Canton, South Dakota camping areas span across prairie landscapes with elevations around 1,400 feet. The region features a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, making May through October the prime camping season. Most campgrounds near Canton are located within a 30-minute drive of the town, providing access to both wooded river areas and open prairie settings.
What to do
Kayaking the river: At Big Sioux Recreation Area, easy river access makes for excellent paddling opportunities. "Beautiful area, very shaded by trees in the RV camping spots. Clean bathrooms. Quiet camp grounds and easy access to the river. Loading area for kayaks and canoes right next to the campgrounds," notes one visitor to Big Sioux Recreation Area.
Wildlife viewing: Blue Mounds State Park offers unique opportunities to observe bison in their natural prairie habitat. "Park features natural prairie and a buffalo herd. Bison tours are available. Plenty of hiking trails and some cliff climbing," explains a camper at Blue Mounds State Park Campground.
Hiking quartzite formations: Palisades State Park provides distinctive hiking experiences through ancient rock formations. "I love this park for both it's camping and hiking. Stunning quartzite formations make for some great climbing. It's a really small park which is both good and bad. The trails aren't very long, but it's not usually overcrowded," reports a visitor to Palisades State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Vermillion Recreation Area offers excellent fishing access. "Spring was coming alive with gobbling turkeys and cackling pheasants; we even got a show from a strutting tom turkey. Overall, a quiet and scenic stay with great wildlife viewing and lake views," shares a camper from Lake Vermillion.
What campers like
Spacious, shaded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural tree cover at several campgrounds. "We have stayed here many times. Nice quiet state campground. Our site was nice, level, spacious, and had plenty of grass coverage (instead of dirt). Bugs were a pain but not much you can do about that. Bike trails are awesome," notes a repeat visitor to Big Sioux Recreation Area.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities stand out to visitors at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area. "Nice, quiet campground by a beautiful lake. Friendly staff. Would stay here again!" comments one reviewer who appreciated the cleanliness.
Family-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer excellent playground facilities. "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," reports a family that stayed at Sioux Falls KOA.
Privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention the spacing between campsites. "This campsite was great! We had a tent site, number 24, and it was tucked into the woods but still close to the parking lot! The neighboring sites are far enough away where you still have privacy but if you had two next to each other with a large group it could still function as one," says a camper at Big Sioux Recreation Area.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: South Dakota state parks require advance planning. "We made a reservation using the phone number provided. On short notice, we were charged 80+ dollars for two nights after requesting a tent site without electricity. On arrival, we were charged 30 dollars for entrance passes to put on the car," reports one camper at Palisades State Park Campground.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds are located near major roads. "The negatives are noise and lights. Highway noise was very very loud. Easy to see outside but not a lot of camp feel. Bright light through skylites while sleeping," notes a visitor to Tower Campground.
Non-resident fees: Additional charges apply for out-of-state visitors. "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 a camper at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area.
Seasonal bugs: Insect activity varies by season. "Bugs were a pain but not much you can do about that," mentions a camper at Big Sioux Recreation Area, while another notes, "We went in early June. No bugs in early June. Campsites were very clean and well taken care of."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Request sites near play areas at Clay County Park for convenience with young children. "We were in site 18, which is near the playground. In busier months, that part of the campground could get loud," notes one visitor, providing useful insight for family planning.
Tent camping options: Big Sioux Recreation Area offers limited tent sites among the RV spaces. "They had only a few tentsites available amid all the RV sites, but they were right on the edge of the playground, so the families had to walk right through my campsite to get to the play area," explains one tent camper.
Educational opportunities: Blue Mounds State Park offers educational programs for children. "The naturalists here are friendly and knowledgeable, take advantage of programming! Visit the nearby Pipestone National Monument while in the area," suggests a family who enjoyed their stay.
Glamping for families: When seeking glamping in Canton, South Dakota, families might prefer the TeePee accommodations at Sioux Falls KOA. "We stayed in the TeePee and it was definitely an experience our family will cherish forever. Awesome staff as well," shares a family that enjoyed the unique glamping experience.
Tips from RVers
Utility connections: Pay attention to hookup locations at various sites. "Site was level. Trees surrounding area. Electric hook up but no water. Flush toilets with showers very nice," advises an RVer from Big Sioux Recreation Area, while another notes, "I also looked over at the power lines."
Seasonal availability: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. "The sites were level enough that we didn't even half to unhook our trailer for our quick overnight stay," mentions a visitor to Dakota Sunsets RV Park, which operates from April 15 to October 31.
Internet connectivity: Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds. "Verizon had 3 bars, T-Mobile had 2, and our T-Mobile house internet clocked 207 Mbps down/ 3.49 Mbps up. Satellite reception should be fine in most sites except site 45, which is heavily shaded," reports an RVer at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area.
Site leveling requirements: Pay attention to site preparation needs. "Our site was more than long enough for our 39' 5th Wheel and F-450 truck. WiFi was average but there were not many RVs in the park for our 3 nights stay, and we got 4 bars on Verizon," explains a visitor to Dakota Sunsets RV Park.
