Best Campgrounds near Hot Springs, SD

The Black Hills region surrounding Hot Springs, South Dakota features diverse camping options within a landscape of thermal springs, rolling prairie, and forested hills. Elk Mountain Campground in Wind Cave National Park offers year-round camping with both tent and RV sites, providing access to unique cave systems and wildlife viewing. Allen Ranch Campground along Fall River provides riverside camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and unique accommodations including tipis and glamping options. Angostura Recreation Area, located just south of Hot Springs, offers lakeside camping with boat access. The area serves as a strategic base for exploring nearby attractions including Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, and the natural hot springs that give the town its name.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this region. South Dakota weather can change rapidly, with summer thunderstorms common and significant temperature variations between seasons. As one camper noted, "The Fall River is fed by hot springs so the water stays nice and just slightly chilled. Almost feels like getting into a heated pool." Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with the Hot Springs KOA and several private campgrounds open from April through October, while others like Cottonwood Springs and Elk Mountain remain open year-round. Cell service varies considerably throughout the area, with limited connectivity in more remote locations such as Wind Cave National Park. Advance reservations are strongly recommended during summer months and especially during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August.

Wildlife viewing opportunities rank highly in visitor reviews of the area's campgrounds. Bison, elk, and prairie dogs are commonly spotted, particularly in Wind Cave National Park where, as one visitor advised, "Keep your distance from wildlife. Wildlife is wild here even if it looks tame. Bison can run up to 35 miles per hour." Campgrounds vary significantly in amenities, from primitive sites with basic facilities to full-service RV parks with hookups, showers, and laundry facilities. Many campers use Hot Springs as a convenient base camp for regional exploration. According to one reviewer, "We made day trips to visit the Badlands, Wall Drug Store, Wind Cave and Mount Rushmore." The town's natural hot springs provide additional recreation opportunities, with several public soaking areas available in town at Brookside Park.

Best Camping Sites Near Hot Springs, South Dakota (167)

    1. Elk Mountain Campground — Wind Cave National Park

    44 Reviews
    Pringle, SD
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 745-4600

    $24 - $45 / night

    "Passing through South Dakota rests a very unique park unlike any other you will find.    "

    "This campground is centrally locates to some great activities in South Dakota. We made day trips to visit the Badlands, Wall Drug Store, Wind Cave and Mount Rushmore."

    2. Hot Springs / Black Hills KOA

    15 Reviews
    Hot Springs, SD
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 745-6449

    "Close proximity to Hot Springs. There were other campers that were quite noisy at night well after quiet time."

    "Clean, quiet campground tucked away in the beautiful Black Hills"

    3. Angostura Recreation Area — Angostura Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    Hot Springs, SD
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 710-2267

    "Nice walk ways all around the lake. Clean, clear water that is good for riding on the boat, tubing, and kayaking."

    "Great access to the lake, beautiful views of the sunset. Clean showers and sights. There are a lot of bugs, so be prepared. Would definitely stay here again."

    4. Blue Bell Campground — Custer State Park

    35 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 255-4515

    "Blue Bell Campground truly captures the essence of a classic camping experience, with its beautiful surroundings and well-maintained facilities."

    "This is closest to the southern entrance. We had bison herds South of us and North. We never managed to make it East where the long trail is, which seems to be known for wildlife."

    5. Cold Brook Lake Campground

    8 Reviews
    Hot Springs, SD
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 745-5476

    $18 / night

    "Campground Review: This location is great if you are looking to be close to Hot Springs, Wind Cave, and Custer State park. It is located just north of town and just South of Wind Cave’s entrance."

    "Walked around lake and it was beautiful. So quiet and peaceful. Wish we stayed more nights! Dumpsters, restrooms, fire rings and nice grass. You gotta stay here!"

    6. Allen Ranch Campground

    8 Reviews
    Hot Springs, SD
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 745-1890

    $25 - $130 / night

    "The Fall River is fed by hot springs so the water stays nice and just slightly chilled."

    "Close to town and near a peaceful stream.. Owner is very nice."

    7. Hidden Lake Campground and Resort

    6 Reviews
    Hot Springs, SD
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (605) 745-4042

    $38 - $57 / night

    "It’s close to town (we biked to explore the beautiful town, parks, mammoth exhibit, and farmers market) campground is gorgeous, with a sweet little private lake that’s great for a swim."

    "Good places to sit and enjoy the sunrise over the ridge, nice walk around the pond with water so clear you can see the bottom 12 ft down and watch the fish like you're at Bass Pro."

    8. Cottonwood Springs Campground

    6 Reviews
    Hot Springs, SD
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 745-5476

    $18 / night

    "Bathroom with flush toilet and sink and drinking water faucet outside. Dry camping only."

    "The bathhouse has an outside marked potable water spigot. The lake is below the campsite and not accessible without a steep hike down. The lake access is 5min drive down the main road."

    9. Game Lodge Campground — Custer State Park

    27 Reviews
    Keystone, SD
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 255-4515

    $26 - $55 / night

    "This campground is open year round and is located in Custer State Park, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Features cabin, camper, and tent sites."

    "The second morning we woke up to bison all along the fence next to the campground!"

    10. Stockade North Campground — Custer State Park

    28 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 255-4515

    $30 / night

    "Campground Review:

    The Stockade Lake North Campground is located just inside the west entrance to Custer State Park in Custer, South Dakota."

    "There is a nice walking path that drops down to the lake from the south part of the campground. I literally walked across the road from SN33E and stepped on the trail to walk my dogs."

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Recent Reviews near Hot Springs, SD

1187 Reviews of 167 Hot Springs Campgrounds


  • Kara S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Dispersed Camping near Calumet Road

    Serene and peaceful

    Calm ur road itself is gravel but then you can diverge on one of the forest service roads. We went down a few of them until we found our spot. It had a fire ring and was fairly open for starlink access. Very quiet and peaceful. Found a few spots with no one near it for a bit.

  • Tom D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Stockade North Campground — Custer State Park

    Nice Wooded Sites Centrally Located

    We stayed here two nights because of the five stars. It does not have a dump station nor sewer and water sites. So I edited the amenities. In the future I will verify dump stations on the host site. Electric and some non-electric sites and with two campground spigots accessible from the road only. We arrived after 6 nights of boondocking and were disappointed with the inaccuracy of the amenities. Over all it is a nice campground with a good amount of room between most sites and quiet. Close to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Jewel Cave, and Wind Cave. Plus some great drives.

  • James W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Elk Mountain Campground — Wind Cave National Park

    Better than Expected

    This is a small, but clean National Park Campground.  The sites were mowed, which was nice given the notice about the presence of prairie rattlers in the area. Our site was also small, and not particularly level (although better than some of the sites near us).  We had to pull into the site in the "wrong" direction so our van opened to the campsite rather than the road.  There was no dumping station either (pro tip - Hot Springs, the nearest town, has a free town dumping station and potable water station).  Wind Cave was a beautiful park and the tour and tour guide ranger were fantastic.  We saw more bison at Wind Cave than Yellowstone, Tetons, and Glacier combined.

  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Blue Bell Campground — Custer State Park

    Blue Bell Campground

    This is a nice, reasonably priced campground for RVs, tents, and cabin rentals. Have various activities, a general store, lodge, and café. There are electrical hookups but no sewer or water hookups at each campsite. Dump station with potable water available. My wife and I enjoyed it and would stay again.

  • Joseph H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Rafter J Bar Ranch

    Peaceful Campground

    I really liked this campground. It was very clean and well maintained. I especially liked that they had a security vehicle that roved the area to ensure everyone was following the rules. Nothing ruins a good camping trip faster than rowdy loud neighbors. We had good overhead tree cover at our spot, a fire pit, and full service hookups.

  • Susan D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Whispering Pines Campground & Cabins

    Great for what we needed

    We just stayed at this campground for a couple of nights, but we hadn't had full hook ups for over a month. Kind of packed in here, but we needed a place to scout from, so this was perfect. Site are big enough to accommodate most Amy size rig. And they take packages here!

  • A
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Holy Smoke Resort

    Great option!

    We are loving it! There’s a little town right next to the campground, A LOT of helicopters flying overhead during the day. Mount Rushmore is very close. Full hookups, excellent wifi signal!

    The spaces are a little cramp for my liking but there are some more farther spots that you could choose.

    There’s no laundry mat in the camp but there’s one at the little town.

    We came for a few days only and we end up staying longer because there’s so much to do around here! And the weather is amazing!

  • Raqim B.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Big Pine Campground

    Relaxing place

    Big Pine Campground is such a relaxing place to stay—tucked away in the pines but still close to everything in the Black Hills. The campsites are spacious and clean, and the bathrooms and showers are kept in great shape, which makes a big difference after a day of exploring. The staff are super friendly and make you feel like an old friend, which really adds to the experience. I loved sitting by the fire at night and even saw deer wandering right through the campground. If you want a quiet getaway with a cozy, welcoming vibe, Big Pine Campground is the perfect spot.

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Guide to Hot Springs

Dispersed camping options around Hot Springs, South Dakota range from national park sites to state recreation areas within the Black Hills region. The area sits at approximately 3,400 feet elevation and experiences significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, even in summer months. Most campgrounds near Hot Springs open from April through October, though several maintain year-round operations with reduced amenities during winter.

What to do

Hike directly from camp: At Elk Mountain Campground, visitors can access hiking trails right from their sites. "Try hiking in the park, unlike many parks which only allow trail hiking this park encourages you to explore fully," shares one camper, who also warns to "keep your distance from wildlife. Wildlife is wild here even if it looks tame they are not!"

Fish at stocked lakes: The lakes around Hot Springs offer excellent fishing opportunities. At Cold Brook Lake Campground, "the lake has a large and beautiful swim beach and is perfect for a day on the water. It is a great lake for fishing. We were snagging them left and right," reports one visitor who enjoyed multiple recreational activities during their stay.

Explore caves and monuments: Within 30 minutes of Hot Springs, you can visit several national landmarks. "We made day trips to visit the Badlands, Wall Drug Store, Wind Cave and Mount Rushmore," notes one Elk Mountain camper who appreciated the central location for exploring regional attractions.

What campers like

Natural water features: Many campsites feature creeks or lakes that enhance the camping experience. At Allen Ranch Campground, "The Fall River is fed by hot springs so the water stays nice and just slightly chilled. Almost feels like getting into a heated pool," according to one visitor. The campground also provides "inner tubes FREE for the guests" for river floating.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campers frequently mention animal sightings as highlights. "We heard lots of animals through the night and loved it," shares one Elk Mountain visitor. Another camper at Hidden Lake Campground notes "a flock of wild turkeys that wander around the campground plus mule deer here and there," creating an immersive natural experience.

Peaceful surroundings: Many campgrounds offer quiet settings despite their accessibility. "Very scenic location. Had all the necessary hook ups. Very friendly employees that actually escorted us to our camping spot," reports one visitor to Hot Springs KOA, highlighting the balance of amenities and natural setting.

What you should know

Weather variability: The Black Hills region experiences rapid weather changes. "We visited cascade falls while we were camped there as well as kidney springs. Felt very close to nature. Bugs were bad but incense sticks and Citronella coils did the job," shares a camper at Angostura Recreation Area, noting both natural attractions and practical challenges.

Seasonal limitations: While some campgrounds operate year-round, amenities vary by season. "We paid for full hookup but electricity cut off at 8 in all campgrounds. Probably a glitch," notes one Angostura visitor who camped in early October when most facilities were closed for the season.

Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer. "Tent, RV sites as well as camping cabins. Horse stables and trail rides onsite. Walking distance to store and excellent restaurant," explains a Blue Bell Campground visitor, describing amenities worth booking ahead for.

Tips for camping with families

Look for water recreation: Kids particularly enjoy campgrounds with swimming and boating options. "The lake is great for boats if you prefer to bring one," notes an Angostura camper, adding "I love that the marina isn't too far from the tent sites and they do have lots of trees to help keep your tent well shaded during the heat of the day."

Consider educational opportunities: Many campgrounds offer ranger programs. "The jr. Ranger programs were great for our girls and we enjoyed the learning," shares a visitor to Blue Bell Campground, recommending the educational activities available for children at certain sites.

Select sites with play spaces: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds or recreation areas. "What did I love about this KOA? It was quiet. I read and roamed around watching birds and picking up rocks while the kids were occupied with the pool and playing free putt-putt," explains one family camper at Hot Springs KOA.

Tips from RVers

Consider site leveling needs: Many campgrounds in the Black Hills region have uneven terrain. "The sites were gravel, open with some ponderosa pines," notes one camper at Blue Bell Campground, while another RVer at Cottonwood Springs adds, "If you are in an RV, levelers are a must."

Check for size restrictions: Some campground roads have limitations. "Our site was a bit unlevel, but very scenic and shady. Only one other site was close to ours, and luckily, no one was in it over that weekend," explains a Stockade Lake visitor, adding that "we did watch two large rigs struggle to back in their vehicles due to the narrow, curved campground roads."

Verify dump station availability: Not all campgrounds with RV sites offer dump stations. "There is a dump station about a mile down the road in town that was free (donation appreciated)," notes an Allen Ranch camper who found the on-site station inaccessible due to overhanging trees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Hot Springs, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, Hot Springs, SD offers a wide range of camping options, with 167 campgrounds and RV parks near Hot Springs, SD and 27 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Hot Springs, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hot Springs, SD is Elk Mountain Campground — Wind Cave National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 44 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hot Springs, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 free dispersed camping spots near Hot Springs, SD.

What parks are near Hot Springs, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Hot Springs, SD that allow camping, notably Wind Cave National Park and Black Hills National Forest.