Best Glamping 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 Glamping Sites in South Dakota (90)

    1. Badlands / White River KOA

    58 Reviews
    Interior, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 433-5337

    "This is a great location for agate hunters to stay. It's near some descent agate beds and right next to the Badlands for a day trip. The staff is pleasant and always maintaining the campground."

    "This campsite is probably one of the most luxurious we’ve stayed at. It was our first KOA. It is conveniently located right off the scenic badlands loop. Restrooms and showers were very clean."

    2. Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park

    40 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 255-4515

    "This lake is beautiful, its one of my favorite places inside Custer state park. There are a ton of trails, all within easy walking distance. Make sure you pack plenty of water."

    "What a fantastic campsite within walking distance of picturesque Sylvan Lake. Reserve online and drive directly to the reserved site."

    3. Spearfish City Campground

    38 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 642-1340

    "Clean, good upkeep on the bathrooms and walking distance from grocery stores and laundry, etc. Fishing is fun and there is the hatchery nearby."

    "We picked a site near the back of the camp grounds located near the creek and close to a small parking lot (close by to the pet exercise area on the map - though it's labelled as an ice rink on grounds"

    4. Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    33 Reviews
    Brandon, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 582-7243

    "They sell campfire wood for 6$ a bundle on site so we had some great campfires going. They have nice long paved trails for walking and biking."

    "Very nice bathroom and shower house. Easy drive in to Sioux Falls. Several trails around the park. This was our final stop on our South Dakota trip."

    5. Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

    31 Reviews
    Canistota, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 296-3643

    $15 - $55 / night

    "We stopped here on our way through south Dakota headed back to Colorado. The staff were really friendly when we pulled in."

    "South Dakota charges a day use fee ($6) plus a fee for tent camping ($17); I opted to pay for an Annual Pass of $30 since I plan on doing more SD camping this year."

    6. Pactola Reservoir Campground

    31 Reviews
    Silver City, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    $28 / night

    "A tent-only area, which I appreciate- those tend to be quieter than the RV spots, and the tent area was close to the reservoir. Standard campsite amenities- tables, fire pits, bathrooms."

    "A tent-only area, which I appreciate - those tend to be quieter than the RV spots, and the tent area was close to the reservoir. Standard campsite amenities - tables, fire pits, bathrooms."

    7. Center Lake Campground — Custer State Park

    30 Reviews
    Keystone, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 255-4515

    $20 / night

    "The bathrooms were clean and all sites had one relatively close by. Fire pits and picnic tables were great!"

    "Beautiful and quiet spot with dedicated area to set up your tent separate from the gravel driveway and fire pit."

    8. Palisades State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Garretson, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 594-3824

    "We passed through Palisades State Park earlier this year and spent some time in the day-use area so we knew it was a good place to camp as we passed through South Dakota on another trip."

    "Some have electric hook up, others are just for tent camping. All of them provide a picnic table and a fire pit. They also have little log cabins. We stayed at campsite 6 which was a very good spot."

    9. Sioux Falls KOA

    26 Reviews
    Sioux Falls, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 332-9987

    "There’s a fair size staff working; you could see 3-5 people at any given time. Good selection in store open 8am to 9pm in July. Nice size pool and laundry room."

    "Easily accessible from the highway. Felt clean and secure.  Staff was friendly.  

    We arrived on a Saturday, and there was a food truck at one of the sites!"

    10. Fort Welikit Family Campground and RV Park

    21 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-3600

    "The spots are spacious and the hookups are located in a perfect spot to make things easy. Bathrooms and showers are very nice and clean."

    "Campground Review:

    If you are looking for a family and pet friendly place to camp while visiting the Black Hills South Dakota area, look no further!!"

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Glamping Reviews in South Dakota

876 Reviews of 90 South Dakota Campgrounds