Map showing campground location near Corona, South Dakota

Camper submitted image from Hartford Beach State Park Campground

Hartford Beach State Park Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Hartford Beach State Park Campground sits on the South Dakota shore of Big Stone Lake, about 6.7 miles northeast of campgrounds near Corona, where the terrain shifts into wooded lakeside bluffs. The park divides into two distinct camping areas with noticeably different characters. Sites near the water are smaller, tree-covered, and set on uneven ground, with some positioned directly on the lake and others connected to the water by short footpaths leading to picnic tables and fire rings. The upper sites run considerably larger with more level pads.

Cleanliness comes up repeatedly across reviews. Staff clean the showers and restrooms regularly, and facilities are described as well maintained. Verizon cell signal is reported as good on site. Midweek stays tend to draw light crowds, sometimes leaving the campground nearly empty, though weekend volume can make the closer-together sites feel dense. One reviewer notes that electric hookups are positioned at some distance from the picnic and fire ring areas, so a long extension cord is worth packing.

The campground provides electric and water hookups and accommodates RVs up to 70 feet, with a dump station on site. A dock, footbridge, and hiking trails round out the on-the-ground options, and a beach is accessible via a marked trail. Neil T. describes the setting as a "quiet natural lake setting," and notes sightings of fish and an otter from a lakeside trail at dusk. Anglers, paddlers, and families with kids who will use the playground and beach will find the most to do here.

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Map & DirectionsHartford Beach State Park Campground is located in South Dakota near Corona

Public Campground

Directions

In Northeastern South Dakota: 15 miles north of Milbank off SD Highway 15.

Address

13672 Hartford Beach Road
Corona, SD 57227

Coordinates

45.40300068 N
96.66600018 W

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Connectivity

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VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 1 user

Connectivity

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VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
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Excellent Coverage
Verified by 1 user

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Cabins

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
30 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 38 min from Fargo, ND
2 hrs 3 min from Sioux Falls, SD
2 hrs 19 min from St. Cloud, MN
3 hrs 10 min from Mankato, MN

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Reviews8 Camper Reviews - Hartford Beach State Park Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Campers regularly cited well-maintained sites and clean facilities in a quiet lakeside setting with family-friendly amenities. Recent concerns about utility issues and unhelpful hosts suggest some inconsistency in service quality.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Maribeth L.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 30, 2025

Hartford State recreation

Charged for electric & water that wasn't working. One garbage can for all of camp ground one. Toilet was dirty. Camp Hosts were not informed so weren't very helpful with questions.

SiteHartford State Forest recreational area

Month of VisitMay

Rick H.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2024

Quiet clean and relaxing

Very nicely maintained campground and facilities. Mid week stay so nearly empty.

Site70e

Month of VisitJuly

(6) View All

Neil T.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 31, 2021

Uncrowded and Beautiful

Vibe: Almost empty on Monday night. Quiet natural lake setting.

Cleanliness: Exceptional.

Facilities: Updated and well maintained.

General spots: Good size, good spacing, ok privacy. Lots of trees

Our site: 20. Across from our site was a little trail down to the lake. In the evening we saw tons of fish and an otter. The electric hook up is pretty far from the picnic table/fire ring area. Have a long cord.

Noise: Only 4 sites were occupied out of 30 or so. Completely quiet all evening.

Cell signal: Good (Verizon)

Other: Spectacular sunsets and sunrises. Cell phone pictures do not do it justice.

Site20

Month of VisitJuly

(13) View All

Ason S.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 26, 2020

Nice place!

This was a nice find! Sites pretty close together, especially those in the middle. Some, however, were right on the lake or had paths that lead to a picnic table & fire ring closer to the water. As another reviewer mentioned, one of the loops has sites that are not very level. It was not a problem though. Trails seemed nice & it was a nice surprise to find the dock & bridge near our site. Beach was nice! It was a decent walk there, but at least had a trail to the beach. Nice playground too.

(11) View All

Melissa A.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 3, 2020

Right on the lake

This was a nice campground on the lake. The sites are not very private and some of the fire pits are are far away from the camping pad, they are down the hill by the lake. They have nice hiking trails.

Clarke N.

Guide

Reviewed May. 18, 2020

Nice sites

There are 2 separate camp areas with 2 completely different types of sites. The sites near the lake are very wooded, a bit smaller and pretty uneven. The sites themselves are even but your canopy might be overhanging a slope. That being said, we really liked the sites near the lake because we like the trees and lake views. The upper sites are HUGE and very near nice! The bathrooms where clean as well as campsites. We will be going back!

Jesse B.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 2, 2019

Upper and lower

Great camp ground with things for everyone to do. Upper and lower campground are both very nice with big sites.

John M.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 1, 2019

This place is trimmed to the 9s

Very friendly staff, very well kept. The showers & other facilities we're cleaned every morning. Maybe more. It is clean At 21.00 it is a bargain. The sites all have electricity, picnic tables & fire ring. Lots of firewood available for donations. Nice place on South Dakota side of Big Stone lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do visitor reviews say about Hartford Beach State Park?

Hartford Beach State Park receives consistently positive feedback for its exceptionally clean facilities, friendly staff, and natural lake setting. Campers appreciate the two distinct camping areas that offer different experiences - wooded lakeside sites or more open upper sites. The campground features updated, well-maintained facilities, though some note that sites in the middle can be close together. Many visitors highlight the peaceful atmosphere, especially during weekdays when the campground is less crowded. The park's hiking trails and lake access are popular amenities, though some have mentioned uneven terrain in certain areas.

What camping facilities are available at Hartford Beach State Park?

Hartford Beach State Park offers two distinct camping areas with electric sites featuring picnic tables and fire rings. The campground includes clean shower facilities and restrooms that are well-maintained daily. There are hiking trails throughout the park and easy lake access for water activities. Firewood is available for donations. The upper and lower campground both offer spacious sites with different characteristics - lakeside sites are more wooded while the upper area tends to be more open. The fee for camping is $21 per night, making it an affordable option for visitors.

Where is Hartford Beach State Park located in South Dakota?

Hartford Beach State Park is located on Big Stone Lake in northeastern South Dakota. The lake forms part of the border between South Dakota and Minnesota, offering visitors a beautiful waterfront camping experience. The park features wooded areas and lakeside access, making it a scenic destination for outdoor enthusiasts in the region. Its location provides opportunities for water recreation while still maintaining the natural woodland environment characteristic of this part of South Dakota.

Are there cabins available at Hartford Beach State Park?

Hartford Beach State Park does not have cabins available for rent. The campground offers electric campsites with picnic tables and fire rings instead. Campers can choose between two distinct camping areas - sites near the lake that are more wooded or sites in the upper campground that may be more level but less shaded. For those seeking indoor accommodations, it's advisable to check with nearby communities or the South Dakota State Parks reservation system for alternative options.

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