Best Tent Camping near Reva, SD

Tent campsites near Reva, South Dakota are limited but accessible in the surrounding region. Twin Butte Campground in Bowman, North Dakota offers tent camping options with drive-in and walk-in access about 70 miles northwest of Reva. For more primitive tent camping experiences, Wickham Gulch Campground in Montana provides basic facilities approximately 50 miles northeast of Reva in a more remote setting.

Most tent camping areas near Reva have basic amenities with significant differences between established and primitive sites. Twin Butte Campground provides drinking water, electric hookups, showers, toilets, and trash service for tent campers. Sites are set on grassy areas with shade trees, offering a comfortable base for tent setups. In contrast, Wickham Gulch Campground offers only vault toilets with no water or other services, requiring campers to pack in all supplies. Both locations allow drive-in access, with Twin Butte additionally offering walk-in tent sites for those seeking more seclusion.

The tent camping experience varies significantly between these locations. Twin Butte Campground provides a family-friendly environment with clean facilities and natural surroundings. The campground features grassy areas with shade trees that create comfortable tent sites. A recent review noted, "Beautiful, safe and simple family-owned campground surrounded by lush farmland." The clean bathrooms and showers are frequently mentioned in visitor feedback. Wickham Gulch offers a more primitive tent camping experience without the amenities of established campgrounds, appealing to those seeking solitude and a more rustic outdoor experience. During peak summer months, securing tent sites at Twin Butte may require advance planning, as it accepts reservations and can fill during travel season.

Best Tent Sites Near Reva, South Dakota (2)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Reva, SD

1 Photos of 2 Reva Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Reva, SD

37 Reviews of 2 Reva Campgrounds


  • D
    Nov. 4, 2022

    Picnic Spring Campground

    A dream campsite that is free!

    I stayed there in mid-September for 2 nights. This is first come-first served. You can not reserve a site. With this in mind, I made the trip from Medora on a Tuesday morning and I arrived around noon. I gambled that the people who came in for the week-end would be gone and the ones who were coming for the next week-end would not be there for another day or two.

    The 10 sites are spacious: it’s hard to see any other campers from your site. There are no amenities here except for very clean pit toilets. No water, no electricity, no dump stations and no dumpsters for trash. Every site has a cooking style fire ring, picnic table and ample room to park more than one vehicle.

    But there is an abundance of solitude, beauty and a deer and elk. As they say in Texas . . . “The stars shine bright at night”.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2024

    Picnic Spring Campground

    Lovely and peaceful

    Free campground in SD, not WY. Most sites are well separated. Most have picnic tables. Came over 4th of July and there were only 5 other campers when I left. Several piles of wood available for firewood (resulted from clearing trees); you will need to split it, however. Sites has been mowed for fire mitigation which also resulted in nice "lawns". I stayed in 1st on the right. It was more exposed to wind and rain, but I preferred the layout. Other sites are more protected.

  • 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.

  • UnnamedAdventures  The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2019

    Picnic Spring Campground

    Excellently maintained campground and great for boon-docking

    This is one of the best National Forest campgrounds that we have been to. All of the 8 sites are very spread out and unique on their own. There is an abundance of wild life along with some great bluff views. The campground is very well maintained and well cared for. There are 2 vault toilets and now other extra amenities near the campsites. There is a water supply you can use but the water must be treated. You can stay a max of 14 days. We highly recommend this campground!

    Check out our blog at www.unnamedadventures.com and follow our journey on Facebook and Instagram or on our YouTube Channel at Unnamed Adventures. 

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Guide to Reva

Tent camping near Reva, South Dakota offers limited but accessible options within a 70-mile radius. The region sits at the northwestern edge of South Dakota where the terrain transitions from rolling plains to more rugged buttes. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F during peak camping season with cooler nights, while spring and fall bring more moderate daytime temperatures and colder evenings, often dropping below 40°F.

What to do

Explore local farmland: Twin Butte Campground provides easy access to surrounding agricultural areas. One camper noted, "About 1 mile on ebike ride to town. Town has 1 grocery store- nice! And also a neat museum" making it convenient for campers to experience the local culture.

Enjoy stargazing opportunities: The remote location of Twin Butte Campground creates excellent conditions for night sky viewing. With minimal light pollution and open spaces, campers can observe stars, planets, and occasionally the Milky Way with exceptional clarity during summer months.

Take advantage of connectivity: For those needing to stay connected while camping, cellular service is surprisingly reliable at certain locations. A recent visitor confirmed, "Excellent AT&T service, 5Gs" making it possible to plan activities or stay in touch while enjoying the outdoors.

What campers like

Clean facilities: The well-maintained amenities at Wickham Gulch Campground are frequently mentioned by visitors. The vault toilets, while basic, are typically clean and properly maintained even without regular staff presence.

Friendly management: The personal touch from campground owners makes a significant difference in the camping experience. A camper shared, "The owner Dave is so polite and knowledgeable. Lovely spot green grass big shade trees. Amazingly clean bathrooms/shower thanks to Jodi."

Natural surroundings: The countryside setting provides a peaceful atmosphere. One visitor described it as a "Beautiful, safe & simple family owned campground. No potholes or tree limbs to scratch up your RV. Super clean showers/br too. Surrounded by lush farmland."

What you should know

Limited reservation options: Most tent camping near Reva requires planning ahead, especially during summer months. At Twin Butte Campground, calling ahead is recommended. A visitor advised, "Call ahead and I'm sure they can accommodate your needs. You can fill water and a dump station avail on request."

Payment methods: Be prepared with the right payment type when camping near Reva. A recent camper mentioned, "$35 cash or check. You just cannot beat it," indicating credit cards may not be accepted at some locations.

Water quality: Unlike many camping destinations, the local water receives positive reviews. One camper specifically mentioned, "Best well water for drinking," suggesting that while you should always bring your own supply, the local water is notably good.

Tips for camping with families

Late arrival accommodation: When traveling with children, timing can be unpredictable. Fortunately, some campgrounds are understanding of this reality. A family noted, "My husband and I stayed here for a night. We got in pretty late and they were super accommodating. Very friendly."

Pet-friendly options: Twin Butte Campground welcomes four-legged family members, with "Areas to walk dogs, or yourself" according to a recent visitor. This makes it easier for families traveling with pets to enjoy the best tent camping near Reva, South Dakota.

Home-baked treats: Unique to the family camping experience, some visitors have received unexpected hospitality. One camper shared, "We even got some homemade delicious cupcakes from the hosts daughter," highlighting the family-friendly atmosphere.

Tips from RVers

Spacious sites for larger rigs: The camping areas near Reva can accommodate various RV sizes. A recent visitor mentioned, "We stayed here with 2 motorhomes, one with tow. Great family owned, very friendly/warm family, organized, helpful and clean... They have 30 and 50 amp hookups, lots of space."

Evening comfort: The climate allows for comfortable outdoor evenings during summer months. An RVer shared their experience: "We bbq in the evening and sat outside enjoying the clean air. Lots of grass and trees," making it ideal for those who prefer spending time outside their vehicles.

RV-friendly terrain: The campground layout is designed to protect vehicles from damage. One camper specifically noted there were "No potholes or tree limbs to scratch up your RV," an important consideration for those with new or maintained recreational vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Reva, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Reva, SD is Twin Butte Campground with a 5-star rating from 5 reviews.