Want to go dispersed camping near Rapid City? Here you'll find a diverse selection of places to camp, including remote dispersed camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Find dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots from other campers.
The Wall is a part of Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. It is near The Badlands National Park and is dispersed camping. There is only one small developed recreation area on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. The National Grassland Visitor Center is located in Wall, South Dakota. This site provides the history behind the system of the National Grasslands located across the West. While there is only one developed campground, there are plenty of open spaces to camp. Bring your horse, your bicycle or your OHV and spend some quiet time in the wide open spaces of the Grassland. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nebraska/recarea/?recid=30333
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed on most of the Forest for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period. However, around developed reservoirs and campgrounds, camping is allowed only in designated areas. Check with the closest Forest Service office for specific information.
General rules: Camp 100 feet away from any creek or stream and 1/2 mile away from developed recreation sites, including campgrounds and picnic areas. Motorized vehicles allowed 300 feet off of roads as shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (dots) for dispersed camping on the Black Hills National Forest. Around developed reservoirs and campgrounds, camping is allowed only in designated campsites. Can camp for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period. No open campfires in South Dakota portions of the national forest. Open campfires are permitted in Wyoming portions of the national forest, unless a special order prohibiting such is in effect. Check with the closest Forest Service office for more specific information about dispersed camping.
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed on most of the Forest for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period. However, around developed reservoirs and campgrounds, camping is allowed only in designated areas. Check with the closest Forest Service office for specific information.
General rules:
Camp 100 feet away from any creek or stream and 1/2 mile away from developed recreation sites, including campgrounds and picnic areas. Motorized vehicles allowed 300 feet off of roads as shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (dots) for dispersed camping on the Black Hills National Forest. Around developed reservoirs and campgrounds, camping is allowed only in designated campsites. Can camp for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period. No open campfires in South Dakota portions of the national forest. Open campfires are permitted in Wyoming portions of the national forest, unless a special order prohibiting such is in effect. Check with the closest Forest Service office for more specific information about dispersed camping.
Ranger
Very close to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Rapid City and Hill City. Lake Sheridan was a great place to go cool off. Very dispersed camping. Pack in Pack out. No cell service. At first we didn’t think there was a spot to pull off and then found a perfect circular area for us in our travel trailer and our friends car camping. No fires allowed when we were there. We stayed 2 nights and planned to sight see so left our stuff and was never bothered.
Traveler
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
Guide
The campsites are basically outcrops off of the main road which means typical dispersed camping with no amenities. The views from the campsites are astounding. Very serene landscape with plenty of wildlife. The road is long and I suggest following it all the way before picking a campsite.
Legend
There are a few dispersed camping spots along this road which also holds the trailhead for Mt. Roosevelt Friendship Tower. There was one pull through site that has no campfire signs and then two or three other spots. We seemed to be lucky and got the last open spot. We got here around 4 pm. The site we got was beautiful and had a lot of room for us to pitch a tent. Plenty of trees to go pee in but also an open spot where we could stargaze through the tent. There was some traffic on the road, more than you would think for such a windy gravel road. The first part of the road up until the trailhead had quite a bit of washboard which was a little scary on the sharp curves with steep drop offs. Enough Verizon cell service to text and make calls. Enough AT&T service to get WiFi on our SubaruLink. No water that we saw that we could use or filter. Had some people pull into our spot at different times not knowing it was taken. 9:30 pm was the last one.
Guide
Literally dozens of good dispersed camp sites along this rough road. Amazing find so close to Mt Rushmore. Elevation is about 5500 feet. I camped in November and the water bottle in my tent froze. In the morning it was only a 10 minute drive to the memorial. With the sun in my eyes it was too late when I saw the deer. (:-(
Traveler
Fantastic views No facilities but worth checking it out for a night while in Badlands Unlimited space Sage Creek also free camping with 22 sites No big RVs We travel in a Ford Transit 19
ScoutThe views are beautiful and the area is quiet and secluded, overall would be a great boondocking location if you have an RV. For a rooftop tent camper like myself, it is extremely exposed and windy. No shade whatsoever.
RangerFree! Best views in Bad Lands NP! Free! Great cell signal! Oh, it’s free, too! Best spot I’ve stayed in the past week, no bad spots to be found! A must-do place to boondock if you are passing thru!
LegendFree camping right by Pinnacle entrance of the Badlands...cant beat free! It is hot up there in the middle of summer though a breeze comes through ..we were in the 80s, so I can't imagine what it will be like when it gets to 100 degrees. Regardless, I recommend this spot if you like free and want a lovely view of the badlands.
There were a lot of RVs campers and people in tents, but still tons of spots to choose from!!!
ScoutWe were on “The Wall” dispersed camping near the tall antennas south of Wall, SD, just off Hwy 240. Plenty of room for everyone. No services, no cost. Gorgeous scenery.
ScoutClose enough to civilization to be able to get stuff. Removed enough from civilization to feel free from the city. Camping spots are secluded and private. There are no facilities so pack water and toilet paper.
Traveler
Dispersed Camping right outside the Badlands NP. No amenities but plenty of space and easy access. I saw large RVs and small cars camping there. Trail 7158 and 7170 right of of Rt 240 and close to the town of Wall.
Guide
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). Go a good ways down the road and up a hill which did have a couple of spots that I would be Leary of if you have a low to ground vehicle. We stayed in the first spot once clear of the trees, and while on a slope, it was a fantastic view. Our neighbors had made it towing a full size 5th wheel travel trailer, so it can be done, but I wouldn't try on a muddy road day with a huge trailer. Too risky. Still we camped on top of one of the highest mountains in the Black Hills, for free. It was fantastic until about midnight when the rainstorms came and our old tent had a catastrophic failure. We nearly froze from being fully soaked. So no second night for us, we had to push on, wash and dry everything, and buy a new tent to continue our travels. It was a great camp tho. But I recommend a bug canopy for just chilling in, and go ahead and invest in a good ground tarp and throw one over your tent as well to keep rain from soaking thru. You will thank me, and be a little warmer. Happy camping.
LegendThis beautiful place overlooks the badlands. We entered on the second road right by the cell tower. We heard that turning left at the wall was a smoother route. Even though the place was full we kept going and found plenty of spots to camp. We choose one opposite the edge but it was too small and angled for someone to camp there. This gave us a perfect spot to set up our chairs and enjoy the view. This is dispersed camping so there are no services. Pack in/pack out is important. This also means that folks have dogs off leash but they were respectful of keeping their dogs away from our reactive dog. This is a beautiful, free gem of a place to stay at.
TravelerDrive 240 S from Wall SD towards the NP for 6 miles. Look for a small dirt road on the left, it’s easy to miss. There are 3 radio towers near a Dispersed Camping area. You’ll notice the towers before the turn. Good cell service. Spectacular location. Most stay 1 night or 2. Best sites vacant by 10am and full by 4 pm.
LegendAs others have said in so many words, Wow!! If the stark beauty of this place doesn’t blow you away, the wind might! The sheer force of it was humbling.
This is a dispersed camping site located on a ledge overlooking the Badlands. This configuration makes for some serious winds which are evidenced in the rock that’s been sculpted in the area.
The location is about 6 miles south of Wall, SD, but make sure to get the GPS coordinates. The drive into the dispersed camping area is on a gravel service road which was doable for my 24’ class C (see video), but I took it very slowly because there are rutted areas. This spot is convenient to lots of attractions in the area. Many folks with toads would safely leave their RV’s during the day to go and sightsee.
My favorite memories: the hiking and star gazing!
My not so favorite memory: while stargazing in flip flops something bit my big toe and drew blood. It was the screech heard round SD! NOTE: Wear closed toed shoes and don’t park too close to the edge.
Ranger
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.
ScoutThis 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!
ScoutNearly unlimited boondock spots with spectacular views. Wind is blowing 20+ (just a breeze according to our SD friend) out of the SE up the Wall from the Badlands) with gusts to 30. Everyone favors the spots at the edge, but we found that you still have a good view 100 feet or so back from cliff edge and get considerable protection from the wind — the apparent wind velocity is cut by about half. Bonus: Good cell reception. Is that a cell tower in the middle of the boondock area?
RangerNothing beats the experience of boondocking at the wall. Waking up to this view is a must.
GuideMy Fiancé and I loved these dispersed camping sites! They’re scattered all along the drive of the mountain. The roads are all dirt going back to the sites. They’re plenty big for a 20ft camper, we have a 16ft pull behind and our truck and we still had plenty of room on our site and it wasn’t even a group site. There are a few extra big spots for groups. No fires, but your dogs will love this area.
ScoutSeveral 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.
Traveler
There were multiple pull off dispersed camping areas all along the Mt. Roosevelt road. The road is easy to drive if coming off the CanAm Hwy side of the mountain. Walking distance to the Roosevelt Friendship Tower hike which is highly recommended. Tons of bees in the wildflowers but they never bothered us. Pack in and pack out! Some traffic driving along the road but never overwhelming and quiet at night. Great base to visit Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish Canyon, and Devils Tower
RangerBoondocking with no bathrooms/showers/water Located just outside Badlands National Park and Wall in Buffalo Gap Spots have no shade or electricity
ScoutThis is a dispersed camping location. The only ameneties are what you bring. The view is great. Any size RV can make it down the dirt road. Most every camp location will require the RV to be leveled. Arrive in early afternoon so you can select your most desirable location. Easiest directions to area is to go south on 240 off of I90 at Wall, SD. Drive for approximately 7 mi and look to the east. You will see the RVs on the rim.
GuideOne of the best if not the best spot to stay at the badlands if boondocks is fine with you. Never will be fill here but best views along the Cliffside will be taken.
RangerThe view right.on the rim of the badlands. Just a few minutes from the np entrance. Wonderful views.
This is a gem in your boondocking travels. Great views. Windy. But wonderful. T mobile and att service
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Rapid City, South Dakota, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of spots that cater to different camping styles, from secluded sites to those with easy access to popular attractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Rapid City, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Rapid City, SD is Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping with a 4.8-star rating from 128 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 37 dispersed camping locations near Rapid City, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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