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Best Dispersed Camping in South Dakota

455 Reviews

Buffalo Gap National Grassland provides free dispersed camping near Badlands National Park with established pull-off sites along cliff edges. Forest Service now manages designated camping spots to prevent erosion and improve safety. Spring Creek Road offers multiple secluded campsites along a creek, though the road can be rough in sections. Reviews indicate "the road wasn't too rough" but "I wouldn't take a trailer up it" in some areas.

Mount Roosevelt Road near Deadwood features dispersed sites with mountain views, accessible by most vehicles despite rocky terrain. Oacoma Flatts provides riverside camping along the Missouri River with easy access from Interstate 90. Reviews note conditions can vary dramatically: "Nice, quiet spot right on the banks of the Missouri" but "the muddiest mess" after rainfall. Most dispersed sites throughout South Dakota require complete self-sufficiency, with no drinking water, hookups or facilities. Camping duration is typically limited to 14 days in a 30-day period on national forest and grassland areas.

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Best Dispersed Sites in South Dakota (71)

    1. Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping

    138 Reviews
    Wall, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 279-2125

    "No facilities. Meaning toilets, water or electric. ATT phone service was strong and had no problems. Great location close to the Badlands entrance."

    "One of the best BLM, dispersed campgrounds I’ve ever been to. Great for RVs, trailers, or tents. My Civic made it up the rough roads with no issue, we just had to drive around some potholes!"

    2. The Wall Boondocking Dispersed

    38 Reviews
    Wall, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 279-2126

    "Fantastic views No facilities but worth checking it out for a night while in Badlands Unlimited space Sage Creek also free camping with 22 sites No big RVs We travel in a Ford Transit 19"

    "There’s no facilities here, so prepare well, but definitely worth a stop!"

    3. RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest

    33 Reviews
    Hill City, SD
    Website

    "A perfect location. Plenty of spots on the bumpy main road, use 4wd/high clearance vehicles to go off some of the side routes for more privacy. Nice tree covered spots and very quiet."

    "My Son and I stayed here while visiting Mount Rushmore and the surrounding area's other attractions. There's a lot of dispersed spots here but most spots don't have a fire ring that I could see."

    4. North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping

    34 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    Website

    "We've been fulltiming since January and this was the first place we actually stayed the whole 14 day limit."

    "Black Hills can be hard to find cheap or free camping during busy season. Great free camp down a gravel/dirt road with cows on both sides and one in the road (it moved eventually)."

    5. Oacoma Flatts

    33 Reviews
    Chamberlain, SD

    "Great place to boondocks. No amenities, but it was safe and quiet. Best of all it was right off the water and it was spacious enough for everyone to spread out"

    "Boondocking area along the Missouri River. Easy to get to off highway. Access via dirt roads.  Lots of wildlife.  Only downside is mild noise from highway depending on the wind direction."

    6. Buffalo Gap National Grassland

    19 Reviews
    Wall, SD

    "Dry camped at Buffalo Gap National Grassland just south of Wall South Dakota off of 240. Plenty of space with flat ground for tent or RV. Spectacular view and right by I90 for easy access."

    "Take a right at the tv towers and drive in to the rim of the wall. Free disbursed camping a mile north of the entrance to the Badlands National Park."

    7. Richland reservoir dispersed camping

    16 Reviews
    Fort Pierre, SD
    Website

    "There is an actual campground here, which has a pit toilet. No other facilities and the campground is just a field, but it's amazingly beautiful."

    "Very remote campsite, but easy to find off of the main road using the coordinates from here. The bathroom was one of the cleanest I’ve ever seen. It was peaceful, and I felt safe there."

    8. Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite

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

    "We had a 4WD truck with rooftop tent. High clearance is not necessary for road."

    "Maybe 3 spots.. one has hard slant.. no campfire signs all over.. not far to Roosevelt tower.. beautiful views.."

    9. Spring Creek Road

    11 Reviews
    Hill City, SD

    "Was easy to drive in. The road wasn’t too rough. Got there in the dark was able to find a spot, can be hard to see the turn off to the sites at night."

    "The turn off from the highway is easy to find. Smaller trailers or overlanding setups are best here. It may not be so kind for getting trailers turned around."

    10. Oacoma Flats

    10 Reviews
    Chamberlain, SD

    "Free camping at one of the most beautiful spots I’ve seen! Super clean, quiet and serene with a stunning view of the river and sunset..

    Nights are chilly with wind but not bad"

    "It was our first time boondocking and we were pleasantly surprised that there were other campers out here enjoying and plenty of room to park. Overall it feels safe and our dog loved the river!"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos in South Dakota

369 Photos of 71 South Dakota Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews in South Dakota

455 Reviews of 71 South Dakota Campgrounds

  • Lynsey M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest

    Quiet and tree covered

    15 minutes to Custer State Park and 15 minutes to breweries in hill city. A perfect location. Plenty of spots on the bumpy main road, use 4wd/high clearance vehicles to go off some of the side routes for more privacy. Nice tree covered spots and very quiet. No campfires allowed.

  • Jim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2020

    West Nemo - Dispersed Camping

    Nice place to camp for the night

    This spot is at the end of a forest road that runs west of Nemo, SD. There are other dispersed camping sites along the way as well. This spot butts up right next to a cliff with the Boxelder Creek running below and gives good views of the Black Hills to the south. No amenities at all here. A high clearance vehicle will most likely be needed to get back to this spot.

  • Connor M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2024

    RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest

    Close to everything, beautiful area

    My Son and I stayed here while visiting Mount Rushmore and the surrounding area's other attractions. There's a lot of dispersed spots here but most spots don't have a fire ring that I could see. There's only a few spots that a high clearance vehicle might be required but most of the road can be explored without one.

    This is a pack in and pack out site with no facilities; no running water, no bathrooms, nothing. Make sure you bring what you need with you.

    Weather was great, very mild. Air was fresh and crisp.

    We are planning on staying here again in the future because of it's close proximity to everything and my 6 year old loved it!

  • Blake T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2018

    Buffalo Gap National Grassland

    spectacular

    Dry camped at Buffalo Gap National Grassland just south of Wall South Dakota off of 240. Plenty of space with flat ground for tent or RV. Spectacular view and right by I90 for easy access. Would definitely stay here again.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2023

    Spring Creek Road

    Great spot

    Was easy to drive in. The road wasn’t too rough. Got there in the dark was able to find a spot, can be hard to see the turn off to the sites at night. Didn’t see many places I would want to pull a camper into but great for ground tents, rooftop tents and camper vans.

  • Molly G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 9, 2023

    Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite

    Great spot

    Well-kept road, several spots to park and camp. Some beautiful spots overlooking Deadwood. 5-10 minutes from town. We had a 4WD truck with rooftop tent. High clearance is not necessary for road.

  • J
    Jul. 30, 2019

    Buffalo Gap National Grassland

    Fantastic and free

    5.5 south of Wall SD On hwy 240. Take a right at the tv towers and drive in to the rim of the wall. Free disbursed camping a mile north of the entrance to the Badlands National Park. No facilities and a rough road in, but worthwhile.

  • Tim R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2025

    Badlands Boondocking Area

    Awesome views of the Badlands and Buffalo Gap Grasslands

    Wall Dispersed Camping near Badlands National Park is a great spot for anyone looking to boondock with awesome views and a peaceful atmosphere. The location offers a unique contrast— rugged rock formations on one side and the wide-open grasslands of the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands on the other.

    To get there, take the Wall Exit off I-90 and head south. Watch for the two radio towers— that's where you'll turn into the camping area. Once you turn in, don't be afraid to explore north(left) to look for spots. We wished we had driven around first and picked the best site instead of stopping early— there were definitely some better spots farther down. Campsites are marked with signs to help keep space between campers, which is a nice touch for privacy. T-Mobile service worked well during our stay. It can get very windy, so come prepared— and don’t be surprised if you’re sharing the area with a herd of cattle. It’s all part of the experience. A great free camping option with incredible scenery.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2023

    Dispersed Camping near Calumet Road

    Quiet, many spots to camp

    We were in a camper van and the road wasn’t bad, we didn’t need 4WD. There were a few other cars that went by that were camping too, but it was very quiet and peaceful other than that. There were a lot of places to pull off that were flat for a tent or camper, I’d definitely recommend!

Guide to South Dakota

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping in South Dakota, where stunning landscapes and serene environments await outdoor enthusiasts. With numerous options available, campers can enjoy the freedom of setting up in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Tips for free and dispersed camping in South Dakota

  • Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping offers a spacious area with breathtaking views, perfect for those looking to enjoy the sunrise and sunset while surrounded by nature.
  • At The Wall Boondocking Dispersed, campers can find plenty of room to spread out, making it an ideal spot for larger groups or families seeking a peaceful retreat.
  • North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping is known for its secluded sites, allowing campers to escape the crowds and enjoy a more private experience in the Black Hills.

Dispersed campers should check out Buffalo Gap National Grassland

  • Buffalo Gap National Grassland provides a unique opportunity to camp near the Badlands, with stunning vistas and a chance to see local wildlife like antelope and deer.
  • The Baja Area Dispersed is conveniently located close to the entrance of Badlands National Park, making it a great base for exploring the park's scenic beauty.
  • Spring Creek Road features a tranquil setting with a babbling creek, perfect for those looking to unwind and enjoy the sounds of nature.

Activities while free camping in South Dakota

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