Soren B.
Guide
GuideDakota Sunsets RV Park
Nice place 1.5 miles off the interstate. Some people say the hwy 81 is noisy but we had no issues.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Madison, SD
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Lake Herman State Park Campground permits pets throughout its various accommodation options, including RV sites with electric hookups, tent camping areas, and small cabins available for rent. The park's campsites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and easy access to drinking water, with showers and clean bathrooms nearby for camper convenience. Sites are well maintained with regular bug spraying. Lake Vermillion Recreation Area similarly welcomes pets at its tent sites, RV spots with 30-amp hookups, and cabin rentals, making it another viable option for travelers camping with animals near Madison.
Pioneer Campground in Montrose provides water and electric hookups for pet owners at reasonable rates of $25-30 per night, located just 6 miles off I-90. The small riverside campground includes clean shower facilities and a seasonal pool across the street where families can relax after hiking with their dogs. Walkers Point Recreation Area positions campsites directly alongside Lake Madison, though sites are somewhat close together. Dog owners should note that most campgrounds in the region maintain standard pet policies requiring leashes and proper waste disposal. During summer months, the swimming areas at Lake Herman provide cooling opportunities for both campers and their pets after exploring the park's walking trails and geocaching spots.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Madison (60)
1. Lake Herman State Park Campground
"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
"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!"
from $15 - $55 / night
Check Availability3. Lake Vermillion Recreation Area
"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."
from $15 - $55 / night
Check Availability4. Pioneer / Montrose City Campground
"Lots of grass and places to walk the dog. Bath house was clean and close by. There is a small play area and also a pool with a lifeguard. It does cost extra but I’m sure it’s affordable."
"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."
from $25 / night
Check Availability5. Dakota Sunsets RV Park
"This is just off the highway, but you wouldn’t know it when you’re in the rig. Super quiet and the owners were so sweet. They spaced us out with a beautiful pull through and plenty of room."
"There is no formal dog park, but plenty of area around the CG to walk."
from $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability6. Colman City Park
"Right next to the golf course. Very reasonable rates for daily, weekly or monthly. Will definitely be back."
7. Sioux Falls KOA
"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!"
"Located off the interstate with easy access to everything. Staff was super friendly and loves dogs. Dog run clean. So nice stayed an extra night."
8. Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
"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."
"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."
9. Palisades State Park Campground
"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."
10. Sioux Falls Yogi Bear
"The place is very well kept, the staff are friendly and helpful, all the amenities like propane, dump station, ice, firewood, good little camp store, off leash dog run, heated pool, and lots to do for"
"At the time of our visit I-90 was being rebuilt nearby so access from the interstate was more difficult, but this isn’t the fault of the campground."
from $40 - $200 / night
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Drive Time
- 48 min from Sioux Falls, SD
- 1 hr 50 min from Sioux City, IA
- 2 hrs 52 min from Mankato, MN
- 3 hrs 31 min from St. Cloud, MN
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Madison, SD
25 Photos of 60 Madison Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Madison, SD
425 Reviews of 60 Madison Campgrounds
- MMackenzie C.
TravelerLake Vermillion Recreation Area
Nice but expensiveve for out of state
+$15 in fees for out of state (10 of that was hidden until the very end of purchase). Clean sites, spacious, some are close together but many have good spacing. Very quiet. Couldn’t find any nonelectric sites online (as in couldn’t find any that exist let alone were available) even though it says there are some. Must reserve online, but can reserve once you arrive.
Papa's J.GuidePalisades State Park Campground
Beautiful Campgrounds
In the King's area, the camp sites are very spacious and even have fancy Fire Pits with Cooking area @ Every Sight! Cutting my 7 day stay down to 4 🤟👋 off to the Next Great Campground 🤙
- JJennifer F.Guide
Sexauer City Park
Nicely maintained
High use but nicely maintained.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.
LegendLake Mitchell Campground
Great Find!
What a nice little lake side campground! Not far from Corn Palace and Custer SP. No highway traffic noise! Staff was very friendly. Clean facilities.
- GGwen A.Guide
Blue Mounds State Park Campground
Alright!
The Ranger at the desk polite and full of information. The only thing we did not like is the cold room where the showers are. Loads of hot water.
Emily A.
RangerBlue Mounds State Park Campground
We liked it!
Nice showers, sites online can be a bit deceiving. We thought we were getting a more remote site but it ended up being right in the middle of everyone with a direct view of the trashes. Because we were so close to said trash the flies were terrible and got into our camper and stayed in it for days. But showers and bathrooms were clean and overall a cute site with a nice trail nearby!
- BBrian B.Traveler
Split Rock Park
Enjoyable 1 nighter
I spent one night at Split Rock on my trip back to Colorado from Minnesota. I had a spot right on the river. The views and scenery were amazing. This is an oasis on the plains. There is an active train track that runs behind the campground that did cause a few wake-ups during the night but overall I had a great stay.
- JJames A.Guide
Tower Campground
Just the basics
Tight. Each space has two RVs parked inline with each other. Tail of one RV is parked touching the tail of the other RV
Guide to Madison
Lake Herman State Park Campground sits near Madison, South Dakota, offering camping options at around 1700 feet elevation. The area experiences four distinct seasons, with warm summers reaching 85°F and cold winters dropping below freezing. Camping areas surrounding Madison provide access to both lake-based recreation and prairie landscapes, with multiple dog friendly options for travelers with pets.
What to do
Hiking trails: Lake Herman State Park features hiking paths with geocaching opportunities. One camper noted, "Nice hiking trails just outside my door. Will definitely be back" while staying at Lake Herman State Park Campground.
Fishing spots: Multiple lakes near Madison offer fishing access. A visitor to Lake Herman mentioned the park has a "nice fishing dock" while another camper at Walkers Point Recreation Area enjoyed "fantastic campsites right by the lake" for water activities.
Winter camping: Some campgrounds remain open year-round. A camper at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area described a winter experience as "one of the most gorgeous things I have ever seen" during a snowstorm, suggesting seasonal beauty beyond summer months.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Campgrounds in the Madison area receive positive feedback for cleanliness. A visitor to Pioneer Campground described it as having "lovely sites by a small river" and noted that it was "clean and well maintained."
Lakeside views: Many campsites offer direct views of local lakes. At Lake Herman, one camper reported, "I was right next to a little lake on one side and Lake Herman about 150ft away" while enjoying the scenery.
Seasonal swimming: Local lakes provide swimming opportunities during summer. The Palisades State Park Campground was described by one visitor as having "stunning quartzite formations" and "great climbing" along with water access.
What you should know
Fee structure: South Dakota parks typically charge both entrance and camping fees. One visitor to Big Sioux Recreation Area explained, "I had to pay the entrance fee to the park as well as the camping fee for my tentsite," so budget accordingly.
Seasonal challenges: Insects can be an issue during warmer months. While many campgrounds spray for bugs, one camper at Dakota Sunsets RV Park noted, "We did experience flies this time of year and they were aggressive about getting inside our RV."
Water quality variations: Some locations may have water quality issues. A camper at Pioneer Campground reported, "The water is bad there... Inside the filter was a bunch of black stuff in it. We had problems with the toilet for the rest of our 2 week trip."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. The Sioux Falls KOA was described by one family as "a parents dream" where they "got a spot right in front of the playground which was perfect for our toddler."
Swimming options: Public pools complement lake swimming in some areas. Pioneer Campground includes "a seasonal pool across the street where families can relax" according to reports from pet owners.
Dog-friendly trails: For families camping with pets, multiple dog friendly campgrounds near Madison provide trail access. One visitor to Big Sioux Recreation Area mentioned "lots of trails for hiking" which are suitable for families with dogs.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: RV sites vary in privacy and spacing between units. At Walkers Point Recreation Area, campers noted that "sites are a bit close together" while Big Sioux Recreation Area was praised for "nicely spaced" sites.
Utility hookups: Electric service types differ between campgrounds. Lake Vermillion Recreation Area offers 50/30/20 AMP service at some sites, with one RVer noting "The electric hookup is at the back; we needed about 30 of cord."
Internet access: Connectivity varies significantly. At Lake Vermillion, one RVer reported impressive speeds: "Verizon had 3 bars, T-Mobile had 2, and our T-Mobile house internet clocked 207 Mbps down/3.49 Mbps up," making it suitable for those needing to stay connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Madison, SD?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Madison, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Madison, SD is Lake Herman State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find
dog-friendly camping near
Madison, SD?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Madison, SD?
TheDyrt.com has all 60 dog-friendly camping locations near Madison, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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