Best Tent Camping near Interior, SD
Looking for the best options for tent camping near Interior? Find the best tent camping sites near Interior. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Interior's most popular destinations.
Best Tent Sites Near Interior, SD (5)
1. Baja Area Dispersed - Buffalo Gap National Grassland
Interior, South Dakota7 Reviews•25 Photos•177 SavesThere is only one small developed recreation area on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. The National Grassland Visitor Center is located in Wall, South Dakota. This site provides the history behind the system of the National Grasslands located across the West.
While there is only one developed campground, there are plenty of open spaces to camp. Bring your horse, your bicycle or your OHV and spend some quiet time in the wide open spaces of the Grassland.
Overnight camping in developed sites is on a first-come, first-served basis. Campfires are allowed unless restrictions are posted. Red Cloud Campground site features 13 sites with picnic tables and fire grates, and a vault toilet. From Chadron, NE travel eight miles south of on U.S. Highway 385 to the campground.
Backcountry, dispersed or primitive camping (no facilities) is allowed anywhere on the National Forest.
Practicing Leave No Trace principles ensures that the next person to visit will have the same sense of discovery as those who came before.
The seven principles are:
Plan ahead and prepare, Camp and travel on durable surfaces, Dispose of waste properly, Leave what you find, Minimize campfire impacts, Respect wildlife, Be considerate of other visitors.
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
2. Backcountry Camping — Badlands National Park
Be the first to review!Badlands National Park, South Dakota•4 SavesPermits are not currently required for overnight stays in the Badlands backcountry. Before setting out on an overnight trip contact a staff member at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center or Pinnacles Entrance Station for more information. Backcountry registers are located at the Medicine/Castle Trail Loop, Saddle Pass Trailhead, Conata Picnic Area, Sage Creek Basin Overlook, and the Sage Creek Campground.
Campfires are not allowed under any circumstances. Use a backpacking stove.
Pets are not permitted on trails, in backcountry, or wilderness areas.
The location of your campsite must be at least 0.5 miles from a road or trail and must not be visible from a roadway.
There is little to no water available in the backcountry. The small amounts of water found are not drinkable or filterable due to the high sediment content. Always carry at least one gallon of water per person per day.
All refuse must be carried out. Use the cat hole method to dispose of human waste. Dig a small hole 6 to 8 inches deep and a minimum of 200 feet from any water source. Since animals will often dig up cat holes and scatter the toilet paper, it is preferred that you pack out all toilet paper. If you must bury toilet paper, use a minimal amount and bury with at least 6 inches of soil.
Strain food particles from wastewater, pack out food scraps, and scatter remaining water more than 200 feet from any stream channel.
- Tents
- Dispersed
Recent Tent Reviews in Interior
542 Reviews of 5 Interior Campgrounds
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Alex P.
Traveler
Sage Creek Campground
Where the Buffalo Roam
Stayed here one night. No running water. Trash and picnic tables. Two vault toilets are located at each end of the campground. No cell service. It's winter and snowed early the morning I arrived to Badlands, so had the place to myself. Park rangers did rounds a couple of times during the day. Plenty of Buffalo crossing the road, roaming about, hanging out in surrounding hillside trees. Saw a fox, heard the howling wolves at night. Quiet and peaceful this time of year.
- AAlex P.Traveler
Sage Creek Basin Camp
Stunning Views at Overlook
This location is Sage Creek Basin Overlook and trailhead. It is beautiful up here at higher elevation. 4g and 5g cell service is available here on Tmobile. There are no toilets. The two toilets, one at each end of the campground, are located a few miles away at Sage Creek Campground. A few fellow park tourists stopped to see the views and hike. I spent two nights here.
- AAlexa M.
ScoutSage Creek Campground
Quiet, good stargazing
Easy to access gravel drive; clean outhouse; can’t believe more people don’t use this spot.
laura S.
GuideSage Creek Campground
Pretty good for free!
Spent one night here after exploring the park. less than a third full in early november. vault toilets clean-ish. wide open spaces, not really any privacy here. pretty sunrise.
- laura S.Guide
Little White River Reservoir
Convenient to refuge, a bit worn out
Pulled in at dusk, had the place to ourselves. Absolutely beautiful. Only one site in the campground had a bit of level ground. Pit toilets pretty clean, though one had a door that wouldn’t close. Someone pulled in late and started a long process of what looked like processing a goose - a bit unnerving. woke to hunters on the dam. probably wouldn’t stay here again. a couple of sites further down the road. this place is probably thick with mosquitos in the warmer months
- SScott D.Guide
Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping
Great Camping / Views
This is a great dispersed site right next to The Badlands National Park. In October, there were only about 20 campers at most (lots of available space). The views from here are amazing, as well as sunrise and sunset. It can get quite windy. Very quiet!
- AAnastasia W.Scout
Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping
Great Views
This was an our first time dispersed camping so we weren’t sure exactly what to expect. There were lots of campers (probably 20 other cars), but the views are unmatched. Waking up at dawn and watching the sunrise over the Badlands is breathtaking! Really easy access. We saw people with all size trailers parked. Lots of space to spread out. Not much for privacy, but with views like that, who cares!
Lisa B.GuideSage Creek Campground
Breathtaking & Best Smelling Bathrooms
My boy Palo and I camped in my Outback for a night. It was a great experience. They have the cleans best smelling bathrooms I have venture into.
stephen W.GuideBuffalo Gap Dispersed Camping
Outside the Badlands/trip tip
Loved the close proximity to the badlands literally just down the road from the scenic loop. Plenty of spaces this time of year had my pic. Only downside was the wind which died down in the evening. Stars were fantastic. Wall drug had free water. Oh and I came in from Mitchell SD from the east and skipped the highway and took HWY 248 which runs paralell but I had the road to myself for 2 hours what a peace scenic ride.
Lisa M.
Ranger
Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park
Amazing scenery
Spent two nights here in the Butte loop. Tried to make reservations on the same day, but they weren’t available to do so I had to just show up and hope there was a site available. We lucked out and got the last electric site. The one quirky thing about the campground is all of the sites are sort of parallel park. So your door will open up onto the pavement. Only paid $46 for two nights thanks to the hubby’s senior pass. Park itself is amazing with beautiful views and we also got to see some Buffalo. The visitor center has a nice gift shop and displays. Showers were $.50 for four minutes and $.75 for six minutes although I only got five minutes for my $.75 and I had a lukewarm water. There is a dump station available as well as potable water.
- PPaul K.Guide
The Wall Boondocking Dispersed
Can’t get better than free
Great spot, lots of campers here, but still found a spot. Watch out for grumpy old coot who parks right where everyone drives in and then tells you to slow down coz it’s too dusty. Hey mate drive further in and there’s no traffic! Duh.
michael V.GuideThe Wall Boondocking Dispersed
Great views, easy to get to
A lot of campers of all kinds as it is free and right outside the park but it’s easy to get to and views are amazing. Regardless of the amount of people there tons of area to set up so doubtful someone won’t get a spot.
- Ken G.Guide
Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping
Beautiful view from top of cliff, but windy
We camped here on a Sunday night. Lots of campers along a road which was about 6 miles long along the top of a cliff. We thought we found a nice spot away from others, but two huge campers pulled in after dinner right next to us on the opposite side of the road. Beautiful view of the badlands and we enjoyed watching the sunset from our site. After we went to bed, the wind picked up big time and howled for several hours. It was strong enough to shake the trailer. It died down before midnight. You can't really hike down into the badlands from the cliff so the only place to walk is along the top of the cliff past the other campers. No services, but free.
- Ken G.Guide
Sage Creek Campground
Hot and dry, buffalo wandered through the camp
This was a free site in the Badlands. It's a dirt road to get there, washboards, but OK.
The cg is in a prairie dog town so we kept the dog close.
It was full on a Saturday night in September, but we got one of the last sites. Very basic campground with a few trails to hike. Views were OK, but nothing great.
Buffalo wandered through camp at dinner time. We basically camped on the road that circles the campground.
Some picnic tables had a shade covering. Pit toilets were clean.
- Jeff M.Traveler
Sage Creek Campground
Base to the Badlands
Great location to set out to explore the Badlands? Low reception with Verizon in the valley bye still have good contact. Great reception, small hike to the top of the hill.
- Jeff M.Traveler
Sage Creek Campground
Great location for a base, to explore the Badlands
Free dispersed camping, with clean vault toilets. no water or power you will have to bring your own. Quiet and tranquil location, Surrounded by prairie dogs as you sit in the valley with low rolling hills around you.
- KKarstenTraveler
Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park
Good place to stay
We stayed for 2 nights in the group loop. At first we were sure about the quality of the site - the group loop also serves as the entrance to the dump site - but we’re convinced the site is great. Our site faces into the badlands with a great view, it is very quiet and you are very private (there were no groups around us). The campground is very clean and every evening there is program prepared by the rangers as well as a presentation of the stars.
We would always come back here.
Jennifer H.
Legend
Sleepy Hollow Campground
Across the street from wall drug
It’s a nice place heading east or west to land for the night. We’ve stayed at sleepy hollow before and find it and the proximity to wall drug a fun landing stop for the night on our trek across SD. Dinner, ice cream and splash pad fun at wall drug is the perfect end to a day on the road for our family.
- Kelly V.Traveler
The Wall Boondocking Dispersed
Not just another brick in the wall
Fabulous! Views and several spaces both on the edge of grassland dropping off into the badlands wall and farther back. At least 25 campers there last night. It was breathtaking. Do be prepared for I tense wi d; this is prairie with no trees to cut wind. Well worth a visit.
ron R.RangerBuffalo Gap Dispersed Camping
simply amazing views and a perfect ballance of sun and wind to keep it grea
I camping here from 8/15 to 8/21. Far, the weather has been amazing. I moved spots about 3 days in. The first spot was great except for Cell Service (t-mobile) that exact spot was a dead spot. After moving south one spot about 60 feet, i went from 1-2mb/s to 40-60mb/s. Roads are rough but do-able I am pulling a 29ft toyhauler with a Chevy silverado 1500. I cecomend taking the north entrance or if taking the main (by Radio towers) then turn left when you get to the wall.
Chris P.GuideBuffalo Gap Dispersed Camping
free sunrise
Thursday night you August was busy. However, the sunrise the next morning made it worth the stop.
- MMarissa H.Scout
Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping
Super windy, not good for tents
We have stayed here twice, it was easy to find and lots of available spots but it’s just on a cliff’s edge so there are TONS of strong gusts of winds, it caused our tent to cave in and I ended up sleeping in the car. There was a goat, that was cool, but otherwise I don’t recommend for tent camping (go to sage creek campground, also free)
- MMarissa H.Scout
Sage Creek Campground
Good
I really liked this site, they had tables with shade, out house, flat ground, and compared to the dispersed camping wayyy less windy. We did not see bison today but there were prairie dogs
- Erica L.Scout
Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park
Very cool place to camp
Loved the Badlands in the background. No trees or privacy, but was nice to be camping in the Badlands. We went in July and it was very hot (100) and super windy. Not ideal for a popup with no a/c.
Elise V.TravelerThe Wall Boondocking Dispersed
Favorite Dispersed Campsite EVER!
Gorgeous site! Very popular site with neighbors close by, but ours were very kind and friendly! We got lucky and didn’t have any problems with wind. Enjoyed the sunrise and sunset from this spot!
- SStephanie W.Guide
The Wall Boondocking Dispersed
Loved my night here!
I loved camping at this spot! It was easy to find, and even though there was a good amount of people there it was spaced out and I felt comfortable. There is zero privacy, so be prepared for that. If you’re in a tent also be prepared because it is extremely windy at night! Even my little teardrop was shaking. But the view is incredible and the sunrise was stunning.
- AAPK'sScout
Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park
A Scenic Retreat in Badlands National Park
Cedar Pass Campground in Badlands National Park offers 96 scenic sites with amenities like flush toilets and summer coin-operated showers. Located near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, it provides a great base for exploring the park. Reviews highlight its beautiful views and convenient facilities.
Guide to Interior
Tent camping near Interior, South Dakota offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in stunning natural landscapes while enjoying the tranquility of the outdoors.
Tent campers appreciate these amenities
- The Baja Area Dispersed - Buffalo Gap National Grassland provides a wide-open space with no reservations required, allowing for a spontaneous camping experience.
- At Backcountry Camping — Badlands National Park, campers can enjoy a truly remote experience, perfect for those looking to escape the crowds and connect with nature.
- Brooks Memorial Park offers drinking water, making it a convenient stop for those needing to replenish supplies during their stay.
Tent campers like these nearby activities
- The Baja Area Dispersed - Buffalo Gap National Grassland is ideal for stargazing, with its expansive skies providing breathtaking views of the night stars.
- Hiking enthusiasts will find Backcountry Camping — Badlands National Park a perfect base for exploring rugged trails and scenic vistas.
- Wildlife watching is a highlight at Baja Area Dispersed - Buffalo Gap National Grassland, where you might spot various species in their natural habitat.
Tips for tent camping near Interior
- Be prepared for a lack of amenities at Backcountry Camping — Badlands National Park, as it requires you to bring all your supplies and gear for a self-sufficient experience.
- Mosquitoes can be a nuisance at Baja Area Dispersed - Buffalo Gap National Grassland, so pack insect repellent to ensure a comfortable stay.
- For a quieter experience, consider visiting Brooks Memorial Park during weekdays when there are fewer visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Interior, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Interior, SD is Baja Area Dispersed - Buffalo Gap National Grassland with a 4.4-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Interior, SD?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Interior, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.