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Camping in South Dakota

Black Hills, Badlands, and presidential icons await intrepid campers.

94% (2190 reviews)

Popular camping styles for South Dakota

Dog-friendly getaways

12 top campgrounds in South Dakota

93%
(196)

Custer's Last Chance Rv Park

32 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Custer, Custer
Custer's Last Chance RV Park & Campground is about us and our dream come true. We spent 3 years putting a plan together so we could make the move to South Dakota. Finding the right piece of land wasn't easy and came with a few setbacks. We were lucky to find land in Custer with the French Creek running through the property. The creek features a couple of wide pools. The rest of the creek is fairly narrow with slow moving water. The kids will have a great time exploring the lower acreage. We plan to add new features & amenities to the park every year. Without you this dream wouldn't be possible. We hope you enjoy your stay!
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$23
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97%
(32)

Horse Creek Resort

24 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents18 acres · Rapid City, Pennington
theHCresort.com Centrally-located on 18 acres between two of the Hills’ largest and most beautiful lakes, and less than 15 miles from Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, Horse Creek Resort is the perfect creekside oasis for your next adventure. The resort is located off Highway 385, the main thoroughfare through the Black Hills National Forest, yet is peacefully nestled in a quiet valley, completely surrounded by national forestland with a tranquil year-round creek meandering throughout the property. Rock outcroppings, hiking trails and offroad trails are within footsteps of every cabin. The serene space is an outdoor sanctuary centrally-located within 20 miles of Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Needles Eye Tunnel / Highway, and Black Elk Peak. Your adventure will also take you near Hill City, Keystone, Custer, and Historic Deadwood. Drive a little further, and end up in Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Sturgis, or Devils Tower National Monument.
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$38
 / night
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(858)

Solace Farm

12 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Davis, Turner
Our town dates back to 1893 and our home to 1902. We are on the edge of our small rural town of 85 people who uphold the sense of community this great country was founded on - that to survive we must all look out for and support each other and take care of our planet. Rated #1 in the “Top 7 Campgrounds Near Sioux Falls”, “Best in South Dakota HipCamp” in BOTH 2018 & 2019 and 2nd place in 2020 and 7th place in the USA for “HipCamp Tent Camping” in 2020!!! Solace Farm Rustic Campground is registered with the State of South Dakota and inspected annually.   Stay with us and experience the prairies of South Dakota in our large spaces with tall prairie grass flowing in the breeze between the campsites, (because camping is NOT parking 10 feet away from another camper in our opinion) and plenty of space for the kids to play and discover the gardens, chickens, goats and the freedom of the outdoors. Our rustic campground is located on the outside western edge of our VERY small and quiet historic town, just 44 minutes south of I-90, 30 minutes from Sioux Falls or 10 minutes west of I-29 and just 8 minutes to Swan Lake for water fun! A short walk from the campground will take you "downtown" to the The Davis Bar or to the General Store for souvenirs, antiques, treats, basic groceries or to pick up more of our homemade jams! Pets are welcomed here at Solace Farm if they are on a leash while onsite. We will have a small convenience store open onsite this fall so you can enjoy your stay with easy access to needs and treats. At your check in we will meet you with a welcome gift of a jar of our homemade jam and a loaf of fresh bread to give your morning that little touch of farm charm. Our rustic little hobby farm is open for you to pitch your tent or small camper in your choice of spaces and we are open to ALL people. We are however unable to accommodate pull behind campers or RV’s in excess of 26'. Site number #2 is a pull through campsite for a pull behind camper, and sites #5 and #6 are pull though for a SMALL pull behind camper, all sites will accommodate tent camping and your drive directly to your site after check-in. Each camp site has a fire ring, picnic table or vintage chairs for you. Firewood is available to purchase. Group Discounts are available, please message us for more information.  Our rural setting at Solace Farm offers bird watching, walking areas, great places to ride your bike, a nearby river to explore, playground, tree swings, the farm animals, evenings with stargazing, the communal fire pit,  and a fabulous sunsets to enjoy. Some sites are perfect for hammock tents! We ask that each reservation MUST arrive to check in before 10 PM. You can now order additional jam, fresh bread, salsa and farm fresh eggs and firewood when you make your reservation! Trash and recycle cans are available and we ask that you leave no trace when you pack up. Soon our gothic bathhouse will be ready and we are getting ready to have outside movie nights! SO MUCH fun to look forward to!The country is yours to experience and our goats (Abbott and Costello) and chickens enjoy attention. Our old country school merry-go-round is fully restored and the teeter totter made from farm equipment that you are welcome to play on, and a few trees to climb if you aren't worn out yet. (This is a working hobby farm and there are areas that children should not play in. Please supervise your children at all times)  The second Saturday of each month there is a Flea Market in downtown Davis and is a great time to book! The campground includes a 7 foot firepit with a tree swing and there is a grill and picnic tables for our campers to use. We welcome travelers on their way to and from the Sturgis Bike Rally in August as we are located on Highway 18,  a safer alternative for motorcycles to driving on Interstate 90.Depending on the season, there is almost always something to pick, whether it be cherries, apples, mulberries, plums, rhubarb or something from our garden! The camp area is a few minutes from the main house, and feel free ask for input during booking to determine which sites have the most privacy if you'd prefer quiet time. We have been working on our “Glamper” and she is NOT currently available for use. Upgrades happen every year and we LOVE the feedback from our campersUPDATE DUE TO COVID-19: We our campers to practice social distancing, and respect all others. We ask  that all campers clean and disinfect the porta potty touched surfaces before and after use so that may be safely used by others. We ask that all campers respect CDC requirements to include distancing with other campers if they are not comfortable with direct interaction. All pets MUST be on a leash. Your help in supporting these requirements will allow us to stay open and having positive outcomes for all
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$30
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89%
(48)

Easton’s Castle/O-TE-LA Camp

25 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Aberdeen , Brown
Camp where L FBaum found the inspiration for The Emerald City of OZ. Campsites with an acre each, magical firepits in the forest circling the castle. Numerous deer owls pheasants and songbirds. Wireless free on the porch, tents for rent, indoor bathroom w shower just $3/day. Monthly rate half price.Learn more about this land:Pitch camp in one of 25 sites in the 20 acre forest surrounding magical Easton’s castle, the inspiration for the Wizard of OZ. L Frank Baum loved this place and you will too. A small forest. One acre campsites. You will be alone in Nature. Room for RV to park w limited electrical and wireless around castle. There are no RV electrical or sewer hookups. /p>
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$16
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82%
(14)

Mountain Shadow Campground

26 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Piedmont, Meade
Learn more about this land:Quiet campground located a few miles from Interstate 90 between exits 44 and 46. 15 minutes from Sturgis, SD. A great location for summer travelers who are looking for a simple spot to crash for a night. We are a historic and favorite location for Christian Motorcyclist Association members to stay during Sturgis bike week. Quiet hours 10pm-6am. Address: 10716 Mountain Shadow Road, Piedmont SD, 57769; Cell service varies, Verizon works well.
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$40
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100%
(8)

Grass limited trees

12 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Herreid, Campbell
Learn more about this land:We are definitely out of the way 98 miles to the closest Walmart birds deer sunsets and sunrises best in the country great fishing 15 miles west lake Oahe sitting Bull’s grave site 33 miles west
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$30
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100%
(1)

Bulldog Creek Campground

362 sites · RVs, Tents43 acres · Sturgis, Meade
Just 5 minutes from Sturgis, South Dakota, and nestled in the Black Hills is Bulldog Creek Campground. Exit 37 on Interstate 90 contains 43 acres of beautiful green grass, shade trees, and Bulldog Creek. The Campground houses 50 & 30 Amp Full Hookups, 30 Amp with Water only, 110-volt electric sites, and plenty of space for both tent campers and dry campsites. Bulldog Creek Campground is a Family Owned and Operated facility. Be sure you check out our Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Camp Site Rates. We pride ourselves on serving a top-notch Breakfast and a killer Supper during the Rally. Have friends stayed at a different campground? Bring them on over for one of our nightly specials as our Bar and Café are open to the public! We are excited for you to experience the Bulldog and look forward to you staying with us! At our campground, you can enjoy RV Sites for all sizes of tents, campers and motorhomes, as well as, enjoy our home-cooked meals daily!
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$15
 / night
100%
(2)

Big Rig RV

175 sites · RVs30 acres · Sturgis, Meade
Big Rig RV Park Campground is one of the oldest campgrounds for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Big Rig RV Park Campground is located in Sturgis, South Dakota and we are open exclusively for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The campground is perched on top of a hill and has spectacular views of the Sturgis and the Black Hills area. We are just two miles from the legendary Sturgis Main Street with very easy access to I-90, Boulder Canyon, Vanocker Canyon, and other Black Hills attractions. We have a variety of lot campsites especially lots with spectacular views of the beautiful Black Hills. Our campsites feature full-service hook-ups including water, sewer, 30/50 amp electricity, and WIFI that actually works. Our campsites have a gravel surface and are nearly perfectly level with little or no blocking required. We have two campgrounds, the original North site launched in 2000, and the South site constructed in 2015. Both sites include a spotless men’s and women’s shower house.
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$46
 / night
100%
(2)

Pine Haven Lodging

34 sites · Lodging, RVs17 acres · Rapid City, Pennington
Pine Haven is situated right in the center of the Black Hills of South Dakota. We're located on 17 acres of forest land at the base of Storm Mountain, fifteen minutes from Mount Rushmore and ten minutes from food and shopping hub Rapid City. We offer full hook-up RV sites and single-family cabins.
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$65
 / night
Booked 2 times

Wickiup Village Cabins

20 sites · Lodging5 acres · Lead, Lawrence
Welcome to Wickiup Cabins where adventure or relaxation can go hand in hand.  We have what you are looking for.  Our rustic yet modernized cabins were built in 1937 and provided all the comforts of home.   Perhaps, a wedding destination, family reunion, small company retreat or a destination for relaxing while enjoying our mountain streams and quiet peaceful settings under our 80 foot spruce trees. It is here you can also come for hunting, ATV riding, rock climbing above and below us, mountain biking, fishing, riding the Mickelson Trail, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse or historic Lead Deadwood to name some of our Black Hills offerings. We are located central to the Northern Black Hills at the top of Spearfish Canyon 10 minutes west of Lead Deadwood on Highway 85.  Wickiup has the monopoly on Spearfish Creek.  Long gone are the cabin camps that once provided memories for children to older folks never to be forgotten.  Warm summer days of tubing, fishing, panning for those gold flakes or just skipping rocks.
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$145
 / night
90%
(30)

Serenity Fields

20 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents240 acres · Kimball, Brule
Originally settled by immigrants homesteading westward, Dakota Prairie Lodge now conducts hunting and fishing adventures and dabbles in agriculture.  Far from population centers, the peacefulness of this rural retreat is a delight.
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$50
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Camp Dakotah

34 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Sisseton, Roberts
Camp Dakotah is a park located near Sisseton, South Dakota. It features large, shaded, full hookup campsites that are big rig friendly. Camper sites are all pull through accessible. The park provides free WiFi, allows pets, and has a dump station. Campsite amenities offered include a basketball court, picnic tables, and fire circles. It also includes basic amenities like restrooms with hot showers. Visitors can also enjoy activities such as horseshoe toss, volleyball, hiking, biking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Given our convenient location, visitors are able to enjoy nearby attractions such as: 30 lakes within 30 miles Nicollet Tower Sica Hallow State Park Fort Sisseton Historic State Park Dakota Connection Casino and Travel Center - Sisseton, SD With the Wind Vineyard & Winery - Rosholt, SD Dakota Magic Casino - Hankinson, ND Annual Pow Wow Annual Sisseton Trail Ride - 1st weekend in June Paradise Pumpkin Patch - First 2 weekends ins October Rosholt, SD Big Stone Pumpkin Patch - Open September 19 - October 25 Saturdays and Sundays Big Stone, SD Whether its for a short and or long term stay, we hope to see you soon!
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$3
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Under $50

Star Hosts in South Dakota

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Camping in South Dakota guide

South Dakota's headline acts need little introduction. This sparsely populated state is home to the most visited national park in the Midwest—Badlands National Park—and one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States—Mount Rushmore. From the craggy peaks of the Black Hills to the vast backcountry of the Great Plains and the banks of the mighty Missouri River, outdoor adventures are easy to find in South Dakota. The main camping season runs from May through October, with midsummer temperatures peaking in the mid-80s, while winters are snowy, especially in the north.

Where to Go

Badlands and the Black Hills

Swathes of forested mountains blanket the southwestern corner of South Dakota, where a road trip to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial is likely top of your to-do list. Just west of the four presidents, the Black Hills National Forest has 450 miles of hiking, biking, OHV, and horseback riding trails, plus 30 campgrounds, some with full hookups. To the east, hike beneath layer-cake cliffs and towering canyons in Badlands National Park, then camp out beneath the stars—backcountry camping is permitted throughout the park.

Great Lakes

The Missouri River flows through the heart of South Dakota, where you'll find the four man-made "great lakes"—Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis and Clark Lake. Campgrounds and RV parks pepper the shores, and all four lakes are popular spots for walleye and smallmouth bass fishing. Bring your own boat, paddle the lakes on a kayak, or rent a jet ski.

Glacial Lakes

The sweeping prairies and glacial lakes of northeastern South Dakota are little-explored, but you’re never far from a lakeside campground. With its chain of eight glacial lakes, Oakwood Lakes State Park affords plenty of opportunities for swimming, paddling, and ice fishing, depending on the time of year. Further south, Lake Poinsett has a sandy beach, two camping areas, and lakefront cabins.

Southeast South Dakota

The state's southeast corner is a patchwork of lakes, rivers, and vineyards, interspersed with country towns. Set up camp at Lake Vermillion and hit the water to swim, canoe, or paddleboard; enjoy hiking or rock climbing around the unique pink quartzite cliffs of Palisades State Park; or go wine tasting in South Dakota wine country. A photo stop at Sioux Falls is a must for visitors to the namesake city, but for camping, head to the nearby Big Sioux Recreation Area, a scenic stopover along the Jay Heath Canoe & Kayak Trail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can camp for free in South Dakota. Dispersed camping is allowed in the national forests and grasslands in the state. The two primary areas for free camping are the Black Hills National Forest and the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. Keep in mind that these campsites are primitive and typically have no facilities, so be prepared to practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out all your trash.

Camping fees in South Dakota state parks vary depending on the type of campsite and amenities offered. On average, you can expect to pay the following for campsites:

  • Primitive or non-electric campsites: $15 to $18 per night
  • Electric campsites: $21 to $26 per night
  • Electric and water campsites: $25 to $30 per night
  • Electric, water, and sewer campsites: $29 to $34 per night
  • Cabins: $45 to $150 per night, depending on the type of cabin and amenities

Keep in mind that these prices are approximate and may vary by specific park or campsite. Some parks may also charge additional fees, such as entrance fees or vehicle permits. You can explore more about South Dakota state parks and their camping options on Hipcamp.

While you cannot camp just anywhere in South Dakota, there are numerous designated campgrounds and camping areas throughout the state where camping is allowed. These include state parks, national forests, and private campgrounds. Dispersed camping is allowed in some areas within national forests, such as the Black Hills National Forest, but you must follow specific rules and regulations. Always check with the managing agency or landowner for the area you plan to camp in to ensure you are following all guidelines and restrictions.

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