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The Wall is a part of Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. It is near The Badlands National Park and is dispersed camping. There is only one small developed recreation area on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. The National Grassland Visitor Center is located in Wall, South Dakota. This site provides the history behind the system of the National Grasslands located across the West. While there is only one developed campground, there are plenty of open spaces to camp. Bring your horse, your bicycle or your OHV and spend some quiet time in the wide open spaces of the Grassland. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nebraska/recarea/?recid=30333
This area is divided into two areas located in southern South Dakota. One area is south and northeast of Hot Springs and the other is south and west of Wall. There are few developed recreation sites, but plenty of space for all kinds of recreational opportunities.
There is only one small developed recreation area on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. The National Grassland Visitor Center is located in Wall, South Dakota. This site provides the history behind the system of the National Grasslands located across the West.
While there is only one developed campground, there are plenty of open spaces to camp. Bring your horse, your bicycle or your OHV and spend some quiet time in the wide open spaces of the Grassland.
Overnight camping in developed sites is on a first-come, first-served basis. Campfires are allowed unless restrictions are posted. Red Cloud Campground site features 13 sites with picnic tables and fire grates, and a vault toilet. From Chadron, NE travel eight miles south of on U.S. Highway 385 to the campground.
Backcountry, dispersed or primitive camping (no facilities) is allowed anywhere on the National Forest.
Practicing Leave No Trace principles ensures that the next person to visit will have the same sense of discovery as those who came before.
The seven principles are:
Plan ahead and prepare, Camp and travel on durable surfaces, Dispose of waste properly, Leave what you find, Minimize campfire impacts, Respect wildlife, Be considerate of other visitors.
Scout
Free dispersed camping on the river. No amenities but great views. 7 night max limit according to sign. Plenty of room to drive up and park away from other campers. Roads are dirt and can be a bit muddy while raining.
Traveler
Dispersed Camping off the main road thru Custer State Park that is National Forest. Turn on the road that marks the Bob Marshall Camp. You pass a water treatment area and go thru the gate. It is open to vehicles in the summer and equestrian and hike in during the winter. Road is rough but was passable in our truck. We towed in a small teardrop but I wouldn't recommend a large rig. There are several areas to set up camp but pack in and pack out! No water sources spotted so bring enough in with you (didn't even see any water for filtering). Saw a preexisting stone fire pit from past campers too. Super quiet and near all the great things of Custer. We did experience biting flies. Coordinates: 43.7851324, -103.5041771
Travelerfree camping, exactly as described
Guide
The campsites are basically outcrops off of the main road which means typical dispersed camping with no amenities. The views from the campsites are astounding. Very serene landscape with plenty of wildlife. The road is long and I suggest following it all the way before picking a campsite.
ScoutTraveling from New England to PNW in mid to late April, none of the campgrounds were open, and no BLM or FS to the East. This was the first dispersed camping in this leg of our trip. Right on the shore of the lake. Beautiful on the shore with a near full moon last night. Just off the edge of town, but quiet. Only real down side was some very bright lights off in the distance across and down the lake.
Ranger
This place is about as perfect as it gets! Free camping - dispersed so pull up where you want. Or choose a spot with a fire ring and table.
Views are OUTSTANDING! You can fish, kayak, hike, etc. Right off highway but very quiet and peaceful. Slept great.
They do have toilets (I didn't use them) and they do have a couple electric spots that are $20/night (I didn't use them).
Just super easy, super beautiful and a great place to call home for a night or a few.
Lots of mozzies at night - so use spray or plan to be in your tent/vehicle once the sun goes down.
ScoutThe views are beautiful and the area is quiet and secluded, overall would be a great boondocking location if you have an RV. For a rooftop tent camper like myself, it is extremely exposed and windy. No shade whatsoever.
Legend
There are a few dispersed camping spots along this road which also holds the trailhead for Mt. Roosevelt Friendship Tower. There was one pull through site that has no campfire signs and then two or three other spots. We seemed to be lucky and got the last open spot. We got here around 4 pm. The site we got was beautiful and had a lot of room for us to pitch a tent. Plenty of trees to go pee in but also an open spot where we could stargaze through the tent. There was some traffic on the road, more than you would think for such a windy gravel road. The first part of the road up until the trailhead had quite a bit of washboard which was a little scary on the sharp curves with steep drop offs. Enough Verizon cell service to text and make calls. Enough AT&T service to get WiFi on our SubaruLink. No water that we saw that we could use or filter. Had some people pull into our spot at different times not knowing it was taken. 9:30 pm was the last one.
TravelerGreat dispersed camp site a minute or two off of I90 (can hear the road noise). There were other people there when I stayed in August but everyone was quiet and kept to themselves. Felt safe sleeping there in my car as a solo female traveler.
RangerFree! Best views in Bad Lands NP! Free! Great cell signal! Oh, it’s free, too! Best spot I’ve stayed in the past week, no bad spots to be found! A must-do place to boondock if you are passing thru!
Traveler
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
Guide
Literally dozens of good dispersed camp sites along this rough road. Amazing find so close to Mt Rushmore. Elevation is about 5500 feet. I camped in November and the water bottle in my tent froze. In the morning it was only a 10 minute drive to the memorial. With the sun in my eyes it was too late when I saw the deer. (:-(
LegendFree camping right by Pinnacle entrance of the Badlands...cant beat free! It is hot up there in the middle of summer though a breeze comes through ..we were in the 80s, so I can't imagine what it will be like when it gets to 100 degrees. Regardless, I recommend this spot if you like free and want a lovely view of the badlands.
There were a lot of RVs campers and people in tents, but still tons of spots to choose from!!!
Ranger
Camping by the river was nice! This is a good spot to boondock, it’s free, theres a pit toilet, and the road to get in isn’t bad! There were about 5 other parties when I camped here, some noise from others and traffic. It wasn’t bad, good for one night!
Scout
National Grassland dispersed camping.
Vault toilet, lots of space for several sites.
1 bar of Verizon LTE.
Guide
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). Go a good ways down the road and up a hill which did have a couple of spots that I would be Leary of if you have a low to ground vehicle. We stayed in the first spot once clear of the trees, and while on a slope, it was a fantastic view. Our neighbors had made it towing a full size 5th wheel travel trailer, so it can be done, but I wouldn't try on a muddy road day with a huge trailer. Too risky. Still we camped on top of one of the highest mountains in the Black Hills, for free. It was fantastic until about midnight when the rainstorms came and our old tent had a catastrophic failure. We nearly froze from being fully soaked. So no second night for us, we had to push on, wash and dry everything, and buy a new tent to continue our travels. It was a great camp tho. But I recommend a bug canopy for just chilling in, and go ahead and invest in a good ground tarp and throw one over your tent as well to keep rain from soaking thru. You will thank me, and be a little warmer. Happy camping.
ScoutNearly unlimited boondock spots with spectacular views. Wind is blowing 20+ (just a breeze according to our SD friend) out of the SE up the Wall from the Badlands) with gusts to 30. Everyone favors the spots at the edge, but we found that you still have a good view 100 feet or so back from cliff edge and get considerable protection from the wind — the apparent wind velocity is cut by about half. Bonus: Good cell reception. Is that a cell tower in the middle of the boondock area?
RangerNothing beats the experience of boondocking at the wall. Waking up to this view is a must.
ScoutWe were on “The Wall” dispersed camping near the tall antennas south of Wall, SD, just off Hwy 240. Plenty of room for everyone. No services, no cost. Gorgeous scenery.
Ranger
Boondocking with no bathrooms/showers/water Located just outside Badlands National Park and Wall in Buffalo Gap Spots have no shade or electricity
TravelerDispersed Camping right outside the Badlands NP. No amenities but plenty of space and easy access. I saw large RVs and small cars camping there. Trail 7158 and 7170 right of of Rt 240 and close to the town of Wall.
Guide
Seemed like a less popular spot then the northern dispersed camping, but it was a really sweet stop after a sick drive thru the Badlands. A really big area, beautiful view of the peaks to the north, and relaxing moo's from the local cows.
ScoutClose enough to civilization to be able to get stuff. Removed enough from civilization to feel free from the city. Camping spots are secluded and private. There are no facilities so pack water and toilet paper.
GuideGreat 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
ScoutBoondocking 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.
GuideOne of the best if not the best spot to stay at the badlands if boondocks is fine with you. Never will be fill here but best views along the Cliffside will be taken.
LegendThis beautiful place overlooks the badlands. We entered on the second road right by the cell tower. We heard that turning left at the wall was a smoother route. Even though the place was full we kept going and found plenty of spots to camp. We choose one opposite the edge but it was too small and angled for someone to camp there. This gave us a perfect spot to set up our chairs and enjoy the view. This is dispersed camping so there are no services. Pack in/pack out is important. This also means that folks have dogs off leash but they were respectful of keeping their dogs away from our reactive dog. This is a beautiful, free gem of a place to stay at.
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.
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