Visitors to the Corona, South Dakota area can find a mix of traditional campgrounds and unique yurt camping options across the South Dakota-Minnesota border region. The James River Valley terrain creates a diverse camping environment with elevation changes from 1,200 to 1,800 feet above sea level. Weather patterns typically bring warm summers with occasional thunderstorms and cold winters that limit camping season for most non-cabin accommodations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Memorial Park provides excellent access to Lake Kampeska with convenient fishing docks near the campsites. "Close to beach, fishing dock and close to playground for kids!" reports Rebekah M. about the Memorial Park experience.
Historical exploration: Fort Sisseton State Park Campground offers a unique historical immersion experience among preserved frontier buildings. Leslie B. notes, "Small campground. Well maintained. It was fun to explore the historical buildings. A couple of wild turkeys came by in the evening." The park contains multiple 19th century structures with interpretive displays.
Water recreation: Big Stone Lake at Lakewood Supper Club provides swimming and boating access. Bret S. mentions, "A former resort, now home to just 12 full hook up RV sites, a couple of cabins, and an amazing supper club that opens at 5:00 daily. On the shores of Big Stone Lake. A nice beach and a boat landing."
What campers like
Clean facilities: The washrooms at Memorial Park receive consistent praise for their maintenance. Keith F. shares, "Called last minute to see if they had anything available, as we had been driving for 2 days without a shower. They had a primitive tent site available and in 1 hour we were taking a nice hot shower!"
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campers mention wildlife encounters, particularly at Fort Sisseton State Park Campground. Leslie B. reports, "A couple of wild turkeys came by in the evening," showing the park's potential for casual wildlife observation during normal camping activities.
Lake views: The elevated camping areas at Lac qui Parle County Park provide superior vantage points. Timothy W. explains, "We had a lovely weekend overlooking Lac Qui Parle from our campsite. The lack of mature trees on the upper campground bluffs is a plus. A gentle breeze keeps the bugs down and allows for nice views."
What you should know
Limited availability: Some locations book completely for entire seasons. At Lakewood Supper Club, "There are normally no open sites, we are told, as they are all rented for the season," according to Bret S., indicating advanced planning is essential.
Campsite quality varies: Not all sites receive equal maintenance. One Memorial Park visitor noted issues with cleanliness: "The next morning, we discovered the site had dead birds with flies buzzing around them, dog poop that hadn't been cleaned up, and cigarette butts on the ground."
Yurt camping options: Lac qui Parle County Park represents one of the few yurt camping options near Corona, South Dakota. These permanent tent structures provide a glamping-like experience without requiring personal equipment. The park's location on bluffs creates the breezy conditions Timothy W. described as helpful for "keeping the bugs down."
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Families with children should consider Memorial Park for its convenient playground access. Rebekah M. specifically calls out being "close to playground for kids!" making it easier for parents to supervise while managing camp duties.
Educational opportunities: Fort Sisseton offers educational value beyond typical camping. The historical buildings create learning opportunities about frontier life in South Dakota. Leos P. notes, "Ft Sisseton is a small, quit, friendly park. We have stayed there a number of times. The staff are always helpful."
Beach activities: Lake access at multiple campgrounds provides swimming options during summer months. Alley-oop M. warns about Lake Kampeska at Memorial Park: "the one and only thing I would say is that there is a rocky, very Rocky Lake," suggesting water shoes might be necessary for comfortable swimming.
Tips from RVers
Electrical service details: RVers at Fort Sisseton should know the campground offers 30-amp electrical service rather than 50-amp connections. Basic electrical sites cost approximately $26 according to James who noted the park is "So well taken care of. $26 with electric."
Mobile connectivity: For working campers or those needing internet access, Timothy W. reports from Lac qui Parle: "We have a 26' travel trailer and got 2 bars of T-Mobile 5G service," suggesting reasonable connectivity despite the rural location.
Site positioning considerations: The upper campground at Lac qui Parle County Park trades shade for views and breeze. Timothy notes this tradeoff can be positive: "The lack of mature trees on the upper campground bluffs is a plus. A gentle breeze keeps the bugs down and allows for nice views."
