A
Adam A.
Scout
ScoutBeaver Lake Campground
Nice little RV site outside of Custer
Great customer service. Showers and laundry on site
Best Campgrounds in South Dakota
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping and The Wall Boondocking Dispersed provide free camping options in South Dakota, with both located near Badlands National Park. South Dakota campgrounds range from primitive dispersed sites on public lands to fully developed private campgrounds with cabin rentals and RV hookups. Several established campgrounds in the Badlands region offer toilets and picnic tables at free or low-cost sites, while campgrounds near Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park provide more amenities including electric hookups and shower facilities.
The Black Hills region contains numerous campgrounds with varying amenities and reservation requirements. Cedar Pass Campground in Badlands National Park offers electric hookups and water but prohibits fires, while Sylvan Lake Campground in Custer State Park provides full amenities including showers and firewood. Dispersed camping areas typically have no facilities but allow pets and alcohol. Several campgrounds close seasonally, with most operating between May and October. A camper noted, "This is our third time here and this time there are markers for where to park to camp. The Forest service is managing the area so people cannot park right at the edge of the cliff like in times past."
National grasslands and forest service roads provide numerous opportunities for dispersed camping throughout South Dakota. Campers report particularly scenic experiences at overlooks within Buffalo Gap National Grassland. According to one review, "Beautiful overlook of the Cheyenne River on FS land. Gorgeous colorful landscape. Large turnaround with plenty of room." Established campgrounds in the Mount Rushmore area feature concrete pads, landscaped grounds, and resort amenities like pools and recreation facilities. Private campgrounds often include cabin rentals alongside traditional tent and RV camping options. Seasonal variations affect road conditions, especially for accessing dispersed camping areas, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles after rainfall. Many campgrounds implement fire restrictions during dry periods, particularly in the Badlands region.
Best Camping Sites in South Dakota (555)
1. Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping
136 ReviewsWall, SDWebsite+1 (605) 279-2125"I camped on the ridge in the South Dakota grasslands. I was able to look out my front door and see the badlands or or see the grasslands out my rear window."
"The site is about 6-8 miles from the town of Wall, so while you are in a remote area, you still have ready access to food, shopping, and gas if you need it."
2. Sage Creek Campground
119 ReviewsWall, SDWebsite+1 (605) 433-5361"Definitely pay your park entrance fee! BUT it’s true - this spot is completely free. Lots of people dig this spot. Doesn’t feel too crowded though."
"Great views, prairie dogs were so cool to see running around the camp site. Bison everywhere on the drive in and a few even walking around the camp site. Super close to badlands park entrance."
3. Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park
119 ReviewsInterior, SDWebsite+1 (605) 433-5460$37 - $47 / night
"Stayed one night in a converted Sprinter while traveling through South Dakota, we needed a place with showers. The showers and restrooms were pay to use, with a single curtain as privacy."
"Relatively private site as most sites are behind you. Beautiful view of prairie ans badlands in the distance. Picnic table shelter is positioned so you have shade in the afternoon."
4. Badlands Hotel & Campground
63 ReviewsInterior, SDWebsite+1 (605) 433-5335$24 - $174 / night
"We liked: tent sites on the outskirts, trail / dog-hiking area, proximity to Badlands. Showers and price were ok. To earn 5 stars it needs more seclusion and trees for tent sites."
"The campground was great and super close to the Badlands park entrance. The owners were very nice and helpful."
5. Badlands / White River KOA
59 ReviewsInterior, SDWebsite+1 (605) 433-5337"Although the camp ground is outside the park, the views from the areas surrounding the campground are great."
"v=hoIu_r-fQ5E) Product Review:
During our road trip around the US, I was able to try out the GO camper from SylvanSport."
6. Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch
56 ReviewsHill City, SDWebsite"Make the most of your South Dakota vacation by spending it camping. My group tented and had a great time."
"The location is amazing and so beautiful. There are tons of amenities and fun activities. The staff are very nice and very helpful."
7. Elk Mountain Campground — Wind Cave National Park
47 ReviewsPringle, SDWebsite+1 (605) 745-4600$24 - $45 / night
"Close to many South Dakota tourist sites."
"This campground is centrally locates to some great activities in South Dakota. We made day trips to visit the Badlands, Wall Drug Store, Wind Cave and Mount Rushmore."
8. The Wall Boondocking Dispersed
42 ReviewsWall, SDWebsite+1 (605) 279-2126"I spent a couple of weeks in the Badlands area of South Dakota this past summer. I camped for 5 night along The Wall. "
"Arrived past dark, could determine where to go so parked along roadside. In AM found The Wall well populated with overnight campers. We can see why!"
9. Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park
40 ReviewsCuster, SDWebsite+1 (605) 255-4515"This lake is beautiful, its one of my favorite places inside Custer state park. There are a ton of trails, all within easy walking distance. Make sure you pack plenty of water."
"We had one of the spots that was more out in the open and close to our neighbors, but the sites on the outside of the middle loop were much more private."
10. Spearfish KOA camp
41 ReviewsSpearfish, SD+1 (605) 642-1340"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."
"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"
Recent Camping Photos in South Dakota
921 Photos of 555 South Dakota Campgrounds
Jennie R.
Hot Springs / Black Hills KOA
Trina S.
Sandy Bottom Campground
Brandy P.
Whitetail Creek Resort
Kevin G.
HTR Black Hills Resort
Stephanie P.
Fruit of the Coop
Jamison W.
Free dry camping
Heather S.
Rifle Pit
Peter S.
West Nemo - Dispersed Camping
Marc G.
Wylie Park Campground & Storybook Land
Rüdiger G.
Custer Mountain Cabins and Campground
Susan & Kevin W.
Broken Arrow Horse and RV Campground
Recent Reviews in South Dakota
3309 Reviews of 555 South Dakota Campgrounds
- PPhawn M.Scout
HTR Black Hills
Friendly, helpful staff. Clean!
The staff here are very helpful and friendly. The bathrooms/showers and grounds are very clean and well kept. The roadways through the grounds are gravel though, and dust is constantly being kicked up. They have a fair amount to do here and are a good price. They have a pool, mini golf (9 holes), jumping pad, music on Friday nights, and occasional food trucks.
These grounds have trees at all sites. The back sites are twice as much (or more) but feel more nature-esque
We will come back!
- WWilliam W.Scout
Diamond A Cattle Ranch
Great Overnighter
Only 1.5 miles off pavement down dirt road. As this is a Harvest Host member, the first night is free. Sites with20/30/50a power available on some sites. $25/night for power or free for boondocking.
Jay P.ScoutTower Campground
Nice Campground
The campsites are asphalt paved. You have a nice little green grass area with picnic table. Only premium spots have campfire rings. Bathrooms and laundry are nicely maintained. It’s hit or miss if the main office is open but the staff is amazing and friendly. You get a lot of road noise and the airport is close by so you get plane noise from time to time. The campground is close to many attractions and eateries. They mow once a week and the power, water and septic is very close to your campsite which is nice. We stayed at site 219 which had a nice large tree for shade. Over all it’s 4/5 stars for us. We stayed here for 2.5 weeks.
- K
Kate J.ScoutCreekside Campground Deadwood
Lovely place
This is a great camp site, staff more than helpful, very friendly atmosphere. Showers are spotless Shop laundry near by
Annemarie
TravelerWhite River City Park
No frills, but pleasant
Enjoyed staying overnight on a trip through Indian country. Wouldn't have found this spot without the Dyrt app, but so glad I did. White River doesn't really have much to offer but a gas station/convenience center, and a little grocery store in town. There's one bar that seemed a little too rowdy, so I didnt check it out, but on the way out of town going north, there's a nice Dollar General if you need to pick anything up. The camp site is less than a mile from hwy 83, but it's still on the edge of town. If the rodeo folks aren't in town, you'll probably have it all to yourself. There are 12 sites, about 10 are well-shaded. Bathrooms on the south side are clean. There is water in the middle area. Came out fairly cold.
- llaurie V.
GuideBelle Fourche Dispersed Site
Dispersed
Right on the shore. Free. I gave it a 4 because we had to pick up some trash. But we left it cleaner than we found it
- BBonnie G.Scout
Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch
Awesome Campground!
This campground has so much to offer. Campsites are close together but still plenty of room for our 34ft trailer and truck. We had an extra car that we had to park somewhat on the grass but that seemed to be okay with the campground staff. Site was flat which was nice to pull in and be done. TONS of stuff for the kids. They had scooter/bike rentals - kind of pricey. They had a couple pools with water slides, pond with fishing and jungle gym/ropes type course for the kids. They had a restaurant - great pizza! They also had other food there and ice cream, but we didn't partake in that. We did do laundry while we were there which I thought was kind of pricey as well. They dryer was 25 cents for 5 mins. Added up quick. Overall, we enjoyed our stay here and definitely want to come back.
- LLisa W.Scout
Rafter J Bar Ranch
Great Park for Everyone
We meet family out here and stayed for a week. It's a great location, close to Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, as well as being right on the Mickelson Trail. About 40 minutes to Rapid City so make sure you bring everything with you as the local grocery store is quite expensive.
They have a great park, volleyball and basketball courts, and pool for kids. The spots were nicely spaced with enough trees that each spot had shade. Where we stayed it wasn't very private but there are other RV spots that are more secluded.
Overall we enjoyed our stay, we will be back next year.
Guide to South Dakota
Camping in South Dakota offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. From serene lakes to sprawling grasslands, there’s something for everyone. Here’s what you need to know before you pack your bags.
What to do
- Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Richland Reservoir Dispersed Camping, are great for fishing. One camper mentioned, “Lake is full of small Crappie. Lots of wildlife. Deer, antelope, pheasants.”
- Hiking and Biking: Trails abound in places like Oahe Downstream Recreation Area. A visitor shared, “Good walking paths for humans and dogs and saw many folks cycling.”
- Wildlife Watching: Campers often spot bald eagles and other wildlife. One review noted, “There was a bald eagle hunting the reservoir.”
What campers like
- Peaceful Atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the tranquility. One reviewer said, “Great quiet camping spot. Only one other camper while here for 4 days.”
- Clean Facilities: Campgrounds like Farm Island State Recreation Area are well-maintained. A visitor remarked, “The bathrooms/showers are clean as is the campgrounds.”
- Affordable Rates: Campers enjoy the low costs. One camper mentioned, “$15 for water, electric and dump station.”
What you should know
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Fort Pierre National Grassland, have few facilities. A reviewer noted, “No fees No water No open fires.”
- Weather Considerations: Be prepared for wind and storms. One camper at Richland Reservoir said, “The wind howled all night!!!”
- Road Conditions: Some access roads can be tricky. A visitor shared, “The road is clay and when it gets wet it becomes very difficult to travel on.”
Tips for camping with families
- Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and water access. One review of Farm Island State Recreation Area mentioned, “Great for kids. Kayak rentals. Playground and beach area.”
- Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids near water. A camper advised, “Hubby could walk out of the camper and fish,” highlighting the need for supervision.
- Pack Snacks: Having food on hand can make family outings smoother. One camper noted, “They brought us ice,” showing that some campgrounds offer helpful services.
Tips from RVers
- Check Hookups: Make sure your site has the right hookups. A visitor at River View RV Park said, “Campsites are close together with full hookups.”
- Be Prepared for Cold: If camping in cooler months, be ready for freezing conditions. One camper mentioned, “Our water hookup was frozen so they moved us to a spot where they had a heated cover on water pipe.”
- Explore Nearby Towns: Don’t miss local attractions. A reviewer at Griffin City Park said, “There is a marina with a boat launch that is right next door.”
Camping in South Dakota is a fantastic way to connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you're fishing, hiking, or just relaxing, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in South Dakota for families?
What are the best campgrounds in South Dakota for families?
South Dakota offers excellent family camping destinations with activities for all ages. Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park provides spacious, clean facilities perfect for families with young children, offering a blend of adventure and relaxation away from city life. Another great option is Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux, which features large sites that back up to bike paths and the river. The area has a new bathhouse, very clean facilities, and plenty of recreational activities. It's only a half-hour drive to Sioux Falls, making it convenient for day trips. Both locations offer the natural beauty and outdoor experiences that make family camping in South Dakota memorable.
What are the top tent camping locations in South Dakota's national parks?
What are the top tent camping locations in South Dakota's national parks?
South Dakota's national parks offer exceptional tent camping experiences. Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park is renowned for its beautiful lake setting and network of hiking trails within easy walking distance. The stunning scenery makes it one of the most popular spots in the Black Hills region, though hikers should be prepared for sometimes steep terrain and South Dakota's changeable weather. Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park provides a more rugged experience with iconic badlands views. For a more primitive option, Sage Creek Campground in Badlands offers free camping with basic facilities. Elk Mountain Campground in Wind Cave National Park is another excellent choice for tent campers seeking access to underground and above-ground wonders.
Where can I find private campgrounds in South Dakota with full amenities?
Where can I find private campgrounds in South Dakota with full amenities?
South Dakota has several private campgrounds offering comprehensive amenities. Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch provides an excellent alternative to expensive hotels near Mount Rushmore, with full facilities for both tent and RV camping. This is an ideal base for exploring the area's attractions. Kennebec KOA is another well-maintained private option with clean bathrooms and showers, some shaded sites, and friendly owners. It's conveniently located just a short drive from the highway, making it perfect for travelers passing through. While there's minimal road noise, the campground remains quiet and comfortable. Many private campgrounds in South Dakota offer hookups, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and camp stores for a comfortable outdoor experience.
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