Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Reva, SD

Picnic Spring Campground in the Cave Hills offers some of the most secluded pet-friendly camping in western South Dakota, with eight well-separated campsites where dogs can enjoy ample space without disturbing neighboring campers. This free Forest Service campground welcomes pets with virtually no restrictions, featuring clean vault toilets but no hookups, showers, or potable water. Sites include fire rings and some have picnic tables, with most campsites spaced so far apart that campers report rarely seeing their neighbors. Other pet-accommodating options near Reva include Hugh Glass Campground on Shadehill Reservoir, Shadehill Recreation Area with electric hookups, and North Shore Bowman-Haley Lake campground. Most sites have good Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T service, allowing pet owners to locate veterinary services in nearby towns if needed.

The hiking opportunities surrounding these pet-friendly campgrounds provide excellent exercise options for dogs, with the Cave Hills area offering numerous trails through ancient geological formations. Dogs should remain leashed or under voice control due to occasional cattle on leased public lands and wildlife including deer and elk that frequent the area. During summer months, pet owners should check for blue-green algae warnings at Bowman-Haley Lake, as these can be harmful or fatal to dogs who swim or drink contaminated water. Small cacti are prevalent throughout the grasslands surrounding campgrounds, posing a hazard to pet paws, and ticks are common during warmer months. Most camping areas in this region experience extreme temperature variations, with campers noting the sites can be quite exposed with limited shade during hot summer days.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Reva, South Dakota (11)

    1. Picnic Spring Campground

    15 Reviews
    Reva, SD
    30 miles
    Website

    "My son and I were antelope hunting near here last September and found this campground. We were not able to stay because we had a dog that needed to stay in the camper which required full hookup."

    "Even more remote than its buddy, Reva Gap campground over in the Slim Buttes of Harding County, Picnic Spring Campground in the Cave Hills offers its own experience."

    2. North Shore Bowman Haley Lake

    1 Review
    Hettinger, ND
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 275-6316

    $5 - $15 / night

    "I had to move to an electric campsite adjacent to the marina, not attractive either but had full Verizon signal strength."

    3. Mirror Lake City Park

    2 Reviews
    Hettinger, ND
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 567-4133

    "Very beautiful campsites next to Mirror Lake. It is a small city campground. They have water and electricity. Sewer dump is in town. Cost is only $20 a night with a limit of 10 nights. Very peaceful."

    4. Hugh Glass Campground

    4 Reviews
    Lemmon, SD
    43 miles

    "The campground is run by the South Dakota Fish and Game and the current rate is $16.91 per night with a 14 day max stay. Easy 4 mile drive of highway on well maintained dirt/gravel road."

    "There isn’t a designated swim area but there is a nice sandy bottom close to the boat launch."

    5. Twin Butte Campground

    5 Reviews
    Amidon, ND
    47 miles
    +1 (701) 523-2311

    "Areas to walk dogs, or yourself (lol). Surrounded by trees and farming. We bbq in the evening and sat outside enjoying the clean air. Lots of grass and trees."

    "Surrounded by lush farmland. Best well water for drinking. About 1 mile on ebike ride to town. Town has 1 grocery store- nice! And also a neat museum. Would highly recommend."

    6. Shadehill Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Lemmon, SD
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 710-2267

    "What appear to be lakeside sites are actually elevated above the water. Clean vault toilets and also shower house with running water. Lots of big rigs; I felt tiny in my truck tent."

    "Playground and a couple beaches around the area. A popular boating reservoir."

    7. Gascoyne Lake Campground

    1 Review
    Hettinger, ND
    40 miles
    Website

    "There are a couple picnic tables around in a field and you’re right along the lake which had a beautiful sunset. You are allowed to stay up to seven nights and it is free."

    8. Bowman Lions Park

    2 Reviews
    Amidon, ND
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 523-3251

    "Also pet clean up bags are provided as well as garbage cans. The cherry on top is the FREE dump station. Campground is very clean, quiet and well kept. Will definitely come back when I’m in the area!"

    9. North Shore Bowman-Haley Lake

    Be the first to review!
    Hettinger, ND
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (701) 275-6316

    $5 - $15 / night

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Reva, SD

2 Photos of 11 Reva Campgrounds


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Reva, SD

48 Reviews of 11 Reva Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 25, 2025

    Hugh Glass Campground

    It’s not free but it is beautiful !

    Memorial Day weekend and there is only one other camper. The campground is run by the South Dakota Fish and Game and the current rate is $16.91 per night with a 14 day max stay. Easy 4 mile drive of highway on well maintained dirt/gravel road.

  • Chad T.
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Picnic Spring Campground

    A Hidden Gem!!!!

    My son and I were antelope hunting near here last September and found this campground. We were not able to stay because we had a dog that needed to stay in the camper which required full hookup. For that we went in to Buffalo South Dakota and stayed at the campground there. I knew I'd make it back someday and we were on our way home from the Black hills to Sidney Montana and I remembered this place as we were passing by. We came up here with high expectations and all of our expectations were Met. Quiet, beautiful sunset. Plenty of room firewood at every site. Good internet service phone service on Verizon and T-Mobile and AT&T. This place is a grand slam for anybody that wants a great place to stay for free. Thank you USDA for all the hard work.

  • West River J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2018

    Picnic Spring Campground

    Cool little Known Campground

    Even more remote than its buddy, Reva Gap campground over in the Slim Buttes of Harding County, Picnic Spring Campground in the Cave Hills offers its own experience. Its a short drive from Highway 85 over to the hills, then up and into the Ponderosa pine forest capped butte that the campground is situated on. Small canyons border most of the campground as its surrounded by other buttes in this ancient place that is the Cave Hills, one of the oldest geological formations in North America.

    There's plenty of 'trails' in the area, just check the Forest Service provided map to make sure you're still on public land. Some areas are leased out to ranchers and have cattle on them during different times of the year, so be mindful of any gates you pass through.

    Different roads and trails through the Cave Hills can offer up a bunch of different sights and views from the expansive prairie stretching away from it, the little hillsides and meadows between buttes and all the wildlife that occupies it. The history of the place is fascinating as well and worth looking into.

  • S
    Jul. 18, 2021

    North Shore Bowman Haley Lake

    Beautiful Campground, Campsites Need Repairs

    This COE campground is leased to Bowman Water Board, to reserve a campsite with electric, $15, is https:/bowmannd.com/plan- your- trip/camping/ Marina manager: 701-206-0161 Marina landline: 701-275-6316

    There is some question whether this COE Campground will honor America the Beautiful Senior Pass 50% discount since it's now leased to a private entity.

    Primitive sites are on a first-come basis, $5, are much prettier and more private!

    The electric campsites are not attractive, or level, and my first electric campsite #26, which was quite a distance beyond the marina, had a faulty electric, minimal Verizon signal and no privacy. I had to move to an electric campsite adjacent to the marina, not attractive either but had full Verizon signal strength. Also, the original campsite had a mercury vapor light that blinked non-stop ALL night long. As I understand, there is no water available near the campsite away from the marina.

    Although the campsites need repairs, the roads throughout the campground are in excellent condition. Most electric campsites have a picnic table, grill, fire ring or a burnt area where people have campfires directly on the ground. Note: campfires are certainly not warranted at this time, the grasses are extremely dry and it's windy, strong chance of wildfire.

    Don't count on swimming in Bowman Haley Lake, signs posted stating the water may contain blue green algae that can be harmful to humans and pets. (Actually, blue green algae has killed a number of pets causing them to experience convulsions and die quickly.) Blue green algae is easily seen along the shoreline. See pic.

    Oh, and the flies and mosquitoes!!

    Beware, if you are traveling with pets, there are small cactus throughout the grasslands and ticks.

    Beyond the marina is a dump site with non-potable water to rinse tanks, a fresh potable water faucet to refill freshwater tanks, and a bathhouse with a flush toilet and a shower. The Marina has a Sunday brunch from 9 - 11:00 a.m. and serves breakfast and lunch the other days, plus beer and wine.

    My initial reaction to the campground was negative due to electrical problems. However, I have since changed my mind, the surrounding areas are quite beautiful. Also, I had 4G/LTE 5 bars but that depends on where you are in the campground.

  • Jamie P.
    Jul. 16, 2023

    Bowman Lions Park

    Excellent FREE campground with ladies and men’s restrooms and dump station!

    This campground is absolutely FREE with a suggested donation of $12 that we happily gave. This campground is run by the local Lions Club and each site has a picnic table that is painted the traditional Lions Club colors of purple and yellow. Some sites have a charcoal grill. There is a separate ladies and men’s restroom with toilet and sink that are very clean. Also pet clean up bags are provided as well as garbage cans. The cherry on top is the FREE dump station. Campground is very clean, quiet and well kept. Will definitely come back when I’m in the area!

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2021

    Picnic Spring Campground

    Wonderful remote campground

    We absolutely loved our stay at this campground! We arrived on Saturday, July 3rd and were very surprised to find most of the sites empty!

    Good place to get away from fireworks, if you have an anxious dog.

    Limited shade during those hot summer days.

    The scenery is spectacular and offers cross country hiking for the adventurous. Awesome sunrise if you take a 10 minute walk.

    Coming in from the north on Cox Road, it's a 3 mile drive on well maintained gravel road. Easily feasible with our 26 ft RV.

  • C
    May. 15, 2022

    Twin Butte Campground

    Hidden gem, great stop in ND!

    We stayed here with 2 motorhomes, one with tow. Great family owned, very friendly/warm family, organized, helpful and clean. Areas to walk dogs, or yourself (lol). Surrounded by trees and farming. We bbq in the evening and sat outside enjoying the clean air. Lots of grass and trees. We even got some homemade delicious cupcakes from the hosts daughter….yum! Great overnighter and would come again. They have 30 and 50 amp hookups, lots of space. Call ahead and I’m sure they can accommodate your needs. You can fill water and a dump station avail on request.

  • West River J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 26, 2018

    Reva Gap Campground

    Solitude with a view

    Great little campground nestled in the pines of the Slim Buttes. Views of more buttes and the prairie to the west with certain spots. Area is gorgeous in one of the most remote areas of SD. Can drive to campging spots a fair distance in to be away from the highway, although the traffic is almost nonexistant.

    Some trails to the north of Highway 20 and on the south end of Highway 79 that can take you above and along the cliffs of the buttes with some more spectacular views. You can do some back-country camping if you camp within a certain distance of the trails (grab a forest service map at the campground for reference of trails/roads and private property).

    Camping spots in the campground are clean, mowed and have a small fire pit.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2024

    Shadehill Recreation Area

    Pleasant escape

    Very nice campground. What appear to be lakeside sites are actually elevated above the water. Clean vault toilets and also shower house with running water. Lots of big rigs; I felt tiny in my truck tent. Some of the rigs left outdoor lights on all night, so was not a very dark sky location.


Guide to Reva

Camping options near Reva, South Dakota include a mix of free and fee-based sites scattered across Bureau of Land Management territories and South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks lands. The region experiences extreme temperature fluctuations with winter lows reaching -20°F and summer highs exceeding 95°F. Many campsites sit at elevations between 2,500-3,200 feet, creating distinct weather patterns compared to surrounding lowlands.

What to do

Hunting access: Shadehill Recreation Area offers electric hookups near prime hunting grounds. "A popular boating reservoir" with "clean vault toilets and also shower house with running water," according to camper Leslie B., who noted "lots of big rigs" using the facilities.

Fishing opportunities: North Shore Bowman Haley Lake provides shoreline access for anglers. The marina offers weekend meals, as one visitor reports: "The Marina has a Sunday brunch from 9 - 11:00 a.m. and serves breakfast and lunch the other days, plus beer and wine."

Photography settings: The Cave Hills formations provide unique geological backdrops. At Hugh Glass Campground, campers can capture striking reservoir views. One visitor noted: "The campground is on a bluff over Shadehill reservoir in national grassland. Most sites are pretty close together. I would have selected #11 if I had stayed."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Picnic Spring Campground offers unusually separated camping spots. Diana V. confirms: "This campground is so private and the sites are spaced far enough away you can't see each other. We have a great site for our 23ft trailer."

Free camping options: Bowman Lions Park operates on donations. "This campground is absolutely FREE with a suggested donation of $12 that we happily gave. This campground is run by the local Lions Club and each site has a picnic table that is painted the traditional Lions Club colors of purple and yellow."

Wildlife viewing: Seasonal deer and elk sightings enhance the camping experience. Jacob D. from Picnic Spring Campground shares: "Pretty sketchy to find but very nice and the forest around is sweet. While I was here in May I saw deer and elk."

What you should know

Limited services: Most campgrounds have minimal amenities. At Gascoyne Lake Campground, a camper reported: "There are a couple picnic tables around in a field and you're right along the lake which had a beautiful sunset. You are allowed to stay up to seven nights and it is free."

Cell service variations: Reception quality varies by location and carrier. At Twin Butte Campground, one camper noted "Excellent AT&T service" with "5Gs" available, while other campgrounds may have limited connectivity.

Road conditions: Many sites require driving on unpaved roads. About Hugh Glass Campground, Frank M. advises: "You do have to be careful driving in though, lots of cows sharing the roads."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Some campgrounds include play equipment for children. At Gascoyne Lake, "There are two little shelter areas & a playground but it has not been mowed yet for the season so hard to access."

Swimming safety: Check water conditions before allowing swimming. For North Dakota Mirror Lake Park Campground, campers appreciate that it's "Very beautiful campsites next to Mirror Lake. It is a small city campground."

Spacing for active children: Select sites where kids can play without disturbing others. At Picnic Spring Campground, Leslie B. notes: "Sites has been mowed for fire mitigation which also resulted in nice 'lawns'."

Tips from RVers

Dump station locations: Plan ahead for waste disposal. At Bowman Lions Park, Jamie P. appreciated "the FREE dump station. Campground is very clean, quiet and well kept."

Site leveling challenges: Many sites require significant leveling. At Twin Butte Campground, RVers praise the terrain: "No potholes or tree limbs to scratch up your RV. Super clean *showers/br too."

Power options: Electric hookups are limited to specific campgrounds. Christina B. confirms Twin Butte offers "30 and 50 amp hookups, lots of space. Call ahead and I'm sure they can accommodate your needs. You can fill water and a dump station avail on request."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Reva, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Reva, SD is Picnic Spring Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 15 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Reva, SD?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 dog-friendly camping locations near Reva, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.