Badlands camping options near Interior, South Dakota range from amenity-rich established campgrounds to remote sites with minimal facilities. The region experiences extreme temperature variations with summer highs regularly exceeding 100°F and winter lows well below freezing. The semi-arid climate means limited tree coverage at most campsites, creating challenges for shade during peak summer months.
What to do
**Nighttime stargazing: The Badlands area offers exceptional dark sky viewing opportunities. At Badlands / White River KOA, camper Anne G. recommends, "I would definitely recommend going star gazing at night in the Badlands. It's one of the best places to see the stars!"
**Wildlife observation: Early mornings provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper at Badlands / White River KOA described hearing "coyotes and other animals out in the hills and the river nearby. It was very peaceful."
**Swimming: During summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, pool access becomes essential. According to Zach H., "The pool was over chlorinated but was clean and well kept," providing necessary relief from the heat.
What campers like
**Strategic location: Woodland Ranch offers proximity to numerous regional attractions. Terry notes, "We are near the North American Pole of Inaccessibility, making this one of the most remote regions of the continent... but you'll still get cell service!"
**Breakfast options: Many campers appreciate having nearby dining when glamping near Interior, South Dakota. One visitor at Badlands / White River KOA shared, "What did rock was how close we were to one of two restaurants in Interior. They had great coffee and good breakfast! We went every morning."
**Varied accommodation options: The glamping scene near Interior provides alternatives when traditional camping proves unavailable. Elizabeth G. recalls, "We traveled straight from Michigan to the Badlands with plans to camp in the park, however, the National Park was full. Within minutes this KOA had a site reserved for us at a cheaper rate, with better amenities and shade."
What you should know
**Mosquito preparation: Summer visitors should pack appropriate insect protection. Brian W. warns, "Pack deet bug spray and long sleeves. This year was a wet one and everywhere in the Badlands is mosquito heaven."
**Bathroom facilities: While most established campgrounds provide restroom access, quality varies significantly. As Janet P. noted about Badlands / White River KOA, "The bathrooms were okay. They frequently were backed up."
**After-hours arrival: Many campgrounds accommodate late check-ins. Samuel V. explains, "Arrived after hours to our packet waiting for us with directions to our designated camp site."
Tips for camping with families
**Recreational options: When selecting family-friendly glamping near Interior, South Dakota, consider available activities. Anne G. appreciated that Badlands / White River KOA "had options for kids like mini golf, bikes, unfortunately we came after season but they do have a very big pool!"
**Protected tent areas: For families tent camping, look for designated sections. Andrew S. describes a useful feature at Badlands / White River KOA: "One thing that was pretty cool was an area called the 'wagon wheel'. It was an area for tents that is walled off and has a kitchenette area available."
**Cabin accommodations: For families seeking more structure than traditional camping, cabins provide comfortable alternatives. Hannah S. confirms, "This KOA is located near the Badlands and provides excellent cabins and facilities. They also have options such as breakfast, dinner, pool, and a camp store!"
Tips from RVers
**Phone reservations: RVers recommend calling ahead to secure appropriate sites. Samuel V. noted, "Staff were very helpful with the phone reservation."
**Electrical considerations: Power availability varies between campgrounds and specific sites. One camper mentioned, "I do wish they had a different spot for tent campers and vehicle campers because we didn't have electrical capacity because we were surrounded by RVs."
**Pull-through availability: For larger vehicles, specific sites offer easier access. According to Zach H., "The pull through sites in the back of the park were huge."
