4 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
No horse-friendly campgrounds with dedicated equestrian facilities appear in the data for Garretson, South Dakota. The campground data shows Big Sioux Recreation Area, W.H. Lyon Fairground, Newton Hills State Park, and Skooter's Place, but none list horse corrals or specialized equestrian accommodations in their features. These campgrounds offer various amenities including electric hookups, water access, and recreational trails, but the data explicitly marks "NO horse-corral" for each location. The large, level sites at Big Sioux Recreation Area accommodate tents, RVs, and cabins with spacious layouts that provide ample shade from mature trees.
Riders seeking horse camping opportunities near Garretson may need to contact these parks directly to inquire about potential horse accommodations not listed in the standard amenities. Big Sioux Recreation Area features multiple trails and borders the river, offering potential riding opportunities if horses are permitted. The park includes hiking and biking paths that connect to natural areas with wildlife viewing possibilities. Newton Hills State Park, located approximately 25 miles south of Garretson, maintains year-round operations with cabin options and shaded campsites, though specific horse policies are not detailed in the available information. Local regulations regarding horse use on trails and camping with equines vary by location and may require advance permits or arrangements.
"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."
"Convenient location to a lot of attractions, stores, and restaurants. Can camp during events. Huge area."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"I had an amazing time at Newton Hills Campground in South Dakota with my family and young children."
"Love this place very close to the major city of anything is needed. Nature and trails all around, lake for fishing and swimming, love to come out during the summer with the dogs!"
from $20 - $25 / night
GuideWe stayed here one night and got to experience some South Dakota wind rocking our camper during the night. The bathrooms are huge and very clean but someone left dirty diapers in trash and by morning the smell was rough. Area along fence borders highway with much closer sites and road noise. We opted for area on grass near arena.
GuideI had an amazing time at Newton Hills Campground in South Dakota with my family and young children. The spacious and clean facilities provided the perfect backdrop for our outdoor getaway, offering a blend of adventure and relaxation away from the city. The kids had a blast exploring the natural surroundings and participating in the family-friendly activities. This campground is a true gem for those seeking a wholesome outdoor experience.
TravelerSouth Dakota State Park, Brandon SD. Great stop. We spent 2 days. Very nice campground with lots to do and see. Big spacious sites ours backed up to the bike path and river. New bathhouse entire park was very clean. About half hour to Sioux Falls. Worth the trip to see the Falls and the bike/hike trail around the city.
GuideSuch a nice campground. Nice big shady trees and manicured lawns. They sell campfire wood for 6$ a bundle on site so we had some great campfires going. 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. The showers were very nice and hot without a lot of traffic.
There is no sewage hookup or water hook ups. They do that 50/30 amp sites available. There is a dump station right at the entrance to dump when you leave and it also has a separate fresh water station if you want to fill up right when you get there so youre not traveling with a bunch of water in your tank.
It was a great campground and the falls were close by and palisades state park was also in the area with a nice hike.
There is an extra $8 car fee per night that you have to pay on top of any camping fees. If you are staying longer than 5 days it better to just get the annual parking pass for $32, which would cover parking for all state parks and recreation areas in SD.
They have great discounts if you are a veteran and south dakota resident.
TravelerBeautiful campground! Sites are well spaced. Lots of trees for great shade in the hot summer. Very nice bathroom and shower house. Easy drive in to Sioux Falls. Several trails around the park. This was our final stop on our South Dakota trip. It was a wonderful and restful campground for us. After we arrived, Park staff came around and shared maps and info on things to do in the area. The first night a storm rolled through and the host drove thru and knocked on doors to check on people and let them know where shelter was just in case. Definitely will keep this campground on our list for future trips.
GuideI 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, but they were right on the edge of the playground, so the families had to walk right through my campsite to get to the play area. Not too big a deal as no one wanted to use the play area at night while I was sleeping, but still. I also looked over at the power lines. There was a flush toilet facility close by but there was a very bright light on all night. Good for families needing to navigate in the dark but not wonderful if you like sleeping in darkness. And though I was told that quiet hours began at 10PM, the site next to me was quite loud through the trees until at least midnight so the quiet hours are not enforced. Meh. I don't think I'll be going back.
ScoutIt was okay for an overnight, The sites are nice, plenty of shade. It was crowded the night I was there but quiet. It's a strange place in that it is on the edge of suburbia, located right next to an apartment housing development. If you like proximity to services, restaurants, etc. It would be a good stop. It would be great if you were visiting family/friends in the area, easy to get to. Just not what I was looking for.
TravelerWe stayed here in a travel trailer. The site was level with lots of shade and grass. Spacious sites,not too close. Our site was along the river but it wasn't easy to access the water from our site. The biking, walking trail was great! Lots of bugs and mosquitoes. It was very quiet here, and the rangers were really nice. We had electricity and could access water close by. Only a long drop toilet nearby, but there were bath houses. There was firewood for sale at the entrance.
ScoutThis 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!
Several campgrounds near Garretson, South Dakota provide outdoor accommodations within 25 miles of the city. While equestrian facilities are limited, the surrounding area offers camping options with a range of amenities at state parks and recreation areas. The region features forested hills and river valleys that contrast with the surrounding farmland, creating diverse terrain for outdoor recreation activities throughout the camping season.
Hiking trails: Newton Hills State Park offers multiple hiking paths through wooded terrain. "There are plenty of trails and clean restrooms to use. Overall we really like this location," notes Jennifer S. about the Newton Hills Campground.
Water recreation: Visitors can enjoy Lake Lakota for swimming, fishing, and kayaking when water levels permit. "This beautiful park set just 9 miles south of Canton, SD has something for everyone. If you enjoy water activities, spend some time at Lake Lakota swimming, kayaking, fishing, or just relaxing," reports Lisa H.
Disc golf: Big Sioux Recreation Area maintains a disc golf course that provides recreation beyond standard camping activities. "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! Beautiful hiking trails, play grounds, disc golf, volleyball net, and so much more," shares Nathan L. about Big Sioux Recreation Area.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer adequate spacing between campsites. "Beautiful, quiet, shaded, level sites with plenty of space between. Great trails and a short scenic road, plus some nice open spaces," describes Victor E. about his stay at Newton Hills.
Convenient location: The W.H. Lyon Fairground provides basic camping with easy access to urban amenities. "This is a huge open area at the fairgrounds. There are some hookups. Convenient location to a lot of attractions, stores, and restaurants. Can camp during events. Huge area," explains Carrie F. about the W.H. Lyon Fairground.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the well-maintained restrooms and shower buildings. "The showers are great, the walking trail is great, and the spots are nice and spread out. Overall a great park!" notes Trevor A. about Big Sioux Recreation Area.
Campsite selection matters: Some sites offer more privacy and shade than others. "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, but they were right on the edge of the playground, so the families had to walk right through my campsite," shares Carolyn M. about Big Sioux Recreation Area.
Fee structure: State parks charge separate entrance and camping fees. "My complaint would be the fees. I thought I was paying one fee for the non-e tent site but then there was an additional fee for non-res and another fee for park day use fee or permit. This fee was confusing whether I was supposed to pay this or not. So what looked like a small fee to spend the night turned into much more," explains Tyson K.
Weather considerations: The region experiences strong winds at times that can affect camping comfort. "We stayed here one night and got to experience some South Dakota wind rocking our camper during the night," reports Glenda about W.H. Lyon Fairground.
Choose Newton Hills for family activities: This park receives high marks from family campers. "I had an amazing time at Newton Hills Campground in South Dakota with my family and young children. The spacious and clean facilities provided the perfect backdrop for our outdoor getaway, offering a blend of adventure and relaxation away from the city," shares Nicholas S. about Newton Hills State Park.
Expect some campground noise: Family-focused campgrounds can be busy and noisy during peak season. "I spent a quick night at Newton Hills and found the park to be lovely, but it was very busy with lots of families out and about which made for a bit of a loud evening. If you have a family it'll be a great spot—if you're looking for quiet and calm, maybe something else," advises Cari E.
Pack sun protection: Many campsites lack full shade coverage. "Quiet spot weekdays. Site is beautiful. Many campsites are almost full sun—so have your shade structure ready. Evenings very peaceful," recommends Sally C.
Big Sioux offers level sites: RV campers appreciate the well-maintained sites at this recreation area. "We have stayed here many times. Nice quiet state campground. 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," explains Heidi M. about Big Sioux Recreation Area.
Basic hookups at fairgrounds: For RVers seeking simplicity with full hookups, W.H. Lyon Fairground offers no-frills camping. "This campground is on leash pet friendly. There are few trees, but it has full hookups, clean restrooms and showers. Pay 6 get 1 free. People were very friendly. It was exactly what I was looking for," shares Dakota M.
Bathroom facilities vary by location: Campground bathhouses range from basic to well-appointed. "Site was level. Trees surrounding area. Electric hook up but no water. Flush toilets with showers very nice," notes Carol J. about Big Sioux Recreation Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Garretson, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Garretson, SD is Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux with a 4.5-star rating from 38 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Garretson, SD?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Garretson, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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