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Best Campgrounds in South Dakota

3,122 Reviews

Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping and The Wall Boondocking Dispersed provide free camping options in South Dakota, with both located near Badlands National Park. South Dakota campgrounds range from primitive dispersed sites on public lands to fully developed private campgrounds with cabin rentals and RV hookups. Several established campgrounds in the Badlands region offer toilets and picnic tables at free or low-cost sites, while campgrounds near Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park provide more amenities including electric hookups and shower facilities.

The Black Hills region contains numerous campgrounds with varying amenities and reservation requirements. Cedar Pass Campground in Badlands National Park offers electric hookups and water but prohibits fires, while Sylvan Lake Campground in Custer State Park provides full amenities including showers and firewood. Dispersed camping areas typically have no facilities but allow pets and alcohol. Several campgrounds close seasonally, with most operating between May and October. A camper noted, "This is our third time here and this time there are markers for where to park to camp. The Forest service is managing the area so people cannot park right at the edge of the cliff like in times past."

National grasslands and forest service roads provide numerous opportunities for dispersed camping throughout South Dakota. Campers report particularly scenic experiences at overlooks within Buffalo Gap National Grassland. According to one review, "Beautiful overlook of the Cheyenne River on FS land. Gorgeous colorful landscape. Large turnaround with plenty of room." Established campgrounds in the Mount Rushmore area feature concrete pads, landscaped grounds, and resort amenities like pools and recreation facilities. Private campgrounds often include cabin rentals alongside traditional tent and RV camping options. Seasonal variations affect road conditions, especially for accessing dispersed camping areas, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles after rainfall. Many campgrounds implement fire restrictions during dry periods, particularly in the Badlands region.

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Best Camping Sites in South Dakota (535)

    1. Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping

    139 Reviews
    Wall, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 279-2125

    "I camped on the ridge in the South Dakota grasslands. I was able to look out my front door and see the badlands or or see the grasslands out my rear window."

    "The site is about 6-8 miles from the town of Wall, so while you are in a remote area, you still have ready access to food, shopping, and gas if you need it."

    2. Sage Creek Campground

    119 Reviews
    Wall, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 433-5361

    "Definitely pay your park entrance fee! BUT it’s true - this spot is completely free. Lots of people dig this spot. Doesn’t feel too crowded though."

    "Great views, prairie dogs were so cool to see running around the camp site. Bison everywhere on the drive in and a few even walking around the camp site. Super close to badlands park entrance."

    3. Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park

    115 Reviews
    Interior, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 433-5460

    $37 - $47 / night

    "Stayed one night in a converted Sprinter while traveling through South Dakota, we needed a place with showers.  The showers and restrooms were pay to use, with a single curtain as privacy."

    "Despite some not so positive reviews, we enjoyed our one-night stay at Cedar Pass. Yes, the campground layout is not well designed."

    4. Badlands Hotel & Campground

    62 Reviews
    Interior, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 433-5335

    $24 - $174 / night

    "We liked: tent sites on the outskirts, trail / dog-hiking area, proximity to Badlands. Showers and price were ok. To earn 5 stars it needs more seclusion and trees for tent sites."

    "The campground was great and super close to the Badlands park entrance. The owners were very nice and helpful."

    5. Badlands / White River KOA

    59 Reviews
    Interior, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 433-5337

    "Although the camp ground is outside the park, the views from the areas surrounding the campground are great."

    "v=hoIu_r-fQ5E) Product Review:

    During our road trip around the US, I was able to try out the GO camper from SylvanSport."

    6. Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch

    55 Reviews
    Hill City, SD
    Website

    "Make the most of your South Dakota vacation by spending it camping. My group tented and had a great time."

    "The location is amazing and so beautiful. There are tons of amenities and fun activities. The staff are very nice and very helpful."

    7. Elk Mountain Campground — Wind Cave National Park

    45 Reviews
    Pringle, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 745-4600

    $12 - $45 / night

    "This campground is centrally locates to some great activities in South Dakota. We made day trips to visit the Badlands, Wall Drug Store, Wind Cave and Mount Rushmore."

    "Passing through South Dakota rests a very unique park unlike any other you will find.    "

    8. Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park

    42 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 255-4515

    "This lake is beautiful, its one of my favorite places inside Custer state park. There are a ton of trails, all within easy walking distance. Make sure you pack plenty of water."

    "We had one of the spots that was more out in the open and close to our neighbors, but the sites on the outside of the middle loop were much more private."

    9. The Wall Boondocking Dispersed

    39 Reviews
    Wall, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 279-2126

    "I spent a couple of weeks in the Badlands area of South Dakota this past summer.  I camped for 5 night along The Wall.  "

    "Arrived past dark, could determine where to go so parked along roadside. In AM found The Wall well populated with overnight campers. We can see why!"

    10. Spearfish City Campground

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

    "We picked a site near the back of the camp grounds located near the creek and close to a small parking lot (close by to the pet exercise area on the map - though it's labelled as an ice rink on grounds"

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos in South Dakota

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Recent Reviews in South Dakota

3122 Reviews of 535 South Dakota Campgrounds

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2026

    Roy Lake West — Roy Lake State Park

    Nice equipped campground with nice sites nearly lake

    This is a large campground with lakeside campsites available. Hiking trails, beach, boating, paddling area. Campground has nice views and is well maintained.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2026

    Fort Sisseton State Park Campground

    Historical grounds with campgrounds.

    This is an historically significant area that has activities for the history buff. The campground is pretty basic with nothing fancy other than a place to camp for the night. Large grassy area. Small cabins available.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2026

    Sica Hollow State Park Campground

    Traditional campground with Equestrian sites available

    Beautiful equestrian campground during many seasons. The sites are nice but basic. There is water access at the park. Hiking trails. Well maintained. Horse trails available.

  • Kevin A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2025

    The Wall Boondocking Dispersed

    Absolutely Amazing - Must Camp Location

    I spent a couple of weeks in the Badlands area of South Dakota this past summer.  I camped for 5 night along The Wall.  The views, the night skies, the beauty of the location were so far beyond my expectations.  You have to take time to camp here when visiting the Badlands National Park.  I will be going back for sure. There so much to do, see, and explore.

  • Bill T.
    Dec. 31, 2025

    Rafter J Bar Ranch

    Base Camp For The Black Hills

    Rafter J Bar Ranch had large wooded sites that reminded me more of a State Park! All amenities plus a friendly staff. Mt Rushmore, Custer SP, Needles Highway, Crazy Horse Monument, Wind Cave NP & Badlands NP all within a short drive!

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2025

    Belvidere East / Exit 170 KOA Journey

    Well Run KOA Journey

    The campground easy to reach, about a half mile off I-90, with clear signage as we approached and turned in. Check-in was friendly and efficient, a staff member then escorted us to deluxe patio pull-through site 40 with full hookups. The patio amenities on the site were had seen better days. They also delivered propane to our rig shortly after we arrived, which was a nice touch. The utilities were well spaced even with our two sewer connection—the pad had plenty of room to position the coach. Cell coverage was strong with 4 bars on Verizon and 3 on T-Mobile. We used our T-Mobile Home Internet for streaming. Starlink would have worked fine as well, since the area around our site was fairly open with few trees. As a side note at check-in, they mention that their Wi-Fi could handle streaming so we tested it with an impressive 121 Mbps. The property had two fenced dog areas, which made exercise breaks easy. Their laundry room was well maintained with 6 washers and 4 large dryers. On our second day, the water pressure dropped to a very slow flow. After reporting, the office quickly responded and fixed the issue. The campground has a great little on-site restaurant that serves breakfast items, burgers, subs, and pizzas. We ordered pizzas during our stay — they were freshly made and quite good. The kitchen hours are 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM MST, so it doesn’t open very early or stay open late, but they do offer delivery to your site, and tips are donated to the KOA Care Camps Foundation. This was one of the better-run KOA Journey parks we’ve stayed. We enjoyed our two-day stop here.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 29, 2025

    Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins

    One of Our Favs

    Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort is easy to find near I-90, but it sits far enough off the highway that road noise isn’t too bad. This is a very nice campground (CG) with exceptional customer service. The morning of our arrival, the office called to ask whether we wanted to switch sites so we wouldn’t have to move after extending our stay by two days. They recommended Site 71, an end-cap site, and we gladly accepted. We also completed the online pre-check-in, which made arrival quick and simple. We proceeded to pull-through Site 71 with FHUs; the long pad had multiple sewer connection options, which was super convenient, and the utilities were located near the middle of the pad. There’s a nice cement patio and picnic table, and the site was plenty long enough for our 40' toy hauler with the back patio down while still leaving room to park our F450. Campground WiFi was okay at 13.5 Mbps. We had 2 bars of Verizon 5G and 1 bar on T-Mobile, which wasn’t strong enough to support our T-Mobile Home Internet, so we put Starlink on the roof and, with few mature trees near our site, had a clear sky shot and excellent performance. The CG has nice showers, laundry, a dog park, and good walking areas. Overall, this is one of the best private campgrounds we’ve stayed.

  • rThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 22, 2025

    Pinnacles Camping Area

    Great spot

    This location was the first one we found. The view was great an I was pleased to be away from the main touristy around

Guide to South Dakota

Camping in South Dakota offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. From serene lakes to sprawling grasslands, there’s something for everyone. Here’s what you need to know before you pack your bags.

What to do

  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Richland Reservoir Dispersed Camping, are great for fishing. One camper mentioned, “Lake is full of small Crappie. Lots of wildlife. Deer, antelope, pheasants.”
  • Hiking and Biking: Trails abound in places like Oahe Downstream Recreation Area. A visitor shared, “Good walking paths for humans and dogs and saw many folks cycling.”
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers often spot bald eagles and other wildlife. One review noted, “There was a bald eagle hunting the reservoir.”

What campers like

  • Peaceful Atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the tranquility. One reviewer said, “Great quiet camping spot. Only one other camper while here for 4 days.”
  • Clean Facilities: Campgrounds like Farm Island State Recreation Area are well-maintained. A visitor remarked, “The bathrooms/showers are clean as is the campgrounds.”
  • Affordable Rates: Campers enjoy the low costs. One camper mentioned, “$15 for water, electric and dump station.”

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Fort Pierre National Grassland, have few facilities. A reviewer noted, “No fees No water No open fires.”
  • Weather Considerations: Be prepared for wind and storms. One camper at Richland Reservoir said, “The wind howled all night!!!”
  • Road Conditions: Some access roads can be tricky. A visitor shared, “The road is clay and when it gets wet it becomes very difficult to travel on.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and water access. One review of Farm Island State Recreation Area mentioned, “Great for kids. Kayak rentals. Playground and beach area.”
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids near water. A camper advised, “Hubby could walk out of the camper and fish,” highlighting the need for supervision.
  • Pack Snacks: Having food on hand can make family outings smoother. One camper noted, “They brought us ice,” showing that some campgrounds offer helpful services.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your site has the right hookups. A visitor at River View RV Park said, “Campsites are close together with full hookups.”
  • Be Prepared for Cold: If camping in cooler months, be ready for freezing conditions. One camper mentioned, “Our water hookup was frozen so they moved us to a spot where they had a heated cover on water pipe.”
  • Explore Nearby Towns: Don’t miss local attractions. A reviewer at Griffin City Park said, “There is a marina with a boat launch that is right next door.”

Camping in South Dakota is a fantastic way to connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you're fishing, hiking, or just relaxing, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in South Dakota for families?

South Dakota offers excellent family camping destinations with activities for all ages. Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park provides spacious, clean facilities perfect for families with young children, offering a blend of adventure and relaxation away from city life. Another great option is Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux, which features large sites that back up to bike paths and the river. The area has a new bathhouse, very clean facilities, and plenty of recreational activities. It's only a half-hour drive to Sioux Falls, making it convenient for day trips. Both locations offer the natural beauty and outdoor experiences that make family camping in South Dakota memorable.

What are the top tent camping locations in South Dakota's national parks?

South Dakota's national parks offer exceptional tent camping experiences. Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park is renowned for its beautiful lake setting and network of hiking trails within easy walking distance. The stunning scenery makes it one of the most popular spots in the Black Hills region, though hikers should be prepared for sometimes steep terrain and South Dakota's changeable weather. Cedar Pass Campground — Badlands National Park provides a more rugged experience with iconic badlands views. For a more primitive option, Sage Creek Campground in Badlands offers free camping with basic facilities. Elk Mountain Campground in Wind Cave National Park is another excellent choice for tent campers seeking access to underground and above-ground wonders.

Where can I find private campgrounds in South Dakota with full amenities?

South Dakota has several private campgrounds offering comprehensive amenities. Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch provides an excellent alternative to expensive hotels near Mount Rushmore, with full facilities for both tent and RV camping. This is an ideal base for exploring the area's attractions. Kennebec KOA is another well-maintained private option with clean bathrooms and showers, some shaded sites, and friendly owners. It's conveniently located just a short drive from the highway, making it perfect for travelers passing through. While there's minimal road noise, the campground remains quiet and comfortable. Many private campgrounds in South Dakota offer hookups, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and camp stores for a comfortable outdoor experience.

Keep Exploring

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