Garretson, South Dakota contains several campgrounds offering a mix of accommodation types within the scenic Split Rock Creek area. Palisades State Park Campground stands as the region's primary established camping destination, providing tent sites, RV spaces with electric hookups, and cabin rentals. Split Rock Park offers an alternative with more basic facilities just two miles north of Palisades. Both parks feature distinctive pink quartz formations along the creek, creating dramatic cliffside views and hiking opportunities. The campgrounds maintain modern amenities while preserving natural features within easy driving distance of Sioux Falls.
Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though peak season runs May through October when shower facilities are fully operational. Sites at Palisades State Park require reservations and typically fill quickly during summer weekends. "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," noted one visitor about Palisades. Road access remains well-maintained throughout the year, but winter camping requires preparation for potential snow and subfreezing temperatures. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with some areas offering limited coverage for certain carriers.
The camping experience near Garretson balances natural features with proximity to transportation corridors. Several campers mention train noise as a consideration, particularly at Split Rock Park where trains pass regularly with horn signals. "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," reported one camper. Both parks offer access to Split Rock Creek for kayaking, fishing and limited swimming opportunities, though water quality varies seasonally. Hiking trails provide access to unique quartzite formations, including the nearby Devil's Gulch, a historic site connected to Jesse James. Campsites typically include standard amenities such as picnic tables and fire rings, with Palisades offering more developed facilities including showers and modern restrooms.
"We passed through Palisades State Park earlier this year and spent some time in the day-use area so we knew it was a good place to camp as we passed through South Dakota on another trip."
"South Dakota is known for its well-maintained state park campgrounds, and this area offers two great options: King and Queen."
"South Dakota State Park, Brandon SD. Great stop. We spent 2 days. Very nice campground with lots to do and see. Big spacious sites ours backed up to the bike path and river."
"They have nice long paved trails for walking and biking. We got to walk our dogs on it to avoid tick contact from the grassy trails. There was a cool suspension bridge that was fun to walk on."
$24 - $50 / night
"Quiet place with nice bike and walking paths. Electric only 30amp water close by. Full dump station."
"Even though it's just adjacent, 13 had a nice little secluded area for our tent, and a *private* riverside walk out to the cliffs overlooking the river!"
$40 - $200 / night
"At the time of our visit I-90 was being rebuilt nearby so access from the interstate was more difficult, but this isn’t the fault of the campground."
"Location is right on interstate and easy to find. Not for nature lovers."
"We decided to stay at this campground because it was close to Falls Park. It’s 4 miles away from the KOA to Downtown. It wasn’t crowded, very clean, met lots of Texans and the pet areas were awesome!"
"Also a neat little micro brewery walking distance, across the road. Very nice staff and an RV dealer next door. Very close to I-90 and it’s noise, but that comes with the easy access."
"There was a really nice dump station outside of the park near entrance to Devil’s Gultch."
"A well maintained city campground with vault toilets and convenient nearby dump station just outside the park. Night time train traffic may be a negative for light sleepers."
"The airport is close by which made it neat to watch."
"This campground is a great location when passing through Sioux Falls. It is right off I29, and there a quick in and out sites up front."
$24 - $34 / night
"Playground nearby. The campground is right off the hiking club trail for that doing that. Site 22 had nice trees for hanging hammocks. Firewood is available at the office."
"A small lake with 5 docks and a swimming beach. A few small hiking trails and a park for the kiddos."
ScoutAfter a very windy drive from Iowa it was a blessing to find a Jellystone Park on the map. The office girl was so sweet; she took our reservation over the phone because we would arrive after losing and our paperwork was ready right by the office. Sites are clean and level and the grounds are kept up nicely. It is mid-April so nothing is open but it’s safe and clean with full hookups, and it’s Yogi so who couldn’t love it!
RangerWe stayed one night on our way back home to CT after a trip out west. We weren't exactly sure where the free camping was at first, but eventually found a sign with a map. Bathrooms with flushing toilets were a welcome surprise. My 14 to dog and I slept in a tent while hubby and the other dog slept in the van. Had to hurry to take the tent down the next morning before they turned the sprinklers on.
ScoutThis location would be an ideal setting for a horror film centered around a motel/campground. The establishment appears to be in a state of disrepair, with concerns regarding drug activity and unprofessional staff. Furthermore, the pricing is exorbitant, making it an undesirable option for accommodation. I wouldn't even give it 1 star, I should be getting 5 stars just for warning everyone.
ScoutBooked a spot online under the impression they had water year round. Was a little disappointed to find out that wasn’t the case. That being considered it was definitely a little pricey in my opinion, however the shower house had killer water pressure. Overall not a bad campground
ScoutSpent 2 weeks here in january. Fairly priced with full hookup year round. The sites seem a little tight if it were to get filled up in the summer but very spacious this time of year. The owners were a little hard to get a hold of but are nice enough
GuideThe site and facilities were well maintained and the palisades are a cool place to explore for a day. We visited in November so there was hardly anyone else, it’s a very large campground that is a good spot for families with young kids.
RangerIn many ways, this is just like any other MN State Park campground. Most of the campground caters to RVs. Here are the things that make this place unique. #1 They have tipis you can reserve! They look cool, but they are hard to come by. There is no seasonal information available about these, but I can tell you they aren’t available in October. I am here now and they are empty with no way to rent. Bummer. That would have been cool. #2 Here is what I really dislike about this campground. It is sooo loud. The noise from the nearby interstate is constant, like all night constant. Really takes away from the experience. #3 other than the tipis and noise if you know what it is to stay at a MN State Park campground, you know pretty much everything else to expect.
ScoutWe just spent the night passing through, looking for something more than the Walmart parking lot. $23 for a non-electric site, basically a tent spot. Bathrooms were clean and had showers but we didn’t use them. We had a rainy night but had potential for a nice walk next to the lake. A bit of traffic nearby but didn’t disturb us at all in our van. Midweek in Mid- October and there were probably a half dozen other campers. Definitely recommend it!
GuideVery basic sites. Town park. Dated and feels strange when no one else if here. But, $20 a night for full hook ups can’t be beat.
Garretson, South Dakota sits at 1,490 feet elevation in the Split Rock Creek watershed, an area characterized by distinctive Sioux quartzite formations that date back 1.7 billion years. The camping season typically runs from April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak months. During these months, water levels in Split Rock Creek fluctuate based on rainfall, affecting paddling conditions at camping sites near Garretson, South Dakota.
Rock climbing opportunities: Palisades State Park Campground offers unique quartzite rock formations ideal for climbing. "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," notes one visitor to Palisades State Park.
Kayaking on Split Rock Creek: Launch directly from Split Rock Park for paddling adventures. "Beautiful spot. Go see Devils Gultch! There was a really nice dump station outside of the park near entrance to Devil's Gultch," mentions a visitor to Split Rock Park. The creek widens in several areas, creating calm paddling zones ideal for beginners.
Frisbee golf: Big Sioux Recreation Area features a complete disc golf course available to campers. "We come here often. The showers are great, the walking trail is great, and the spots are nice and spread out. Overall a great park!" reports a visitor to Big Sioux Recreation Area. The course winds through both open prairie and wooded sections.
Wi-Fi connectivity: King Campground at Palisades State Park offers surprisingly good technology amenities. "King also offers free Wi-Fi with a download speed of 22 Mbps, while Queen has no T-Mobile service. However, King provides 15 Mbps of service," notes a camper who stayed at Palisades State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Blue Mounds State Park Campground hosts a managed bison herd visitors can observe. "Park features natural prairie and a buffalo herd. Bison tours are available. Plenty of hiking trails and some cliff climbing," shares a camper at Blue Mounds State Park. The herd typically contains 75-100 animals roaming a 533-acre enclosure.
Bathhouse facilities: Split Rock Creek State Park maintains exceptionally clean facilities. "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," reports a visitor to Split Rock Creek State Park.
Train noise considerations: Split Rock Park experiences regular train traffic. "Family favorite. 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. Also, trains. The kids think it's cool watching the trains to by, but they do go in the middle of the night," explains a camper who stayed at Split Rock Park.
Campsite selection: Palisades State Park offers two distinct campground zones. "South Dakota is known for its well-maintained state park campgrounds, and this area offers two great options: King and Queen. Queen is nestled in a wooded area with limited visibility to the sky, offering a more secluded experience. In contrast, King, a recently built campground, sits on the prairie and provides beautiful views of Split Rock Creek."
Water contamination issues: Some area campgrounds have experienced water quality problems. "This is a beautiful state park campground. The sites are large and wooded without feeling closed in. There is biking and hiking. I believe you can also fish in the river, but we didn't try it. The only downside is that their water is contaminated. They provide directions to a city site where you can fill your camper tank, and they give out a gallon of drinking/cooking water when you check in."
Playgrounds proximity: Sioux Falls KOA offers sites directly adjacent to play areas. "We got a spot right in front of the playground which was perfect for our toddler. The trees provided nice shade. They even let us drive our car up. There's also a brewery in walking distance," shares a visitor to Sioux Falls KOA.
Swimming options: Multiple parks offer water recreation. "Very nice campground with big sites. This area is very nice for hiking and pretty sure swimming and kayaking. We were there early spring so water was too cold to swim," notes a camper at Palisades State Park.
Safety considerations: Split Rock Park requires extra vigilance with children. "We have 3 kids 5 and under. They like it too, but there are cliffs and water, so plan accordingly." The rock formations create 50+ foot drops in some areas that lack guardrails.
Site selection for larger rigs: Space constraints exist at several area parks. "Nice State Park kind of in the middle of nowhere. Super easy access and close to Pipestone National Monument. On a nice little lake with prairie views. Don't recommend for larger rigs. We struggled with our 44ft 5th wheel, only one site could fit us and it was tight to get in and out," advises an RVer who stayed at Split Rock Creek State Park.
Family-oriented amenities: Sioux Falls Yogi Bear campground offers dedicated children's activities. "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. The sites were extremely well maintained. Restrooms were aging but were well cleaned and taken care of," notes a visitor to Sioux Falls Yogi Bear.
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds in the Garretson area remain open year-round. "We were at camp spot 12E it was very nice! 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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Garretson, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Garretson, SD is Palisades State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 31 reviews.
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