The Reva area lies within the Custer Gallatin National Forest at approximately 3,000 feet elevation where the grasslands meet the pine forests. Camping opportunities near Reva, South Dakota include sites in the Slim Buttes formations and Cave Hills, with dispersed options throughout the Grand River National Grassland. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F and winter temperatures dropping well below freezing.
What to do
Wildlife watching: Several campgrounds near Reva offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. At Reva Gap Campground, campers report, "This campground is amazing. The geological formations around us are beautiful, and this place is isolated." The surrounding area provides habitat for deer, elk and coyotes, with one reviewer noting, "Coyotes serenaded us throughout the night!"
Hiking local trails: The Slim Buttes area contains several hiking trails accessible from camping areas. Trails north of Highway 20 and on the south end of Highway 79 take hikers "above and along the cliffs of the buttes with some more spectacular views," according to a Reva Gap Campground visitor. At Picnic Spring Campground, hiking opportunities abound with "great bluff views" and "an abundance of wild life."
Fishing and boating: For water activities, Shadehill Recreation Area offers extensive shoreline access on Shadehill Reservoir. The recreation area features "well maintained electric hookup sites along the shore" and is "a popular boating reservoir." While swimming is available at some locations, check for blue-green algae warnings that may periodically affect water quality.
What campers like
Privacy and solitude: Campsites near Reva consistently earn praise for their seclusion. At Reva Gap Campground, "campsites are spread out so you get tons of privacy" and "camping spots in the campground are clean, mowed and have a small fire pit." Similarly, Hugh Glass Campground offers sites that are "wind shielded by some evergreens" creating a "very peaceful" atmosphere.
Night sky viewing: The remote location creates excellent stargazing conditions. At Picnic Spring Campground, reviewers highlight the exceptional night sky, saying, "As they say in Texas... 'The stars shine bright at night'." However, note that at some locations like Shadehill Recreation Area, "some of the rigs left outdoor lights on all night, so was not a very dark sky location."
Cell service: Surprisingly good connectivity exists at several campgrounds despite the remote location. Picnic Spring Campground offers "Good internet service on phone service on Verizon and T-Mobile and AT&T." This makes these remote sites more accessible for those needing to stay connected, with one camper at Reva Gap noting, "I had 2 bars of LTE via ATT basically anywhere before the first camping loop. After that, 1 bar of 4G."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to camping areas varies widely. While the main highways are paved, many campground access roads are gravel or dirt. Picnic Spring Campground is "over 6 miles down a dirt gravel road. The road was fairly nice." For Grand River National Grassland, more challenging conditions exist as you "need 4x4 for clearance" though one camper noted they "didn't have trouble driving even after a little rain. FS gravel roads were solid but narrow."
Limited amenities: Most campgrounds near Reva have basic facilities. Reva Gap Campground has "vault toilets spaced out throughout the campground which is nice! They aren't being cleaned at this time but still being stocked with TP." Plan accordingly for water needs as a Hugh Glass Campground visitor points out, "Remote with ~14 campsites. You take a dirt road all the way in. First come first serve no fee."
Seasonal considerations: Weather in the area can be extreme. Summer brings heat and sometimes severe storms, while winter conditions make many sites inaccessible. Insect activity peaks in summer months, particularly after rain. One camper at Hugh Glass noted they "planned to stay but severe storm was on the way."
Tips for camping with families
Best family-friendly sites: For families, Picnic Spring Campground provides spacious sites where "every site has a cooking style fire ring, picnic table and ample room to park more than one vehicle." Sites are "very well maintained and well cared for" making them suitable for family camping trips.
Activities for children: Butte View Campground features a "very small playground in center of campground" which provides some recreation for younger children. Meanwhile, Shadehill Recreation Area includes "playground and a couple beaches around the area" providing water-based recreation options during summer months.
Safety considerations: Prepare for wildlife encounters and changing weather. At Reva Gap, one camper noted, "Beware, if you are traveling with pets, there are small cactus throughout the grasslands and ticks." Another warns about "the flies and mosquitoes!!" which can be particularly bothersome during summer evenings.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For RVers visiting Picnic Spring Campground, "all of the 8 sites are very spread out and unique on their own." A reviewer noted, "We have a great site for our 23ft trailer. This campground is so private and the sites are spaced far enough away you can't see each other."
Electrical options: For those requiring hookups, options are limited near Reva itself. Butte View Campground offers "full hook up 30/50 amp" sites that are "nice level sites" though they're located about 45 miles north of Reva in Bowman, ND. Several reviewers noted that some sites at Butte View "had electric only" options for those not requiring full hookups.
Water and dump station access: Many campgrounds in the area lack water hookups. At Reva Gap, a camper reported, "There's also an electric outlet up front if you need to charge something, with a donation box." For water needs, plan to bring your own supply as most sites don't offer potable water, though some like Hugh Glass Campground have "water taps" available.
