Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Chamberlain, SD

American Creek Campground accommodates pets across its tent, RV, and cabin sites with water and electric hookups available at every location. The campground maintains spacious sites with good tree coverage for privacy, creating a comfortable environment for campers traveling with animals. Located within Chamberlain city limits but feeling removed from urban surroundings, the grounds feature clean facilities and a dump station conveniently positioned behind the office for RV travelers. Campers note the campground would be worth visiting every weekend if possible, with the natural setting and amenities making it particularly suitable for extended stays with pets. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings, with storms occasionally rolling through the area.

Several dispersed camping options near Chamberlain provide alternatives for pet owners seeking more rustic experiences. Oacoma Flats offers free riverside camping where dogs can enjoy swimming in the Missouri River after long car rides. The area provides beautiful sunrise views over the river and bailed hay from nearby farms, creating a peaceful environment for pets and their owners. While lacking formal amenities, the location's proximity to I-90 makes it convenient for travelers passing through with pets. Even during holiday weekends, riverfront spots often remain available at this quiet location. Campers should be cautious after rain as muddy areas could trap heavier vehicles, though the site generally accommodates both tent camping and various vehicle types.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Chamberlain, South Dakota (30)

    1. Oacoma Flatts

    33 Reviews
    Chamberlain, SD
    3 miles

    "There are multiple entrances but there is a pit toilet and picnic tables near the primary entrance which is about 100 yards away from the closest spot."

    "It's close to I-90, so not much driving off the freeway to get here, and it's in a beautiful location next to the Missouri River and a farm with rolls of bailed hay that made for a beautiful sunrise photos"

    2. American Creek Campground

    15 Reviews
    Chamberlain, SD
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 234-5151

    $28 - $60 / night

    "With the exception of the water at your site, this looks and feels just like a South Dakota campground site, and it costs more than twice as much as SD campgrounds."

    "It’s right within the city of Chamberlain but you don’t realize it once you enter.

    Our site was spacious with lots of room to move around and the tree coverage is perfect for privacy."

    3. Dude Ranch

    16 Reviews
    Chamberlain, SD
    5 miles
    Website

    "If I’m ever in South Dakota again I would definitely stay here!"

    "The night we stayed got windy as there was a big storm in the distance, which was pretty cool to watch considering it stayed away from us!"

    4. Oacoma Flats

    10 Reviews
    Chamberlain, SD
    3 miles

    "Chamberlain is across the water and has a bunch of interesting places to check out."

    "Overall it feels safe and our dog loved the river!

    We would recommend."

    5. Oasis Campground

    10 Reviews
    Chamberlain, SD
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 234-6959

    $30 - $60 / night

    "Close to all the amenities: fuel, sightseeing, recreation on the river, groceries, supplies. Full hook ups and easy in/out. Right on I-90 so yea - Highway noise."

    "Some highway noise. Sites are close, however facilities are very well maintained. River easy bike ride away. Restaurant just a walk across the street."

    6. End Of Shoreline Dispersed

    7 Reviews
    Chamberlain, SD
    5 miles

    "After turning down the final dirt lane, make a right on the grassy road that follows the lake. At the end you’ll find a spot for two vehicles with a fire pit. We have a truck top camper."

    "Beautiful spot with a rocky path to the water. Lots of coyotes howling that echo across the river."

    7. COE Lake Francis Case West Chamberlain Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Chamberlain, SD
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 487-7847

    "Just passing through and saw the Chamberlain Rec Area. No signage so pulled to the back next to the river for the night to relax."

    "You could still hear the highway off in the distance but it really wasn’t bad."

    8. River City Campground

    3 Reviews
    Chamberlain, SD
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 299-5833

    $40 - $50 / night

    "The sites are fairly close to each other, but they are peaceful. Gives a bit of a gathering of folks in a field to enjoy the area. I recommend as a good place to stay."

    9. Left Tailrace - Lake Sharpe

    14 Reviews
    Chamberlain, SD
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 245-2173

    $16 - $22 / night

    "Only thing I did not like was the campers are on same pad end to end and the one next to us had a dog that barked through the open window everytime he saw us move."

    "It’s a great site in that it is at the end of the row, giving us a ton of green space, is close to the well kept shower house and bathrooms, as well as being just across the street from the beginning of"

    10. West Chamberlain

    2 Reviews
    Chamberlain, SD
    3 miles
    +1 (605) 487-7847
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Chamberlain, SD

206 Reviews of 30 Chamberlain Campgrounds


  • C
    Sep. 5, 2020

    New Frontier RV Campground

    Great Campground!

    We stopped here on our way across South Dakota, and it was the perfect place. It’s right off the interstate and is extremely well-managed and clean. They have lots of yard space to walk dogs along their property, and the staff was incredibly nice and helpful throughout our stay!

  • Aaron L.
    Jun. 29, 2022

    Kennebec KOA

    Clean, Friendly , No frills

    Very nice site with clean bathrooms and showers. Some sites have shade. Well maintained and the owners are very friendly. Convenient location and just a short drive from the highway. Some road noise but not bad at all. The wind was very slack the day we stayed so the mosquitoes were out at night. Would 100% stay again if traveling thru South Dakota.

  • E
    Sep. 13, 2018

    West Bend Recreation Area

    Clean, quiet, well-maintained

    Super helpful and friendly staff, clean bathrooms, well-maintained sites. Gorgeous views of the Missouri River. The only negative was the amazing number of flies. It was hard to cook with the flies diving into our pots and pans and biting us. It was my first trip to South Dakota. Maybe flies are a thing there??

  • Michael C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2021

    Hills RV Park

    Close to the interstate for easy access, yet surrounded by Sourh Dakota corn fields

    An excellent choice for staying if traveling across South Dakota. The sites are gravel, but are all pull through. Most are full hookup, but there is a on site dump station for those with electric only. The swimming pool was an absolute total plus for a hot July day. The park owner Nancy is a fantastic host. Definitely a stay again park

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 12, 2025

    River City Campground

    Did Not Meet the Mark

    We had read that this campground (CG) could be confusing to find, but following our GPS and the confirmation email instructions, we had no major issues. Coming off I-90, we turned right at a Food Mart and followed the road and“River City” sign through a small industrial area that borders the CG. Per the email, we drove straight in and went to our assigned pull-through site 90 with full hookups. The gravel site was level, with utilities placed toward the rear and the sewer hookup at the very end. We needed 20’ of sewer hose. Water pressure was decent (~45 psi) and the 50-amp electric worked well. After setting up, we picked up an envelope from the info board that his additional CG info by the one-room shower house and paid the required $50 cash for our overnight stay. The email mentioned we could contact the camp host if needed. We had 2 bars on Verizon and 3 on T-Mobile. There would be no issues with satellite reception—there are no mature trees. There’s no CG Wi-Fi. There’s one row of pull-through sites that are packed tightly together. This seems to be where the overnighters go. Each has a metal-wheel fire pit, but if your neighbor lights a fire, it could be dangerously close to your rig. Our site had no picnic table, although most others did. This is a newer CG still under development—some grass and patios were going in, likely catering to seasonal boaters and full-timers (based on the number of older rigs). There’s no designated dog area, and green space is limited. The grounds currently feel more like a dusty parking lot, and we noticed heavy truck traffic on the entry road during the day. Most of the CG sites are back-ins with better spacing between sites. The CG is a few miles away from the interstate so none of that noise. There’s a pleasant view of nearby hills. We often travel through South Dakota and were hoping River City could be a destination stop. This time we were here to see the Dignity of Earth and Sky statue. At $50, and with the current layout and conditions, it wasn’t worth it—even just for an overnighter.

  • Bibs O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2024

    American Creek Campground

    Nicely maintained.

    Honestly, this is a nice campground. There is water available at every site. 50-30-20 amp service as well. With the exception of the water at your site, this looks and feels just like a South Dakota campground site, and it costs more than twice as much as SD campgrounds. I don't wish to sound nasty, but campground fees are out of control. $60.00 a night for what you can get for $26.00. I just don't know anymore. Anyway, this is a nice campground. If money is no issue, spend all you have here.

  • Wynter M.
    May. 17, 2022

    Dude Ranch

    Dude Ranch

    Absolutely beautiful weather! If you like to fish, this is the spot. There’s a boat ramp as well. There’s no water or electricity so make sure to bring plenty of water with you. Lots of beautiful little birds to watch. The sun sets under the hills and rises over the river. Made some friends here too! There’s a toilet but I didn’t use it 😬

    Only downside is that it’s no longer free. The fee when I went was $11.87.

    If I’m ever in South Dakota again I would definitely stay here!

  • P
    Mar. 29, 2016

    Snake Creek Recreation Area — Snake Creek State Recreation Area

    Snake Creek Campground SD

    This is a pretty park, probably primarily used by families that are boating or fishing the Missouri River. Playground for kids. Clean restrooms, was quiet at night. We stayed here one night in our small RV on June 3rd, 2015. We could not find any camping available along Interstate 90 while heading west, and got lucky with a cancelation at this park. We had to travel 20 miles out of our way to camp!! Lesson learned to plan ahead while traveling through South Dakota.

  • S
    Dec. 6, 2020

    Kennebec KOA

    Great stay along the way

    This KOA in Kennebec has been a good stop over for us when traveling through South Dakota. Kennebec is a sleepy town off of I-90, and this KOA seems to be the life of the town.

    The staff has been welcoming, friendly, and accommodating. The facilities seem well cared for and clean. For our stays we have just been passing through and have opted for pull-thru sites with full-hook ups to keep it easy and we have never had to disconnect from our TT to get level for the night.

    This KOA will probably not a destination for us, but it is a great stay along the way.

    We already have a trip planned for next year across I-90 and Kennebec is on the itinerary.


Guide to Chamberlain

Chamberlain, South Dakota, offers a variety of camping options that welcome pets, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts traveling with their furry friends.

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Chamberlain

  • At Oacoma Flatts, you can enjoy peaceful riverside camping where your dog can splash around in the water.
  • The Dude Ranch features a boat ramp, perfect for fishing trips where your pet can accompany you on the shore.
  • American Creek Campground offers spacious sites along the river, ideal for leisurely walks with your dog.

Tips for camping with dogs near Chamberlain

  • Always keep your dog on a leash at Left Tailrace - Lake Sharpe to ensure their safety around other campers and wildlife.
  • Bring plenty of water and snacks for your pet, especially when visiting Oasis Campground, as it has limited amenities.
  • Be mindful of the weather and provide shade for your dog at Happy Campers Campground, where open fields can get quite sunny.

Pet owners appreciate the convenience of these campgrounds

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Chamberlain, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Chamberlain, SD is Oacoma Flatts with a 4.2-star rating from 33 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Chamberlain, SD?

TheDyrt.com has all 30 dog-friendly camping locations near Chamberlain, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.