Best Campgrounds near Whitewood, SD

Whitewood is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Whitewood is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Discover great camping spots near Whitewood, reviewed by campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Whitewood, South Dakota (229)

    1. Spearfish City Campground

    40 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    11 miles
    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."

    2. Chris' Campground

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

    $23 - $65 / night

    "Close to freeways and many day drive towns and memorial sites. Arrived weekend after Sturgis Rally… Pretty quite 😀🐐🦬🌄"

    "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!"

    3. Days End Campground

    12 Reviews
    Sturgis, SD
    6 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!"

    4. 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. "

    5. Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite

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

    "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."

    "Our spot was nice and a short walk to a vault toilet and trailhead. The trail led to a cool tower that we climbed to watch the sunset."

    6. Deadwood KOA

    9 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    8 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)."

    7. Wild Bill's Campground

    10 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 578-2800

    $28 - $160 / night

    "Easy to find, very close to Deadwood, clean showers and bathrooms and it has a bar a grill! Bar and grill was so good and I’m still dreaming about that burger."

    "Our dogs loved the long walks around the campground, crossing over the creeks on the little bridges. There is an off leash dog park 10 minutes away in Lead, SD."

    8. Whistler Gulch Campground & RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Deadwood, SD
    8 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."

    9. Spearfish KOA

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

    "Nice people, very clean bathrooms, close to highway so there’s some road noise. Nature trail with off leash dog area, and a small dog park in the middle for off leash doggy play time."

    "Located within 8 miles of services and shopping, the hosts were very friendly and helpful. Sites are a little close together, but well kept."

    10. Wyatt's Hideaway Campground

    12 Reviews
    Belle Fourche, SD
    14 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."

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Recent Reviews near Whitewood, SD

1384 Reviews of 229 Whitewood Campgrounds


  • Tom D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Fort Welikit Family Campground and RV Park

    Great Centrally Located Campground

    Fort Welikit (We- Lik-It) is very centrally located to many of the memorials, caves, and drives within the park and surrounding area. Our site was not the best for a 45’ class A, but with the help of one of the camp hosts supplying a portable step our visit was enjoyable. The owners have kept the tall pines in the campground. Our site #6 was almost always shaded. The sound of the wind in the trees truly put you to sleep. Fort Welikit allows Amazon deliveries. A nice touch.
    We had a few nights of rain and the owner was out every morning dragging the gravel back in place to keep the interior roads smooth.

  • Kara S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Dispersed Camping near Calumet Road

    Serene and peaceful

    Calm ur road itself is gravel but then you can diverge on one of the forest service roads. We went down a few of them until we found our spot. It had a fire ring and was fairly open for starlink access. Very quiet and peaceful. Found a few spots with no one near it for a bit.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Rod & Gun Campground

    Nice quiet little campground

    Nice quiet little campground. There is a small creek running next to some campsites. The campground is very open with very little privacy between campsites.

  • Tom D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Stockade North Campground — Custer State Park

    Nice Wooded Sites Centrally Located

    We stayed here two nights because of the five stars. It does not have a dump station nor sewer and water sites. So I edited the amenities. In the future I will verify dump stations on the host site. Electric and some non-electric sites and with two campground spigots accessible from the road only. We arrived after 6 nights of boondocking and were disappointed with the inaccuracy of the amenities. Over all it is a nice campground with a good amount of room between most sites and quiet. Close to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Jewel Cave, and Wind Cave. Plus some great drives.

  • Joseph H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Rafter J Bar Ranch

    Peaceful Campground

    I really liked this campground. It was very clean and well maintained. I especially liked that they had a security vehicle that roved the area to ensure everyone was following the rules. Nothing ruins a good camping trip faster than rowdy loud neighbors. We had good overhead tree cover at our spot, a fire pit, and full service hookups.

  • Tom D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Rocky Point Recreation Area

    Checks all of Our Boxes for a State Campground

    This campground is all back in sites with 50/30 and 20 amp service. 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. With the exception of the two loops all the sites have a view of the lake, mostly facing west with a great sunset view. We were here for the Labor Day weekend and the campground was completely full but it did not feel crowded. One day after the weekend, we count 2 RV’s including ours in view. As noted in another review, there are many boondocking sites to choose from on the far west side of the lake accessible via a gravel road. Rocky Point is 24 miles from Spearfish City Campground. This is definitely a campground we would visit again when in the area.

  • Susan D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Whispering Pines Campground & Cabins

    Great for what we needed

    We just stayed at this campground for a couple of nights, but we hadn't had full hook ups for over a month. Kind of packed in here, but we needed a place to scout from, so this was perfect. Site are big enough to accommodate most Amy size rig. And they take packages here!

  • A
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Holy Smoke Resort

    Great option!

    We are loving it! There’s a little town right next to the campground, A LOT of helicopters flying overhead during the day. Mount Rushmore is very close. Full hookups, excellent wifi signal!

    The spaces are a little cramp for my liking but there are some more farther spots that you could choose.

    There’s no laundry mat in the camp but there’s one at the little town.

    We came for a few days only and we end up staying longer because there’s so much to do around here! And the weather is amazing!


Guide to Whitewood

Camping near Whitewood, South Dakota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're pitching a tent or rolling in with an RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore Spearfish Canyon: This stunning area is perfect for hiking and enjoying nature. One camper mentioned, “Good camper ground in Spearfish, plenty to go and see but sites are close,” highlighting the area's accessibility to outdoor adventures.
  • Visit Historic Downtown Spearfish: Just a short drive away, this charming town has shops and restaurants. A reviewer noted, “Very close to historic downtown Spearfish! The staff was super helpful and sweet,” making it a great spot to unwind after a day of exploring.
  • Fishing at Pactola Reservoir: Known for its fishing, this reservoir is a must-visit. One happy camper said, “The reservoir is huge, and many consider it to be one of the best fishing 'holes' in the state.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Chris' Campground remarked, “The showers are clean, the laundry is convenient, everything you could want whether you are in a tent or a 5th wheeler.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots. A reviewer at Rocky Point Recreation Area said, “The campground was large, so it was easy to roll in and find a site without a reservation.”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention helpful staff. At Days End Campground, one guest said, “Very friendly staff! Wifi is fair at best.”

What you should know:

  • Site Proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are closer together than others. A camper at Spearfish City Campground noted, “Sites are closer than the worst KOA,” so if privacy is important, check the layout before booking.
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For example, Pactola Reservoir Campground has no electric hookups or showers, which some campers found inconvenient.
  • Seasonal Availability: Many campgrounds are only open during certain months. For instance, Sheridan Lake South Shore Campground operates from mid-May to late August, so plan your trip accordingly.

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,” making it a great choice for families.
  • Activities Nearby: Choose a campground close to attractions. A family at Chris' Campground enjoyed the area, saying, “This campground is a great location to stay while exploring the beautiful Black Hills and Spearfish!”
  • Safety: Ensure the campground is in a safe area. A camper at Wyatt's Hideaway Campground felt comfortable during morning runs, stating, “It is located in a safe area.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your campground has the right hookups for your RV. A visitor at Rapid City KOA mentioned, “Sites were clean but very close to one another,” which is something to consider for RV parking.
  • Wi-Fi Availability: If you need internet access, check reviews for Wi-Fi quality. A camper at Days End Campground noted, “Wifi is fair at best,” so plan accordingly.
  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites to make parking easier. A reviewer at Sheridan Lake South Shore Campground said, “The camp sites were very spread out and decently flat for tent camping,” which is also beneficial for RVs.

Camping near Whitewood, South Dakota, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities and facilities are available at Whitewood Campground?

Whitewood Campground offers standard camping amenities similar to other Black Hills facilities. Like Game Lodge Campground — Custer State Park, it provides clean bathroom facilities with showers. The campground features both tent and RV sites, each equipped with fire pits and picnic tables. Water access is available throughout the grounds. While not as secluded as Black Fox Campground, Whitewood maintains a comfortable balance between convenience and natural setting. Many sites offer shade, and the campground's layout accommodates various camping preferences. Additional amenities may include trash disposal stations, communal gathering areas, and access to nearby recreational opportunities.

Where is Whitewood Campground located and how do I access it?

Whitewood Campground is located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, making it an excellent base for exploring the area's attractions. Similar to Spearfish City Campground, Whitewood offers convenient drive-in access. The campground sits within an hour's drive of major Black Hills destinations including Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park. Most visitors access the campground via main highways in the region, with well-marked signs directing travelers to the entrance. For specific directions, it's recommended to check with the campground directly before your trip as seasonal road conditions in South Dakota can vary.

Are reservations required for Whitewood Campground and what are the fees?

Reservations are highly recommended for Whitewood Campground, especially during peak summer season (May-September) when South Dakota tourism is at its highest. Similar to Happy Holiday RV Resort, Whitewood offers competitive pricing for the Black Hills region, with fees typically ranging from $20-35 per night depending on the site type and amenities required. While some sites may be available on a first-come, first-served basis, securing a reservation ensures you won't be disappointed upon arrival. Pactola Reservoir Campground follows a similar seasonal operation schedule, generally open from May through September. Contact the campground directly or check their reservation system for current fees and availability.