Oct. 12, 2021

    Pipestone Family Campground

    Nice!

    Campground was nearly full of local campers but the kids played great together. Decent pool & showers, fun activities like bags tournaments and a potluck. We had a pull thru spot, leveling was tricky. They let us put up a tent for no additional cost. I think it was around $25 night for full hookup. Was a fun campground & the national pipestone monument area is right across the road. Really neat interactive place to visit.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Norland Park
    Sep. 10, 2021

    Norland Park

    City park with a small lake and island

    Passing town of Arlington and found a couple of city parks with electrical hookup and about six sites with picnic tables! On busy truck route but very quiet after dark! Nice town to bike or walk! Grocery store, gas mini mart and Main St all close. No vehicle needed!



Guide to Bruce

Camping near Bruce, South Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to relax or a place filled with activities, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Explore the Ingalls Homestead: This campground is not just a place to pitch a tent; it’s a slice of history. Visitors can tour the property for $20 per person and check out the dugout, barn, and schoolhouse. One reviewer said, “Love that there are only 4 sites. Beautiful land!” Ingalls Homestead is a must-visit for fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
  • Enjoy water activities: At Lake Herman State Park Campground, you can swim, fish, or rent paddle boards and kayaks. A camper mentioned, “Great campground with a lot to do. Nice beach and walking trails.”
  • Hiking and biking: The trails around Oakwood Lakes State Park are perfect for hiking and biking. One visitor noted, “Great place for horseback riding and canoeing, plus boating and fishing.”

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained bathrooms and showers. A review for Campground 1 — Oakwood Lakes State Park highlighted, “The bathrooms are amazing for a campground. One of the few places I've ever camped where you get a full bathroom to yourself.”
  • Quiet atmosphere: Many campers enjoy the peaceful environment. One reviewer at Sexauer City Park said, “Quiet small city campground. A few nice pullouts. Plenty of back ins, and a tent area.”
  • Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds like Stokes-Thomas Lake Campground offer playgrounds and beach areas. A camper shared, “Wonderful campground! Very well kept with the grass cut and shower/bath houses cleaned and maintained often.”

What you should know

  • Limited amenities at some sites: Not all campgrounds have full hookups. For example, Campground 2 — Oakwood Lakes State Park has no water hookups, which might be a downside for some campers.
  • Reservations recommended: Especially during peak seasons, it’s wise to reserve your spot in advance. A visitor at Sexauer City Park noted, “Ideal small campground, reserve in advance!”
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife, especially if you’re camping near water. One camper at Lake Herman State Park Campground mentioned, “The area has many geocaches as well!”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose campgrounds with activities: Look for places like Ingalls Homestead that offer educational tours and hands-on activities for kids. A family shared, “Little House on the Prairie fans, you MUST stay here!”
  • Pack for the beach: If you’re heading to Lake Herman State Park Campground, don’t forget your swimsuits and beach toys. One camper said, “Nice beach and walking trails and outdoor excessive area.”
  • Plan for quiet evenings: Many campgrounds are peaceful at night, making them perfect for family bonding. A visitor at Stokes-Thomas Lake Campground noted, “Mid-week was very quiet and peaceful.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check for dump stations: Some campgrounds, like Campground 1 — Oakwood Lakes State Park, have dump stations, but others may not. A reviewer mentioned, “The dump station is on a slope, so emptying your tanks completely will be a challenge.”
  • Look for big rig-friendly sites: Many campgrounds cater to larger RVs. A camper at Campground 2 — Oakwood Lakes State Park said, “Big rig friendly, drinking water, electric hookups.”
  • Be prepared for dirt roads: Some campgrounds, like Ingalls Homestead, have dirt roads leading to them. A visitor noted, “Great place to spend the night. Only a few campsites. Workers are great.”

Camping near Bruce, South Dakota, has something for everyone, from history buffs to families looking for fun. Make sure to check out the local campgrounds for a memorable experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular campground near Bruce, SD?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bruce, SD is Campground 2 — Oakwood Lakes State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 5 reviews.

  • What parks are near Bruce, SD?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 0 parks near Bruce, SD that allow camping, notably Lake Oahe and Ashtabula Lake.