Looking for the best options for RV camping near Camp Crook? Find the best sites near Camp Crook where you can park your RV with a scenic view. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your South Dakota RV camping excursion.
A campground with 8 sites located in the Slim Buttes Unit near the Castles National Natural Landmark, one of two on the Sioux Ranger District. The campground is within commuting distance to Buffalo, SD.__Camp sites: 8Accessible Facilities:Toilet__Trash Pickup: NoFirewood: NoNo Reservations: This campground does not use a reservation system, it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a 14 day stay limit.Information:Sioux District OfficeBox 37, Main & FirstCamp Crook, SD 57724(605) 797-4432
A campground with 8 sites located in the North Cave Hills Unit, Sioux Ranger District near Ludlow, SD.__Camp sites: 8Accessible Facilities:Toilet__Trash Pickup: NoFirewood: NoNo Reservations: This campground does not use a reservation system, it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a 14 day stay limit.Information:Sioux District OfficeBox 37, Main & FirstCamp Crook, SD 57724(605) 797-4432
One of the larger eight land units on the Sioux Ranger District, near Buffalo, SD Designated recreational sites include: Reva Gap Campground, The Castles, Rabbit Creek Dam Fishing Pond and Summit Pass which provides an area viewpoint of the surrounding landscape.
This recreation area is part of Bowman Haley Lake
$5 - $15 / night
$5 - $15 / night
Guide
We spent a couple of nights in our 22’ trailer over July 4th weekend. We were very lucky to find one site left. Very basic sites and a little uneven so you will want blocks to level up. There is water at the gate but it’s a hand pump with no way of attaching a hose to fill a camper so I would bring water. Lovely spot if you want peace and tranquility, that sky at night is something else!
Ranger
Free campground in SD, not WY. Most sites are well separated. Most have picnic tables. Came over 4th of July and there were only 5 other campers when I left. Several piles of wood available for firewood (resulted from clearing trees); you will need to split it, however. Sites has been mowed for fire mitigation which also resulted in nice "lawns". I stayed in 1st on the right. It was more exposed to wind and rain, but I preferred the layout. Other sites are more protected.
Ranger
This campground used to be on The Dyrt. I re-added it. Stayed in 2023. No water. No electricity . Well spaced sites. Vault toilets
RangerFree camping in Custer Gallatin NF. No water, no trash collection. Many sites are really private with long driveways. Not all had tables and/or fire pits. Only a couple other campers there. Good views of The Castle which is part of Slim Buttes. Bathrooms needed some attention. Lots of flies. There is a map of campsites at entry off of SD20.
GuideWonderful area with sites far enough apart you don't have to see your neighbors. Most sites are taken as of a Friday afternoon in July but we still found a few available. Wonderful views!
RangerI stayed there in mid-September for 2 nights. This is first come-first served. You can not reserve a site. With this in mind, I made the trip from Medora on a Tuesday morning and I arrived around noon. I gambled that the people who came in for the week-end would be gone and the ones who were coming for the next week-end would not be there for another day or two.
The 10 sites are spacious: it’s hard to see any other campers from your site. There are no amenities here except for very clean pit toilets. No water, no electricity, no dump stations and no dumpsters for trash. Every site has a cooking style fire ring, picnic table and ample room to park more than one vehicle.
But there is an abundance of solitude, beauty and a deer and elk. As they say in Texas . . . “The stars shine bright at night”.
RangerInteresting park and campground. Almost like boondocking. Sites were numbered but it was sometimes hard to see where you should park. Sites were not really level. No trash pickup. Water pump at entrance. Trails were all over and around the cool formations.
GuideThis campground is amazing. The geological formations around us are beautiful, and this place is isolated. Granted, I am here on a weeknight, but there are only two other groups camping here. The campsites are spread out so you get tons of privacy.
GuideBeautiful park off the beaten path. The rocks are fascinating, the sites are shaded and quiet. Very few services, so bring your own firewood and water (there's a pump near the entrance, but it's tricky). No electric at most of the campsites. The pit toilets were clean and well maintained, and there is a camp host on duty (although he kept to himself unless we needed him). We were hoping for good stargazing, but it was too cloudy--the night sky is very dark, though, so I'm sure it would be breathtaking on a clear night.
TravelerYes, it is out of the way which makes it all the more desirable. This is a very private camping area with great access to vault bathroom facilities. Accessible It is an outcropping of rock, buttes and ponderosa forest with spectacular views of distant grazing land. It is quiet, remote and rustic. Bring your own water.
Traveler
This COE campground is leased to Bowman Water Board, to reserve a campsite with electric, $15, is https:/bowmannd.com/plan- your- trip/camping/ Marina manager: 701-206-0161 Marina landline: 701-275-6316
There is some question whether this COE Campground will honor America the Beautiful Senior Pass 50% discount since it's now leased to a private entity.
Primitive sites are on a first-come basis, $5, are much prettier and more private!
The electric campsites are not attractive, or level, and my first electric campsite #26, which was quite a distance beyond the marina, had a faulty electric, minimal Verizon signal and no privacy. I had to move to an electric campsite adjacent to the marina, not attractive either but had full Verizon signal strength. Also, the original campsite had a mercury vapor light that blinked non-stop ALL night long. As I understand, there is no water available near the campsite away from the marina.
Although the campsites need repairs, the roads throughout the campground are in excellent condition. Most electric campsites have a picnic table, grill, fire ring or a burnt area where people have campfires directly on the ground. Note: campfires are certainly not warranted at this time, the grasses are extremely dry and it's windy, strong chance of wildfire.
Don't count on swimming in Bowman Haley Lake, signs posted stating the water may contain blue green algae that can be harmful to humans and pets. (Actually, blue green algae has killed a number of pets causing them to experience convulsions and die quickly.) Blue green algae is easily seen along the shoreline. See pic.
Oh, and the flies and mosquitoes!!
Beware, if you are traveling with pets, there are small cactus throughout the grasslands and ticks.
Beyond the marina is a dump site with non-potable water to rinse tanks, a fresh potable water faucet to refill freshwater tanks, and a bathhouse with a flush toilet and a shower. The Marina has a Sunday brunch from 9 - 11:00 a.m. and serves breakfast and lunch the other days, plus beer and wine.
My initial reaction to the campground was negative due to electrical problems. However, I have since changed my mind, the surrounding areas are quite beautiful. Also, I had 4G/LTE 5 bars but that depends on where you are in the campground.
GuideWe absolutely loved our stay at this campground! We arrived on Saturday, July 3rd and were very surprised to find most of the sites empty!
Good place to get away from fireworks, if you have an anxious dog.
Limited shade during those hot summer days.
The scenery is spectacular and offers cross country hiking for the adventurous. Awesome sunrise if you take a 10 minute walk.
Coming in from the north on Cox Road, it's a 3 mile drive on well maintained gravel road. Easily feasible with our 26 ft RV.
Traveler4th of July weekend and I can't see or hear my neighbors. Beautiful pines and sandstone cliffs surround the campsite
TravelerI loved the calm peacefulness of this campground. Only thing missing on our site was a picnic table. Enjoy the walks and hikes around the area.
LegendSuch a quiet campground! There looks to be about 10 official spots? 6 with gravel back ins. There is 1 pull through spot. The official spots have a metal fire ring and picnic table. There are 4 vault toilets spaced out throughout the campground which is nice! They aren’t being cleaned at this time but still being stocked with TP. Extremely peaceful and not frequently used. During my 3 night stay, I had 1-2 campers I was sharing the campground with. There’s a nice picnic area at the entrance. There’s also an electric outlet up front if you need to charge something, with a donation box. I had 2 bars of LTE via ATT basically anywhere before the first camping loop. After that, 1 bar of 4G. Saw a forest ranger drive through one day. I’d definitely stay again and it’s free!
ScoutUsing this app I came across this Campground. I cannot believe it was not when we got here at 1:30. We had our pick of a dozen sites. There is no one else within 1/3 of a mile.
There is around 7 miles of gravel road to go up. But we were on street motorcycles and had no problem.
Note the nearest groceries or any store for that mater is 25 miles away in either direction on Route 85. There is no potable water but there is a spring where you can water to boil. They don’t test it so you are using it at your own risk.
Dead quiet. Beautiful surroundings. Clean. Pit toilets are not smelly.
TravelerVery Nice Primitive Campground!
GuideSmall campground most sites are private the vault toilets were very clean and the campground was quiet. Easy access and not far from Buffalo SD for gas and or other supplies. Very pretty scenery. We used it as a stop over on the way to the black hills and will do so for future trips
RangerThis is one of the best National Forest campgrounds that we have been to. All of the 8 sites are very spread out and unique on their own. There is an abundance of wild life along with some great bluff views. The campground is very well maintained and well cared for. There are 2 vault toilets and now other extra amenities near the campsites. There is a water supply you can use but the water must be treated. You can stay a max of 14 days. We highly recommend this campground!
Check out our blog at www.unnamedadventures.com and follow our journey on Facebook and Instagram or on our YouTube Channel at Unnamed Adventures.
GuidePretty sketchy to find but very nice and the forest around is sweet. While I was here in May I saw deer and elk. Stayed here twice, once in May when there were no other visitors and once in August when there were only a few others.
GuideWe stayed Wednesday and Thursday nights before the 4th of July. It's a beautiful, well kept no fee campground. A not difficult path leads you upward to a beautiful view of The Castles formation in the Slim Buttes. We will stay here again.
ScoutIf you want to get away from it all, this is the place. It is remote, secluded, and beautiful. If you are looking for peace and quiet, it's definitely available here! There isn't "much" to do...if you're looking for swimming pools, golf courses, yada yada...but if you just want to camp in one of the prettiest places on earth, this is it.
TravelerGreat place to stay. Very quiet. Sites were large and not many people around.
ScoutThis campground is secluded! A couple of short trails. Nice camp spots. A couple of outhouses. No running water, BUT there is fresh spring water at the entrance of the park! Close enough to Baker, you can stop by during the day and grab a couple of brews at Old Skool Brewing!
ScoutBe ready to dry camp
GuideEven more remote than its buddy, Reva Gap campground over in the Slim Buttes of Harding County, Picnic Spring Campground in the Cave Hills offers its own experience. Its a short drive from Highway 85 over to the hills, then up and into the Ponderosa pine forest capped butte that the campground is situated on. Small canyons border most of the campground as its surrounded by other buttes in this ancient place that is the Cave Hills, one of the oldest geological formations in North America.
There's plenty of 'trails' in the area, just check the Forest Service provided map to make sure you're still on public land. Some areas are leased out to ranchers and have cattle on them during different times of the year, so be mindful of any gates you pass through.
Different roads and trails through the Cave Hills can offer up a bunch of different sights and views from the expansive prairie stretching away from it, the little hillsides and meadows between buttes and all the wildlife that occupies it. The history of the place is fascinating as well and worth looking into.
GuideGreat little campground nestled in the pines of the Slim Buttes. Views of more buttes and the prairie to the west with certain spots. Area is gorgeous in one of the most remote areas of SD. Can drive to campging spots a fair distance in to be away from the highway, although the traffic is almost nonexistant.
Some trails to the north of Highway 20 and on the south end of Highway 79 that can take you above and along the cliffs of the buttes with some more spectacular views. You can do some back-country camping if you camp within a certain distance of the trails (grab a forest service map at the campground for reference of trails/roads and private property).
Camping spots in the campground are clean, mowed and have a small fire pit.
Frequently Asked Questions
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