Hartford, SD Campground

Searching for the best camping near Hartford, SD? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Hartford. Find the best campgrounds near Hartford, SD. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Hartford, SD (62)

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Showing results 1-10 of 62 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Hartford

Recent Reviews in Hartford

325 Reviews of 62 Hartford 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.

  • 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!

  • Angie A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Menno Lake Camping - Huber Campground
    Jul. 11, 2024

    Menno Lake Camping - Huber Campground

    Quiet peaceful spot on the lake

    Excellent find and with electricity for only $10 a night. Pretty secluded with only one other camper. Some local traffic. Vault toilet withTP is far from where we camped and the old school toilets were a little too sketchy for me. If they were cleaned up I would have been brave enough to try. Such a beautiful place! Bugs are bad! Be prepared. Each site has picnic table and fire ring on nice concrete pad.

  • 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 Olivet Park
    Jul. 2, 2024

    Olivet Park

    Flood waters have ravished this park

    There is little left of this park. After each spring flood, they clean it up, but there is not much there any longer. They do have 15 and 30 amp connections in one location. Pit toilet remains destroyed due to floods. In the back corner of the park is a large area to turn around in and set up a short stay camp.

    A boat ramp is available. A short walking trail is also available.

    This is located next to a busy highway, and it is noisy with traffic much of the time we were there.

  • 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.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Mounds State Park Campground
    Oct. 20, 2023

    Blue Mounds State Park Campground

    Couldn’t have asked for better weather!

    What an amazing time! We stayed at site 54E which was pretty secluded our first night there. We got there a little late in the afternoon to do anything but get set up after which we got our grill going and enjoyed a delicious steak dinner. The next morning we went on a couple trails and just enjoyed the beautiful fall colors and we lucked out because the buffalo were close to the ranger station. It was quiet our entire stay and the weather cooperated except for some wind and a little rain. Definitely will be coming back!


Drive Time


Guide to Hartford

Camping near Hartford, South Dakota, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to set up your tent or park your RV.

What to do:

  • Hiking Trails: Explore the beautiful trails at Blue Mounds State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "We went on a couple trails and just enjoyed the beautiful fall colors."
  • Wildlife Viewing: Check out the bison at Blue Mounds State Park Campground. A camper shared, "We could hear the Bison, wasn't able to see them but we could hear them."
  • Disc Golf: Enjoy a round of disc golf at Big Sioux Recreation Area. One reviewer said, "The disc golf course really took this park to the next level."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Palisades State Park Campground noted, "Bathrooms are SUPER CLEAN and there are two different bathroom and shower buildings."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A reviewer at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area mentioned, "Well spaced and clean RV sites."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Mitchell KOA said, "The entire team was very friendly."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or activities. A visitor at Sioux Falls KOA mentioned, "Lots of noise since it’s off the highway."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive amenities. A reviewer at Lake Mitchell Campground pointed out, "I did not rate it 5 stars because it does not have a lot of amenities."
  • Reservations Recommended: It’s a good idea to book your spot ahead of time, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Dakota Campground said, "Reservation was a snap to make, and the price was outstanding."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. One family at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park said, "It was an absolute blast for our kids with plenty of activities to keep them entertained."
  • Swimming Areas: Choose campgrounds with swimming options. A visitor at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area mentioned, "Clean beach, spacious spots for our 35' camper."
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Make sure to set expectations for quiet hours. A camper at Palisades State Park Campground noted, "Park employees walk the park on foot in the dark at the 11pm to enforce quiet time."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Big Sioux Recreation Area said, "Sites are big and roomy."
  • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds that offer full hookups for convenience. A camper at Mitchell KOA mentioned, "They have a pool, and mini golf."
  • Be Prepared for Weather: Check the forecast before you go. A visitor at Lake Mitchell Campground noted, "Older bathroom/shower, but it was very clean."

Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, the campgrounds near Hartford, SD, have something for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hartford, SD is Lake Vermillion Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.

  • What parks are near Hartford, SD?

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