Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Chamberlain, SD

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!

On the west side of the water are a series of dirt loops. Choose one and you will find plenty of spots to disperse camp. There are no services so pack everything out. We parked right along the water and enjoyed the view. There is a gas station just down the road. Chamberlain is across the water and has a bunch of interesting places to check out. With 15 minutes of us being there we saw a couple police cars and a local who ran his dog around for a few minutes before leaving. I like how the community keeps an eye on things.

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??

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.

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.

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!

Season May 1– Sep 30 Off season Sep 3– May 1 

Fees $18.00 standard electric     $14.00 tent non electric 

Reservations 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov 

Sites  81 campsites electrical (30– 50) 12 campsites non electrical 

PROS Fishing hunting water sports family camping heritage 

CONS Bugs at time Wind 

Sites are pull thru if you are the first, otherwise back in with each rv tail to tail there are some sites that are just back in

 Electric showers dump station boat ramp fish cleaning station courtesy dock picnic shelters picnic table grills disc golf fire ring firewood paved sites pets allowed water horseshoe pit ice 

There are a few gas stations and little shoppets just before the entrance of the park otherwise bring your supplies with you. 

Lake Sharpe was formed by the building of the Oahe Dam and runs 80 miles south of Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson. The lake encompasses 56,000 acres and offers 200 miles of beautiful shoreline. The Brule Indian Reservation western shore is along Lake Sharpe and the Crow Creek Indian Reservation is along the eastern shore. Hunting fishing and boating of all types provides an abundance of outdoor activities If you want to check out the beauty of this area outside the lake area a beautiful drive is the Native American Scenic Byway. It is 101 miles that will take you to the edge of the bluffs to the river bottom. Watch out for a treasured view of a tribal buffalo herd. 

Fireworks prohibited 

Stop AIS (google for info) DRAIN CLEAN DRY Don’t move firewood 

All Federal lands at Lake Sharpe are governed by regulations in Title 36, Section 327, State, local and Tribal laws apply on Corps of Engineers lands and waters. 

GPS 44.21’26.9999 99.26’21.9998

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.

Quaint little park with clean rr's. They have a great field out back to walk the dog and staff was nice

Really nice pull through sites with water, electric and sewer. $30 per nite. Some shady sites. Very little road noise. No Bathroom or shower access. Plenty of area to walk a dog with nice grass.

We pulled in off i90 at about 8:30 on Labor Day weekend. It was our first time boondocking and we were pleasantly surprised that there were other campers out here enjoying and plenty of room to park.

Overall it feels safe and our dog loved the river!

We would recommend.

We were just there for the night, driving through. We found friendly staff, very clean bathrooms, and a good location, close off I 90, and east walk to a corner store. Would stay here again.

And, as our dogs woke us early, and the sunrise really was lovely.

I just completed a 9 day mini epic trip with my Rav and my dog. From indiana to the Tetons and yellowstone. What a whirlwind. I was so grateful to find this little oasis by the Missouri river on my last night. I am currently nestled in my Rav listening to the cicadas and the river. I'm not sure if there is a potty as I have my own. My pup enjoying playing fetch and swimming in the river after being cooped up in the car the last 10 hours. It's a perfect spot to end my adventure. There r several places to park just follow any number of dirt paths to the river.

Kennebec KOA, SD

Next to Bowling Green, Ky KOA this is my least favorite KOA so far. I can see no reason to use this KOA except as a last minute/everything else is full , one night stop. OR ITS HUNTING SEASON.zz There are two “restaurants” in local bars. A cafe that’s open mornings and that’s about it. There is NOTHING here. The staff was very friendly and answered all my questions thoroughly. The park was clean, I would call it more of a parking lot, like so many of the KOA’s and other campgrounds are anymore. This one is definitely a no frills KOA though. The dog square was set off to the side as an afterthought it would appear, with sticker weeds covering about half the small area. No shade whatsoever! If your going to take the time to put up the required fence, etc, you could at least put it in a half way decent area! The tent area seemed to be closed down and there was no playground.

The laundry room and swimming pool were closed due to COVID. The shower was open and CREEPY! It’s amazing to me , I stop at one KOA , no masks everything is open, the next KOA, you can’t use any of their facilities and everyone is in mach one contamination suits. Camping in 2020 has been interesting to say the least!

Right off the highway was a super convenient location when spending the night while driving. Tent camp is an open field without sites but it was flat and there was plenty of space. TONS of mosquitos though, couldn’t sit outside the tent at all. Bathrooms were good and clean.

Good facilities available for use. Perfect views of the river. At the beach there is kayaks and paddle boards available for rent which is the perfect addition to a great campground.

Ok spot for the night, close to the hwy. Free camping on the water! Only has a few actual campsites with tables and fire rings. There is a toilet but no other amenities.

Real nice along the river! It’s really spacious, and the site had everything. A picknick table, fireplace/bbq and full hookup

We stayed just one night and didn't have the opportunity to experience all this campground had to offer. We had a pull-through site in a part of the campground that felt more like a parking lot. The rest of the campground had more trees and space. It's a beautiful area, right on the river. The kids loved the playground and taking an evening dip at the beach. We took a quick drive into town to eat a Upper Crust.

Truly one of my very favorites. Right on the Missouri, with a swimming beach that’s perfect. Spacious spots. Close to the 90. You can stay until 2:00 for an extra $10. Zero downsides.