Camping options near Sioux Falls, South Dakota range from primitive tent sites to cabins with lake views. Located at 1,400 feet elevation in the eastern prairie region, the area experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 85°F and cold winters that regularly drop below 10°F. Seasonal closures affect some campgrounds, with several options remaining open year-round despite the region's significant temperature variations.
What to do
Kayaking on Split Rock Creek: At Palisades State Park, visitors can enjoy paddling through dramatic quartzite formations. "This area offers two great options: King and Queen. Queen is nestled in a wooded area with limited visibility to the sky, offering a more secluded experience. In contrast, King, a recently built campground, sits on the prairie and provides beautiful views of Split Rock Creek," notes a reviewer at Palisades State Park Campground.
Disc golf courses: Big Sioux Recreation Area features disc golf among its recreational amenities. According to one camper, "Beautiful hiking trails, play grounds, disc golf, volleyball net, and so much more. Also, the lady at the front was cute as a button!" The course provides a convenient activity option without leaving the Big Sioux Recreation Area grounds.
Swimming and waterslides: Island Park in Rock Rapids offers family water recreation just a short drive from Sioux Falls. "Huge swimming area with slides for kids, and river with a lot of fish!!! Brand New shower houses," reports a visitor who paid just $15 a night for an RV site with electric and water.
What campers like
Convenient city access: Sioux Falls KOA positions campers just minutes from downtown. "We just needed a place to stay for the night. The playground was rated 'amazing' by our kids. The electrical and water are a little spaced out," shares one camper. Another notes, "This is 4 miles away from the KOA to Downtown. It wasn't crowded, very clean, met lots of Texans and the pet areas were awesome!"
Private tent sites: For tent campers seeking seclusion, Big Sioux Recreation Area offers wooded camping spots. "This campsite was great! We had a tent site, number 24, and it was tucked into the woods but still close to the parking lot! The neighboring sites are far enough away where you still have privacy," writes a satisfied camper.
Budget-friendly options: Campgrounds like Island Park offer excellent value. "Very cheap, 15$ a night for RV with electric and water, 5$ for tents," reports a reviewer who enjoyed the park's swimming area and fishing opportunities.
What you should know
Non-resident fees: South Dakota parks charge additional fees for out-of-state visitors. At Lake Vermillion Recreation Area, a reviewer noted: "We had already paid the $30 a night plus $10 nonresident reservation fees, to find out starting this year we needed to pay a non-resident $15 a night state park fee or $60 for a year pass."
Highway noise levels: Some campgrounds experience significant road noise. Tower Campground reviews frequently mention this issue: "The negatives are noise and lights. Highway noise was very very loud. Easy to see outside but not a lot of camp feel. Bright light through skylites while sleeping."
Seasonal closures: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. Sioux Falls KOA operates from May 1 to October 15, while state parks like Big Sioux and Lake Vermillion remain open throughout the year, offering yurt camping near Sioux Falls during winter months for hardy campers.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: At Sioux Falls KOA, families appreciate the accessibility of play areas. One parent shares, "We got a spot right in front of the playground which was perfect for our toddler. The trees provided nice shade. They even let us drive our car up. There's also a brewery in walking distance."
Cabin options for beginners: For families new to camping, Sioux Falls KOA offers unique accommodations. "We stayed in the TeePee and it was definitely an experience our family will cherish forever. Awesome staff as well," reports one family who enjoyed this alternative to traditional yurt camping in Sioux Falls.
Educational opportunities: Blue Mounds State Park provides wildlife viewing opportunities. "Love the hiking and lack of bugs compared to most Minnesota parks. Great prairie views and it's always great to see Bison," notes a visitor to this nearby park that offers bison tours appropriate for children.
Tips from RVers
Winter camping preparation: For RVers planning to camp during colder months, Tower Campground offers year-round accessibility with heated water connections. A long-term camper notes, "This park is open year round and well set up for cold weather, the water spigot is heated so if you invest in a heated water line and have an insulated camper you should be good for the cold."
Internet connectivity: Working RVers will find varying levels of connectivity. At Dakota Sunsets RV Park, one reviewer was impressed: "The Wifi was really fast…the best we have seen in over 1 yr and full time camping. We had over 50Mbps on our Verzion and ATT hot spot as well as the RV park's Wifi system. This place is smoked hot for internet connectivity."
Dump station locations: RVers should note that not all parks with electric hookups have on-site dump stations. At Palisades State Park, a visitor commented, "Overpriced, no water hookup at electric site and no dump station. Friendly staff but probably wouldn't stay again."
