Best Camping near Garretson, SD

Are you in need of a campground near Garretson, SD? Garretson is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Camping Sites Near Garretson, SD (79)

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Showing results 1-10 of 79 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Garretson

Recent Reviews in Garretson

347 Reviews of 79 Garretson Campgrounds


  • Ken G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Palisades State Park Campground
    Sep. 25, 2024

    Palisades State Park Campground

    beautiful area, clean campsite

    This was a wonderful spot.  Lots of really nice short hikes down by the water which was really beautiful with the cliffs on the water.  Sites were very nice and clean.  We were able to get a site on a Friday night last minute by calling ahead.

  • Jenni C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Olson City Park
    Aug. 15, 2024

    Olson City Park

    Great Spot

    Though we didn’t stay long, this campground was tidy, well marked, and a perfect stop for the night. The campsites were clean, facilities were top notch, and the park and walking path provided a great spot to wear kids out before continuing on.

  • Corey S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Mounds State Park Campground
    Aug. 12, 2024

    Blue Mounds State Park Campground

    Terrific Campground

    Peaceful and serene, great site.  Was able to walk around before the sun went down and listen to the Bison, wasn't able to see them but we could hear them.  Sites were great and amenities were clean and spacious.

  • Carolyn M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Split Rock Park
    Aug. 11, 2024

    Split Rock Park

    Beautiful Scenery, Clean Park

    This place is so cool! The falls was constructed during the Great Depression by the WPA, and the visitors center is made from the same pink quartz that lines the river. Really cool kayaking into Devils Gulch and up the Split Rock Creek. Will return to this nicely kept State Park. Gas station in town is quaint but has a public restroom and some basic supplies. Really lovely town. Falls lull you to sleep at night and the trains passing by are really neat to hear. Trains will go by till around midnight.

  • E
    Camper-submitted photo from Gunderson Park
    Aug. 10, 2024

    Gunderson Park

    Great Simple Free Spot!

    I found this on Campendium and google maps. It's a great little free park where you basically just park wherever. No designated spots, just park in the grass. The grass was not overgrown or anything, and there's a great little paved path that leads into town. Verizon cell service was pretty good and the park itself wasn't too crowded either. I imagine that the local county maintains it. Also tons of mulberry trees around! And be sure to go into town and pick up a breakfast sandwich and some donuts in the morning, it's a lovely walk in.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Palisades State Park Campground
    Aug. 3, 2024

    Palisades State Park Campground

    New King section open in Palisades

    Totally new entrance with easy access to new section that will handle larger RVs with toads. Open area with no shade but easy placement for satellite reception on RV or ground. New hard surface roads with gravel sites.

  • Bibs O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Parker RV Campground
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Parker RV Campground

    Next to busy roadway. Nice stop over.

    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. Dotes 5 - 6 are electric only and are infill sun. Site 7 is electric but has a sewer site as well. Shade found in sites 1 - 4. It is best to call ahead and make reservations. This campground stays busy.

  • Bibs O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Viborg City Campground
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Viborg City Campground

    Great one night lay over.

    This is a 3 site campground. 7 day maximum stay. No water, no garbage. 30 - 15 amp service only. Sites 1 and 2 are shaded until mid afternoon. Site 1 is shaded late afternoon. Locals bring their dogs out to "run." They don't pick up after, so watch your step. We are ¼ mile from highway and semi's Jake break a good deal, so it's quite until they go through. For a one lighter, this is a good cheap place to stop.

  • Bibs O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Peder Larsen City Park
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Peder Larsen City Park

    Busy local drive-through.

    They have just recently added 4 more sites. Sites hVe 50 - 30 - 15 amp connections. Bathrooms ate across the playground. Showers at the swimming pool. Picnic house (open) has 15, 110 outlets. Site 3 offers most sun protection. The rest of the sites are sunny all day. Playground is very large for such a small village. Disk golf is also found here.

  • Dave K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Island Park - Rock Rapids
    Jul. 24, 2024

    Island Park - Rock Rapids

    Campground Currently Closed

    Drove over tonight excited for my stay at this neat looking park. Unfortunately it appears that the June 2024 flood damaged the campground and it’s currently closed for repair.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Split Rock Creek State Park Campground
    Jul. 19, 2024

    Split Rock Creek State Park Campground

    Small peaceful campground

    Nice peaceful campground with large sites nicely spaced apart for privacy. We stayed in #6 (non-electric but there are lots of electric sites.) Cleanest pit toilet ever with many amenities!! Mirror, shelf, hooks, hand sanitizer, garbage can, reading material on wall listing ‘things to do’!! Showers clean too with plenty of warm water. Saw some fireflies, no mosquitoes!! We had a very pleasant one night stay.

  • Nathan L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
    Jul. 18, 2024

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Nice little nook with lots of cover!

    This campsite was great! We had a tent site, number 24, and it was tucked into the woods but still close to the parking lot!

    The neighboring sites are far enough away where you still have privacy but if you had two next to each other with a large group it could still function as one. Beautiful hiking trails, play grounds, disc golf, volleyball net, and so much more. Also, the lady at the front was cute as a button!

    Highly recommend!

  • Jessie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
    Jul. 16, 2024

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Fun and relaxing

    We booked this site last minute as we needed a place to stop for the night. The website was pretty easy to use to book the site. The ranger at the station was super friendly and helpful. Our camp site is beautiful and there is plenty of room. There are lots of trails here, so I got a good run in. My husband biked over to Brandon to get a good ride. There is a sweet disc golf course too! I’m mad I didn’t bring my discs!

  • Bibs O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Heib Memorial Park
    Jul. 2, 2024

    Heib Memorial Park

    Free location

    This place is great. Water available. 15, 30 amp service for free. Location is in city limits. No dump site. Great stop over location. Nearby traffic can seem heavy at times.

  • Bibs O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Gunderson Park
    Jul. 2, 2024

    Gunderson Park

    Up to 14 days free camping

    CAMPING IS NOW ONLY ALLOWED BETWEEN MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY. NO WINTER CAMPING IS ALLOWED ANY LONGER.

    Gunderson Park is a nice little boondocking location just ½ mile from the downtown area of Centerville. They have 2 fire pit locations, but, after speaking with the official at city hall we found out you can camp pretty much anywhere in the park you would like.

    It is free to camp here, you can stay virtually as long as you wish to according to that same official. There are no hook-ups. No bathroom facilities. No picnic tables. No playground for children. You may fish with a South Dakota license in the lazy rolling Vermillion River that skirts the park on 3 sides. They have a cement boat ramp. I will say when we stayed there the river was so low you would have had great difficulties getting a boat launched. On the west side of the park there are park benches at the beginning (or end of the walk depending on your start location) with a cemented walk way along the road to the park and the Vermillion River. It runs close to a quarter mile long with benches about half way through the walk. The city keeps this park mowed during the summer months. This is an old old park dating back to 1800's. The trees are massive and just as old providing beautiful shade. There are remnants of old stone items remaing in the park, grape vine thingy, a stone fireplace and pillars. Our stay favored us with Bald Eagle sightings. 2 hung around the trees on the other side of the river in full view, it was wonderful.

    At the city park you can dump your tanks. We didn't need to so we didn't visit this location. At the four way stop sign located at the center of the town, turn west, travel one block and on the south side of the street you will find city hall. There they will tell you how to find the dump site.

    This seems to be a favorite location for locals to drive through. Sometimes we found traffic through the park on the heavy side but most of the time very quiet. People are small town friendly. Population is around 900 people. Town has a grocery store, convenience store, bank, medical clinic, pharmacy, restaurant, bowling alley, auto parts store, bakery and other businesses. We noticed 4 churches in our drive around the town. At the city park they have a community swimming pool, Frisbee golf, 2 ball diamonds, tennis courts, playground equipment, volleyball courts, 2 picnic house areas and a location for 4 RV campsites with electrical plug ins [2 50 amp and 2 30 amp) for $10.00 a night with limited stay.

  • Ila R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Split Rock Park
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Split Rock Park

    No showers/toilets

    It is a beautiful little park. Good place for kayaking or fishing. I was just there to camp. The park is small. There are no showers or toilets, just outhouses, and they were a good distance for me to walk being disabled. If you have T-Mobile, there is absolutely NO service.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pioneer / Montrose City Campground
    Jun. 3, 2024

    Pioneer / Montrose City Campground

    Clean but bad water

    It was an easy drive -thru . Well kept up . But the water is bad there . We use a filter on our water hose . It still messed up our faucets and toilet. Inside the filter was a bunch of black stuff in it . We had problems with the toilet for the rest of our 2 week trip . Don't think I would stay there again.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from DeBates Memorial Park
    Feb. 20, 2024

    DeBates Memorial Park

    Quiet. Electric. 4 sites.

    Nice, easy quick in and out overnight while traveling through. Not sure if it’s plowed in the winter. No snow this year.

  • DakotaMiner
    Camper-submitted photo from Sexauer City Park
    Oct. 29, 2023

    Sexauer City Park

    Winter pass through

    Driving from far north down south, stopped for an overnight that we had reservations for. Apparently when temps reach towards freezing they close all restrooms and showers (only listed on Facebook), unfortunately our RV was winterized so we stayed overnight with zero accessible restrooms or showers.



Guide to Garretson

Camping near Garretson, South Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Palisades State Park Campground. "There is plenty of hiking and it is only about 30 min from Sioux Falls," said a camper who enjoyed the park's natural beauty.
  • Wildlife Viewing: Visit Blue Mounds State Park Campground for a chance to see bison. One visitor shared, "We lucked out because the buffalo were close to the ranger station."
  • Fishing and Swimming: At Lake Vermillion Recreation Area, you can enjoy fishing and swimming. A camper noted, "The lake had a great beach, fishing pier, and picnic area."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. One reviewer at Big Sioux Recreation Area mentioned, "Bathrooms exceptionally clean. Showers great."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A visitor at Newton Hills Campground said, "Beautiful, quiet, shaded, level sites with plenty of space between."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families enjoy the amenities at Sioux Falls Yogi Bear. One parent remarked, "It was an absolute blast for our kids with plenty of activities to keep them entertained."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby highways. A camper at Sioux Falls KOA noted, "Lots of noise since it’s off the highway."
  • Limited Privacy: Many sites are close together, which can affect privacy. A reviewer at Oak Woods Campground mentioned, "When this campground is full you have zero privacy."
  • Seasonal Amenities: Some facilities may not be available year-round. A visitor at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area pointed out, "In season there are recreational rentals (canoes, kayaks, etc.), but we were a little too early for them to be available."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. At Yogi Bear Campground, one parent said, "Great pool and kid activities."
  • Plan for Noise: If your family needs quiet, consider visiting during the week. A camper at Shady Grove Campground mentioned, "Highway noise was very very loud."
  • Pack Outdoor Games: Bring along games for the kids to play outside. A visitor at Big Sioux Recreation Area enjoyed the playgrounds and disc golf.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Dakota Sunsets RV Park noted, "The site was more than long enough for our 39’ 5th Wheel."
  • Be Prepared for Bugs: Bring insect repellent, especially in warmer months. A camper at Camp America Campground mentioned, "The flies were definitely out."
  • Use Local Resources: Ask campground staff for recommendations on nearby attractions. A visitor at Newton Hills Campground appreciated the local tips from the owners.

Camping near Garretson, South Dakota, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some unforgettable memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular campground near Garretson, SD?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Garretson, SD is Blue Mounds State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 45 reviews.

  • What parks are near Garretson, SD?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 0 parks near Garretson, SD that allow camping, notably Saylorville Lake and Conestoga Lake.