Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent in South Dakota? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping in South Dakota. These scenic and easy to access South Dakota campsites are perfect for tent campers.
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.
Traveler
Stayed here one night. No running water. Trash and picnic tables. Two vault toilets are located at each end of the campground. No cell service. It's winter and snowed early the morning I arrived to Badlands, so had the place to myself. Park rangers did rounds a couple of times during the day. Plenty of Buffalo crossing the road, roaming about, hanging out in surrounding hillside trees. Saw a fox, heard the howling wolves at night. Quiet and peaceful this time of year.
Traveler
This location is Sage Creek Basin Overlook and trailhead. It is beautiful up here at higher elevation. 4g and 5g cell service is available here on Tmobile. There are no toilets. The two toilets, one at each end of the campground, are located a few miles away at Sage Creek Campground. A few fellow park tourists stopped to see the views and hike. I spent two nights here.
ScoutEasy to access gravel drive; clean outhouse; can’t believe more people don’t use this spot.
Legend
This is a very well maintained campground. We were here from December 08 through 12, 2024. Bathrooms and showers, along with water faucets, are all shut down for the season. We stayed on site 9 and enjoyed the shelter all the trees provided. Wind was 24 mph gusts hit 45 mph and didn't affect us at all. Sites are gravel and, for the most part, level. We didn't require any leveling blocks at all. 50 - 30 - 20 amp service with no errors at the electric box. The pit toilet was reasonably clean and stocked. Small playground for children. Small picnic area down the road between sites 8 and 9. Sites 4 and 8 were covered with large seed pods from the trees. I imagine it would sound like branches hitting your camper when they fall in the fall. We are not far from the Missouri River, and we were delighted with the company of 4 Bald Eagles. Hundreds of migrating Canadian Geese. Walking paths are available along with a boat ramp down the hill. Cost is the same in nearly all South Dakota State Parks, $26.00 a night. Seems costly for no water, flush toilets, showers, or garbage dumpsters. This is a nice place.
Scout
Ranger
Located close to Sturgis and the Black Hills, it’s an excellent base for exploring the area. The onsite pool, hot tubs, and lounge are small but add a nice touch, while the friendly staff ensures a pleasant stay.
It’s particularly popular during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. We stayed there shortly after the rally and were surprised to find the onsite bar closed throughout our entire stay.
GuideSpent one night here after exploring the park. less than a third full in early november. vault toilets clean-ish. wide open spaces, not really any privacy here. pretty sunrise.
Guide
Pulled in at dusk, had the place to ourselves. Absolutely beautiful. Only one site in the campground had a bit of level ground. Pit toilets pretty clean, though one had a door that wouldn’t close. Someone pulled in late and started a long process of what looked like processing a goose - a bit unnerving. woke to hunters on the dam. probably wouldn’t stay here again. a couple of sites further down the road. this place is probably thick with mosquitos in the warmer months
Guide
Stayed a night in early November. Didn’t see any notice that the bathroom we picked a spot near was closed for the season… that meant a really long cold walk to the pit toilet. Quite a few shady sites, a babbling brook nearby, a flock of turkeys wandering through most of the morning. While the campground was mostly empty, we had neighbors directly adjacent with at least two dead deer in the back of their pickup for more than 24 hours, with crows coming by for snacks… kinda gross.
Scout
Blue Bell Campground truly captures the essence of a classic camping experience, with its beautiful surroundings and well-maintained facilities. The campground offers easy access to scenic trails, wildlife viewing, and nearby attractions like Sylvan Lake and Needles Highway, making it perfect for both relaxation and adventure. Plus, amenities like clean restrooms, picnic tables, and fire pits add convenience without taking away from the rustic charm. Whether you're there to hike, uno online spot wildlife, or just unwind by the campfire, it’s a wonderful spot to connect with nature in Custer State Park.
Scout
Nice setting near creek in canyon. Urban,yet quiet nice bathrooms. Full of campers, but peaceful
ScoutI loved this campground, perfect for day-by-day planning. Here’s a quick tip: book your first night online, then use the landline on-site to extend your stay without extra fees. It’s a remote spot with basic amenities—pit toilets, water spigots, and a nearby shower up by the lake. Read More
ScoutI loved this campground, especially for planning one day at a time. Quick tip: book online for your first night, and then use the on-site landline to extend as needed—no extra fees for adding nights this way. It’s a quiet, remote spot with basic amenities: pit toilets, water spigots, and a shower up the road by the lake. Read More
Traveler
We were there at a very quiet time. It's a pretty, well maintained park with two bath and shower houses. I think it may be a little snug for some at the busy time of the year. I've of the things I really like is that the shower stalls have a private area in front of them with a sink for shaving or whatever allowing you to do what you need without taking up space.
Scout
Beautiful scenery with loads to do. The drive from Mt Rushmore to the campsite was incredible
play uno online there with my friends too.
Guide
This is a great dispersed site right next to The Badlands National Park. In October, there were only about 20 campers at most (lots of available space). The views from here are amazing, as well as sunrise and sunset. It can get quite windy. Very quiet!
Scout
Perfect spot to rest after driving all day! I forgot it was opening weekend for grouse, so it was busy but not crowded.
Scout
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Scout
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Legend
Bridge was out the former way in but walked a trail and found the new entrance. Nice, small park and campground. Pit toilets and cell service was weak but great place for a night.
Legend
It was great. Late in the season so quiet but close to town and rode in on my bike. Nice sites with a good view of the water.
Guide
Clean small campground. Probably really busy state park in summer months. End of loop only trails and wildlife behind us.
Traveler
I found the place easily and the spots were well apart from each other. The weather was great camping in the pine trees, very quiet and cozy. Will definitely camp at again.
Traveler
Lots of neat spots. The roads can be iffy. I would suggest scouting them first before dragging a trailer down them.
Traveler
Lots of cool spots if you can get to them. Once you leave the gravel the roads are hit and miss. You’re not taking a trailer down most of them if any.
ScoutThis was an our first time dispersed camping so we weren’t sure exactly what to expect. There were lots of campers (probably 20 other cars), but the views are unmatched. Waking up at dawn and watching the sunrise over the Badlands is breathtaking! Really easy access. We saw people with all size trailers parked. Lots of space to spread out. Not much for privacy, but with views like that, who cares!
Scout
Several spots along the Bob Marshall camp road to pull off and camp. We went a bit more off the path by turning right, going up past a water treatment plant and parking near the end of the road. It was secluded and pretty. Lots of coyotes in the area. No camp fires when we were there due to dry conditions. The road after the turn off was in rough shape. I wouldn’t take a trailer up it, but we were in a large SUV and it was just fine. A great place to disperse camp in the state park. We stayed two nights.
Tent camping in South Dakota offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in stunning natural landscapes, from the Black Hills to the Badlands. With a variety of options available, campers can find the perfect spot to set up their tents and enjoy the great outdoors.
