Lake Vermillion Recreation Area sits near Canistota, South Dakota at about 1,300 feet elevation in the prairie region of eastern South Dakota. The recreation area features multiple campgrounds around a 512-acre lake where summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F. Campgrounds within 25 miles of Canistota provide varied terrain from lakeside camping to sites surrounded by agricultural fields.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Vermillion Recreation Area offers good fishing access with multiple species available. "The park has a lake with a beach area - looked to have quite a bit of algae while we were there in early July. The area is very busy with boaters, and not a lot more than that to do," notes Stacia R., who camped there with her family.
Hiking trails: Big Sioux Recreation Area near Brandon features several trails for day hikes. "Lots of trails for hiking!" according to Samantha W. Another camper mentioned, "Bike trails are awesome," making this a good option for both hikers and cyclists.
Wildlife viewing: Spring and early summer provide excellent wildlife watching at Lake Vermillion. "Spring was coming alive with gobbling turkeys and cackling pheasants; we even got a show from a strutting tom turkey," writes MickandKarla W., who stayed at the east campground.
Swimming options: Many campgrounds offer swimming areas for cooling off during summer months. "There is a very nice sand beach, playgrounds, fishing, star gazing, and four campgrounds," writes John D. about Lake Vermillion, though he recommends visiting "during the off-season, sep thru mid May (when the kids are in school)" to avoid crowds.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Dakota Sunsets RV Park (formerly Camp America) in Salem maintains exceptionally clean grounds. "The attention to detail you see in this park is not something we have seen a lot during our travels. The gravel roadways to each campsite are groomed perfectly level. Art, sculptures and flower pots are everywhere," writes Robert O.
Quiet camping areas: Several campgrounds offer peaceful settings despite their proximity to highways. "Nice, quiet campground by a beautiful lake. Friendly staff. Would stay here again!" says Brandi M. about Lake Vermillion Recreation Area.
Fast internet access: For those needing to stay connected, some campgrounds provide excellent connectivity. At Dakota Sunsets RV Park, "The Wifi was really fast…the best we have seen in over 1 yr and full time camping... We had over 50Mbps on our Verzion and ATT hot spot as well as the RV park's Wifi system. This place is smoked hot for internet connectivity," according to Robert O.
Level sites: Freeman City Park offers well-maintained, level camping areas. "Flat fully leveled sites - 4 in total with electric hookups and a bathroom near by and a dump station," writes Shirlee A., who appreciated the value and amenities at this city park campground.
What you should know
Additional fees: When camping at South Dakota state parks like Lake Vermillion, be prepared for extra costs beyond the base camping rate. "We had already paid the $30 a night plus $10 nonresident reservation fees, to find out starting this year we needed to pay a non-resident $15 a night state park fee or $60 for a year pass," explains MickandKarla W.
Mosquito season: Summer months bring heavy mosquito activity to many campgrounds in the Canistota area. Bug protection is essential for pet-friendly camping near Canistota, South Dakota, particularly from June through August.
Weather considerations: Spring and fall provide more moderate temperatures. "We stayed in early May... Overall, a quiet and scenic stay with great wildlife viewing and lake views," writes MickandKarla W. about their Lake Vermillion experience.
Reservation timing: Big Sioux Recreation Area fills quickly during peak season. "Make reservations early. It will get filled on weekends and holidays," advises John D. This applies to most pet-friendly campgrounds near Canistota, especially during summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sioux Falls KOA offers excellent facilities for families with children. "Our stay here was perfect! We don't usually stay at campgrounds Bc we prefer dispersed camping but this was great. We requested a specific site and they were very accommodating. So friendly. Impressed with the camp store. Everything clean and well maintained. We got a spot right in front of the playground which was perfect for our toddler," writes Laura C.
Swimming pool options: Many campgrounds near Canistota offer swimming facilities. Freeman City Park features "a big park, playground, pool and volleyball court. Perfect to stop for the night for a very fair price," according to Shirlee A.
Site selection for tents: When tent camping with children at Lake Vermillion, consider specific areas. "We stayed in one of the four designated tent sites. You have to park and haul your gear to the site, but it is a short and easy walk. The 4 tent sites are near each other, yet feel secluded and private," notes Stacia R.
Early booking: Reserve family-friendly sites well in advance, especially for summer stays. "Residents of South Dakota love their camping, so book a site as early as allowable," recommends John D. regarding Lake Vermillion.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Pioneer / Montrose City Campground offers good pull-through sites for easy access. "Small clean campground no reservations needed easy access to highway. Great place for an overnight stay on our way to Sturgis $25 a night full hookup and water if needed," writes Julie J.
Hookup locations: At Lake Vermillion, "The electric hookup is at the back; we needed about 30 of cord. All sites here are electric only and nicely spaced apart," notes MickandKarla W., providing helpful information for RV setup planning.
Connectivity details: Dakota Sunsets RV Park provides excellent internet options for working travelers. "This park is Big Rig friendly with very large pull throughs," adds Robert O.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dump stations. At Lake Vermillion, "The dump station is in the West Campground," according to MickandKarla W., which is important information for RVers planning their stay.
