Are you an equestrian lover who prefers a more rustic experience when you visit Watertown? Finding a place to stay in South Dakota while traveling with your horse has never been easier. With our help, you'll find the best South Dakota equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
Joy Ranch is a reputable destination location for weddings, corporate retreats and family vacations. Joy Ranch's facility includes a full-service campground and an impressive working dude ranch featuring Norwegian Fjord Horses, Quarter Horses, Miniature Horses, and one Miniature Donkey!
$20 / night
Fishing, boating, swimming, & water skiing keep everyone entertained. Visitors enjoy hiking, the archery range, multipurpose trail, & hunting. Camping pads & Electricity are available year-round. Camping cabins are available. For thrill-seekers, there’s snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and ice fishing in the winter.
Open: Year-round. Between Oct. 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets and other water systems may be closed. Please contact the park directly for current status. Vault toilets usually remain open.
Park Size: 103 campsites, 5 camping cabins, and group lodge
Directions: 6 miles southwest of Lake Preston off US Hwy 14
Nearest Town: Lake Preston
Horse camp - horses required to stay at this campground. Non electric sites.
Nestled among eight connecting glacial lakes, this park provides a never-ending variety of activities throughout the year, from hiking and swimming, to ice fishing and cross-country skiing. Shaded campgrounds and picnic areas complement the park's excellent swimming and boating facilities. The park was once used as a summer camp and an annual gathering spot for American Indians. Later, Samuel Mortimer arrived in 1869 and built the log cabin that still stands at the park.
$22 / night
Guide
This campground has both electric standard sites for campers and tent sites. Two shower houses and multiple vault toilets throughout the campground for accessibility. Walking trails in grass or gravel. Three walkways down to the water’s edge with one being a large swimming area. Boating is permitted as well. Be sure to use bug spray as mosquitoes were all over- maybe due to wet weather. This is a natural lake formed by farmland that flooded in the 1980s.
GuideNice pebble beach, playgrounds, and walking areas. Flat camper parking. Power was great and showers were clean. Electric only. There is an area to dump waste on the exit. Stopped on Sunday on the way westward and the place was empty, stopped Friday on the way home and it was packed. Lots of kids and families, and almost every spot was full. Happy to see folks having fun. It was just a little busy for us. On the second time through one of the three bathrooms was very dirty, sad before the weekend- the showers remained clean. On the Friday stop there were a lot of people, some spots had 3-4 cars parked in the grass- it was too bad they allowed that. If one was to go here to find some quiet do so during the week or late weekend. It worked just fine as a quick overnight stop on our route. Lots of families having fun. Slept well. Well groomed area. Pretty views of lake. A little windy.
ScoutJoy Ranch campground is a hidden campground outside Watertown SD. If you are wanting to enjoy a peaceful weekend with your family, Cowboy Campground is the place for you!
Horse camping in South Dakota offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you'll find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the scenic trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Watertown, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Watertown, SD is Joy Ranch with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Watertown, SD?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Watertown, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
