Best Camping near Philip, SD

Searching for the best camping near Philip, SD? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that South Dakota camping has to offer. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Philip and user-submitted reviews.

Best Camping Sites Near Philip, SD (21)

Showing results 1-10 of 21 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Philip

Recent Reviews in Philip

569 Reviews of 21 Philip Campgrounds


  • laura S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sage Creek Campground
    Nov. 14, 2024

    Sage Creek Campground

    Pretty good for free!

    Spent one night here after exploring the park. less than a third full in early november. vault toilets clean-ish. wide open spaces, not really any privacy here. pretty sunrise.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping
    Oct. 29, 2024

    Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping

    Great Camping / Views

    This is a great dispersed site right next to The Badlands National Park. In October, there were only about 20 campers at most (lots of available space). The views from here are amazing, as well as sunrise and sunset. It can get quite windy. Very quiet!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping
    Oct. 22, 2024

    Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping

    Great Views

    This was an our first time dispersed camping so we weren’t sure exactly what to expect. There were lots of campers (probably 20 other cars), but the views are unmatched. Waking up at dawn and watching the sunrise over the Badlands is breathtaking! Really easy access. We saw people with all size trailers parked. Lots of space to spread out. Not much for privacy, but with views like that, who cares!

  • Zina L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from 24 Express RV Campground
    Oct. 19, 2024

    24 Express RV Campground

    Closed!

    There were signs up along the freeway. Nothing indicate that it was closed. Is it for the season? Not sure date of visit was October 19, 2024.

  • Lisa B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sage Creek Campground
    Oct. 14, 2024

    Sage Creek Campground

    Breathtaking & Best Smelling Bathrooms

    My boy Palo and I camped in my Outback for a night. It was a great experience. They have the cleans best smelling bathrooms I have venture into.

  • stephen W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping

    Outside the Badlands/trip tip

    Loved the close proximity to the badlands literally just down the road from the scenic loop. Plenty of spaces this time of year had my pic. Only downside was the wind which died down in the evening. Stars were fantastic. Wall drug had free water. Oh and I came in from Mitchell SD from the east and skipped the highway and took HWY 248 which runs paralell but I had the road to myself for 2 hours what a peace scenic ride.

  • Lisa M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park
    Oct. 11, 2024

    Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park

    Amazing scenery

    Spent two nights here in the Butte loop. Tried to make reservations on the same day, but they weren’t available to do so I had to just show up and hope there was a site available. We lucked out and got the last electric site. The one quirky thing about the campground is all of the sites are sort of parallel park. So your door will open up onto the pavement. Only paid $46 for two nights thanks to the hubby’s senior pass. Park itself is amazing with beautiful views and we also got to see some Buffalo. The visitor center has a nice gift shop and displays. Showers were $.50 for four minutes and $.75 for six minutes although I only got five minutes for my $.75 and I had a lukewarm water. There is a dump station available as well as potable water.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from The Wall Boondocking Dispersed
    Oct. 4, 2024

    The Wall Boondocking Dispersed

    Can’t get better than free

    Great spot, lots of campers here, but still found a spot. Watch out for grumpy old coot who parks right where everyone drives in and then tells you to slow down coz it’s too dusty. Hey mate drive further in and there’s no traffic! Duh.

  • michael V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from The Wall Boondocking Dispersed
    Oct. 4, 2024

    The Wall Boondocking Dispersed

    Great views, easy to get to

    A lot of campers of all kinds as it is free and right outside the park but it’s easy to get to and views are amazing. Regardless of the amount of people there tons of area to set up so doubtful someone won’t get a spot.

  • Ken G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping
    Sep. 25, 2024

    Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful view from top of cliff, but windy

    We camped here on a Sunday night.  Lots of campers along a road which was about 6 miles long along the top of a cliff.  We thought we found a nice spot away from others, but two huge campers pulled in after dinner right next to us on the opposite side of the road.  Beautiful view of the badlands and we enjoyed watching the sunset from our site.  After we went to bed, the wind picked up big time and howled for several hours.  It was strong enough to shake the trailer.  It died down before midnight.  You can't really hike down into the badlands from the cliff so the only place to walk is along the top of the cliff past the other campers.  No services, but free.

  • Ken G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sage Creek Campground
    Sep. 25, 2024

    Sage Creek Campground

    Hot and dry, buffalo wandered through the camp

    This was a free site in the Badlands.  It's a dirt road to get there, washboards, but OK.

    The cg is in a prairie dog town so we kept the dog close.

    It was full on a Saturday night in September, but we got one of the last sites.  Very basic campground with a few trails to hike.  Views were OK, but nothing great.

    Buffalo wandered through camp at dinner time.  We basically camped on the road that circles the campground.

    Some picnic tables had a shade covering.  Pit toilets were clean.

  • Jeff M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sage Creek Campground
    Sep. 16, 2024

    Sage Creek Campground

    Base to the Badlands

    Great location to set out to explore the Badlands? Low reception with Verizon in the valley bye still have good contact. Great reception, small hike to the top of the hill.

  • Jeff M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sage Creek Campground
    Sep. 16, 2024

    Sage Creek Campground

    Great location for a base, to explore the Badlands

    Free dispersed camping, with clean vault toilets. no water or power you will have to bring your own. Quiet and tranquil location, Surrounded by prairie dogs as you sit in the valley with low rolling hills around you.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park
    Aug. 31, 2024

    Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park

    Good place to stay

    We stayed for 2 nights in the group loop. At first we were sure about the quality of the site - the group loop also serves as the entrance to the dump site - but we’re convinced the site is great. Our site faces into the badlands with a great view, it is very quiet and you are very private (there were no groups around us). The campground is very clean and every evening there is program prepared by the rangers as well as a presentation of the stars.

    We would always come back here.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sleepy Hollow Campground
    Aug. 21, 2024

    Sleepy Hollow Campground

    Across the street from wall drug

    It’s a nice place heading east or west to land for the night. We’ve stayed at sleepy hollow before and find it and the proximity to wall drug a fun landing stop for the night on our trek across SD. Dinner, ice cream and splash pad fun at wall drug is the perfect end to a day on the road for our family.

  • Kelly V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from The Wall Boondocking Dispersed
    Aug. 20, 2024

    The Wall Boondocking Dispersed

    Not just another brick in the wall

    Fabulous! Views and several spaces both on the edge of grassland dropping off into the badlands wall and farther back. At least 25 campers there last night. It was breathtaking. Do be prepared for I tense wi d; this is prairie with no trees to cut wind. Well worth a visit.

  • ron R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping
    Aug. 19, 2024

    Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping

    simply amazing views and a perfect ballance of sun and wind to keep it grea

    I camping here from 8/15 to 8/21.   Far, the weather has been amazing.  I moved spots about 3 days in.  The first spot was great except for Cell Service (t-mobile) that exact spot was a dead spot.  After moving south one spot about 60 feet, i went from 1-2mb/s to 40-60mb/s.  Roads are rough but do-able I am pulling a 29ft toyhauler with a Chevy silverado 1500.  I cecomend taking the north entrance or if taking the main (by Radio towers) then turn left when you get to the wall.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping
    Aug. 7, 2024

    Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping

    Super windy, not good for tents

    We have stayed here twice, it was easy to find and lots of available spots but it’s just on a cliff’s edge so there are TONS of strong gusts of winds, it caused our tent to cave in and I ended up sleeping in the car. There was a goat, that was cool, but otherwise I don’t recommend for tent camping (go to sage creek campground, also free)

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sage Creek Campground
    Aug. 4, 2024

    Sage Creek Campground

    Good

    I really liked this site, they had tables with shade, out house, flat ground, and compared to the dispersed camping wayyy less windy. We did not see bison today but there were prairie dogs

  • Tyler C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Gap National Grassland
    Jul. 31, 2024

    Buffalo Gap National Grassland

    Amazing views

    What this spot has going for it is the amazing views. Stayed for 1 night and the wind was absolutely insane! Be prepared for that! We opted to car camp over pulling out the tent. Plenty of space to be spread out.

  • Elise V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from The Wall Boondocking Dispersed
    Jul. 26, 2024

    The Wall Boondocking Dispersed

    Favorite Dispersed Campsite EVER!

    Gorgeous site! Very popular site with neighbors close by, but ours were very kind and friendly! We got lucky and didn’t have any problems with wind. Enjoyed the sunrise and sunset from this spot!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from The Wall Boondocking Dispersed
    Jul. 24, 2024

    The Wall Boondocking Dispersed

    Loved my night here!

    I loved camping at this spot! It was easy to find, and even though there was a good amount of people there it was spaced out and I felt comfortable. There is zero privacy, so be prepared for that. If you’re in a tent also be prepared because it is extremely windy at night! Even my little teardrop was shaking. But the view is incredible and the sunrise was stunning.

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park
    Jul. 23, 2024

    Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park

    A Scenic Retreat in Badlands National Park

    Cedar Pass Campground in Badlands National Park offers 96 scenic sites with amenities like flush toilets and summer coin-operated showers. Located near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, it provides a great base for exploring the park. Reviews highlight its beautiful views and convenient facilities.



Guide to Philip

Camping near Philip, South Dakota, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do

  • Explore Badlands National Park: Just a short drive from many campgrounds, the park features breathtaking views and hiking trails. One camper mentioned, "We had a great stay here while visiting the National Park - literally 2 minutes outside the entrance" at Badlands Hotel & Campground.
  • Visit Wall Drug: This quirky roadside attraction is a fun stop for families. One reviewer at Sleepy Hollow Campground said, "Dinner, ice cream and splash pad fun at Wall Drug is the perfect end to a day on the road for our family."
  • Stargazing: The clear skies in this region make for excellent stargazing opportunities. A camper at Buffalo Gap National Grassland noted, "Awesome night sky. Easily accessed with van."

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Many campers rave about the beautiful landscapes. One camper at The Wall Boondocking Dispersed said, "Fabulous! Views and several spaces both on the edge of grassland dropping off into the badlands wall."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the peacefulness of the area. A review from Baja Area Dispersed - Buffalo Gap National Grassland mentioned, "Easily accessible and quiet. Large enough to find a spot away from anyone."
  • Friendly Campgrounds: Many campgrounds have welcoming staff. A visitor at Belvidere East-Exit 170 KOA said, "The owners were waiting for us after hours and escorted us to the site."

What you should know

  • Windy Conditions: Be prepared for strong winds, especially in open areas. A camper at Buffalo Gap National Grassland warned, "The wind was absolutely insane! Be prepared for that!"
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like The Wall Boondocking Dispersed, do not offer drinking water or restrooms, so plan accordingly.
  • Mosquitoes: Certain areas can have a lot of mosquitoes, especially during warmer months. A camper at Sleepy Hollow Campground mentioned, "The absolute infestation of mosquitos at our site was unbearable."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Established Campgrounds: For families, campgrounds like Cedar Pass Campground offer amenities like flush toilets and showers, making it easier for kids.
  • Plan for Activities: Look for campgrounds near attractions. One family enjoyed their stay at Badlands / White River KOA because it was "conveniently located" and had a pool for the kids.
  • Pack Bug Spray: With the potential for mosquitoes, it's smart to bring bug spray. A camper at Sleepy Hollow Campground noted the need for it due to the mosquito problem.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Hookups: Some campgrounds have unique hookup situations. A visitor at Minute Man RV Park & Lodging mentioned, "Hookups were great in 107 heat!" but also noted that "the spots are close."
  • Be Ready for Dust: If you're camping in more remote areas, dust can be an issue. A camper at Buffalo Gap National Grassland advised, "Plenty of space to be spread out."
  • Use a Generator if Needed: If you're in a hot area, don't hesitate to use a generator for AC. A camper at Baja Area Dispersed - Buffalo Gap National Grassland mentioned, "If you do have to use a generator, don’t worry, many people were."

Camping near Philip, South Dakota, offers a unique blend of adventure and relaxation. With stunning views, friendly campgrounds, and plenty of activities, it's a great spot for your next outdoor getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What camping is available near Philip, SD?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Philip, SD offers a wide range of camping options, with 21 campgrounds and RV parks near Philip, SD and 8 free dispersed camping spots.

  • Which is the most popular campground near Philip, SD?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Philip, SD is Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park with a 4.2-star rating from 110 reviews.

  • Where can I find free dispersed camping near Philip, SD?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Philip, SD.

  • What parks are near Philip, SD?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near Philip, SD that allow camping, notably Badlands National Park and Lake Oahe.