Fairburn, South Dakota campgrounds sit at approximately 3,200 feet elevation in the foothills of the Black Hills. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-85°F with occasional thunderstorms, while fall brings cooler temperatures and less crowded camping conditions. Most RV parks near Fairburn operate seasonally from April/May through October due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Hiking at Sylvan Lake: Located about 30 minutes from Horse Thief Campground and RV Resort, this area offers excellent trails. "It's about 4 miles from Sylvan Lake and near the famous Needle's Highway. It's also close to Hill City, SD (The Heart of the Hills) so restaurants were near should one not want to bother with cooking on a short visit," notes a visitor.
Gold panning activities: Several campgrounds offer on-site gold panning experiences for children. "Kids loved the on-site 'gold mining' activity!" shared a camper at Horse Thief Campground, making it an educational activity between visits to major attractions.
Evening entertainment options: Many RV parks host regular activities. Heartland RV Park offers "live music, wine tastings… no shortage of things to do on site and a good culture for families and retirees alike!" according to one visitor, who appreciated the entertainment after long days of sightseeing.
What campers like
Central location for exploring: The strategic position between major attractions is frequently mentioned. "5 miles from Sylvan Lake, minute to Custer, 30 minutes to Wind Cave National Park. Full hookups, level site, good cell phone reception," notes a camper at Custer's Last Chance RV Park.
Quiet settings away from highway noise: Campgrounds set back from main roads receive positive reviews. "It is off a major highway so nighttime is quiet. There's a mix of tree and open areas. The open area is great for night sky watching," shared one camper about Horse Thief Campground.
On-site dining options: Several parks offer food service that campers appreciate. "The small restaurant with limited menu and a bar is a big plus. They are located in the Event Center which hosts live music on many evenings. They had a free wine tasting of local wines," explained a visitor at Heartland RV Park.
What you should know
Water quality varies: Well water at some campgrounds may have mineral content. At Custer's Gulch RV Park, a camper noted "Water was discolored but tasted fine, hey its well water and it's camping."
Seasonal construction projects: Several campgrounds undergo improvements during the season. "They had a couple of projects going on while we were there...adding electricity to some of the other tent sites, building some really cool barrel pods for sleeping in," reported a visitor at Fort Welikit Family Campground.
Firewood restrictions: Due to pine beetle infestations, outside firewood is often prohibited. "They DO NOT allow you to bring in out of the area firewood. They do sell approved firewood at the office for $4.50 for a small bundle," explained a camper, noting conservation efforts in the region.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly facilities: Many parks offer dedicated pet areas. Holy Smoke Resort features "a little dog park at the front," while another campground was praised for its "fenced in dog park. Has food on site & nightly entertainment."
Playground accessibility: Check proximity to play areas when booking. "The added kids old time fort play area and the dog park area were well kept and there was plenty of room to play ladder ball and washer toss," noted a visitor about Fort Welikit.
Private bathroom options: Some campgrounds offer family-style bathrooms. "The family style bathrooms were located just behind our site, and were cleaned daily," mentioned a reviewer, though they suggested requesting "a space on a further loop, as this was a high traffic area."
Tips from RVers
Water delivery service: Some parks without full hookups offer water delivery. At Fort Welikit Family Campground and RV Park, "spots are mostly gravel and somewhat level. Picnic tables and fire rings are at each site. Most sites are roomy. The campgrounds were spacious and shady with mature trees."
Laundry facilities: For extended stays, check laundry options. "We used the laundry facilities and were very satisfied. They had both large and smaller washers," noted a visitor at Fort Welikit, important for longer Black Hills explorations.
Site spacing considerations: Parks vary significantly in site separation. "The sites are sort of close together, but we've stayed in parks where you're much closer. You get a nice grass strip with a fire ring. Most sites have one small tree," explained a reviewer at Heartland RV Park, contrasting with other rv parks near Fairburn South Dakota that offer more separation between sites.
