Best Dispersed Camping in South Dakota

The Mount Rushmore State is home to seven National Park Service sites that range from jewel-encrusted caves to ancient fossil beds. Black Hills National Forest in the western side of the state covers an additional 1.2 million acres that spill over the border into Wyoming and hold the highest peak east of the Rockies. At about 71,000 acres, nearby Custer State Park is one of the largest state parks in the country and home to an annual buffalo roundup that offers a true taste of the American West. The Black Hills, often referred to as the “island in the prairie,” is a perfect spot to start your South Dakota camping trip!

Travelers looking to lounge lakeside will be pleased with the many camping options available near the region’s 17 lakes. With stunning rock formations reaching out from the water, Sylvan Lake is one of the area’s most iconic places to take a dip and do some South Dakota camping. Nearby, Horsethief Lake is tucked into the surrounding ponderosa pines, yet only two miles away from the ultimate road trip stop, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Those looking to pick up some speed can head north to Pactola Lake for a day of water skiing and a night of s’mores.

Prefer solitude? Strap on your backpack and hike the state’s 111-mile Centennial Trail, which provides a north to south taste of the Black Hills through prairie grasslands, dense forests, and high country terrain. Check with the different land management agencies along the way for specifics on where backcountry camping is allowed or where to find established campgrounds. Rather bike? The 109-mile George S. Mickelson Trail runs parallel to the Centennial Trail and is a rails-to-trails, car-free dream.

South Dakota camping is for everyone, and whether you’re exploring by foot or by RV, you’ll be able to find the perfect place to rest your head. Private and public campgrounds near the town of Custer offer RV hookups, and are a quick drive to Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest in-progress mountain carving. Begun in 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski at the request of Oglala Lakota Chief, Henry Standing Bear, this memorial is more than a work of art. It is a mission to preserve and honor the culture and tradition of Native Americans.

After camping on the island in the prairie, make sure to head east and watch the landscape roll into waves of grasslands before crashing into Badlands National Park. Head east farther still, and you’ll meet up with the mighty Missouri River. Use The Dyrt to find South Dakota camping options along the way that will open your eyes to the hidden beauties of the heartland.

Best Dispersed Sites in South Dakota (54)

    1. Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping

    129 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

    30 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. Oacoma Flatts

    30 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."

    4. RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest

    26 Reviews
    Hill City, SD
    Website

    "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."

    "The road to get in was very rocky and steep! We decided to go out a different way and it was even worse then the way in. Luckily our promaster van was able to get us out safely."

    5. North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping

    26 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)."

    6. Buffalo Gap National Grassland

    18 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

    15 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

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

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

    "Pit toilet at the Mt Roosevelt trailhead. Great views of Deadwood near the top of the mountain."

    9. Spring Creek Road

    7 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. Baja Area Dispersed - Buffalo Gap National Grassland

    7 Reviews
    Interior, SD
    Website
    +1 (308) 432-0300

    "Really fun on a dirt bike, u can drive around with a car if u want as well, some mellow spots allow non high clearance cars to get around"

    "Passed a couple campervans on the way in. Ended up getting a great spot with nobody around us and amazing views of the badlands. Only down side is there were A LOT of mosquitoes."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews in South Dakota

375 Reviews of 54 South Dakota Campgrounds



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