Spearfish, South Dakota sits at 3,642 feet elevation in the northern Black Hills, where temperatures typically range from 15°F in winter to 85°F in summer. The area features limestone cliffs and pine forests with distinct seasonal camping conditions. Most campgrounds open from April through October, with some facilities like Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort offering year-round accommodations for glamping near Spearfish.
What to do
Creek fishing opportunities: Rocky Point Recreation Area offers excellent fishing with lakeside sites providing direct water access. "Rocky Point was a delightful stay! Most sites are on the water, with sweeping views of the sunset. Our site (and many others) had a little path so you could put your feet in the lake and watch fish and birds enjoy the water," according to visitor Ben E.
Biking on local trails: Spearfish City Campground connects directly to the city's recreational path system. "Great bike paths, disc golf, walk up Spearfish Canyon or hop your bike and go down the canyon and have brunch at Latchstring Restaurant," notes Bonnie R. The paved pathways make family cycling accessible directly from camp.
Historic attractions: Fishn Fry Campground and Cabins places visitors near Lead's mining history and Deadwood's Wild West attractions. "You are just a short drive from Lead for Grocery Shopping and mining activities and a short distance to Deadwood with their replay of the Gunfight with Wild Bill Hitcock as well as the capture and trial of Jack McCall," explains Ellen W.
What campers like
Waterside views: Campsites facing the water at Rocky Point provide natural soundtrack and recreation. "We stayed one night and enjoyed the waterfront view and sunset. The water was way down and appeared murky so we stayed out of it," reports Glenda. Sites generally sit 40-50 feet from the water depending on seasonal levels.
Fish hatchery access: Spearfish City Campground borders the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery. "It is located right by the Awesome Fish Hatchery! That's the best part," says Russ N. The hatchery includes viewing ponds, historic buildings, and educational exhibits accessible by foot from the campground.
Swimming facilities: Chris' Campground provides multiple swimming options for campers. "They do an excellent job of maintaining the facilities and provide everything needed for an excellent stay. Nothing extraordinary or fancy, but well run and organized. 2 separate pools depending on if you want to listen to a bunch of screaming kids or not," according to Steve D.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Campgrounds offer different levels of privacy and proximity to neighbors. At Spearfish City Campground, "Campsites were very close together (no privacy) but people were quiet and respectful," according to Aida K., while Timon Campground offers more seclusion with "a primitive feel tucked away off a rough gravel road," notes Ryan.
Reservation timing matters: Booking early for summer months is essential. "We did not have many sites to chose from when making our reservations and had the site next to us had an RV and vehicle parked we would not have been able to get in," reports Tom D. about Spearfish City Campground.
Water access challenges: Many campgrounds have unusual water setup or seasonal limitations. At Wyatt's Hideaway, "The water spigots stick up 2' above the ground and you're told if you don't want it to freeze you'll need to heat trace and insulate it at your own expense," explains Miguel E.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins offers high-quality play facilities for children. "My kids loved the outdoor pool and hot tubs the playground was fantastic And there is even a bar by the pool if you want a cocktail," shares Amber W., who calls it "absolutely glamping paradise!"
Educational opportunities: The fish hatchery near Spearfish City Campground provides learning experiences for children. "We spent a lot of time exploring Spearfish Canyon/Roughlock Falls/Lead/etc but spent one day just to relax at the campground/hatchery/Park. It was great," says Megan R., noting that "paved roads were great for kids to ride their bikes."
Noise considerations: Family-friendly options can be noisier, especially on weekends. Hannah P. notes about Iron Creek Lake Campground: "We happened to be here Father's Day weekend and let me say it was way over packed and a bit annoying. Reminded me of a summer camp which is cool if you're a kid...Come Monday however it was very peaceful again."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Rocky Point Recreation Area has spacious but uneven sites. "The space between sites is admirable. I stepped off our space at close to 70+ feet wide. Almost all sites will accommodate a 45' class A but some sites may be tough for a Class A to level," notes Tom D.
Dump station limitations: Some facilities have challenging dump layouts. At Iron Creek Lake Campground, a visitor reported, "We didn't even use the dumpstation as the way it is positioned I couldn't get the tanks dumped, so that was a bummer." They noted they "went into Spearfish campground owned by the city and dumped there."
Utility placement: Elkhorn Ridge offers optimal hookup placement. "The spots are great, the service is perfect, and the grounds are well maintained," according to Ron M., while another visitor mentioned concrete pads with modern full hookup connections.
