Best Equestrian Camping near Canton, SD

Horse campgrounds near Canton, South Dakota are limited, with none of the area parks specifically designating horse corrals or equestrian facilities. Newton Hills State Park, located 9 miles south of Canton, offers camping options including tent sites, RV spots with electric hookups, and cabins, but lacks dedicated horse amenities. The park maintains multiple hiking trails through wooded terrain that could potentially accommodate horses, though visitors should check current policies before bringing equines. Big Sioux Recreation Area in nearby Brandon similarly provides camping accommodations without specific horse facilities. Both parks feature spacious sites with ample parking that may accommodate horse trailers, though neither explicitly markets to equestrian campers.

Trail systems throughout the Canton area parks provide potential riding opportunities, with Newton Hills offering multiple hiking paths through diverse woodland terrain. The trail network at Big Sioux Recreation Area includes both paved paths and natural trails alongside the river. Park restrictions and seasonal conditions affect trail access for horses, so contacting park management before planning an equestrian visit is essential. Most campsites in these parks feature level terrain with adequate space between sites. State park entrance fees apply in addition to camping fees, with both Newton Hills and Big Sioux Recreation Area remaining open year-round. For riders seeking established equestrian facilities, traveling beyond the immediate Canton area may be necessary to find campgrounds with dedicated horse corrals and bridle trails.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Canton, South Dakota (4)

    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. W.H. Lyon Fairground

    3 Reviews
    Sioux Falls, SD
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 367-7178

    $50 / night

    "Convenient location to a lot of attractions, stores, and restaurants. Can camp during events. Huge area."

    4. Union Grove State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Beresford, SD
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 710-2267

    $10 - $15 / night

    "Play equipment, horse trails, hiking trails, well maintained. Beautiful area."

    "Lower one is for horses. Upper is not. Sites in upper campground are a little small and close together but very well maintained. Hosts are very friendly."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Canton, SD

63 Reviews of 4 Canton Campgrounds


  • G
    Oct. 3, 2021

    W.H. Lyon Fairground

    Convenient to downtown and fine for the night

    We stayed here one night and got to experience some South Dakota wind rocking our camper during the night. The bathrooms are huge and very clean but someone left dirty diapers in trash and by morning the smell was rough. Area along fence borders highway with  much closer sites and road noise. We opted for area on grass near arena.

  • Nicholas S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2023

    Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park

    Perfect to relax and bring the kids!

    I had an amazing time at Newton Hills Campground in South Dakota with my family and young children. The spacious and clean facilities provided the perfect backdrop for our outdoor getaway, offering a blend of adventure and relaxation away from the city. The kids had a blast exploring the natural surroundings and participating in the family-friendly activities. This campground is a true gem for those seeking a wholesome outdoor experience.

  • J
    Sep. 19, 2020

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Eastern South Dakota Gem

    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. New bathhouse entire park was very clean. About half hour to Sioux Falls. Worth the trip to see the Falls and the bike/hike trail around the city.

  • M
    Jun. 18, 2022

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Clean and Dog Friendly

    Such a nice campground. Nice big shady trees and manicured lawns. They sell campfire wood for 6$ a bundle on site so we had some great campfires going. 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. The showers were very nice and hot without a lot of traffic. 

    There is no sewage hookup or water hook ups. They do that 50/30 amp sites available. There is a dump station right at the entrance to dump when you leave and it also has a separate fresh water station if you want to fill up right when you get there so youre not traveling with a bunch of water in your tank. 

    It was a great campground and the falls were close by and palisades state park was also in the area with a nice hike. 

    There is an extra $8 car fee per night that you have to pay on top of any camping fees. If you are staying longer than 5 days it better to just get the annual parking pass for $32, which would cover parking for all state parks and recreation areas in SD. 

    They have great discounts if you are a veteran and south dakota resident.

  • T
    Aug. 6, 2021

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Shady and relaxing

    Beautiful campground! Sites are well spaced. Lots of trees for great shade in the hot summer. Very nice bathroom and shower house. Easy drive in to Sioux Falls. Several trails around the park. This was our final stop on our South Dakota trip. It was a wonderful and restful campground for us. After we arrived, Park staff came around and shared maps and info on things to do in the area. The first night a storm rolled through and the host drove thru and knocked on doors to check on people and let them know where shelter was just in case. Definitely will keep this campground on our list for future trips.

  • Lisa H.
    Jun. 27, 2016

    Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park

    Hiking, Kayaking & More

    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! If land is more your style, enjoy the multiple hiking trails, search for geocaches, bike around the paved roads or dirt paths, or camp overnight on one of the beautiful spots! Do not miss this great park!

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2023

    Union Grove State Park Campground

    Interesting campground

    Two campgrounds within the park. Lower one is for horses. Upper is not. Sites in upper campground are a little small and close together but very well maintained. Hosts are very friendly. Bathrooms on include showers and we're extremely well maintained. Trails in the area give you a chance to stretch your legs. Convenient to the interstate, but that also means some highway noise if you are not in a hard sided camper.

  • Carolyn M.
    Oct. 23, 2019

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Ok place to spend the night, but could have been better

    I spent the night here and had to pay the entrance fee to the park as well as the camping fee for my tentsite. 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. Not too big a deal as no one wanted to use the play area at night while I was sleeping, but still.  I also looked over at the power lines. There was a flush toilet facility close by but there was a very bright light on all night. Good for families needing to navigate in the dark but not wonderful if you like sleeping in darkness. And though I was told that quiet hours began at 10PM, the site next to me was quite loud through the trees until at least midnight so the quiet hours are not enforced. Meh. I don't think I'll be going back.


Guide to Canton

Equestrian camping options near Canton, South Dakota require careful planning as dedicated horse facilities are limited. The area sits within the rolling prairie landscape of eastern South Dakota, where forested hills meet agricultural lands at elevations between 1,200-1,600 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F, with winter lows often below freezing, creating varied trail conditions throughout the year.

What to do

Disc golf course access: Big Sioux Recreation Area maintains a complete disc golf course within the park boundaries. "Frisbee golf course" is available for campers according to Tyson K., who notes the course is conveniently located near the camping areas.

Trail exploration: Multiple hiking paths at Newton Hills State Park offer woodland experiences through diverse terrain. "Beautiful, quiet, shaded, level sites with plenty of space between. Great trails and a short scenic road, plus some nice open spaces," states Victor E.

Suspension bridge walk: A short hike from the campground at Big Sioux Recreation Area leads to a unique suspension walking bridge. Tyson K. mentions, "Took a short walk on their trail system to the suspension walking bridge," making it an accessible feature for most visitors.

Stargazing opportunities: Clear prairie skies provide excellent night viewing conditions at Newton Hills. Victor E. specifically notes "Great stargazing" as a highlight of staying at this location, particularly in sites away from artificial lighting.

What campers like

Private bathrooms: Union Grove State Park offers individual bathroom units rather than communal facilities. Austin and Natasha S. describe them as "immaculate, and smell so nice," noting that "Shower rooms/bathrooms are immaculate," providing a level of privacy not found at many campgrounds.

Wooded tent sites: Several Union Grove State Park campsites feature tree cover that's uncommon in this mostly open region. Leni K. recommends specific sites: "We had the best tent site on the grounds, corner spot with decent trees and distance... Would definitely come back for a longer stay if we could get #4 or #5 for sure."

Non-electric tent areas: Big Sioux Recreation Area provides dedicated non-electric tent camping zones separate from RV areas. Tyson K. explains, "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."

Playground access: Family-friendly features at Newton Hills appeal to those with children. Zach E. notes there are "plenty of parks and paved roadways to wander around on," while Isaac E. mentions "great playgrounds" making it suitable for families with young children.

What you should know

Fee structure complexity: Multiple separate fees can apply at area campgrounds. Tyson K. cautions about Big Sioux: "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."

Highway noise considerations: Some sites at W.H. Lyon Fairground experience road noise due to proximity to major highways. Glenda notes "Area along fence borders highway with much closer sites and road noise. We opted for area on grass near arena," suggesting location selection matters at this campground.

Water level variability: Lake conditions at Newton Hills fluctuate seasonally. Zach E. mentions "the lake is currently dried up but that's no one's fault!" indicating water-based activities may be limited during dry periods.

Site spacing differences: Big Sioux Recreation Area offers variable site spacing. Nathan L. describes tent site 24 as "tucked into the woods but still close to the parking lot" with "neighboring sites are far enough away where you still have privacy."

Tips for camping with families

Playground proximity consideration: At Big Sioux, tent sites near play areas may experience higher foot traffic. Carolyn M. notes tent sites "were right on the edge of the playground, so the families had to walk right through my campsite to get to the play area."

Kid-friendly hiking limitations: Some trails at Newton Hills Campground may be challenging for younger children. Zach E. suggests "more established, kid friendly trails into the woods" would improve the experience, indicating current trails may require adult supervision.

Family campsite selection: Newton Hills offers sites specifically well-suited for families with children. Nicholas S. shares, "I had an amazing time at Newton Hills Campground in South Dakota with my family and young children. The spacious and clean facilities provided the perfect backdrop for our outdoor getaway."

Noise levels by day: Union Grove State Park experiences different noise levels between weekdays and weekends. Leslie B. mentions "Convenient to the interstate, but that also means some highway noise if you are not in a hard sided camper," suggesting families with light sleepers should plan accordingly.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for sun exposure: Newton Hills sites have variable sun coverage throughout the day. Sally C. cautions "Many campsites are almost full sun—so have your shade structure ready" for RVers concerned about temperature management during summer months.

Fairground alternative: When traditional campgrounds are full, W.H. Lyon Fairground provides basic RV accommodations near Sioux Falls. Dakota M. explains it "has no playground, swimming pool, etc." but offers "full hookups, clean restrooms and showers," making it functional though not resort-like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Canton, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Canton, SD is Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux with a 4.5-star rating from 38 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Canton, SD?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Canton, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.