Best Tent Camping near Fort Pierre, SD

Recent Tent Reviews near Fort Pierre, South Dakota

113 Reviews of 2 Fort Pierre Campgrounds

• 

  Hayley K.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 2, 2019

  Griffin Park

  Easy stop over spot in Pierre

  We happened upon this while up for a wedding in Pierre. It is a free campground! There are RV and tent sites, a dump station, water fill up, bathrooms, and even a park. The tent sites are right on the river and there is even a beach that you can hang out at. You are right on the Lewis and Clark Trail for riding. 

  The tent sites are pretty secluded for it being a city park. It was a little noisy at night but it was perfect for waking up in the morning and watching the clouds flow over the river with a cup of coffee in hand.

• 

  Marc G.

  Guide

  

  May. 26, 2020

  Fischers Lilly Park

  Five stars and dirt cheap

  The full name of this place is Fischers Lilly Park, operated by the city of Fort Pierre. To correct the previous review, these sites are water/electric (20/30/50A) only, although there is a free dump station on site. These sites are right on the river, and contrary to the previous reviewer we found some of them near the entrance to be exceedingly spacious, including ours #12. There are 12 sites total, and ours was immaculate. Cell signal on Verizon was a solid 3 bars.

  The location right on the banks of the Missouri River can't be beat, and it's the perfect location for exploring all that the Pierre area has to offer: the state capitol complex, the museums, even walleye fishing in the river or nearby Lake Oahe. 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.

  Many thanks to the City of Fort Pierre for making this location available.

• 

  Art S.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 20, 2019

  Fischers Lilly Park

  Riverside camping near town

  At the meeting of the Missouri River and the Bad River a small campground is found. Sites are close together and in the sun but there are full hookups. A spacious park is next door. The bike path leads into historic Fort Pierre and beyond. Museums await you as you explore Lewis and Clark’s stopover. This is an ok place to camp but being near town and the beautiful river and bike path make this a nice possibility.

• 

  Shannon G.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 14, 2023

  Campground 3 — Oahe Downstream Recreation Area

  My favorite campground

  This is one of my favorite campgrounds. The best spots are 194-196. They are back in sites and we have a large window on the back of our camper and get to look at the beautiful river. Great bird watching and lots of bald eagles. The sites are electric only but you can fill water before you come in. Sites are spacious with gravel. There is a picnic bench and fire ring at each site. This campground offers 8 cabins and tent sites also. The grounds and restrooms are kept up well. We came in September so there was hardly anyone around. Very peaceful

• N

  N I.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 30, 2021

  Campground 3 — Oahe Downstream Recreation Area

  Beautiful

  Reservations:  800-710-2267 or oahe@state.sd.us

  Fee: Daily   $8.00   Annual $36.00   Purchase on line

  Campsites   Electrical   $23.00 (30-50)

                        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 camping November 15 through the last Friday in March.  Bald eagles are winter roosting and can be easily disturbed.

  Disc golf   archery   biking   birding   boating   fishing   gocatching   horseshoes   lawn games   swimming with sand beach

  Campground is well maintained, pads are pull through level with mature trees.  Nice showers and toilets.  This is a beautiful wooded site that can handle large RV's including pull throughs and double sites.

  Directions:  5 miles north of Fort Pierre on highway 180 located on the south side of dam.

• C

  Carly

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 5, 2020

  New Frontier RV Campground

  Great Campground!

  We stopped here on our way across South Dakota, and it was the perfect place. It’s right off the interstate and is extremely well-managed and clean. They have lots of yard space to walk dogs along their property, and the staff was incredibly nice and helpful throughout our stay!

• E

  Ev R.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 13, 2018

  West Bend Recreation Area

  Clean, quiet, well-maintained

  Super helpful and friendly staff, clean bathrooms, well-maintained sites. Gorgeous views of the Missouri River. The only negative was the amazing number of flies. It was hard to cook with the flies diving into our pots and pans and biting us. It was my first trip to South Dakota. Maybe flies are a thing there??

• 

  Aaron L.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 29, 2022

  Kennebec KOA

  Clean, Friendly , No frills

  Very nice site with clean bathrooms and showers. Some sites have shade. Well maintained and the owners are very friendly. Convenient location and just a short drive from the highway. Some road noise but not bad at all. The wind was very slack the day we stayed so the mosquitoes were out at night. Would 100% stay again if traveling thru South Dakota.

• T

  Tammy A.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 6, 2021

  Cow Creek State Rec Area

  Great water recreation spot

  This was our first stop on our way thru South Dakota. Not a lot of shade at spots. Few trees and little to no privacy but good spacing of sites. The bathrooms are updated, clean and well maintained. This is an ideal campground for those with a boat for fishing or playing on Lake Oahe (which was beautiful by the way). Be out on the water all day and then relax at the campground at night.

• S

  Sam C.

  Guide

  

  Dec. 6, 2020

  Kennebec KOA

  Great stay along the way

  This KOA in Kennebec has been a good stop over for us when traveling through South Dakota. Kennebec is a sleepy town off of I-90, and this KOA seems to be the life of the town.

  The staff has been welcoming, friendly, and accommodating. The facilities seem well cared for and clean. For our stays we have just been passing through and have opted for pull-thru sites with full-hook ups to keep it easy and we have never had to disconnect from our TT to get level for the night.

  This KOA will probably not a destination for us, but it is a great stay along the way.

  We already have a trip planned for next year across I-90 and Kennebec is on the itinerary.

• D

  Deb

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 3, 2022

  North Shore Recreation Area Army COE Campground

  North Shore CG

  This is a beautiful spot. Unfortunately some people are disrespectful- broken glass, burnt firecrackers etc, destroyed firepit. Then of course there are the nasty biting flies. Bug spray helped some. I put up the clam screen tent to be rid of the flies. At night there seems to be a lot of road traffic to the popup tent camper a few spots down from me. All in all, it Is peaceful during the day and scenic.

• K

  Karen S.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 30, 2017

  Okobojo Point Recreation Area

  Private, clean, beautiful!

  We loved this campground!! It'd be great for tent or RV camping. The sites are really spread out and the facilities are super clean. Almost every site had its own bathroom too. Pretty views of the river from almost all sites!

• P

  Pat N.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 13, 2022

  Campground 2 — Oahe Downstream Recreation Area

  Beautiful sites

  110-30-50 amp hookups plenty of space between sites. Bathrooms with showers. 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. Tent/RV/Cabin camping you will enjoy yourself

• A

  Ashley

  Guide

  

  Jul. 30, 2022

  Byre Lake Recreation Area

  Overnight haven

  Stayed one overnight in a rooftop tent while passing through. Only a few other campers there on a Saturday evening. Pit toilet. Pay for electric hookup. For the most part it was peaceful, except for one truck that came through around midnight revving it’s engine and honking the horn. Startled me out of my sleep but otherwise, felt safe at this camping area. Added plus that it was a close drive to Badlands NP.

• E

  Elaine S.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 24, 2021

  New Frontier RV Campground

  Great stopover

  We luckily found this place in Presho, SD. The host was a friendly lady named Gwen and the campground was neat and clean. It was an easy stop off I-90. Every site is a gravel pull through with full hookups and trash containers are close to every sight. They also offer free popcorn and coffee. I saw a nice swing set, slide, and basketball goal. Also they have cabins, a restroom, and tent area. Good Sam discount… around $46 for 2 adults and 2 dachshunds. Would stay here again.

• S

  Shelby R.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 4, 2018

  Kennebec KOA

  middle of nowhere gem with friendly hosts

  I love the Kennebec KOA! I stayed here for the first time last October on my way to the Badlands. It was my first KOA experience and it was wonderful! because I got there late, I stayed in the one-room simple cabins instead of pitching my tent. Those things are rad! The bathrooms are clean and the general store has good stuff. The camp hosts are really friendly and welcoming. I stayed here again in July (again on my way to the Badlands) and will always stay here if I’m close to Kennebec on a road trip.

• 

  Randall K.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 31, 2023

  Byre Lake Recreation Area

  Hidden Gem!

  This place is about as perfect as it gets! Free camping - dispersed so pull up where you want. Or choose a spot with a fire ring and table. 

  Views are OUTSTANDING! You can fish, kayak, hike, etc. Right off highway but very quiet and peaceful. Slept great. 

  They do have toilets (I didn't use them) and they do have a couple electric spots that are $20/night (I didn't use them). 

  Just super easy, super beautiful and a great place to call home for a night or a few. 

  Lots of mozzies at night - so use spray or plan to be in your tent/vehicle once the sun goes down.

• 

  Shari G.

  Legend

  

  May. 28, 2017

  Campground 3 — Oahe Downstream Recreation Area

  Beautiful family campground

  This campground lies just below the Oahe Dam on the Missouri River and offers lots of opportunities for boating activities of all kinds. With over 200 sites there are plenty of options for everyone, from large trailers to small tents. Showers (cost included in campground fee) and bathrooms are sparkling clean and warm.  Water spigots are scattered throughout the campground and nearby. 

  All reservations must be done through their online system (http://travel.campsd.com/Reserve-A-Campsite) or over the phone, although there is a campground office open during the day. We arrived late without a reservation and found the smartphone app non-functional and needed to call in order to make one, which cost us another $2. 

  In the prime campgrounds (flush toilets & showers), electric sites are $21; in the preferred campgrounds, electric sites are $19; and non-electric sites are $15. The $5 per day entrance fee is not included in the reservation.

• 

  Bret S.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 23, 2021

  River View RV Park

  The best Ft Pierre has to offer - and great views

  We spent two weeks here visiting family. Absolutely fantastic views of Ft Pierre and Pierre, and the Missouri River Valley. We are several hundred feet above the river, so it stays windy. It seems to always be hot in Pierre. The whole park is new in 2018, 50 amp water and sewer in all sites. Incredibly helpful, friendly, family owned park. They keep everything 100% clean. Laundry room on site and nice showers (coin operated) if needed. Tenting on site in a nice grassy area. Community campfire area, they provide the wood. It’s all gravel, but it’s a very clean, low dust gravel even after no rain for a week. Sites 15, 16, 17 are right up against the bluff with the best views. Stargazing has been great.

  Just upriver is the Oahe Downstream Rec Area, a great place to swim and fish, or go off-leash with the dog on the T-Jetty. Check out the Verendrye monument just down the road, it’s a surprising bit of history from 400 years ago!

• N

  N I.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 5, 2021

  West Bend Recreation Area

  Peace on the Lake

  • Reservations 800-710-2267 or westbend@state.sd.us 
  •  GPS 44.17075  -99.72102
  •  Sites 120 campsites 4 camping cabins 
  • Fees   Daily $8.00 entrance   Annual $36.00 entrance   
  • $23.00 electrical campsites (50 avail) 
  • $19.00 non electrical
  • Open year round Between Oct 1– Apr 30 water systems may be shut down Boat ramp 

  Camping Electric Drinking water Showers Flush toilets Pit toilets Picnic shelter Picnic table Grill Swim beach Playground Dump station Fish cleaning station Telephone Camp host Birding Fishing Pull thru Firewood Biking

  This campground is mainly used by hunters in the fall. Sites are mostly for small RV’s, trailers, or tents. The park has a lot of mature trees which causes problems with overhanging limbs in the road. One side of the park has younger trees and it is easier for larger rigs to maneuver and there is more of an open feeling. Pads are fairly level. Bathrooms and even the pit toilets are very clean and did not smell, even had hand sanitizer.

  Site was well maintained. There are several water sites for great views. There are hiking trails in the park. Camp is set amid the rolling hills showcasing the beautiful crops and ranches of SD.

  35 miles southeast of Pierre off SD Highway 34. Nearest town is Harrold, SD

  LNT

  Better than when you found it

  Stay safe Happy travels

• 

  Shelly S.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 11, 2020

  Kennebec KOA

  Not much going on

  Kennebec KOA, SD

  Next to Bowling Green, Ky KOA this is my least favorite KOA so far. I can see no reason to use this KOA except as a last minute/everything else is full , one night stop. OR ITS HUNTING SEASON.zz There are two “restaurants” in local bars. A cafe that’s open mornings and that’s about it. There is NOTHING here. The staff was very friendly and answered all my questions thoroughly. The park was clean, I would call it more of a parking lot, like so many of the KOA’s and other campgrounds are anymore. This one is definitely a no frills KOA though. The dog square was set off to the side as an afterthought it would appear, with sticker weeds covering about half the small area. No shade whatsoever! If your going to take the time to put up the required fence, etc, you could at least put it in a half way decent area! The tent area seemed to be closed down and there was no playground.

  The laundry room and swimming pool were closed due to COVID. The shower was open and CREEPY! It’s amazing to me , I stop at one KOA , no masks everything is open, the next KOA, you can’t use any of their facilities and everyone is in mach one contamination suits. Camping in 2020 has been interesting to say the least!

• B

  Becky

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 6, 2024

  Byre Lake Recreation Area

  free open field with some amenities

  There are two spots here for camping. One spot with primitive "sites" in an open grassy field with no sites that has some firepits (2-3) with no cooking grates, two picnic tables that can be moved and two under a roof on cement. The other spot (see separate dyrt listing) has electric sites that are supposedly $20 per dyrt but I didn't see nor look at how to get those spots (5-6 of them). They were actually looking all full. We set up in the grassy area with unfortunately a big trash bin in the way (hopefully someone moves it to a different spot). People before us had left trash in the firepit (no cooking grate) anyway even though the big bin was 20 ft away. 

  The restrooms are over by the electric sites and were disgusting. It seems bored locals come and trash the place as they had signs about keeping poop in the pits and not on the walls. I was happy we had bikes to get over to the restrooms and we did use the one that wasn't utterly disgusting once for a #2.

  When we woke were in the midst of tons of wind again but some electric site folks had left so we packed up and drove over to one of those sites which are up by some trees and got out of the wind to cook some breakfast and food for the drive. The trees also provided some kindling to get the fire started.

  Overall, OK stay, best for just pitching a tent late and hitting the road early though unless some improvements are made like more firepits and trees in grassy area or you can cook and be totally self contained.

• A

  Anthony B.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 29, 2023

  River View RV Park

  Hard to beat

  This campground sits on a hight overlooking Pierre, the capital, and the Missouri river. Beautiful at night. Campsites are close together with full hookups. Many amenities are offered on site such as horse shoes, Egg grills, mice playground dog walk, showers, laundry, and cable TV in the clubhouse

• K

  Kelly F.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 9, 2022

  River View RV Park

  Beautiful View

  Once we arrived, we were very happy with our site. Getting there left a bit to be desired. The road to the park is gravel, and the signage doesn't exist!

• C

  Charles A.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 2, 2022

  Fischers Lilly Park

  Quiet spot on the river

  Small campground between a city park and an expo center, is very nice. 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.

• 

  Christopher A.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 10, 2021

  River View RV Park

  Park with a view

  Very nice and well maintained park. The owners are amazing.

• C

  Colby M.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 24, 2021

  River View RV Park

  Great park

  Stopped here for one night on our way home, amazing owners, beautiful spot up on a hill, can see all the town lights at night, spotless showers and bathroom, cute lobby with books, puzzles, games all sorts of brochures about the area. Loved it