Camping near Wall, South Dakota puts visitors within a short drive of the dramatic formations of Badlands National Park at an elevation of approximately 2,825 feet. Summer temperatures often exceed 100°F while winter lows can drop below 0°F, creating a challenging camping environment with limited shade at most RV sites. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Explore downtown Wall: The RV parking at Wall Drug RV Parking puts you within walking distance of Wall's attractions. "Small lot next to residential homes. Would not run a generator. Busy all day," notes John R. The location compensates for the basic conditions, as William S. explains: "While the three huge lots have no amenities whatsoever, they are large enough for any RV, and of course you've got the entire town right there."
Visit the military museum: When staying at 24 Express RV Campground in Wasta, check out the small military museum on-site. Jessica H. says, "There is also a military museum on-site with super cheap admission." This lesser-known attraction provides an educational stop between Badlands explorations.
Hike nature trails: Badlands Hotel & Campground offers maintained hiking paths near their property. Bethany D. recommends: "Take the time to walk in the hiking area. Hidden pond - no swimming." The trails provide opportunities to hear local wildlife, as Ann W. reports: "Slept with windows open and listened to coyote."
What campers like
Convenient access to Badlands: Badlands Hotel & Campground provides an ideal base for park exploration. "Great entry point to Badlands NP," confirms Tomasz S. Its location just outside the park entrance allows for early morning adventures: "The convenience of this campground can't be beat as it's literally minutes from the entrance to badlands. We woke up early and drove in to see sunrise," shares Jonah S.
On-site dining options: Several campgrounds offer food service, saving travel time for meals. At Heartland RV Park And Cabins, Bonnie F. enjoyed the "on site restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner with live music each night." This amenity proves valuable after long days of sightseeing.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility cleanliness as a highlight. At Sleepy Hollow Campground, Ryu M. confirms: "the bathroom/shower was indeed super clean like everyone says!" Similarly, at Heartland RV Park, Laura F. appreciated "pool, hot tub, showers and restrooms" that were well-maintained.
What you should know
Limited shade available: Most campgrounds near Wall feature exposed sites with minimal natural shade. At Sleepy Hollow Campground, Deb H. noted sites were "Good but little shade." Similarly, Southern Hills campers experience "No shade, Rocky level sites, looks like newish landscaping with small grass areas and short trees."
Site spacing varies significantly: Campground density differs across the region. Vincent B. describes Rapid City RV Park as having "sites are graded but location is on a hill making getting around a pain." At Badlands Hotel & Campground, Michelle F. found "camp sites lacked shade and were closer than we would have liked."
Budget-friendly options exist: Unlike premium-priced RV sites near Wall, South Dakota, more economical options can be found. Joe C. reports that 24 Express RV Campground offers "8 spot self service campground with long pull through spots for $20 per night. Only electric at the site but the $30 includes filling your tanks and dump station at the front of the camp ground."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access during hot months: Rapid City RV Park & Campground offers welcome relief from summer heat. Cassandra I. recommends: "A pool and playground for the kids to relax when the vacationing takes a toll and you need a day off." The pool provides essential cooling when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F in July and August.
Enclosed play areas: Several campgrounds feature designated children's spaces. Paul at Heartland RV Park notes the property has a "Nice enclosed dog exercise area. Playground for kiddies." These separate areas allow children to play safely away from RV traffic.
Family-friendly activities: On-site entertainment can keep children engaged after sightseeing. Derek & Kristen A. found Heartland RV Park "provides a good culture for families and retirees alike!" with amenities like a "(small) pool to keep cool" and activities scheduled throughout the day.
Tips from RVers
Best times for RV travel: Visiting RV sites near Wall, South Dakota outside peak season improves experience. Paul recommends Heartland RV Park during shoulder season: "It is off season, so pool, tennis court and some other facilities closed right now. We will be leaving the end of November, but after having been at several campgrounds over the past 2 years, this will be our go to place in the Rapid City area from now on."
Overnight convenience: Love's RV Stop-Box Elder 602 offers secure overnight parking with amenities. Maggie C. says, "This is a nice campground for one night. I was leery of booking it as I thought it would be like a truck stop. It is completely separate from the Loves gas station. You need a gate code to get in that you receive via text the day before." The campground provides security features not found at standard parking areas.
Water and dumping options: When conservation is necessary, flexible facilities help. Joe C. found at 24 Express RV Campground: "$5 to fill with 100 gallons plus dumping and flushing tanks! Just leave the money in the drop box and you're good to go." These services are available even without overnight stays.
