Best Campgrounds near Lead, SD

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Lead, SD has a lot to offer. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Lead. Find the best campgrounds near Lead, SD. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Lead, South Dakota (242)

    1. Spearfish City Campground

    38 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 642-1340

    "We picked a site near the back of the camp grounds located near the creek and close to a small parking lot (close by to the pet exercise area on the map - though it's labelled as an ice rink on grounds"

    "Nice city campground along Spearfish Creek and super close to downtown and has easy access to Spearfish Canyon. We definitely took advantage of the creek and proximity to downtown during our stay."

    2. Chris' Campground

    16 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 642-2239

    $23 - $65 / night

    "They are close to Spearfish Canyon which has wonderful hiking trails and trout fishing. The area is beautiful.There are also close to Deadwood and Lead, both of which are worth exploring!"

    "The owners are very helpful and friendly, The campground is close to lots of great activities such as Spearfish Canyon, as well as Deadwood and Lead."

    3. Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite

    10 Reviews
    Deadwood, SD
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    "The road is easy to drive if coming off the CanAm Hwy side of the mountain. Walking distance to the Roosevelt Friendship Tower hike which is highly recommended."

    "Our spot was nice and a short walk to a vault toilet and trailhead. The trail led to a cool tower that we climbed to watch the sunset."

    4. Deadwood KOA

    9 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (605) 578-3830

    "We have stayed at this location twice (have gotten the same cabin actually) when Deadwood is having events."

    "Our initially reserved campground nearby was sketchy, so we called KOA Deadwood at 4:30 hoping for a last minute reservation (even though the app said they were full)."

    5. Wild Bill's Campground

    9 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 578-2800

    $28 - $160 / night

    "Our dogs loved the long walks around the campground, crossing over the creeks on the little bridges. There is an off leash dog park 10 minutes away in Lead, SD."

    "Easy to find, very close to Deadwood, clean showers and bathrooms and it has a bar a grill! Bar and grill was so good and I’m still dreaming about that burger."

    6. Hanna Campground

    8 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    "Small, but has 3 shaded sites next to the creek (1,2,3). Nice 1.1 mile hike that starts next to Host site. If you just tent camp, there are about 5 sites off by themselves with a vault toilet."

    "Great little spot nestled in the woods next to a small stream. Quiet road that is part dirt at times. Would highly recommend"

    7. Wickiup Village Cabins

    7 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    7 miles
    Website

    $146 - $285 / night

    "great quiet cabins great location to see all kinds of beautiful sights.. great rides to get to your destination. Great friendly staff . love the creek that flows thru the campgrounds"

    "You've shared a very useful and entertaining blog post with the public mapquest driving directions"

    8. Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins

    8 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 722-1800

    "Campground is very clean and has quick and easy access to the highway. "

    "The park was easy to get to though our RV GPS wanted to take us up to I-90 and back around versus just taking a left across US-85 into the campground (CG). Check in was easy and informative."

    9. Whistler Gulch Campground & RV Park

    9 Reviews
    Deadwood, SD
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 578-2092

    "They are really close to town, so it’s really convenient. We have a larger side by side, so when I called they made sure that we would have a spot to fit that too."

    10. Days End Campground

    12 Reviews
    Sturgis, SD
    12 miles
    +1 (605) 347-2331

    $20 - $800 / night

    "It has a beer garden, restroom facilities and it's right on the outskirts of town."

    "Helpful convenient right next to freeway so noisy all else is great!"

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Recent Reviews near Lead, SD

1485 Reviews of 242 Lead Campgrounds



Guide to Lead

Camping near Lead, South Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're into tent camping or RVing, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: The area around Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park is known for its stunning views and great hiking trails. One camper mentioned, "The drive from Mt Rushmore to the campsite was incredible, and some great hiking just around the campsite."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Pactola Reservoir Campground, many enjoy fishing and renting boats. A reviewer said, "The reservoir is huge, and many consider it to be one of the best fishing 'holes' in the state."
  • Family Activities: Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch has playgrounds and activities for kids. One visitor noted, "Big, super clean and nice, all you can eat pancakes for $3.50 and playgrounds for the kids."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities. A review for Rapid City KOA stated, "Very clean bathrooms and showers. Sites well maintained."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the spaciousness of sites at Horsethief Lake Campground. One camper shared, "The attendant was very friendly and helpful. He gave me a last-minute booking which was very nice of him."
  • Beautiful Scenery: Campers rave about the views. A visitor at RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest said, "The views were incredible, and it was secluded from other sites."

What you should know:

  • Crowded Campgrounds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak season. A review for Sylvan Lake Campground mentioned, "It’s busy and loud here. Although there aren’t that many sites, they are quite close together and not much privacy."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For example, Pactola Reservoir Campground has no electric hookups or showers, as noted by a camper: "The vault toilets are clean and water is available from the many spigots."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A camper at Horsethief Lake Campground shared, "Saw deer in the morning and cattle roaming in the evening."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch, which offers activities for kids. One parent said, "Great place highly recommend! The showers are great and hot."
  • Plan for Crowds: If you want a quieter experience, try to visit during weekdays. A camper at Sylvan Lake Campground noted, "Thursday and Friday were better in terms of crowds."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand can save you time and money. A reviewer at Rapid City KOA mentioned, "Only complaint are sites a little close."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at South Dakota Spearfish Campground said, "Very unlevel, site 20 had to raise front 8 inches from hitch position."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, check campgrounds like Rapid City KOA. One RVer mentioned, "Sites were clean but very close to one another."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds have tight spots. A reviewer at Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch shared, "The first time we came we got a pull through and it was really tight for our 42 footer."

Camping near Lead, South Dakota, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Just be prepared for the crowds and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Lead, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, Lead, SD offers a wide range of camping options, with 242 campgrounds and RV parks near Lead, SD and 33 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Lead, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lead, SD is Spearfish City Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 38 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lead, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 free dispersed camping spots near Lead, SD.

What parks are near Lead, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Lead, SD that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.