Best Campgrounds near Madison, SD
Madison is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Madison. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Camping Sites Near Madison, South Dakota (65)
1. Lake Herman State Park Campground
5 ReviewsMadison, SD3 milesWebsite+1 (605) 256-5003"I was right next to a little lake on one side and Lake Herman about 150ft away. Nice hiking trails just outside my door. Will definitely be back."
"We stayed next to the lake. Bathrooms were decent."
2. Walkers Point Recreation Area
2 ReviewsMadison, SD5 milesWebsite+1 (605) 256-5003$15 - $55 / night
"Smallish campground on the lake. Sites are a bit close together. Huge thunderstorm came during the night but winds were blocked somewhat by location and trees."
"Fantastic campsites right by the lake. The sites themselves seem a little small and closer together than I would prefer but was a great experience!"
3. Lake Vermillion Recreation Area
31 ReviewsCanistota, SD29 milesWebsite+1 (605) 296-3643$15 - $55 / night
"We stopped here on our way through south Dakota headed back to Colorado. The staff were really friendly when we pulled in."
"South Dakota charges a day use fee ($6) plus a fee for tent camping ($17); I opted to pay for an Annual Pass of $30 since I plan on doing more SD camping this year."
4. Pioneer / Montrose City Campground
9 ReviewsCanistota, SD21 milesWebsite+1 (605) 363-5065$25 / night
"Beautiful little campground with electric n water hook ups Great setting in park near river and towns Rec fields. Fun local bar, Post Office and coffee shop are short walk. Lots of walking paths."
"Small clean campground no reservations needed easy access to highway. Great place for an overnight stay on our way to Sturgis $25 a night full hookup and water if needed"
5. Colman City Park
2 ReviewsDell Rapids, SD15 milesWebsite"Right next to the golf course. Very reasonable rates for daily, weekly or monthly. Will definitely be back."
6. Dakota Sunsets RV Park
11 ReviewsCanistota, SD26 milesWebsite+1 (605) 425-9085$24 - $42 / night
"This is a great little place right off of the highway. Facilities are clean and well maintained. There is a nice little playground for the kids. Staff was friendly and helpful."
"The only issue I will say is that our site was next to the “Stinky Waste” Water Lagoon and it did stink pretty bad when they started up the pump in the morning. "
7. Sioux Falls KOA
26 ReviewsSioux Falls, SD34 milesWebsite+1 (605) 332-9987"We decided to stay at this campground because it was close to Falls Park. It’s 4 miles away from the KOA to Downtown. It wasn’t crowded, very clean, met lots of Texans and the pet areas were awesome!"
"Also a neat little micro brewery walking distance, across the road. Very nice staff and an RV dealer next door. Very close to I-90 and it’s noise, but that comes with the easy access."
8. Palisades State Park Campground
28 ReviewsGarretson, SD37 milesWebsite+1 (605) 594-3824"We passed through Palisades State Park earlier this year and spent some time in the day-use area so we knew it was a good place to camp as we passed through South Dakota on another trip."
"South Dakota is known for its well-maintained state park campgrounds, and this area offers two great options: King and Queen."
9. Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
33 ReviewsBrandon, SD39 milesWebsite+1 (605) 582-7243"South Dakota State Park, Brandon SD. Great stop. We spent 2 days. Very nice campground with lots to do and see. Big spacious sites ours backed up to the bike path and river."
"They have nice long paved trails for walking and biking. We got to walk our dogs on it to avoid tick contact from the grassy trails. There was a cool suspension bridge that was fun to walk on."
Recent Camping Photos near Madison, SD
60 Photos of 65 Madison Campgrounds
MickandKarla W.
Dakota Sunsets RV Park
Audrey F.
Lake Thompson Recreation Area
Melissa K.
Lake Vermillion Recreation Area
Ashley K.
Campground 1 — Oakwood Lakes State Park
Lora H.
Ingalls Homestead
Sherri C.
Sioux Falls KOA
Ray A.
Sioux Falls Yogi Bear
Cody H.
Split Rock Park
Janet P.
Palisades State Park Campground
Janet K.
Split Rock Creek State Park Campground
Stephanie P.
Fruit of the Coop
Nathan L.
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Recent Reviews near Madison, SD
335 Reviews of 65 Madison Campgrounds
MickandKarla W.
LegendLake Vermillion Recreation Area
The East Campground Area was Very Nice
We followed our GPS getting off I-29 at exit 79 in Sioux Falls and going straight west on hwy 42 for about 20 miles to the sign for the right turn to go up to the recreation area. It would have been just as easy to catch I-90 west as well. At the main/west campground, we followed the sign for the East Campground and turned left at the white recreation sign right at the bottom of the hill. Passing the boat ramp, we saw the pull-along sites (49-62), which are small and close to the road accurately described in forums as not big-rig friendly. The fresh water fill spigot is in a large pull-out on the right, past the boat launch and just before the 10 mph sign. The dump station is in the West Campground. We continued to the end loop and backed into site 43 (50/30/20 AMP), which was easy thanks to its corner location. As soon as we had settled in, the very friendly camp host come over to check us in. We had already paid the $30 a night plus $10 nonresident reservation fees, to find out starting this year we needed to pay a non-resident $15 a night state park fee or $60 for a year pass. We were able to purchase, choosing a yearly, online and the host gave us a temp sticker for our window. Our site was spacious enough for our 40 5th wheel and F450. The electric hookup is at the back; we needed about 30 of cord. All sites here are electric only and nicely spaced apart. Site 43 offered a beautiful lake view, which we enjoyed during our peaceful four-night stay in early May. Verizon had 3 bars, T-Mobile had 2, and our T-Mobile house internet clocked 207 Mbps down/ 3.49 Mbps up. Satellite reception should be fine in most sites except site 45, which is heavily shaded. There's both a shower house and vaulted toilets in the east area. Spring was coming alive with gobbling turkeys and cackling pheasants; we even got a show from a strutting tom turkey. Overall, a quiet and scenic stay with great wildlife viewing and lake views.
- WWayne S.
ScoutPioneer / Montrose City Campground
Basic campground
Campground has water and electric a dump station available. Very basic But works for overnight while traveling
Tim R.
TravelerPalisades State Park Campground
Great hiking along Split Rock Creek - Very well maintained state park.
South Dakota is known for its well-maintained state park campgrounds, and this area offers two great options: King and Queen. Queen is nestled in a wooded area with limited visibility to the sky, offering a more secluded experience. In contrast, King, a recently built campground, sits on the prairie and provides beautiful views of Split Rock Creek. Both campgrounds offer excellent hiking opportunities for the whole family. King also offers free Wi-Fi with a download speed of 22 Mbps, while Queen has no T-Mobile service. However, King provides 15 Mbps of service.
- DDonna R.Traveler
R & R Campground
Overnight stay.
It was a nice pull-through sight very close to the interstate, but we did not hear interstate sounds. They had washers and dryers area was very clean, it was a little confusing pulling back to it. Because you have to go through a parking lot and past an old hotel. But I felt it was marked well. There were a few campers here but didn't see anyone. It was a good place for a night or two if you're visiting the area or just traveling through.
- DDavid G.
GuideOutback Campground
Nice quiet campground.
This is very new campground. Opened in July of 2024. It is close to two lakes. Lake Whitewood and Lake Thompson. Very good fishing at both lakes. You are within 10 minute drive from fishing, swimming and boating on 2 fun lakes. I will be staying here for the summer of 2025 and looking forward to it. The owners are very friendly.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BKiLgio2j/
- DDavid G.Guide
Colman City Park
Nice campground
Nice small town campground. Road construction going on right now is the only downside but it is that time of the year. Nice clean bathroom and showers. Friendly staff in the clubhouse. Right next to the golf course. Very reasonable rates for daily, weekly or monthly. Will definitely be back.
- DDavid G.Guide
Lake Herman State Park Campground
Nice State Park
Very nice place to stay. Spent 2 weeks here in the spring. Had days of warm weather, spring rain showers and 5 inches of snow. I was right next to a little lake on one side and Lake Herman about 150ft away. Nice hiking trails just outside my door. Will definitely be back.
Hans D.ScoutPioneer / Montrose City Campground
Local hostility
I pulled in at 6:00 pm in late January. The park is deserted power and hook ups are off but there are no signs to indicate one way or another. It's dark so I have some food and read a little bit and I hear a car pull up outside. Bang! Somebody kicks or smacks the door of my rig and runs to their car and they take off. I got the message you don't want me here in Montrose. I won't stop in this town again. Cheers
Tori K.LegendBlue Mounds State Park Campground
Nice Park!
Bathrooms are nice and clean. There's a little free library near the restroom. Layout for getting water and dump station is a little odd as you have to drive through the campground to get to it rather than it being on your way out. Site had a picnic table and fire ring. Firewood is available at the park office. Would love to come back and do some rock climbing here now that I learned there are spots!
Guide to Madison
Camping near Madison, South Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.
What to do:
- Hiking and Exploring: Check out the trails at Newton Hills Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Great trails and a short scenic road, plus some nice open spaces." The park is perfect for a leisurely hike or a family adventure.
- Fishing and Swimming: At Lake Vermillion Recreation Area, you can enjoy a swim or cast a line. A reviewer noted, "Nice swim area, pretty campsites, especially the tent areas that sit high over the lake."
- Disc Golf: If you're into disc golf, Big Sioux Recreation Area has a course that many campers rave about. One camper said, "The disc golf course really took this park to the next level."
What campers like:
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Palisades State Park Campground remarked, "Bathrooms are exceptionally clean. Showers great."
- Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds, like Dakota Campground, offer roomy sites. A camper shared, "Full service pull through sites fully shaded."
- Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. One reviewer at Mitchell KOA said, "Mark was a very helpful host and takes the time to set you up in your spot."
What you should know:
- Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or activities. A visitor at Sioux Falls KOA noted, "Lots of noise since it’s off the highway."
- Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive amenities. A camper at Lake Mitchell Campground mentioned, "I did not rate it 5 stars because it does not have a lot of amenities."
- Busy Weekends: If you plan to visit during peak times, be prepared for crowds. A reviewer at Newton Hills Campground said, "It was very busy with lots of families out and about."
Tips for camping with families:
- Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. One family at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park said, "It was an absolute blast for our kids with plenty of activities to keep them entertained."
- Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds that offer larger sites for more room to play. A camper at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area noted, "Well spaced and clean RV sites."
- Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or check for nearby dining options. A reviewer at Big Sioux Recreation Area mentioned, "We got a good run in. My husband biked over to Brandon to get a good ride."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Sizes: Make sure the campground can accommodate your RV size. A visitor at Mitchell KOA said, "This campground has lots of RV and tent sites."
- Look for Full Hookups: Many RVers prefer campgrounds with full hookups. A camper at Dakota Campground shared, "Full hookup sites, swimming pool and a small arcade for the kids."
- Be Prepared for Weather: Check the forecast before you go. A reviewer at Palisades State Park Campground mentioned, "We were very happy to stay somewhere without a fire ban."
Camping around Madison, SD, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or a peaceful retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Madison, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Madison, SD is Lake Herman State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.
What parks are near Madison, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 0 parks near Madison, SD that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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