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.
$24 - $174 / night
"Amazing view of the Badlands, and can walk into the park. beautiful pastures with horses surround. minutes from Highway 90."
"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."
"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."
"There is is space for RVs and horses. It is a national park so check on pet regulations.
The upside, Buffalo can wander through your camp. Or pose in the prairie next to the camp."
"This location is Sage Creek Basin Overlook and trailhead. It is beautiful up here at higher elevation. 4g and 5g cell service is available here on Tmobile. There are no toilets."
RangerThe other reviewers had it right. Sage Creek is a sweet little spot within Badlands National Park. 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. Tons of tents, vans, and car campers fit into this somewhat small but open space. Bison are common visitors. Plus, there is a prairie dog town right in the center of the loop the road creates in the camp. They are so fascinating to watch! There are two basic but clean restrooms. Several pic nic tables with small shade shelters. A nearby creek for water filtering / road trip baths. Make sure to bring lots of water or a filter people! We saw folks asking around for extra water. Be prepared. Definitely would highly recommend for anyone traveling through South Dakota. Badlands National Park is so unique and so special.
GuideThe Tilson’s keep their campground and motel well maintained, have hookups for campers, and fire rings for campsites. Can purchase wood from them. Amazing view of the Badlands, and can walk into the park. beautiful pastures with horses surround. minutes from Highway 90.
ScoutA primitive campground without drinking water or electricity. Fires are not allowed. There is is space for RVs and horses. It is a national park so check on pet regulations.
The upside, Buffalo can wander through your camp. Or pose in the prairie next to the camp. Great hikes into the park.
Oh, all the things they say about being careful around buffalo, they mean it. I saw a couple who walked too close to a buffalo. Lucky for them the startled animal went away but they were in serious danger.
RangerRather than park on the road which was very level, I pulled into the unoccupied equestrian area. That evening when it began to sprinkle the dirt turned into thick sticky clay which clung to my shoes and made walking difficult. The next day I move to a standard site. There are 2 outhouses and trash disposal available.
While this wind is relentless, making cooking outdoors difficult, there are trails which offer a reprieve from the gusts.
TravelerI LOVED my time here at Sage Creek. It is quite the drive from anywhere else in the park, but it is amazing. As we were setting up our tent on the first night, a lone bison walked through and checked out what was going on. It was incredible. There is bison poop throughout, so watch your step. Also, there is no running water on site or anywhere nearby, so be sure to pack your own. There are pit toilets. There aren't really designated sites, everyone sets up somewhere in the middle. Additionally, there are some horse facilities, but I would check on the NPS website for the particulars on that. Overall, it was a phenomenal place to camp. We got there around 4 p.m. and there were still plenty of places to set up. (We went in late August.) There is not a lot of privacy, but I didn't mind. It's free, so you really can't beat that.
RangerSage Creek Campground is a unique place to pop up a tent and sleep with the prairie dogs and where the bison roam. You are literally camping next to them! This is a first come first serve campground that is FREE in the National Park Service! Motor homes, pull behind trailers, and other recreational vehicles greater than 18 feet in length are prohibited. The limitation does not apply to horse trailers as a portion of the Sage Creek Campground is designated for horse use. Get to this campsite early as it does fill up fast(I would say before 2:00 pm). This campground provides a unique experience where you are staying in the prairie. There also are some backcountry sites that you can check out as well, but were full by the time we were going to set up camp. We recommend checking out this campground and checking the unbelievable night time stars!
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TravelerWe 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. Generally we camp dispersed or in forest campgrounds, avoiding RV parks, so 4 stars is actually pretty good from us for an RV park.
GuideOn the drive in and out to Sage Creek, I saw all the major mammals of the park (bison, prairie dogs, deer, bighorn sheep, pronghorn), and there was even two bison grazing at the equestrian site in the morning.
The campground is nice and dark and had a great view of the Milky Way. There is no water at camp, which was made very clear on the park website and map. Sage Creek did have some water flow when I went, so I could have filtered some if I needed more.
My main criticism is that only a handful of the sites had shades for the picnic tables. When I arrived, the campground was less than half full, but none of the remaining sites had a shade. For a park that gets this hot and doesn't really have trees or other shade, I think this should be provided at each site.
LegendGreat free campground in the Badlands Wilderness area. Follow Sage Creek Rd and watch for signs for the campground. Made it no problem in a 26’ motorhome, but it is a 12 mile dirt road with a lot of washboard so things get rattled and covered in fine powdery dirt. Totally worth it though because on the way out you get amazing views from the top along the ridge of Badlands plus bison, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and hundreds of prairie dogs along the road on the way.
The campground is a loop that has parallel parking around it and sites are designated by numbered posts. There is a horse camp area to one side and toward the right as you pull in and many people just made up spots not in the loop but behind the bathroom and along near the horse camp, so if you made the long drive out you should have at least somewhere to squeeze in for the night.
There are picnic tables, some which are covered and two pit toilet bathrooms. Also there is garbage and recycling. There is no water here so be sure to bring enough as temps can get quite hot. Some reviews mention the wind being an issue and though it was windy at first it died down and was calm all night.
It was nice when we were there in late Sept. There were plenty of empty spots in late afternoon but filled up through the evening. Bison frequently come through the campground and use the posts to scratch themselves. Don’t be an idiot though (we saw some of that) these are huge wild animals and do not want selfies with you!
There were also a lot of coyotes that came through at night so be aware if you have a pet.
Weak and spotty cell reception with ATT and Verizon and no TMobile.
Horse camping in South Dakota offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With several well-reviewed campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Philip, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Philip, SD is Badlands Hotel & Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 62 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Philip, SD?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Philip, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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