Best Dispersed Camping near Pringle, SD

The Black Hills National Forest surrounding Pringle, South Dakota features predominantly dispersed camping options along forest service roads and backcountry areas. Sites like North Pole Road Dispersed Camping and RD 356 Dispersed Site offer free, primitive camping experiences within 20-30 minutes of Mount Rushmore and other major attractions. Cold Springs School Road by Beaver Creek and Spring Creek Road provide additional options for both tent and small RV camping. These areas typically lack amenities but compensate with scenic views, privacy, and proximity to the region's natural and cultural landmarks.

Road conditions vary significantly across dispersed camping areas, with many requiring high-clearance vehicles for full access. As one camper noted, "The road to get in was very rocky and steep! We decided to go out a different way and it was even worse than the way in." Fire restrictions are common throughout the region, with many areas posting no-campfire rules regardless of season. Cell service ranges from adequate to non-existent depending on elevation and location. Most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with 14-day stay limits, though enforcement varies. Weather can change rapidly, with summer thunderstorms and cold nights even during warmer months.

Proximity to major attractions represents a significant advantage for campers in the Pringle area. "Perfect location for exploring the Black Hills, Custer State Park, Wind Cave NP, Mt. Rushmore, and Jewel Cave NM," reported one visitor to RD 356. Wildlife sightings are common, with campers mentioning deer, coyotes, and cattle sharing the landscape. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally significantly impacts camping availability throughout the region, with locals advising against attempting to find dispersed sites during this period. Most camping areas feature small, individual sites rather than group camping opportunities, making them better suited for solo travelers or small parties seeking quiet overnight stays rather than extended vacations.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Pringle, South Dakota (31)

    1. North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping

    33 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    13 miles
    Website

    "We've been fulltiming since January and this was the first place we actually stayed the whole 14 day limit."

    "Black Hills can be hard to find cheap or free camping during busy season. Great free camp down a gravel/dirt road with cows on both sides and one in the road (it moved eventually)."

    2. RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest

    33 Reviews
    Hill City, SD
    20 miles
    Website

    "A perfect location. Plenty of spots on the bumpy main road, use 4wd/high clearance vehicles to go off some of the side routes for more privacy. Nice tree covered spots and very quiet."

    "My Son and I stayed here while visiting Mount Rushmore and the surrounding area's other attractions. There's a lot of dispersed spots here but most spots don't have a fire ring that I could see."

    3. Cold Springs School Road by Beaver Creek

    5 Reviews
    Pringle, SD
    4 miles

    "Easy to access, could probably get away with a low clearance since the roads are good. No campfires are allowed in the area it seems. Would stay here anytime!"

    "This is a dispersed site that is near the entrance to Wind Cave National Park. The road in is wide and smoothly graveled. This spot has room for a small camper - our bus backed in fine."

    4. Black Hills Dispersed Site - Hwy 89

    5 Reviews
    Pringle, SD
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    "Google maps tells you to turn where there isn’t a turn but it’s not too hard to find. We slept in our truck but there is bumpy ground, not ideal for tenting. Thunderstorm prone."

    "Gps route was a little off. Just an hour from Rushmore."

    6. Spring Creek Road

    11 Reviews
    Hill City, SD
    18 miles

    "Was easy to drive in. The road wasn’t too rough. Got there in the dark was able to find a spot, can be hard to see the turn off to the sites at night."

    "The turn off from the highway is easy to find. Smaller trailers or overlanding setups are best here. It may not be so kind for getting trailers turned around."

    7. Cicero Peak Road Dispersed Campsite

    1 Review
    Pringle, SD
    5 miles

    "The drive up the road is extremely rocky and we needed 4x4 over some of the rocks. Slow careful driving and you can make it in most SUVs but I wouldn’t recommend a van."

    8. Glen Erin Roadside Camp

    2 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    9 miles

    "The pull off is at the exact coordinates given and it’s on the left."

    "Large dry tree trunk piles next to site and across road. Plenty of sky. No shade on vehicle but trees to put a chair under for shade. Quiet."

    9. Camp Bob Marshall Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    13 miles

    "We went a bit more off the path by turning right, going up past a water treatment plant and parking near the end of the road. It was secluded and pretty. Lots of coyotes in the area."

    "Dispersed Camping off the main road thru Custer State Park that is National Forest. Turn on the road that marks the Bob Marshall Camp. You pass a water treatment area and go thru the gate."

    10. Black Hills NF FR307 Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    "This is dispersed camping so there are no services. Bring your own water and take with you all of your garbage. The road in is gravel but really wide."

    "No water nearby. No ATT cell service."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 31 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Pringle, SD

129 Reviews of 31 Pringle Campgrounds


  • Lynsey M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest

    Quiet and tree covered

    15 minutes to Custer State Park and 15 minutes to breweries in hill city. A perfect location. Plenty of spots on the bumpy main road, use 4wd/high clearance vehicles to go off some of the side routes for more privacy. Nice tree covered spots and very quiet. No campfires allowed.

  • Jim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2020

    West Nemo - Dispersed Camping

    Nice place to camp for the night

    This spot is at the end of a forest road that runs west of Nemo, SD. There are other dispersed camping sites along the way as well. This spot butts up right next to a cliff with the Boxelder Creek running below and gives good views of the Black Hills to the south. No amenities at all here. A high clearance vehicle will most likely be needed to get back to this spot.

  • Connor M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2024

    RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest

    Close to everything, beautiful area

    My Son and I stayed here while visiting Mount Rushmore and the surrounding area's other attractions. There's a lot of dispersed spots here but most spots don't have a fire ring that I could see. There's only a few spots that a high clearance vehicle might be required but most of the road can be explored without one.

    This is a pack in and pack out site with no facilities; no running water, no bathrooms, nothing. Make sure you bring what you need with you.

    Weather was great, very mild. Air was fresh and crisp.

    We are planning on staying here again in the future because of it's close proximity to everything and my 6 year old loved it!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2023

    Spring Creek Road

    Great spot

    Was easy to drive in. The road wasn’t too rough. Got there in the dark was able to find a spot, can be hard to see the turn off to the sites at night. Didn’t see many places I would want to pull a camper into but great for ground tents, rooftop tents and camper vans.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2023

    Dispersed Camping near Calumet Road

    Quiet, many spots to camp

    We were in a camper van and the road wasn’t bad, we didn’t need 4WD. There were a few other cars that went by that were camping too, but it was very quiet and peaceful other than that. There were a lot of places to pull off that were flat for a tent or camper, I’d definitely recommend!

  • vicki
    Nov. 22, 2021

    RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest

    Beautiful but scary road!

    We drove down this road and found a nice area to sleep for a night. The road to get in was very rocky and steep! We decided to go out a different way and it was even worse then the way in. Luckily our promaster van was able to get us out safely. I definitely recommend a high clearance vehicle for this road.

  • A
    Oct. 22, 2024

    Camp Bob Marshall Dispersed

    Beautiful and remote

    Several spots along the Bob Marshall camp road to pull off and camp. We went a bit more off the path by turning right, going up past a water treatment plant and parking near the end of the road. It was secluded and pretty. Lots of coyotes in the area. No camp fires when we were there due to dry conditions. The road after the turn off was in rough shape. I wouldn’t take a trailer up it, but we were in a large SUV and it was just fine. A great place to disperse camp in the state park. We stayed two nights.

  • Heather S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 21, 2024

    Camp Bob Marshall Dispersed

    Dispersed Camping in Custer SP Area

    Dispersed Camping off the main road thru Custer State Park that is National Forest. Turn on the road that marks the Bob Marshall Camp. You pass a water treatment area and go thru the gate. It is open to vehicles in the summer and equestrian and hike in during the winter. Road is rough but was passable in our truck. We towed in a small teardrop but I wouldn't recommend a large rig. There are several areas to set up camp but pack in and pack out! No water sources spotted so bring enough in with you (didn't even see any water for filtering). Saw a preexisting stone fire pit from past campers too. Super quiet and near all the great things of Custer. We did experience biting flies. Coordinates: 43.7851324, -103.5041771

  • Dirty E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2025

    RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest

    Doesn’t get better

    Perfect location for exploring the Black Hills, Custer State Park, Wind Cave NP, Mt. Rushmore, and Jewel Cave NM. Spacious sites. High clearance required after the first 3 sites.


Guide to Pringle

Dispersed camping sites near Pringle, South Dakota often sit at elevations between 5,000-6,000 feet, creating cool summer nights with temperatures that can drop below 50°F even in July. Most locations require driving on National Forest roads that become impassable during spring thaws or after heavy rain. Cellular service varies dramatically between sites, with higher elevation campsites occasionally offering better connectivity than lower areas in valleys.

What to Do

Wildlife viewing at dawn and dusk: North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping offers excellent opportunities for seeing native wildlife. "We got to listen to some coyotes in the distance," notes Ashley A., who camped there recently. Morning visits from deer are common at many sites.

Hiking access to lesser-known trails: Spring Creek Road sites provide direct access to unmarked hiking paths. "The road winds along the creek between rocky formations and trees," according to Art S., who explored the area. Many trails connect to official park trail systems.

Stargazing without light pollution: RD 356 Dispersed Site provides excellent dark sky conditions when clouds cooperate. "We got to the campsite pretty late (8pm) and we were able to find an empty site just by going down the road a bit," explains Brianna F., indicating the accessibility for night arrivals.

What Campers Like

Quick access to major attractions: Cold Springs School Road by Beaver Creek puts you minutes from Wind Cave National Park. "This campsite has to be one of the best I have stayed at in the black hills...very close to wind cave!" reports Kaelyn H., highlighting its strategic location.

Natural insect control in some areas: Certain sites have surprisingly few insects. "Pretty much devoid of biting insects except for the one tick we found," notes Truly W. about Cold Springs School Road. This contrasts with Spring Creek Road, where "mosquitoes were insane" according to another camper.

Limited traffic noise: Camp Bob Marshall Dispersed offers unusually quiet sites. "Super quiet and near all the great things of Custer," reports Heather S., who visited with a small teardrop trailer. Many campers mention the peaceful atmosphere throughout the region.

What You Should Know

Variable vehicle requirements: North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping accommodates different vehicles. "I drive a little Kia optima and it was super easy and assessable to get into the camping area," reports Kimberleigh C., contradicting assumptions that high-clearance vehicles are always necessary.

Early arrival recommended: Popular spots fill quickly, especially during peak season. "We came in one afternoon and there was hardly any sites available. It was beautiful tho!" reports Chloe T. about North Pole Road, suggesting midweek or morning arrivals work best.

Fire restrictions change frequently: Despite fire rings at some sites, fires aren't always permitted. "No campfires allowed. I think everybody was doing one (we did)," notes Flavien G. about RD 356. Check current restrictions with the Black Hills National Forest office before your trip.

Cell service varies dramatically: Service quality changes within short distances. "Cell service diminished as we drove in. The other folks walked back along the road to get a signal," explains one camper about Spring Creek Road.

Tips for Camping with Families

Choose established sites for bathroom breaks: Families with young children should select sites near road entrances for quicker access to town facilities. "I was able to find a camping area without a problem. The road does have some bumps in it but overall you do not need a four-wheel drive," notes Ben H. about RD 356, making it suitable for family vehicles.

Prepare for nighttime temperature drops: Even summer nights get cold at these elevations. "Weather was great, very mild. Air was fresh and crisp," mentions Connor M., who visited Black Hills NF FR307 Dispersed Camping with his son, emphasizing the need for warm sleeping bags.

Wildlife encounters require preparation: Teach children about keeping distance from wildlife. "Saw a preexisting stone fire pit from past campers too. Super quiet and near all the great things of Custer. We did experience biting flies," shares Heather S. about Camp Bob Marshall, indicating the need for insect repellent.

Tips from RVers

Small trailers only on most roads: Free camping near Pringle, South Dakota works best for compact RVs and trailers. "Smaller trailers or overlanding setups are best here. It may not be so kind for getting trailers turned around," warns Chris N. about Spring Creek Road.

Arrive with full tanks: No dispersed sites offer water or dump stations. "This is dispersed camping so there are no services. Bring your own water and take with you all of your garbage," reminds a camper at Black Hills NF FR307 Dispersed Camping.

Level sites require searching: Drive the full length of forest roads before choosing a spot. "The spot I camped at was right on the creek. Great, secluded spot. Didn't see many cars at all," shares Clint M. about Spring Creek Road, suggesting that better sites exist farther from main roads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Pringle, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Pringle, SD is North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping with a 4.5-star rating from 33 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Pringle, SD?

TheDyrt.com has all 31 dispersed camping locations near Pringle, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.