Cabin camping near Garretson, South Dakota offers rustic accommodations within diverse landscapes where the Big Sioux River carves through Sioux quartzite formations. The region sits at approximately 1,500 feet elevation and experiences hot summers with average July temperatures in the mid-80s°F and cold winters with January averages around 10°F. Most cabins remain open from spring through fall, though some state parks maintain cabin availability during winter months.
What to do
Hiking quartzite formations: At Palisades State Park Campground, visitors can explore unique geological features along Split Rock Creek. "I love this park for both it's camping and hiking. 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 Jessica B.
Kayaking on lakes and rivers: Lake Vermillion Recreation Area provides water recreation opportunities approximately 30 miles from Garretson. "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 to cold to swim," reports Clarke N.
Family playground facilities: Newton Hills Campground offers extensive play areas about 35 miles southwest of Garretson. "Great woods with trails" and "great playgrounds" are highlighted by Isaac E., who appreciates the family-friendly amenities surrounding Lake Lakota within the park.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Big Sioux Recreation Area campers appreciate the separation between campsites. "Our site was nice, level, spacious, and had plenty of grass coverage (instead of dirt). Bugs were a pain but not much you can do about that. Bike trails are awesome," says Heidi M.
Well-maintained facilities: Palisades State Park earns praise for its upkeep and staff. "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," shares Wilanrie B.
Wildlife viewing: Lake Vermillion Recreation Area offers chances to observe native wildlife. "Spring was coming alive with gobbling turkeys and cackling pheasants; we even got a show from a strutting tom turkey. Overall, a quiet and scenic stay with great wildlife viewing and lake views," writes MickandKarla W.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most state park cabins require advance booking, especially during peak season. Lake Vermillion Recreation Area has specific fee structures. "We had already paid the $30 a night plus $10 nonresident reservation fees, to find out starting this year we needed to pay a non-resident $15 a night state park fee or $60 for a year pass," explains MickandKarla W.
Site selection considerations: Newton Hills Campground sites vary in sun exposure and privacy. "Many campsites are almost full sun—so have your shade structure ready. Evenings very peaceful," advises Sally C.
Internet connectivity: Access varies significantly between campgrounds. At Palisades State Park, "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," reports Tim R.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly cabin options: Sioux Falls Yogi Bear offers family-focused cabin camping near Garretson with numerous 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," shares Alec S.
Cabin accessibility: When selecting cabin sites with children, consider proximity 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," notes Laura C. about Sioux Falls KOA.
Weather preparation: Summer storms can affect camping comfort, particularly in basic cabins. "We were so grateful we chose to stay in a cabin which had A/C," mentions one visitor about Sioux Falls KOA, highlighting the importance of climate control during hot summer months.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling for larger vehicles: Big Sioux Recreation Area provides more accommodating spaces for RVs than many other local campgrounds. "I spent the night here and had to pay the entrance fee to the park as well as the camping fee for my tentsite. They had only a few tentsites available amid all the RV sites," explains Carolyn M.
Accessibility considerations: For those with cabins and RVs, Newton Hills Campground offers good interior roads. "There are plenty of parks and paved roadways to wander around on. The spots are nice," mentions Zach E., though he notes the lake was dried up during his visit.
Camp store provisions: Some larger facilities near Garretson provide essential supplies. Pipestone RV Campground, about 30 miles away, offers convenient access to supplies. "This campground is a great example of what camping really is. The owners are attentive, the facility is clean, neighbors are friendly, and it's located close to restaurants, shopping, and anything else you could need or want!" remarks Lucas P.
