The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Spearfish, SD

1,197 Reviews

Spearfish, South Dakota serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences in the Black Hills region. The area features established campgrounds like Spearfish City Campground along Spearfish Creek and Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins, which offers year-round accommodations. Camping options range from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups, with several properties offering cabin rentals for those seeking more comfort. Mount Roosevelt Road provides dispersed camping opportunities for self-sufficient campers seeking a more primitive experience. The proximity to Black Hills National Forest and nearby recreation areas makes Spearfish a strategic base for exploring the region's natural attractions.

Most campgrounds in the Spearfish area operate seasonally from April through October, though a few like Elkhorn Ridge remain open year-round. "We enjoyed our stay at this very busy and crowded campground. The area is beautiful and there is a creek that runs around edges and the fish hatchery to tour across the street," noted one visitor about Spearfish City Campground. Reservation systems vary by property, with many requiring advance bookings during summer months and around the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August. Cell service is generally reliable near town but becomes spotty in more remote areas. Water access points are common features at established sites, though dispersed camping typically lacks amenities and may require visitors to pack out all waste.

The Black Hills setting provides distinctive camping experiences with access to outdoor recreation. Campers frequently mention the convenience of Spearfish's in-town campgrounds for their proximity to services while still offering natural surroundings. According to one visitor, "Spearfish Canyon is clean and quiet. Access to the reservoir was very easy. There is a small sandy beach available for swimming." Sites along creeks and near water features typically receive higher ratings, though they often book quickly during peak season. Mixed-use campgrounds accommodating both tent and RV campers predominate in the area, with varying levels of site separation. Many campgrounds offer easy access to hiking and biking trails, fishing opportunities, and scenic drives through nearby Spearfish Canyon, making them popular bases for exploring the northern Black Hills.

Map showing campgrounds near Spearfish, South DakotaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Spearfish, South Dakota (215)

    1. Spearfish City Campground

    41 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 642-1340

    "Nice city campground along Spearfish Creek and super close to downtown and has easy access to Spearfish Canyon. We definitely took advantage of the creek and proximity to downtown during our stay."

    "right along spearfish creek, this campground was really nice and kept up well. Clean, good upkeep on the bathrooms and walking distance from grocery stores and laundry, etc."

    2. Chris' Campground

    17 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 642-2239

    $23 - $65 / night

    "They are close to Spearfish Canyon which has wonderful hiking trails and trout fishing. The area is beautiful.There are also close to Deadwood and Lead, both of which are worth exploring!"

    "The owners are very helpful and friendly, The campground is close to lots of great activities such as Spearfish Canyon, as well as Deadwood and Lead."

    3. Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins

    10 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 722-1800

    "Easy access off I-90 and super close to Spearfish, Deadwood, Lead and all this area of South Dakota has to offer."

    "Campground is very clean and has quick and easy access to the highway. "

    4. Spearfish KOA

    10 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 642-4633

    "we spent a couple of nights in this KOA to explore around spearfish. Sites were wide and spacious. Grass in between so we had a nice pot for our dogs. It was easy to walk them around the park."

    "We were also close to the 7.5-mile nature trail entrance from the park to the river, which was great for walking our dogs. The CG has curbside trash pick-up plus firewood& ice for sale."

    5. Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite

    11 Reviews
    Deadwood, SD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    "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."

    "This is not a thru road there is only one entrance off of the CanAm Highway. Roughly about 10 sites depending on set-up. Bathroom close by the entrance/trailhead to Roosevelt Friendship Tower."

    6. Wyatt's Hideaway Campground

    12 Reviews
    Belle Fourche, SD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 892-0600

    $29 / night

    "The tent sites are right on the river and it makes for a peaceful sleep The highway is very close but the road noise is pretty low considering the proximity."

    "Tent site was near the river, and the sound of the river helped drowned out the nearby highway noise."

    7. Deadwood KOA

    9 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 578-3830

    "We have stayed at this location twice (have gotten the same cabin actually) when Deadwood is having events."

    "Our initially reserved campground nearby was sketchy, so we called KOA Deadwood at 4:30 hoping for a last minute reservation (even though the app said they were full)."

    8. Spearfish Quarry

    5 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    6 miles

    "It's close to town, Spearfish is an awesome place, easy drive to much of the northern Nlack Hills area."

    "There is an OHV trail just outside the quarry border, but wasn't used very much.   Had just a few people come and stayed the night.  Would definitely stay here again. "

    9. Days End Campground

    13 Reviews
    Sturgis, SD
    15 miles
    +1 (605) 347-2331

    $20 - $800 / night

    "It has a beer garden, restroom facilities and it's right on the outskirts of town."

    "Helpful convenient right next to freeway so noisy all else is great!"

    10. Whistler Gulch Campground & RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Deadwood, SD
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 578-2092

    "Location is quiet. There is a place to walk dogs. Deadwood trolley comes right to the CG to transport you downtown."

    "They are really close to town, so it’s really convenient. We have a larger side by side, so when I called they made sure that we would have a spot to fit that too."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 215 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Spearfish Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Spearfish, SD

436 Photos of 215 Spearfish Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Spearfish, SD

1197 Reviews of 215 Spearfish Campgrounds

  • c
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Belle Fourche Campground at Devils Tower — Devils Tower National Monument

    Great views, overbearing hosts.

    Campground has multiple water points and multiple bathrooms with flush toilets. Plenty of sun for solar power. Individual site has a fire ring and concrete pad with picnic table. There are multiple camp hosts and they are very overbearing, patrolling this place more frequently than a prison. They don’t even let you get set up before they are all the way up your hind end. I stayed for 13 days, most people are here for 1-2 nights. It’s hard to walk dogs around the park because you must stay in the roads and people like to speed and disregard pedestrians, park rangers are not interested in traffic enforcement. On the Belle Fourche River and lots of wildlife.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Belle Fourche Campground at Devils Tower — Devils Tower National Monument

    Devils tower

    We are really happy with this campground. It's your basic no hookups campground, but it is very clean and we'll maintained. It has water available , flush toilets. No problem with cell service. It 20 a night and 10 a night for seniors . It is located right next to devils tower in the park. We did not have reservations and was fortunate enough to get a spot. However, we arrived in the off season so I'm sure that has something to do with why there were empty spaces. Otherwise, I'm sure during the season it would be busy. Great place. I recommend this campground if you're in the area and looking for something other than RV resorts and away from freeways. And the star gazing is amazing.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Spearfish Quarry

    Quiet stay

    It is an open area. There is a sharp right turn coming in and a steep drop. There is a 25’ trailer here now but I would not risk anything longer. A van, B+, or small type C will be fine. The bottom is pretty rocky. If you have cheap Chinese tires or may-pops, I would be very careful. Verizon has good cell service here.

  • Apk W.
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Wrinkled Rock

    Peaceful Camping at Wrinkled Rock: A Hidden Gem Near Mount Rushmore

    Wrinkled Rock, near Keystone, South Dakota, is a hidden gem for outdoor lovers seeking tranquility and stunning views.🏕️ Just minutes from Mount Rushmore, this spot offers excellent tent camping with peaceful surroundings, clean sites, and a true connection to nature. It’s perfect for campers who want to unwind away from the crowds while staying close to iconic landmarks. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys camping, hiking, or simply soaking in the beauty of the Black Hills! https://barberxpert.com/

  • Apk W.
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Wrinkled Rock

    Peaceful Camping at Wrinkled Rock: A Hidden Gem Near Mount Rushmore

    Wrinkled Rock, near Keystone, South Dakota, is a hidden gem for outdoor lovers seeking tranquility and stunning views.🏕️ Just minutes from Mount Rushmore, this spot offers excellent tent camping with peaceful surroundings, clean sites, and a true connection to nature. It’s perfect for campers who want to unwind away from the crowds while staying close to iconic landmarks. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys camping, hiking, or simply soaking in the beauty of the Black Hills! For more travel insights and outdoor reviews, visit https://barberxpert.com/

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Belle Fourche Dispersed Site

    Beautiful site

    Great spots on the water with picnic tables and fire rings. Not crowded at all

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Horse Creek Resort

    Best campground in Mount Rushmore

    This campground has everything! It is breathtakingly beautiful. We stayed in number 1 that felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. There is a creek that runs behind and there was enough space to have our fur baby in a 30 foot cable. It was close enough to Mount Rushmore and amenities. The owner was more than gracious and friendly. We even booked an extra night. It was hard leaving this place. I highly recommend staying here if you want peace and quiet and the mountain feeling.

  • Devlin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Dispersed Camping near Taylor Ranch Rd

    Beautiful

    It was amazing and beautiful but no cell service Very close to everything, about a 30 minute drive from Mount Rushmore. Road is rocky but flat in some spots. Lots of trails so can be noisy of ATV. Otherwise beautiful South Dakota scenery! Go down the road for a few spots.

Guide to Spearfish

Camping near Spearfish, South Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and a variety of campgrounds to suit different needs. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet place to unwind, there's something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Explore the outdoors: The area is surrounded by stunning landscapes, perfect for hiking and biking. Many campers enjoy the trails around the Pactola Reservoir Campground, where one reviewer mentioned, "The surrounding woods, the well-maintained sites and facilities make this my most favorite by far."
  • Visit local attractions: Check out the historic downtown Spearfish, which is just a short drive from the Spearfish City Campground. One camper noted, "Very close to historic downtown Spearfish! The staff was super helpful and sweet."
  • Fishing and boating: The Rocky Point Recreation Area is a great spot for fishing. A visitor shared, "The campground was large, so it was easy to roll in and find a site without a reservation."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-kept restrooms and showers. One review for Chris' Campground stated, "The showers are clean, the laundry is convenient, everything you could want."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots. A camper at Pactola Reservoir Campground mentioned, "There are a lot of sites spaced out nicely in a wooded area."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground hosts. One visitor at Wyatt's Hideaway Campground said, "The hosts are very nice and helpful, very accommodating."

What you should know:

  • Site proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are closer together than others. A review for Spearfish City Campground noted, "Sites are closer than the worst KOA."
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have full hookups or amenities. A camper at Wyatt's Hideaway Campground mentioned, "The wifi was spotty at best, even with few sites occupied."
  • Seasonal availability: Some campgrounds are only open during certain months. For example, Pactola Reservoir Campground operates from May 18 to September 8.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. One reviewer at Spearfish City Campground mentioned, "Big playground at the entrance."
  • Safety: Choose campgrounds in safe areas. A camper at Chris' Campground felt "completely comfortable on my morning runs."
  • Activities for kids: Find spots near fun activities. A parent at Pactola Reservoir Campground noted, "The reservoir is huge, and many consider it to be one of the best fishing 'holes' in the state."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site size: Make sure the campground can accommodate your rig. A visitor at Reuter Campground said, "The sites are spacious and shaded."
  • Hookup availability: Look for campgrounds with the necessary hookups. A camper at Days End Campground appreciated the "warm showers and friendly staff."
  • Plan for noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or trains. A reviewer at Wyatt's Hideaway Campground mentioned, "The train is a little loud but decent price."

Camping near Spearfish, South Dakota, has its perks and quirks. With a little planning, you can find the perfect spot for your next outdoor adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a KOA campground in Spearfish, SD?

Yes, there is a Spearfish KOA (Spearfish Black Hills KOA) located in the area. This KOA offers typical amenities including reservable sites, water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly with drive-in access. While not directly in downtown Spearfish, it provides convenient access to local attractions. For those willing to venture slightly further, the Deadwood KOA is another nearby option offering similar amenities in the neighboring historic town. KOA campgrounds in the Black Hills region generally provide reliable facilities and services for families and RVers exploring South Dakota's attractions.

What camping options are available in Spearfish, South Dakota?

Spearfish offers diverse camping options for all preferences. Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins provides full hookups and laundry facilities with easy access from I-90, making it perfect for RVers wanting amenities while exploring the Black Hills. For a more natural setting, Beaver Creek Campground offers a peaceful experience near the Wyoming border with basic facilities including water spigots, though you'll need to pack out trash. Additional options include Spearfish City Campground along Spearfish Creek, and various public campgrounds in the surrounding Black Hills National Forest. The area serves as an excellent base for exploring nearby attractions in Deadwood, Lead, and the greater Black Hills region.

What is the Spearfish City Campground like?

Spearfish City Campground offers a convenient camping experience situated along the scenic Spearfish Creek. This public campground features standard amenities in a pleasant natural setting, with the creek providing a peaceful soundtrack for your stay. The location is particularly advantageous, putting campers within easy reach of downtown Spearfish's restaurants and shops while still feeling connected to nature. For those seeking alternatives with more amenities, Happy Holiday RV Resort provides full hookups at reasonable prices with friendly owners and excellent access to Black Hills attractions. The city campground serves as an ideal base for exploring Spearfish Canyon and the surrounding Black Hills region.

Where are the best campgrounds in Spearfish Canyon?

Spearfish Canyon offers spectacular camping surrounded by limestone cliffs and pristine forest. Spearfish City Campground sits at the mouth of the canyon along Spearfish Creek, providing a convenient base with proximity to the canyon's attractions. For a more secluded experience within the canyon itself, Black Fox Campground is a hidden gem with only 8-10 well-spaced sites, each featuring a fire pit and picnic table. The small size creates an intimate atmosphere away from crowds. Basic facilities include vault toilets. These campgrounds offer excellent access to the canyon's hiking trails, waterfalls, and fishing spots, making them perfect for nature enthusiasts looking to explore this scenic Black Hills treasure.

Keep Exploring