Camping options near Dell Rapids, South Dakota include a mix of county and state parks within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 1,500 feet elevation in the prairie landscape, characterized by the Big Sioux River watershed. Winters can bring temperatures below 0°F, while summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with occasional thunderstorms requiring weather preparedness at campsites.
What to do
Hiking quartzite formations: At Palisades State Park Campground, trails follow Split Rock Creek through unique rock formations. "I love this park for both it's camping and hiking. Stunning quartzite formations make for some great climbing. It's a really small park which is both good and bad. The trails aren't very long, but it's not usually overcrowded," reports Jessica B.
Kayaking on Split Rock Creek: The water access points at Split Rock Park provide excellent kayaking opportunities along the river. "Really cool kayaking into Devils Gulch and up the Split Rock Creek. Will return to this nicely kept State Park," shares Carolyn M., who adds that "the falls lull you to sleep at night and the trains passing by are really neat to hear."
Prairie wildlife viewing: Blue Mounds State Park Campground offers ranger-led prairie tours to see bison and native plants. "Do the prairie tour, interesting and worth the time and the $15. The naturalists here are friendly and knowledgeable, take advantage of programming," advises Karla J. B., who recommends visiting nearby Pipestone National Monument while in the area.
What campers like
Tree cover for summer heat: Campsites with mature trees provide relief during hot summer days. "Sites are in the woods so all sites have shade. All types of camping is available, tent, RVs trailers, 5th wheels, Class A, etc," notes Bruce P. about Blue Mounds State Park Campground.
Accessible outdoor facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities. "The bathrooms and showers were okay and the people were very nice. It was my first time ever pulling and backing up a camper and I was struggling and one of the park rangers came and helped me," shares Wilanrie B. about their experience at Palisades State Park.
Water features for recreation: River access points enhance camping experiences with fishing and swimming opportunities. "Beautiful spot. Easy water access. Only hitch is you're very close to train tracks and the trains tend to be quite loud as they pass," notes ryan W. about Split Rock Park, highlighting both the pros and cons of riverside camping locations.
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Several campgrounds near Dell Rapids have nearby train tracks with nighttime traffic. "Trains will go by till around midnight," notes one camper at Split Rock Park, while another warns: "they don't just pass, they blow a LOUD horn right as they go by. It happened multiple times throughout the night, felt like every hour."
Limited tent-only areas: Most campgrounds prioritize RV sites with hookups, with fewer dedicated tent camping areas. At Big Sioux Recreation Area, "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," reports Carolyn M.
Reservation timing strategy: Reserve sites well in advance for summer weekends. "Sites were not full on the weekend, even less so on Sunday night," notes Karla J. B. about Blue Mounds State Park, suggesting weekdays or shoulder seasons might offer better availability for last-minute trips.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity benefits: Sioux Falls Yogi Bear offers extensive family programming and amenities. "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. Saturday night was the yogi bear parade and it was the highlight of our entire stay," shares Alec S.
Safety considerations for young children: Some natural areas have terrain hazards requiring supervision. "We love the tent camping. Large sites. Dog friendly. Trees for the hammock. We have 3 kids 5 and under. They like it too, but there are cliffs and water, so plan accordingly," cautions Cody H. about Split Rock Park.
Kid-friendly campsite selection: Choose sites with natural play features and shade. "We requested a specific site and they were very accommodating. So friendly. We got a spot right in front of the playground which was perfect for our toddler. The trees provided nice shade," notes Laura C. about Sioux Falls KOA.
Tips from RVers
Year-round hookup options: Tower Campground provides winter camping with heated water connections. "This park is open year round and well set up for cold weather, the water spigot is heated so if you invest in a heated water line and have an insulated camper you should be good for the cold," shares Robert, noting that "many units were tucked in for winter with skirting and large external propane tanks."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dump stations. "There was a really nice dump station outside of the park near entrance to Devil's Gultch," notes Meredith J. about Split Rock Park, providing helpful information for RVers planning longer stays.
Site selection for big rigs: Level sites with adequate clearance are available at several campgrounds. "We have 46 foot toy hauler," mentions Bruce P. about Blue Mounds State Park, confirming that larger RVs can be accommodated despite the park's natural setting.
