Campgrounds near Dell Rapids, South Dakota offer convenient access to outdoor recreation while providing essential amenities for travelers. Located in Minnehaha County with elevations around 1,500 feet, this area experiences warm summers and cold winters with camping season typically running April through October. Many RV parks near Dell Rapids, South Dakota maintain gravel roadways and accommodate larger rigs with pull-through sites.
What to do
Hiking trails: Palisades State Park Campground features quartzite rock formations with family-friendly trails along Split Rock Creek. "This local spot is an unexpected beautiful spot in the landscape. The amenities are limited but its refreshing," notes one visitor about this Palisades State Park Campground.
Kayaking: River of the Double Bend Campground offers rentals for upstream paddling followed by downstream floating. One camper reports, "We rented kayaks and went up river, then floated to our camp site. Half way we ran out of beer - AND THEY BROUGHT US SOME!!!" at River of the Double Bend Campground.
Swimming: During summer months, Lake Vermillion Recreation Area provides swimming opportunities despite seasonal algae. "The campground was fairly empty, but there were many families enjoying the lake on Sunday afternoon," shares one reviewer about their August visit.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Dakota Sunsets RV Park earns praise for its peaceful setting. "A beautiful park. Nice grassy spaces between each site. Stunning sunsets and amazing dawns," writes one visitor to Dakota Sunsets RV Park.
Clean facilities: Parker RV Campground maintains well-kept sites with electrical connections. "This is a very nice stop over. Sites 1 - 4 have water, electric (50, 30, 15 amp) and sewer. Those sites go for $25.00 per day," notes a camper at Parker RV Campground.
Family activities: Pipestone Family Campground offers swimming and social events. "Campground was nearly full of local campers but the kids played great together. Decent pool & showers, fun activities like bags tournaments and a potluck," shares one reviewer about their stay.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area fill quickly during peak season. "It is best to call ahead and make reservations. This campground stays busy," advises a visitor to Parker RV Campground.
Non-resident fees: Lake Vermillion Recreation Area charges additional fees 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 one camper at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area.
Water access: Some campgrounds require filling tanks at central locations rather than individual sites. "The fresh water fill spigot is in a large pull-out on the right, past the boat launch and just before the 10 mph sign. The dump station is in the West Campground," notes a reviewer about Lake Vermillion.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Sioux Falls Yogi Bear offers scheduled entertainment throughout the day. "Our family spent a long weekend here enjoying all of the activities they had to offer. Everything from laser tag to chocolate milk chugging contests," shares a visitor to Sioux Falls Yogi Bear.
Campsite selection: At Palisades State Park, choose Queen campground for more shade or King for prairie views. "Queen is nestled in a wooded area with limited visibility to the sky, offering a more secluded experience. In contrast, King, a recently built campground, sits on the prairie and provides beautiful views of Split Rock Creek," explains a camper.
Playground access: Multiple RV parks Dell Rapids area provide play equipment for children. "Facilities are clean and well maintained. There is a nice little playground for the kids," reports a visitor about Dakota Sunsets RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some campgrounds require extra effort to level larger rigs. "We had a pull thru spot, leveling was tricky," notes a camper at Pipestone Family Campground.
Power options: Most campgrounds offer multiple amperage options. "Sites were level enough that we didn't even half to unhook our trailer for our quick overnight stay," reports one RVer about Dakota Sunsets RV Park.
Internet connectivity: Cellular and WiFi coverage varies significantly between parks. "King also offers free Wi-Fi with a download speed of 22 Mbps, while Queen has no T-Mobile service. However, King provides 15 Mbps of service," notes a visitor comparing Palisades State Park campground areas.
