Soren B.
Guide
GuideDakota Sunsets RV Park
Nice place 1.5 miles off the interstate. Some people say the hwy 81 is noisy but we had no issues.
Camping near Canton, SD
89 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Canton, South Dakota offers multiple camping options within the surrounding area, featuring both state and municipal park campgrounds. Newton Hills State Park, located approximately 9 miles south of Canton, stands as the primary camping destination with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins available year-round. This 4.6-rated campground provides spacious sites with electrical hookups, modern facilities, and hiking trails through forested hills—an uncommon landscape feature in this predominantly agricultural region. Other nearby options include Big Sioux Recreation Area near Brandon and Lake Pahoja Recreation Area across the Iowa border.
Road conditions throughout the region remain generally accessible, with most campgrounds situated along maintained roads suitable for standard vehicles. Weather conditions vary dramatically by season, with hot summers and cold winters typical of the northern plains. "Bath facilities are convenient, but seem old and marginally maintained. Great stargazing," noted one visitor about Newton Hills. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though coverage may vary in more remote areas of state parks.
Campers consistently highlight the natural scenery and recreational opportunities available despite the relatively flat surrounding terrain. Several visitors mentioned the trails and lake access as key highlights of their camping experience at Newton Hills. According to one camper, "This beautiful park set just 9 miles south of Canton has something for everyone. If you enjoy water activities, spend some time at Lake Lakota swimming, kayaking, fishing, or just relaxing!" The campgrounds generally provide good spacing between sites, though privacy varies by location. Family-friendly amenities are common, with playgrounds and paved areas for biking found at several locations. Countryside Campgrounds near Lennox and Rivers Bend Campground in Rock Valley, Iowa provide additional options for those seeking full-hookup RV sites within a 30-mile radius of Canton.
Best Campgrounds near Canton (89)
1. Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
"South Dakota State Park, Brandon SD. Great stop. We spent 2 days. Very nice campground with lots to do and see. Big spacious sites ours backed up to the bike path and river."
"They have nice long paved trails for walking and biking. We got to walk our dogs on it to avoid tick contact from the grassy trails. There was a cool suspension bridge that was fun to walk on."
2. Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park
"I had an amazing time at Newton Hills Campground in South Dakota with my family and young children."
"This beautiful park set just 9 miles south of Canton, SD has something for everyone. If you enjoy water activities, spend some time at Lake Lakota swimming, kayaking, fishing, or just relaxing!"
3. Sioux Falls KOA
"We decided to stay at this campground because it was close to Falls Park. It’s 4 miles away from the KOA to Downtown. It wasn’t crowded, very clean, met lots of Texans and the pet areas were awesome!"
"Also a neat little micro brewery walking distance, across the road. Very nice staff and an RV dealer next door. Very close to I-90 and it’s noise, but that comes with the easy access."
4. Sioux Falls Yogi Bear
"At the time of our visit I-90 was being rebuilt nearby so access from the interstate was more difficult, but this isn’t the fault of the campground."
"Location is right on interstate and easy to find. Not for nature lovers."
from $40 - $200 / night
Check Availability5. Tower Campground
"You get a lot of road noise and the airport is close by so you get plane noise from time to time. The campground is close to many attractions and eateries."
"The airport is close by which made it neat to watch."
6. Palisades State Park Campground
"We passed through Palisades State Park earlier this year and spent some time in the day-use area so we knew it was a good place to camp as we passed through South Dakota on another trip."
"South Dakota is known for its well-maintained state park campgrounds, and this area offers two great options: King and Queen."
7. Lake Pahoja Recreation Area
"Good distance from others, yet close enough for group. Near everything in the beautiful black hills. Several areas. Clean, comfortable restrooms. Store at entrance to park."
"The Lake offers terrific fishing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming. Awesome hiking path surrounds the lake with benches to take breaks and educational signs to help you learn about the area!"
8. Countryside Campgrounds
"Nice camp site tucked in near the interstate. 2 things not crazy about sound of trucks exiting off interstate using jakebrake (engine exhaust brakes) and sale barn near by."
9. Rivers Bend Campground
"There is a swimming hole with a little beach and walking/bike trail. They have tent sites that you have to walk to but they are right on the water away from all of the RV sites."
"Only 4 stars due to neighbors leaving their dog outside barking constantly until they returned. Against park rules so maybe a one off. Water front on 80% of spots."
10. Blue Mounds State Park Campground
"Quiet place with nice bike and walking paths. Electric only 30amp water close by. Full dump station."
"Even though it's just adjacent, 13 had a nice little secluded area for our tent, and a *private* riverside walk out to the cliffs overlooking the river!"
from $24 - $50 / night
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Drive Time
- 24 min from Sioux Falls, SD
- 1 hr 4 min from Sioux City, IA
- 2 hrs 24 min from Omaha, NE
- 2 hrs 39 min from Mankato, MN
Recent Camping Photos near Canton, SD
93 Photos of 89 Canton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Fruit of the CoopS
Sioux Falls Yogi Bear
Sioux Falls KOA
Peder Larsen City Park
Gunderson ParkS
Palisades State Park Campground
Union Grove State Park Campground
Split Rock ParkC
Blue Mounds State Park Campground
Lake Vermillion Recreation Area
Recent Reviews near Canton, SD
489 Reviews of 89 Canton Campgrounds
- MMackenzie C.
TravelerLake Vermillion Recreation Area
Nice but expensiveve for out of state
+$15 in fees for out of state (10 of that was hidden until the very end of purchase). Clean sites, spacious, some are close together but many have good spacing. Very quiet. Couldn’t find any nonelectric sites online (as in couldn’t find any that exist let alone were available) even though it says there are some. Must reserve online, but can reserve once you arrive.
Papa's J.GuidePalisades State Park Campground
Beautiful Campgrounds
In the King's area, the camp sites are very spacious and even have fancy Fire Pits with Cooking area @ Every Sight! Cutting my 7 day stay down to 4 🤟👋 off to the Next Great Campground 🤙
- GGwen A.Guide
Blue Mounds State Park Campground
Alright!
The Ranger at the desk polite and full of information. The only thing we did not like is the cold room where the showers are. Loads of hot water.
Emily A.GuideBlue Mounds State Park Campground
We liked it!
Nice showers, sites online can be a bit deceiving. We thought we were getting a more remote site but it ended up being right in the middle of everyone with a direct view of the trashes. Because we were so close to said trash the flies were terrible and got into our camper and stayed in it for days. But showers and bathrooms were clean and overall a cute site with a nice trail nearby!
Travis A.
RangerMulberry Bend Wildlife Management Area
Good for an over nighter
This is my 2nd time at this spot. Looks like two senior homeless people have set up shop. The pit toilet is in bad shape. Toilet seat is hanging on by one hinge, the other is broken. It needs to be emptied. Small trash can, no dumpster or water. The great thing about this spot is you are only 15mins or so from Vermillion. There is a county park camping grounds with water, restrooms, dumpster and dumpstation.
- BBrian B.Traveler
Split Rock Park
Enjoyable 1 nighter
I spent one night at Split Rock on my trip back to Colorado from Minnesota. I had a spot right on the river. The views and scenery were amazing. This is an oasis on the plains. There is an active train track that runs behind the campground that did cause a few wake-ups during the night but overall I had a great stay.
- JasonGuide
Windmill RV Park Campground
Great people, Nice park
Fully shaded park right in town. Convenient to grocery store, a few restaurants, and gas. Also a gym in town, a gun range, and during the summer, a town pool. The owner is great here, and the front staff are wonderful. Very accommodating and helpful. All the spots are level, and last I was here they were adding more ground cover to level even more. Great pit stop on your way to Sioux Falls ( 30 mins north), or on the way to the Black Hills...o. the other side of the state. Lots of great parks nearby for hiking, exploring...and the Missouri is about 40 mins south. Only detractor is the bath house. They keep it clean, just a little dated. But the hot water works...so what else do yoh really need. Laundry always works well, as well.
- JJames A.Guide
Tower Campground
Just the basics
Tight. Each space has two RVs parked inline with each other. Tail of one RV is parked touching the tail of the other RV
Guide to Canton
Canton, South Dakota features several well-developed campgrounds within a short drive of the city. Newton Hills State Park, located 9 miles south of Canton, serves as the primary camping destination with sites for tents, RVs, and cabins. The area includes both state park and privately managed facilities such as Countryside Campgrounds and Rivers Bend Campground in nearby Iowa. Most established campgrounds provide electric hookups, drinking water, and modern restroom facilities, with many offering both primitive tent sites and full-service RV connections.
Campground access remains available year-round at several locations including Newton Hills State Park, though amenities may be limited during winter months. Most sites require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when family-oriented campgrounds fill quickly. Water access at Lake Lakota within Newton Hills provides popular recreation opportunities. According to one visitor, "Beautiful campground with all the amenities. The lakes are wonderful for swimming, fishing, and beaching." Road conditions generally accommodate standard vehicles, with paved access to major campgrounds and some sites designed specifically for larger recreational vehicles with full hookups.
Campers consistently rate Newton Hills State Park highly for its combination of wooded sites and recreational opportunities. The park features hiking trails, fishing, kayaking, and swimming areas that complement its camping facilities. Sites vary in terms of shade coverage and privacy, with some reviewers noting that certain locations receive full sun exposure throughout the day. A camper noted that many sites are "spacious and clean" though "some of the sites are pretty close together." Family-friendly amenities including playgrounds appear frequently in positive reviews. Surrounding campgrounds like Lake Pahoja Recreation Area provide alternatives with different settings and amenities, creating a diverse camping landscape within a 30-mile radius of Canton.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Canton, SD?
What camping is available near Canton, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, Canton, SD offers a wide range of camping options, with 89 campgrounds and RV parks near Canton, SD and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Canton, SD?
Which is the most popular campground near Canton, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Canton, SD is Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux with a 4.5-star rating from 41 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Canton, SD?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Canton, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Canton, SD.
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