K
Karen T.
Traveler
TravelerNew Frontier RV Campground
Loved this campground
Level sites. Clean. Trees for shade. Welcoming Host. Lovely landscaping.
Camping near Fort Pierre, SD
37 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Fort Pierre, South Dakota offers camping opportunities along the Missouri River with options ranging from established campgrounds to dispersed sites. Farm Island State Recreation Area, Oahe Downstream Recreation Area, and River View RV Park provide tent and RV camping with various amenities. Griffin Park and Fischers Lilly Park offer city-operated camping areas with riverside views. Fort Pierre National Grassland permits dispersed camping for those seeking more remote experiences.
Camping is available year-round at several locations, though amenities and accessibility vary by season. "We spent Memorial Day weekend here and loved it — my wife was wishing that we could stay longer. Even on the holiday weekend the campground was wonderfully quiet and serene," noted one visitor about Fischers Lilly Park. Winter camping is possible at reduced rates in some areas, with Griffin Park charging only $10 from November through April compared to $25 during peak season. Most developed sites require self-registration through payment drop boxes. The Missouri River provides scenic backdrops for many camping areas, with seasonal temperatures influencing visitor numbers.
The riverside setting represents a major draw for campers in the Fort Pierre area. Several campers highlighted the views as standout features, particularly at River View RV Park, which sits on a hill overlooking the Missouri River and Pierre. Reviews frequently mention clean facilities and reasonable pricing at city-operated campgrounds. Fischers Lilly Park receives praise for its location directly on the river banks with spacious sites, while offering water and electric hookups for just $15 per night during off-peak times. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the area, with one camper describing hearing coyotes moving through cattails near their riverside campsite. Most developed campgrounds include basic amenities like picnic tables, with varying levels of hookups depending on the specific camping area.
Best Campgrounds near Fort Pierre (37)
1. Farm Island State Recreation Area
"Bike paths. Limited mature trees. Mostly smaller trees. State Park with entrance fee. Roomy sites with electric only. Dump station. Quite a few bugs here. A few cabins available."
"drinking water fish cleaning station picnic tables showers trash picnic table fire ring/grill ADA accessible
You will find gravel pads, level with some mature trees and many trees have been planted around"
from $23 - $150 / night
Check Availability2. River View RV Park
"Many amenities are offered on site such as horse shoes, Egg grills, mice playground dog walk, showers, laundry, and cable TV in the clubhouse"
"Didn’t come out of camper except to walk dogs. The grounds were kept up and clean. We did not meet any staff."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability3. Campground 3 — Oahe Downstream Recreation Area
"Camping cabins $55.00
Modern cabins $120.00 - $150.00
Group lodge $125.00
This campground is open year round but the campgrounds are close to"
"A beautiful state park on Lake Oahe. We lucked out and had a site right on the water. Campsites were big with plenty of room to tie out both of our big dogs."
from $23 - $150 / night
Check Availability4. Griffin City Park
"Nice park on the river close to town. 16 side by side back ins all with 30/50A. First come, first serve. No reservations. Two other campers the night we were here. $25 drop box at west end."
"Benches and picnic tables all around. We had not planned on staying here as long as we did but I’m glad we did."
from $25 / night
Check Availability5. Richland reservoir dispersed camping
"small tucked away spot with a very clean 1 person bathroom"
"The little lake is pretty and the sunset was amazing. For such an out of the way place it's well taken care of."
6. Fischers Lilly Park
"The full name of this place is Fischers Lilly Park, operated by the city of Fort Pierre."
"There are restrooms at the park which is a good walk to get to. The park also has foot bridge to downtown shopping and food."
from $15 / night
Check Availability7. Campground 2 — Oahe Downstream Recreation Area
"Playgrounds located throughout the campgrounds. Along the Missouri river. Some sites back into river view. But not a long walk to the beach area. About 10 cabins right on the river."
"Bring your bikes because you can ride to the trailrace area or around the campgrounds. There are other biking & hiking areas with in the area and Pierre Sd."
8. Griffin Park
"The city of Fort Pierre has put a lot of money into its parks. Campgrounds are really clean and beautiful."
"You are right on the Lewis and Clark Trail for riding. The tent sites are pretty secluded for it being a city park."
9. Richland Dam and Recreation Area
"I was able to disconnect the trailer and drive the Jeep into the campground. A recovery service will assist getting the trailer to camp. We'll wait it out until the roads dry up a bit."
10. Fort Pierre National Grassland Dispersed Camping
"Farm land surrounds the grassland. The site is bit enough to handle just about anything that is willing to travel a dirt road. There is a perimeter of tress and bushes that enclose the area."
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 27 min from Rapid City, SD
- 3 hrs 1 min from Sioux Falls, SD
- 3 hrs 14 min from Bismarck, ND
- 4 hrs 4 min from Sioux City, IA
Recent Camping Photos near Fort Pierre, SD
6 Photos of 37 Fort Pierre Campgrounds
Recent Reviews near Fort Pierre, SD
142 Reviews of 37 Fort Pierre Campgrounds
Vidalia S.
LegendByre Lake Recreation Area
Free with a lake
Spring fed lake with a couple fishing piers, vault toilet, dumpster, picnic tables, gazebo, and power poles. No water. Park on the grass. Short drive to town, where you will find a couple gas stations, a tiny grocery store, and a lot of places to sell your soybeans corn and wheat. Power is $40 a night and you need to call the city to access power, but there are 15 amp outlets in the outhouse and the gazebo. Some shade in the afternoon if you park up by the trees. Unfortunately, vandalism of the toilets seems to be a chronic problem, but they were clean when we were there but no toilet paper. We had the place to ourselves overnight in mid-July. We experienced brutal mid-continent prairie heat at it's finest with temperatures to 100 during the day and 30 knot dry winds. Surprisingly, insects were not a problem because they baked during the day and were blown away at night. Night skies were amazing. We saw four other people here over 2 days and no one else stayed long.
Andrew S.
GuideCampground 2 — Oahe Downstream Recreation Area
Plenty of Room
We stayed with a group of friends and the sites were well maintained with plenty of space. Bathrooms were clean and showers were hot, all-in-all a good spot to stay.
christy S.TravelerRichland Dam and Recreation Area
Awesome Dispersed Camping
Beautiful grassy area overlooking the Richland Reservoir.
Bert S.
ScoutNew Frontier RV Campground
Small town feel
This is a small town with a big heart for the travelers the camp is clean well laid out had has plenty of spots available the owner is very accommodating this is a must stay stop over.
- LLeslie B.
RangerFarm Island State Recreation Area
Lake side camping
Really nice state park. The lake is part of the Missouri river and there are several sites right on the water. Nice bathrooms. 30/50 amp hookups. No sewer or water at campsites.
- lleland D.Guide
Byre Lake Recreation Area
Nice campsites quiet
Nice campsites difficult to get level but it can be done, nice view of a lake they have electric but it cost $20 for electric
- jjeffTraveler
Richland Dam and Recreation Area
Watch for mud
The campground is great. I came while it was and had been raining and the mud is a very slick clay. My rig did get stuck getting here. I was able to disconnect the trailer and drive the Jeep into the campground. A recovery service will assist getting the trailer to camp. We'll wait it out until the roads dry up a bit.
Donna H.RangerKennebec KOA
If the owners say don't come till 2pm, then don't come till 2pm.
The park is right off the highway in a pretty desolate part of South Dakota. It was the end of the season, and so although I didn't expect a crowd, I also didn't expect to be the only person there at 1 pm.
Severe thunderstorms had followed me for the preceding three days, meaning that I was tired and ready to plug in, put on fuzzy socks, and read a good book, but when I pulled into this KOA, the office was dark, and there wasn't another soul in the campground. I pulled through anyway since I had already paid, only to find that most of the spaces were flooded. I have a 1-ton camper van with rear wheel drive and didn't want to get stuck, so I pulled back around to the front of the park. About 1/2 hour later, another camper couple showed up, and then a third. There was no answer to our phone calls to the owners, and since there wasn't another campground for 20 or so miles, we all decided just to stay put and hope the owners showed up. Finally, at 2 pm, they showed up and sorted everything out. Although they live on the property, they don't respond to calls until after 2 pm.
Evidently, the storms were a rarity and caught everyone off guard. It may well be that I would have had a better experience had the weather been better and/or during peak season. My only suggestion to the owners is to please return calls/answer the phone. Travellers are usually tired and unfamiliar with the areas, so a reassuring voice can be crucial.
They do have a store of sorts, but it's minimal. I'm not sure I would stay here again.
Guide to Fort Pierre
Camping near Fort Pierre, South Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot by the river or a family-friendly campground, there are plenty of options to choose from.
What to do:
- Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing in the nearby lakes and rivers. One visitor at Farm Island State Recreation Area said, "Great Electric RV sites right on the water," making it a perfect spot for anglers.
- Hiking and Biking: Trails are available for both hiking and biking. A reviewer at Oahe Downstream Recreation Area mentioned, "Good walking paths for humans and dogs and saw many folks cycling."
- Wildlife Watching: Birdwatching is popular, especially for spotting bald eagles. One camper at Oahe Downstream Recreation Area noted, "Great bird watching and lots of bald eagles."
What campers like:
- Peaceful Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the tranquility of the area. A visitor at Richland Reservoir Dispersed Camping shared, "Great quiet camping spot. Only one other camper while here for 4 days."
- Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A reviewer at New Frontier RV Campground said, "Very clean, nice little store, playground great for kids, shade trees."
- Friendly Hosts: Campers often mention the welcoming nature of campground staff. One guest at River View RV Park remarked, "Lila is an amazing host. She called before we arrived and then texted detailed directions."
What you should know:
- Road Conditions: Some roads can be tricky, especially after rain. A camper at Richland Reservoir Dispersed Camping warned, "When we turned on to the road leading to this place we got stuck on the road."
- Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at American Inn & RV Park mentioned, "There is a bathhouse with showers (dirty) and flush toilets."
- Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds are only open during certain months. For example, New Frontier RV Campground operates from April 1 to November 15.
Tips for camping with families:
- Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. A reviewer at New Frontier RV Campground noted, "Playground great for kids, shade trees."
- Activities for Kids: Choose locations that offer activities like kayaking or biking. One visitor at Farm Island State Recreation Area mentioned, "Kayak rentals. Playground and beach area."
- Safety Precautions: Always keep an eye on kids near water. A camper at Oahe Downstream Recreation Area advised, "There’s lots of trees and shade."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Levels: Some sites may not be completely level. A reviewer at New Frontier RV Campground mentioned, "Site wasn’t completely level."
- Water Hookups: Ensure you have access to water hookups. A visitor at River View RV Park said, "When we came in our water hookup was frozen."
- Plan for Weather: Be prepared for windy conditions. A camper at Richland Reservoir Dispersed Camping noted, "The wind howled all night!!!"
Camping near Fort Pierre, South Dakota, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're in an RV or pitching a tent, there's something for every type of camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Fort Pierre, SD?
What camping is available near Fort Pierre, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, Fort Pierre, SD offers a wide range of camping options, with 37 campgrounds and RV parks near Fort Pierre, SD and 9 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Fort Pierre, SD?
Which is the most popular campground near Fort Pierre, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fort Pierre, SD is Farm Island State Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 13 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fort Pierre, SD?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fort Pierre, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Fort Pierre, SD.
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