Map showing campground location near Garretson, South Dakota

Camper submitted image from Split Rock Park

Split Rock Park

Kayakers and anglers find direct access to Split Rock Creek at this municipal campground in Garretson, where pink quartzite formations line the water's edge. The park sits alongside active railroad tracks, with trains passing frequently through the night and sounding horns as they approach. Campers report hearing train noise until around midnight, making this spot better suited for heavier sleepers.

The campground divides into two sections: RV sites with electric hookups run along the entrance road, while tent sites occupy a separate loop toward the back with more space and trees suitable for hanging hammocks. Large grassy sites provide room to spread out, and the small size means availability rarely becomes an issue for last-minute arrivals. A playground serves families, though parents need to supervise children carefully around the creek and quartzite cliffs.

"Really cool kayaking into Devils Gulch and up the Split Rock Creek," notes Carolyn M., highlighting the water recreation opportunities. The park maintains vault toilets and provides drinking water, though some campers find the restroom facilities basic. A dump station operates just outside the park entrance. Cell service varies by carrier, with T-Mobile users reporting no coverage.

For campers wanting more amenities and quieter nights, Palisades State Park Campground offers similar quartzite scenery just south of town.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Public Campground

Split Rock Park is located in South Dakota

Coordinates

43.7200006 N
96.50200097 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 10 users
Last on 4/17/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 10 users
Last on 4/17/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

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

For Vehicles

30 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

20 min from Sioux Falls, SD
1 hr 29 min from Sioux City, IA
2 hrs 18 min from Mankato, MN
2 hrs 48 min from Omaha, NE

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

10 Reviews

Campers regularly cited this scenic riverside park's beautiful setting and well-maintained grounds as highlights. Train noise throughout the night remains the most significant concern, with loud horns potentially disrupting sleep for most visitors.

Carolyn M.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 11, 2024

Beautiful Scenery, Clean Park

This place is so cool! The falls was constructed during the Great Depression by the WPA, and the visitors center is made from the same pink quartz that lines the river. Really cool kayaking into Devils Gulch and up the Split Rock Creek. Will return to this nicely kept State Park. Gas station in town is quaint but has a public restroom and some basic supplies. Really lovely town. Falls lull you to sleep at night and the trains passing by are really neat to hear. Trains will go by till around midnight.

Site14

Month of VisitJuly

Ila R.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 12, 2024

No showers/toilets

It is a beautiful little park. Good place for kayaking or fishing. I was just there to camp. The park is small. There are no showers or toilets, just outhouses, and they were a good distance for me to walk being disabled. If you have T-Mobile, there is absolutely NO service.

Site10

Month of VisitJune

Cody H.

Traveler

Reviewed Feb. 26, 2022

Family favorite

We love the tent camping. Large sites. Dog friendly. Trees for the hammock. We have 3 kids 5 and under. They like it too, but there are cliffs and water, so plan accordingly. Also, trains. The kids think it's cool watching the trains to by, but they do go in the middle of the night. So, if that's a deal breaker for you, so be it. If, like me, it's not, then this is definitely worth checking out.

Site35

Month of VisitMay

(5) View All

amber P.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 16, 2021

Beautiful lil place

Beautiful lil place with lots of scenery to look at, only a few rv spots, but a lot of nice tent spots. Might not be the greatest for kids under 5 , due to all the cliffs, but other than that we loved it!!

Month of VisitJuly

Carolyn F.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 12, 2021

Trains

Im not sure why everyone is glossing over the train noise...they dont just pass, they blow a LOUD horn right as they go by. It happened multiple times throughout the night, felt like every hour. It would wake even the heaviest sleeper. Hard pass on this spot if you want to sleep.

Also, there is only one bathroom that is a pit toilet and not very clean. Ive stayed in nicer free campsites.

Site19

Month of VisitJuly

Brent G.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 27, 2021

Nice little pit stop

A very clean little spot, like everyone says it’s close to train tracks so not for light sleepers. Overall it was a very nice campground.

Site9

Month of VisitJune

ryan W.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 19, 2021

Nice area with train noise

Beautiful spot. Easy water access. Only hitch is you're very close to train tracks and the trains tend to be quite loud as they pass.

Site9

Month of VisitJune

Bill S.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 31, 2021

Well maintained near train tracks

A well maintained city campground with vault toilets and convenient nearby dump station just outside the park. Night time train traffic may be a negative for light sleepers.

Site9

Month of VisitMay

Meredith J.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 13, 2020

Lovely Place

Beautiful spot. Go see Devils Gultch! There was a really nice dump station outside of the park near entrance to Devil’s Gultch.

Stacy R.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 2, 2018

Peaceful small town campground

This is a pretty little campground next to a river. Tent sites have a loop in the back and rv sites are along the road. This campground is never full so if you need a spot for a night, this would be a good one to check. Lots of green grass and a nice playground. Many people do some fishing here too.

Month of VisitMay

(6) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Split Rock Park Campground?

Split Rock Park Campground offers basic amenities in a natural setting. The campground provides separate areas for RVs and tents, with tent sites located in a back loop and RV sites positioned along the road. Vault toilets (outhouses) are available, though they may be a considerable distance for those with mobility limitations. There's a convenient dump station located just outside the park. The grounds feature plenty of green grass areas and a playground for children. Water access is available, but the campground does not offer showers or flush toilets. Cell service may be limited, with T-Mobile specifically noted to have no coverage in the area.

How do I make reservations at Split Rock Park Campground?

Split Rock Park Campground typically doesn't require advance reservations as it rarely reaches capacity. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, making it an excellent option for spontaneous overnight stays. For the most current reservation information and policies, contact the Garretson city offices or check the official park website before your trip. This relaxed reservation system makes Split Rock Park a convenient backup option when other campgrounds in the area are full.

How do I get to Split Rock Park Campground in Garretson, South Dakota?

Split Rock Park Campground is located in Garretson, South Dakota. The campground can be found near Devil's Gulch, with the dump station situated just outside the park entrance near Devil's Gulch access point. The park is small and situated by a river, making it relatively easy to locate once in Garretson. There's a gas station available in town for supplies and fuel. For specific directions from your location, it's best to use GPS or contact the Garretson city offices for the most accurate routing information.

What activities and attractions are available at Split Rock Park?

Split Rock Park offers numerous outdoor activities centered around its beautiful natural setting. The park features a river with water access perfect for kayaking and fishing. Devil's Gulch is a must-see attraction nearby, with interesting rock formations and scenic views. For the adventurous, kayaking into Devil's Gulch and up Split Rock Creek provides a unique perspective of the area. The park includes historical elements, including falls constructed during the Great Depression by the WPA and a visitors center made from pink quartz matching the river. While great for outdoor exploration, families with young children should exercise caution due to the presence of cliffs and water. A playground in the park provides recreation for children.

Keep Exploring