Campgrounds near Hartford, South Dakota offer basic accommodations with varying levels of amenities. The region features mature trees, hiking trails, and proximity to the Big Sioux River. Summer temperatures average 80-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons experience cooler nights that can drop into the 40s, making proper gear essential for comfort.
What to do
Trail hiking: Newton Hills State Park provides multiple hiking paths through wooded terrain. "Lots of great hiking trails" writes Gene S., adding that the park is "good" and "clean" with trails suitable for most skill levels.
Frisbee golf: Big Sioux Recreation Area offers a complete disc golf course that winds through the park. "They do have a Frisbee golf course," notes Tyson K., who stopped overnight during a drive to Iowa and appreciated this recreational option despite not having time to play.
Bike riding: The paved trails at Big Sioux Recreation Area provide excellent cycling opportunities. Trevor A. comments, "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!"
Stargazing: Newton Hills State Park offers excellent night sky viewing away from city lights. Victor E. notes the "Beautiful, quiet, shaded, level sites with plenty of space between" and specifically mentions "Great stargazing" as a highlight of his stay.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Union Grove State Park Campground features well-separated sites with good privacy. Austin and Natasha S. report, "Site was perfect for both an RV or a tent. They offer tent, back in, or pull through. We tent camped at a back in site across from both the play area and the shower rooms."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance standards at Union Grove State Park. "Definitely one of the cleanest most well kept campgrounds I've seen in a while. Shower rooms/bathrooms are immaculate, and smell so nice," according to Austin and Natasha S.
Natural setting: Newton Hills Campground provides a peaceful woodland environment. Cari E. notes, "The location is a hidden gem among a lot of farmland kind of in the middle of nowhere. It's actually really stunning. When you leave, be sure to take the little one lane road out back (from 1E toward the tower)—it's a magical little drive through the hills."
Helpful staff: The campground hosts at several locations receive positive mentions. At Union Grove State Park, Austin R. found "Campground/facilities are nice and clean, host is very friendly and helpful!"
What you should know
Equestrian options: While dedicated horse campgrounds near Hartford, South Dakota are limited, Union Grove State Park does accommodate equestrians. Leslie B. explains, "Two campgrounds within the park. Lower one is for horses. Upper is not." The park also features "horse trails" according to S U., making this one of the few horse-friendly camping options in the area.
Fee structure: Some campgrounds have complex fee systems. At Big Sioux Recreation Area, Tyson K. notes: "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."
Site selection: Big Sioux Recreation Area has varying site quality for tent campers. Carolyn M. reports, "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."
Seasonal considerations: Union Grove State Park remains open year-round with varying occupancy levels. Liz notes, "Nearly had the park to ourselves (end of October) and it was wonderful!" indicating late fall can be an excellent time to visit for those seeking solitude.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Newton Hills Campground offers good family amenities. Nicholas S. shares, "I had an amazing time at Newton Hills Campground 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."
Kid-friendly trails: Newton Hills has some trail limitations. Zach E. notes, "Everything was great. There are plenty of parks and paved roadways to wander around on. The only thing that could be improved would be more established, kid-friendly trails into the woods."
Activity planning: The W.H. Lyon Fairground offers basic camping close to city attractions. Carrie F. describes it as "Bare bones convenience" but notes its "Convenient location to a lot of attractions, stores, and restaurants."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise issues. At Union Grove State Park, Leslie B. mentions, "Convenient to the interstate, but that also means some highway noise if you are not in a hard sided camper."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Big Sioux Recreation Area offers sites with electricity but limited water access. Carol J. reports, "Site was level. Trees surrounding area. Electric hook up but no water. Flush toilets with showers very nice."
Site spacing: Look for sites with adequate separation between neighbors. At Big Sioux Recreation Area, Trevor A. notes, "the spots are nice and spread out," which is important for larger RVs requiring more space.
Leveling requirements: Most campgrounds have reasonably level sites, but preparation is recommended. At Newton Hills, Sally C. advises, "Many campsites are almost full sun—so have your shade structure ready."
Extended stay potential: Riding with S. found Union Grove State Park Campground so enjoyable they extended their visit: "I liked this campground so much, I stayed 5 nights instead of 2. Small, cozy, shady campground, awesome camp hosts, private restrooms/showers, nice playground for kids. 30& 50 amp service, dump station."
