Best Campgrounds near Canton, SD

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 Camping Sites Near Canton, South Dakota (87)

    1. Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    38 Reviews
    Brandon, SD
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 582-7243

    "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

    11 Reviews
    Canton, SD
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 987-2263

    "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

    28 Reviews
    Sioux Falls, SD
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 332-9987

    "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

    23 Reviews
    Brandon, SD
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 332-2233

    $40 - $200 / night

    "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."

    5. Lake Pahoja Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Larchwood, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 753-2313

    "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!"

    6. Palisades State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Garretson, SD
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 594-3824

    "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. Countryside Campgrounds

    2 Reviews
    Harrisburg, SD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 372-4166

    "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."

    8. Tower Campground

    12 Reviews
    Sioux Falls, SD
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 332-1173

    "The airport is close by which made it neat to watch."

    "This campground is a great location when passing through Sioux Falls. It is right off I29, and there a quick in and out sites up front."

    9. Rivers Bend Campground

    4 Reviews
    Rock Valley, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 476-6065

    "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

    53 Reviews
    Hardwick, MN
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 283-1307

    $20 - $35 / night

    "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!"

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Recent Reviews near Canton, SD

428 Reviews of 87 Canton Campgrounds


  • Erik R.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Blue Mounds State Park Campground

    Meh, ups and downs

    In many ways, this is just like any other MN State Park campground. Most of the campground caters to RVs. Here are the things that make this place unique. #1 They have tipis you can reserve! They look cool, but they are hard to come by. There is no seasonal information available about these, but I can tell you they aren’t available in October. I am here now and they are empty with no way to rent. Bummer. That would have been cool. #2 Here is what I really dislike about this campground. It is sooo loud. The noise from the nearby interstate is constant, like all night constant. Really takes away from the experience. #3 other than the tipis and noise if you know what it is to stay at a MN State Park campground, you know pretty much everything else to expect.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Magnolia City Campground

    Convenient to I90

    Very basic sites. Town park. Dated and feels strange when no one else if here. But, $20 a night for full hook ups can’t be beat.

  • Donna H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Beautiful but pricey.

    The park is on the outskirts of a little town just east of Sioux Falls. I made my reservations online ($30 for the reservation, $1.26 tax, $0.45 for more tax, and $10 for the non-resident reservation fee). The campsites are clean, spacious, and beautiful. Absolutely loved it there. I had no sooner settled in, and a woman knocked on my van asking that I pay a city tax, an additional $15. I really don't mind paying the fees as that's what supports the park...What I didn't like was that it wasn't mentioned when making the reservations. Other than that little "gotcha" it was a wonderful experience. Would definitely visit again.

  • John D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Nice for occasional family camping.

    This SD State Recreation site is next to Sioux Falls. Make reservations early. It will get filled on weekends and holidays. Not a bad park for a family, first timers, or those who want to just get outside. This park may be in the city limits of Brandon SD. Grocery store, restaurants, and gas stations within about two miles. This is a very good park if you are visiting someone in the area or a traveler.

  • John D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

    Very nice state park

    During the off-season, sep thru mid May (when the kids are in school) is the perfect time to stay at this state park. I do not stay during the high occupancy times since I don't like crowded camping, and this park is close to Sioux Falls and right off I90, which can make this place busy. There is a very nice sand beach, playgrounds, fishing, star gazing, and four campgrounds. I would not camp at the west side north area since it is very new and has very few trees. Great park if you're just passing through. Residents of South Dakota love their camping, so book a site as early as allowable. I would recommend the east campground. Very pretty. There are four very nice tent only sites in one area. I would give it five stars but to many people during the season.

  • Emer O.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Sioux Falls Yogi Bear

    Great night stay family orientated

    Just booked as a stopover. Friendly staff, everything needed available as a couple travelling lovely to see families enjoying themselves. Recommend stop

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Another overnight stop.

    Just another overnight stop on my drive to Iowa. I spent the night in a non-electric tent site so I can't really comment on the other parts of the campground. It does have nice bathrooms with running water and showers. The non-e tent sites are in a forested section, all shaded. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings. Sites are located a very short walk from the designated parking. I had a great night's sleep as it was relatively quiet. I didn't partake but they do have a Frisbee golf course. Took a short walk on their trail system to the suspension walking bridge. My complaint would be the fees. I thought i was paying one fee for the non-e tent site but then there was an additional fee for non-res and another fee for park day use fee or permit. This fee was confusing whether I was supposed to pay this or not. So what looked like a small fee to spend the night turned into much more.

  • Shirlee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Freeman City Park

    Perfect stop over

    What a great thing for the city to offer for travelers coming through!

    Flat fully leveled sites - 4 in total with electric hookups and a bathroom near by and a dump station.

    Right outside is a big park, playground, pool and volleyball court. Perfect to stop for the night for a very fair price.

  • Shirlee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    River Road Campground

    Convenient stop over

    Super easy to access and right near Blue Mount State Park. There is a playground which is great for kids and awesome bike trails right to the sight that leads to town, river and a huge playground.

    Has all hookups for 35$ a night.

    I wouldn’t stay more than the night due to RVs being really close together - not so much room to open space or have privacy , but if you’re looking for a stop over it’s perfect.


Guide to Canton

Camping near Canton, South Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several great spots to consider.

What to do

  • Hiking and Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Newton Hills State Park. One visitor noted, "Great trails and a short scenic road, plus some nice open spaces." The park is perfect for a family hike or a peaceful walk.
  • Fishing and Swimming: At Lake Vermillion Recreation Area, you can enjoy fishing and swimming. A camper mentioned, "Well spaced and clean RV sites... a great beach, fishing pier, and picnic area."
  • Wildlife Viewing: Check out the bison at Blue Mounds State Park Campground. One reviewer shared, "We drove in the morning to the bison area and saw about 12 of them roaming near the fence."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Palisades State Park Campground said, "Bathrooms exceptionally clean. Showers great."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A reviewer at Big Sioux Recreation Area mentioned, "Sites are big and roomy. We have two big dogs and were able to put them both on 30-foot leads."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families enjoy the activities available at places like Sioux Falls Yogi Bear. One parent said, "It was an absolute blast for our kids with plenty of activities to keep them entertained."

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby highways or events. A camper at Sioux Falls KOA noted, "Lots of noise since it’s off the highway."
  • Limited Privacy: If you're looking for solitude, some sites may not offer much privacy. A visitor at Newton Hills State Park mentioned, "Spots are fairly spacious, but not a lot of privacy."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A camper at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area advised, "Plan accordingly as the dump station was really busy in the morning."

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. A family at Yankton — Lewis And Clark Recreation Area said, "Clean beach, spacious spots for our 35' camper, and nice bathrooms and parks!"
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Keep the kids happy with plenty of snacks. One parent at Big Sioux Recreation Area mentioned, "We booked this site last minute... the ranger at the station was super friendly and helpful."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games or outdoor toys to keep the kids entertained. A camper at Palisades State Park Campground noted, "There are plenty of parks and paved roadways to wander around on."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Newton Hills State Park said, "The spots are nice."
  • Use Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric hookups, which can be a lifesaver. A camper at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area mentioned, "Well spaced and clean RV sites."
  • Be Prepared for Weather: Bring gear for rain or shine. A reviewer at Sioux Falls KOA noted, "It was clean and secure."

Camping around Canton, South Dakota, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled family getaway, you'll find plenty of options to explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Canton, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, Canton, SD offers a wide range of camping options, with 87 campgrounds and RV parks near Canton, SD and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

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 38 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Canton, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Canton, SD.