Gunderson Park

CAMPING IS NOW ONLY ALLOWED BETWEEN MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY. NO WINTER CAMPING IS ALLOWED ANY LONGER.

Gunderson Park is a nice little boondocking location just ½ mile from the downtown area of Centerville. They have 2 fire pit locations, but, after speaking with the official at city hall we found out you can camp pretty much anywhere in the park you would like.

It is free to camp here, you can stay virtually as long as you wish to according to that same official. There are no hook-ups. No bathroom facilities. No picnic tables. No playground for children. You may fish with a South Dakota license in the lazy rolling Vermillion River that skirts the park on 3 sides. They have a cement boat ramp. I will say when we stayed there the river was so low you would have had great difficulties getting a boat launched. On the west side of the park there are park benches at the beginning (or end of the walk depending on your start location) with a cemented walk way along the road to the park and the Vermillion River. It runs close to a quarter mile long with benches about half way through the walk. The city keeps this park mowed during the summer months. This is an old old park dating back to 1800's. The trees are massive and just as old providing beautiful shade. There are remnants of old stone items remaing in the park, grape vine thingy, a stone fireplace and pillars. Our stay favored us with Bald Eagle sightings. 2 hung around the trees on the other side of the river in full view, it was wonderful.

At the city park you can dump your tanks. We didn't need to so we didn't visit this location. At the four way stop sign located at the center of the town, turn west, travel one block and on the south side of the street you will find city hall. There they will tell you how to find the dump site.

This seems to be a favorite location for locals to drive through. Sometimes we found traffic through the park on the heavy side but most of the time very quiet. People are small town friendly. Population is around 900 people. Town has a grocery store, convenience store, bank, medical clinic, pharmacy, restaurant, bowling alley, auto parts store, bakery and other businesses. We noticed 4 churches in our drive around the town. At the city park they have a community swimming pool, Frisbee golf, 2 ball diamonds, tennis courts, playground equipment, volleyball courts, 2 picnic house areas and a location for 4 RV campsites with electrical plug ins [2 50 amp and 2 30 amp) for $10.00 a night with limited stay.

Stayed overnight here on my ride to Sturgis. The park was very well taken care of with plenty of space for lots of campers and tents. The grass is mowed and nicer than my yard. It is otherwise primitive camping with no amenities like toilet, shower, water. It is close to a country road with occasional traffic. ATV’s are apparently popular as a few came through and were noisy but it was relatively quiet after 11p. I was one of two people there. The park is located just outside of a quaint small town with a couple mom and pop restaurants and a gas station. The townsfolk I encountered were very friendly. I felt very safe at this location. There is a sign at the gate to the park that states camping is only allowed between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Huge level areas. No “designated” spots, that said, pull up a spot and set up. Will accommodate big rigs, but is dry camping. The place has a concrete boat ramp for jon boats and kayaks. No facilities. Good trees and walking paths.

Quite nice. The park is away from the town and surrounded by water from 3 sides, making it feel decently isolated despite being close to amenities. There's a portapottie, trash cans and a fire pit or two. The highway does pass right by the park, so if you're a light sleeper, might not be the best for you.

10/10 would stay again. Great for car camping with a tent. One other group was there. Close to town and seems very safe. Saw someone driving around the loop in the morning apparently just checking in on the space.

Slept here on way from Davenport IA to Rapid City. No services picnic tables designated spots or fire pits. just a loop dirt road with grass and plenty of space to camp on both sides. Slept fine in tent with my german shepherd. just two other vehicles were there, plenty of space to spread out. grass was more wild prairie gras looking, but only 5-6” high.

We stopped late on our way to the Badlands and found a clean little municipal park with a creek and some brick structures. No amenities. We didn’t stay long but it was a safe, free place to pitch a tent.