Looking for the best dispersed camping near Hot Springs? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your South Dakota camping adventure.
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed on most of the Forest for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period. However, around developed reservoirs and campgrounds, camping is allowed only in designated areas. Check with the closest Forest Service office for specific information.
General rules:
Camp 100 feet away from any creek or stream and 1/2 mile away from developed recreation sites, including campgrounds and picnic areas. Motorized vehicles allowed 300 feet off of roads as shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (dots) for dispersed camping on the Black Hills National Forest. Around developed reservoirs and campgrounds, camping is allowed only in designated campsites. Can camp for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period. No open campfires in South Dakota portions of the national forest. Open campfires are permitted in Wyoming portions of the national forest, unless a special order prohibiting such is in effect. Check with the closest Forest Service office for more specific information about dispersed camping.
Traveler
I found the place easily and the spots were well apart from each other. The weather was great camping in the pine trees, very quiet and cozy. Will definitely camp at again.
Traveler
Lots of neat spots. The roads can be iffy. I would suggest scouting them first before dragging a trailer down them.
Traveler
Lots of cool spots if you can get to them. Once you leave the gravel the roads are hit and miss. You’re not taking a trailer down most of them if any.
Scout
Several spots along the Bob Marshall camp road to pull off and camp. We went a bit more off the path by turning right, going up past a water treatment plant and parking near the end of the road. It was secluded and pretty. Lots of coyotes in the area. No camp fires when we were there due to dry conditions. The road after the turn off was in rough shape. I wouldn’t take a trailer up it, but we were in a large SUV and it was just fine. A great place to disperse camp in the state park. We stayed two nights.
Traveler
Loved this area, saw many deer near sunset, very peaceful and quiet. Tent camping it was easy to find a site since we didn’t go too far, but if you have an big RV you might need to go further down the road. Otherwise very pretty especially with the creek right next to us.
Guide
About 8-10 spots along the road, all flat and plenty of space for whatever you’re camping with. Chances are you’ll be a ways away from other campers. Great spots to get away from the crowded campgrounds.
TravelerThe road in was fairly easy to find and smooth. I drove all the way to the end of the road to check out the sites and turned around and went back to the one I liked the best. There was only one other camper set up down along the stream and the couple there looked comfortable. I chose a nice level turn out that I could drive my pickup and ATV trailer into and was able to drive through the spot so I didn't have to back in or out. It was a very pretty site next to the road and big enough for my 30' rig. It was level enough that it only took one block under one wheel of the ATV trailer I had my roof top tent mounted on. Traffic was light and only about half a dozen vehicles passed my site the evening I was there. No problem with dust from the traffic. There were signs that cattle were in the area but I didn't see any. Probably not a place you would want to spend a lot of time staying at unless you planned to use it as a base for hitting all the tourist spots around Deadwood and Keystone. The main problem is the sites are nearly all too small for more than one camper so if you are traveling with other campers you won't be able to park close together. The sites are fairly far apart, more suitable for lone campers looking for a spot to rest for a night or two. No amenities and cell service was hit or miss but the price was right (free). I would definitely stay here again if I was passing through the area.
Guide
Camping area near Mount Rushmore. I was able to find a camping area without a problem. The road does have some bumps in it but overall you do not need a four-wheel drive. The spot I camped at I was able to have decent Verizon signal however the area is a bit spotty for Verizon. The area seems to not allow for campfires. Trails nearby. One Trail is gated off and seems to mainly be a horse trail. Some of the camping spots seem to support larger vehicles. Also had a good view.
TravelerThis area seems to be pretty popular as it's close to Mount Rushmore and right off a main road but it's a nice, quiet area. Really enjoyed my stay here.
Road gets a bit rough once you get to the hill. Camp fires are not permitted.
Scout
I was able to drive to this spot easily in a car for a quick overnight stop. There is a section in the beginning that doesn't allow camping, but once you are farther back in it looks like there are several spots. No campfires. Verizon cellular worked there.
GuideThe sites are located about 2 miles from the main road at the top of the hill. It is a dusty gravel road in good condition. There are open areas and areas in the scattered pine trees. Great views. The traffic along the road is sparse. You don’t feel crowded but can see some other campers. Great area!
TravelerOne-vehicle site, clean, right off the road. You'll pass several private homes getting here but none yiu can see from here. Decent Verizon. Large dry tree trunk piles next to site and across road. Plenty of sky. No shade on vehicle but trees to put a chair under for shade. Quiet. Horse and rider came up behind me in the morning and passed around me without even looking at me.
TravelerHowever, there is a spot on outlaw ranch rd you see before outlaw ranch road the gps takes you to that is nice and enough back for more privacy. Others know of it too, and 2 more cars tried to pull in after dark. I turned on a light and they were cool about backing out. Sorry to be unable to be more specific, want to say this spot really nice.
ScoutI value the work you put into sharing your knowledge slope run
TravelerPretty area with several sites. Quite busy when we went but we did find a spot. No amenities but very quiet and easy to access. No bugs.
TravelerNice sites with campfire rings. Enjoyed the sunset. Nothing super fancy about this place but a nice location and flat sites!
TravelerDispersed Camping off the main road thru Custer State Park that is National Forest. Turn on the road that marks the Bob Marshall Camp. You pass a water treatment area and go thru the gate. It is open to vehicles in the summer and equestrian and hike in during the winter. Road is rough but was passable in our truck. We towed in a small teardrop but I wouldn't recommend a large rig. There are several areas to set up camp but pack in and pack out! No water sources spotted so bring enough in with you (didn't even see any water for filtering). Saw a preexisting stone fire pit from past campers too. Super quiet and near all the great things of Custer. We did experience biting flies. Coordinates: 43.7851324, -103.5041771
RangerThe pull off is at the exact coordinates given and it’s on the left. The bugs were not too bad, it was fairly peaceful with mild road traffic through the night, nothing special but good for the night. This is a single dispersed site.
Ranger
Nothing special, but the location is good ! Stayed at the first spot when you pull in because I didn’t want to take my sedan up either bumpy hills. Would recommend 4wd for any site other than 1
Traveler@basketball stars: Just a little detour off Needles Highway. Just a little way behind the trees. Performs its function without much fanfare. Since it is only a 5-minute drive, I recommend sleeping here the night before your hike of Black Elk Peak. Outage on Verizon's network.
TravelerThe ruts become somewhat steep once the entrance road terminates. There are plenty of spots to set up beforehand, but you might be able to drive around them. Only one other camper on the main road, so it's really peaceful. Great day hikes and exploration opportunities abound on this undulating landscape.
RangerVery close to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Rapid City and Hill City. Lake Sheridan was a great place to go cool off. Very dispersed camping. Pack in Pack out. No cell service. At first we didn’t think there was a spot to pull off and then found a perfect circular area for us in our travel trailer and our friends car camping. No fires allowed when we were there. We stayed 2 nights and planned to sight see so left our stuff and was never bothered.
GuideNice area, very wide open, 7 minutes from Mount Rushmore, but be careful if you have a small car, there are only 3 spots before the road starts to get very inaccessible without a 4x4. Also, campfire not allowed (I think) but looked like everybody was doing one (we did).
Flat, we didn’t run into any wildlife, and easy to set up a tent !
GuideThe turn off from the highway is easy to find. Smaller trailers or overlanding setups are best here. It may not be so kind for getting trailers turned around.
The access road is simple dirt and gravel with very little rough spots and no washboard on it.
Make sure you've got mosquito repellent.
The views and settings are plush, magical, quiet, with a small babbling stream winding through the forest, camp sites and meadows. There are no fires allowed and it's clearly posted.
I loved this place and was inspired to compose poetry overlooking a meadow with deer feeding in the morning. Absolutely beautiful! I'd stay here again and it felt safe too.
TravelerI absolutely loved camping here. I was in the second site in, and the road was totally fine getting there. All of the big dips and whatnot could be driven around, but I'm not sure about going further in than that.
The views were incredible, and it was secluded from other sites but not so much so that you're completely isolated if something bad were to happen. I felt very safe here as a female solo camper. I barely had some Verizon service - I could get the occasional text to send through but not much more than that. Also it wasn't buggy at all which was a huge plus!
GuideNeed a 4wd truck to get up the hill. Nice and flat when you get to the top. We stayed near the mine site sign and hunted for agate rocks. Cows were kinda loud in the evening before dark. But were quiet the rest of the night and into the morning. VERY remote nice that you are farther away from the gravel road. Lots of cow poop so if your not into walking around that don’t come up here. Wouldn’t recommend a car trying to get up the hill.
ScoutThis spot is very secluded. The main road was well maintained. However, the side roads can be tricky to navigate even with AWD. Tons of mosquitoes! Glad we had a screen on our EzUp. Bring lots of deet. Wildlife is everywhere big and small. Found Shot G*n shells in our site and heard gun shots in the distance. We felt a little uneasy. NOT A PLACE FOR CHILDREN. It would be very easy getting lost or hurt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Hot Springs, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hot Springs, SD is North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping with a 4.5-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Hot Springs, SD?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 dispersed camping locations near Hot Springs, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
