Free dispersed camping on Fort Pierre National Grassland, Richland Reservoir sits roughly five miles down a gravel road that can become nearly impassable after rain. The road surface is clay-based, and multiple campers have reported getting stuck when it's wet, even with all-terrain tires. Dry conditions make the drive manageable for most rigs, including larger RVs if drivers take it slowly and expect washboarding. The campsite itself is an open, mowed field beside a small reservoir, with a row of trees along one edge that can serve as a windbreak. Shade is otherwise nonexistent, so bring your own.
Wind is the defining feature of this spot. Brian described an evening when "around sunset some storms rolled by and the wind kicked up something fierce," with gusts continuing through the night. That kind of weather is not unusual on the South Dakota prairie, and campers with awnings or lightweight shelters should be prepared to secure them quickly. On calmer nights, the open sky makes for good stargazing, with multiple reviewers noting the Milky Way visible overhead.
The vault toilet here gets consistent praise. Caleb C. called it "cleaner than any public restroom I've ever seen," and this sentiment appears repeatedly across reviews. No water is available on-site. Campers report that Fischers Lilly Park in Pierre, to the north, has both potable water and a dump station. Cell service is inconsistent. One reviewer managed calls and texts on AT&T without issue, while another needed a cell booster with a 20-foot antenna to get a signal.
Wildlife sightings at the reservoir include deer, bald eagles, turtles, and rattlesnakes. The fishing draws repeat visitors, and in spring, the nearby ranger station in Pierre offers reservable blinds for viewing prairie chicken and grouse mating displays. Crowd levels tend to stay low, though a few other rigs are common on weekends. For additional free camping in the area, Sheriff Dam on 285th Avenue is a few miles down the road, and Fort Pierre National Grassland Dispersed Camping provides another option within the same grassland system. Campers exploring campgrounds around Fort Pierre will find this one among the more remote choices in the region.
Check the weather forecast before committing to the access road, and plan to arrive with a full water supply.
Map & DirectionsRichland reservoir dispersed camping is located in South Dakota near Fort Pierre
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
44.14673955 N
100.40789597 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 8/28/26- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 8/28/26
AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 8/28/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 8/28/26
- AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Richland reservoir dispersed camping needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 28 min from Rapid City, SD
- 2 hrs 57 min from Sioux Falls, SD
- 3 hrs 43 min from Bismarck, ND
- 4 hrs from Sioux City, IA
