Best Tent Camping near Lake City, SD

Tent camping options near Lake City, South Dakota are limited, with the closest established tent campgrounds located in neighboring North Dakota. Wyndemere Rock Garden County Park and Mooreton City Park offer basic tent camping facilities within reasonable driving distance. Both parks operate seasonally, with Wyndemere Rock Garden County Park typically open from April to October, providing primitive tent sites for visitors seeking camping experiences in the region.

Tent campers should note that these campgrounds have minimal amenities. Neither location offers drinking water, toilets, or trash services, requiring campers to pack in all necessary supplies and pack out all waste. Fire restrictions apply at both parks, as fires are not permitted at either location. The absence of reservable sites means all camping is first-come, first-served, which may present challenges during peak summer months. Campers must be self-sufficient, bringing adequate water supplies and preparing for primitive conditions.

The camping experience at these locations offers basic accommodations for tent campers seeking simplicity. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, visitors should prepare for minimal facilities and bring everything needed for their stay. The parks do not allow pets, alcohol, or generators, creating quieter environments for tent camping. Neither location is designated as big-rig friendly, making them more suitable for traditional tent setups rather than larger camping arrangements. Weather conditions can vary significantly throughout the camping season, with spring bringing potential for rain and fall offering cooler temperatures. Campers should check current conditions before planning their trip, as seasonal factors may affect site accessibility and comfort.

Best Tent Sites Near Lake City, South Dakota (2)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Lake City, SD

51 Reviews of 2 Lake City Campgrounds


  • J
    Jun. 1, 2019

    Hartford Beach State Park Campground

    This place is trimmed to the 9s

    Very friendly staff, very well kept. The showers & other facilities we're cleaned every morning. Maybe more. It is clean At 21.00 it is a bargain. The sites all have electricity, picnic tables & fire ring. Lots of firewood available for donations. Nice place on South Dakota side of Big Stone lake.

  • Katie L.
    Jul. 15, 2024

    Hankinson Hills Campground

    Beautiful stay in the grasslands

    Well maintained campground, has water and multiple vault toilets. There’s a loop for horse camping and a loop for non horse camping. Each site has a fire ring and a nice table, most spaces have trees to provide shade. Verizon works okay, not great but I had a bar or two. Can hear trains running by every so often. Only downside was the abundance of biting flies and mosquitoes.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2020

    Chamber of Commerce Campground - Webster

    Serves it purpose

    This is your basic campground in the middle of town when your visiting nearby or passing through . There are no campground activities or amenities...well, there is a dump area and potable water spigot. No shade, no toilets, no shower. But it’s free ;) Grass, electric hook up , the picnic tables are a little worse for wear. And DO NOT CLEAN YOUR FISH in the campground or on the tables please. Useful but not a destination campground !

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2024

    Hankinson Hills Campground

    Great place to overnight

    There are gorgeous sites well spaced and lots of shade. Trails to bike ride around. No motorized vehicles allowed so it's quiet. Road in was good gravel. Picnic tables, fire rings and pit toilets. $10 / night. Great find.

  • Neil T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2021

    Hartford Beach State Park Campground

    Uncrowded and Beautiful

    Vibe: Almost empty on Monday night. Quiet natural lake setting. 

    Cleanliness: Exceptional. 

    Facilities: Updated and well maintained. 

    General spots: Good size, good spacing, ok privacy. Lots of trees 

    Our site: 20. Across from our site was a little trail down to the lake. In the evening we saw tons of fish and an otter. The electric hook up is pretty far from the picnic table/fire ring area. Have a long cord. 

    Noise: Only 4 sites were occupied out of 30 or so. Completely quiet all evening. 

    Cell signal: Good (Verizon)

    Other: Spectacular sunsets and sunrises. Cell phone pictures do not do it justice.

  • Always C.
    May. 27, 2021

    Hankinson City Park

    Small town park

    4 grass spots with 30 amp electric picnic table and trash cans. Dump station at the pay box but no water. Found a business that let us fill our tanks. Bathroom across from the sites. Quiet park very nicely kept. Laundry mat across the street. Would stay here again.

  • G
    Jul. 15, 2018

    County Line Campground

    Nice people with helpful suggestions

    This is a welcoming experience with hosts who are happy to make your stay comfortable. It is near a very small town and close to the Interstate (less than one mile). The pull through sites are somewhat close together with no foliage to offer privacy but it is clean and well kept. We decided to stay in a back-in site further away from the office and pull through sites. Before we were even set up the host had brought us a beautiful, little picnic table and set it out front for us. They gave us leaflets about the area and we talked fishing possibilities with them. They have laundry and showers available as well as bait, ice, and I think even propane. We extended our stay here as it was a great place to just chill and take some exploratory drives. Although there isn't much shade to offer protection from the sun, they do have full hook ups so we could run air conditioning. We would definitely stay here again.

  • Ason S.
    Aug. 26, 2020

    Hartford Beach State Park Campground

    Nice place!

    This was a nice find! Sites pretty close together, especially those in the middle. Some, however, were right on the lake or had paths that lead to a picnic table & fire ring closer to the water. As another reviewer mentioned, one of the loops has sites that are not very level. It was not a problem though. Trails seemed nice & it was a nice surprise to find the dock & bridge near our site. Beach was nice! It was a decent walk there, but at least had a trail to the beach. Nice playground too.

  • Jillian S.
    Aug. 6, 2018

    Big Stone Lake State Park Campground

    Quiet, clean state park

    Nice, clean campground. A few of the tent sites had lake views with even a few having short paths right to the waters edge. All sites are drive in with not much privacy in between, but it was enough for me. I stayed in site 9, but would probably choose site 14 for better views next time. Even though the dnr website says the office is open daily, the office at this campground is unmanned except for the weekend, and even then, limited hours. Bring change for firewood ($6). Not much for hiking paths. There is another section of the state park that's about 11 miles north. There is a beach and boat landing near the campground, although the lake was starting to look pretty scuzzy when I was there at the end of July.


Guide to Lake City

Tent camping near Lake City, South Dakota offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the tranquility of the great outdoors. With several options available, campers can find unique spots that cater to their needs.

Local Attractions for Tent Campers

  • Experience the stunning beauty of nature at Pierpont City Park, where the picturesque surroundings make for a perfect backdrop for your camping adventure.

Activities for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Tent Campers Enjoy These Nearby Features

  • Set up camp at Mooreton City Park, which provides a serene environment for tent camping, despite its basic amenities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lake City, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lake City, SD is Wyndemere Rock Garden County Park with a 1-star rating from 1 review.