Lake Camping in South Dakota: Best Lake Campsites 2024

United States
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South Dakota

97% (326 reviews)

Popular camping styles for South Dakota

Available this weekend

6 top lakeside campgrounds in South Dakota

98%

(105)

Horse Creek Resort RV Sites

17 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents18 acres · Rapid City, SD

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. There are 8 open creek side RV sites (Sites 1 -8). You will receive site assignment the day proir to your stay.

94%

(224)

Plenty Star Retreat

26 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Custer, SD

Bring your hiking shoes, bicycles or motor bikes, your RVs, tents and hammocks or stay in one of our camping log cabins. From mid May through August we are hosting a limited number of summer camping guests at our private home and property Plenty Star Retreat is a peaceful 10 acre place, surrounded by National Forest, just a few miles South of Custer, in the Southern Black Hills, of South Dakota. From its location along Hwy 385, both, Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park, as well as all the other Black Hills attractions, such as Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument as well as numerous hiking trails and lakes are within short driving distance. The retreat is also conveniently located directly at the Mickelson Trail at mile marker 34/35, about 10 miles South of Custer, SD. Smaller towns like Custer, 10 miles North or Hot Springs, 24 miles South, offer a variety of interesting shops and some really good restaurants. We keep our property smoke free.

Luxury RV Canyon Retreat

1 site · RV3 acres · Lead, SD

The property is one of the few rentals allowed in Spearfish Canyon. Brand NEW this year--a Post and Beam Pavilion available for parking and picnics! Also NEW--horseshoe pits in meadow for your enjoyment. It sits besides an historic 95-year old log cabin. A guest house, Couples Canyon Retreat, sleeps 3, is also available for rent. Contact owner. Learn more about this land: All paved road to your private luxury concrete RV pad sitting at the entrance of beautiful Spearfish Canyon. Convenient location to all sites in SD Black Hills including Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish and one hour drive to Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore. Walking distance to a trout pond for fishing and Cheyenne Crossing for a delicious meal. Hiking and off-roading trails galore. Go to sleep hearing Upper Spearfish Creek across the road, with mountain views, deer and smell of fresh pine trees. Lead Country Club Golf course close by. Brand New Post and Beam Pavilion available for parking and picnics.

96%

(63)

Black Elk Resort

1 site · RV5 acres · Rapid City, SD

Black Elk Resort is one of the finest cottages and RV resorts in South Dakota, nestled in a beautiful wooded setting and only a short drive to Mount Rushmore. We feature 9 cottages sleeping 2 to 5 people, 8 Full Hook-up Pull-Thru 50 ft. RV sites with 30/50 Amp, picnic tables, & park style charcoal grills available for the ultimate RV experience. Whether taking advantage of our cottages, RV sites or the Palmer Creek Taproom, our long list of amenities are available for your use and enjoyment. We are proud of our family-oriented reputation and continually strive to make the Black Elk Resort as beautiful as the nature that surrounds it.

Grass limited trees

12 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Herreid, SD

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

Renegades Ranch

6 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Corona, SD

This is a beautiful older farm site, with the original home and outbuildings. On the property is a horse pasture, a walking trail, a pond and several friendly animals. There are several acres of trees with a walking trail and campsites within. The farm historically was the top farm in the area. Rooms are spacious. Some remodeling has been done with windows and doors all upgraded. Learn more about this land:12 acre hobby farm with chickens, a dog, a cat, and a horse. We have grapes, raspberries, mulberry fruit trees and make our own wine. There is a trail going through the trees where there are several campsites and fire pits to choose from. As well as open areas to camp or park your camper. There is a small stage and central fire pit with many chairs, electricity and tables available. One 30 amp camper plugin. We are only 2 miles from Big Stone Lake, or within 4 miles you can kayak whetstone creek (weather/water level permitting). We have kayaks available for rent. Also this location is only 2 miles from gourmet bar and restaurants on the lake, and additional walking trails. We can also provide farm fresh eggs for your meal, or for additional fee cook breakfast or grill gourmet meals by request.

Under $50

100%

(6)

Renegades Ranch

6 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Corona, SD

This is a beautiful older farm site, with the original home and outbuildings. On the property is a horse pasture, a walking trail, a pond and several friendly animals. There are several acres of trees with a walking trail and campsites within. The farm historically was the top farm in the area. Rooms are spacious. Some remodeling has been done with windows and doors all upgraded. Learn more about this land:12 acre hobby farm with chickens, a dog, a cat, and a horse. We have grapes, raspberries, mulberry fruit trees and make our own wine. There is a trail going through the trees where there are several campsites and fire pits to choose from. As well as open areas to camp or park your camper. There is a small stage and central fire pit with many chairs, electricity and tables available. One 30 amp camper plugin. We are only 2 miles from Big Stone Lake, or within 4 miles you can kayak whetstone creek (weather/water level permitting). We have kayaks available for rent. Also this location is only 2 miles from gourmet bar and restaurants on the lake, and additional walking trails. We can also provide farm fresh eggs for your meal, or for additional fee cook breakfast or grill gourmet meals by request.

Grass limited trees

12 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Herreid, SD

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

Luxury RV Canyon Retreat

1 site · RV3 acres · Lead, SD

The property is one of the few rentals allowed in Spearfish Canyon. Brand NEW this year--a Post and Beam Pavilion available for parking and picnics! Also NEW--horseshoe pits in meadow for your enjoyment. It sits besides an historic 95-year old log cabin. A guest house, Couples Canyon Retreat, sleeps 3, is also available for rent. Contact owner. Learn more about this land: All paved road to your private luxury concrete RV pad sitting at the entrance of beautiful Spearfish Canyon. Convenient location to all sites in SD Black Hills including Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish and one hour drive to Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore. Walking distance to a trout pond for fishing and Cheyenne Crossing for a delicious meal. Hiking and off-roading trails galore. Go to sleep hearing Upper Spearfish Creek across the road, with mountain views, deer and smell of fresh pine trees. Lead Country Club Golf course close by. Brand New Post and Beam Pavilion available for parking and picnics.

Plenty Star Retreat

26 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Custer, SD

Bring your hiking shoes, bicycles or motor bikes, your RVs, tents and hammocks or stay in one of our camping log cabins. From mid May through August we are hosting a limited number of summer camping guests at our private home and property Plenty Star Retreat is a peaceful 10 acre place, surrounded by National Forest, just a few miles South of Custer, in the Southern Black Hills, of South Dakota. From its location along Hwy 385, both, Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park, as well as all the other Black Hills attractions, such as Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument as well as numerous hiking trails and lakes are within short driving distance. The retreat is also conveniently located directly at the Mickelson Trail at mile marker 34/35, about 10 miles South of Custer, SD. Smaller towns like Custer, 10 miles North or Hot Springs, 24 miles South, offer a variety of interesting shops and some really good restaurants. We keep our property smoke free.

Dog-friendly getaways

98%

(105)

Horse Creek Resort RV Sites

17 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents18 acres · Rapid City, SD

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. There are 8 open creek side RV sites (Sites 1 -8). You will receive site assignment the day proir to your stay.

Black Elk Resort

1 site · RV5 acres · Rapid City, SD

Black Elk Resort is one of the finest cottages and RV resorts in South Dakota, nestled in a beautiful wooded setting and only a short drive to Mount Rushmore. We feature 9 cottages sleeping 2 to 5 people, 8 Full Hook-up Pull-Thru 50 ft. RV sites with 30/50 Amp, picnic tables, & park style charcoal grills available for the ultimate RV experience. Whether taking advantage of our cottages, RV sites or the Palmer Creek Taproom, our long list of amenities are available for your use and enjoyment. We are proud of our family-oriented reputation and continually strive to make the Black Elk Resort as beautiful as the nature that surrounds it.

Grass limited trees

12 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Herreid, SD

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

Luxury RV Canyon Retreat

1 site · RV3 acres · Lead, SD

The property is one of the few rentals allowed in Spearfish Canyon. Brand NEW this year--a Post and Beam Pavilion available for parking and picnics! Also NEW--horseshoe pits in meadow for your enjoyment. It sits besides an historic 95-year old log cabin. A guest house, Couples Canyon Retreat, sleeps 3, is also available for rent. Contact owner. Learn more about this land: All paved road to your private luxury concrete RV pad sitting at the entrance of beautiful Spearfish Canyon. Convenient location to all sites in SD Black Hills including Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish and one hour drive to Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore. Walking distance to a trout pond for fishing and Cheyenne Crossing for a delicious meal. Hiking and off-roading trails galore. Go to sleep hearing Upper Spearfish Creek across the road, with mountain views, deer and smell of fresh pine trees. Lead Country Club Golf course close by. Brand New Post and Beam Pavilion available for parking and picnics.

Plenty Star Retreat

26 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Custer, SD

Bring your hiking shoes, bicycles or motor bikes, your RVs, tents and hammocks or stay in one of our camping log cabins. From mid May through August we are hosting a limited number of summer camping guests at our private home and property Plenty Star Retreat is a peaceful 10 acre place, surrounded by National Forest, just a few miles South of Custer, in the Southern Black Hills, of South Dakota. From its location along Hwy 385, both, Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park, as well as all the other Black Hills attractions, such as Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument as well as numerous hiking trails and lakes are within short driving distance. The retreat is also conveniently located directly at the Mickelson Trail at mile marker 34/35, about 10 miles South of Custer, SD. Smaller towns like Custer, 10 miles North or Hot Springs, 24 miles South, offer a variety of interesting shops and some really good restaurants. We keep our property smoke free.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

98%

(49)

Black Hills National Forest

South Dakota

100%

(2)

Richmond Lake Recreation Area

Aberdeen, South Dakota

100%

(2)

Angostura Recreation Area

Hot Springs, South Dakota

100%

(1)

Indian Creek Recreation Area

Mobridge, South Dakota

100%

(1)

Lake Herman State Park

Madison, South Dakota

100%

(1)

Lake Louise Recreation Area

Ree Heights, South Dakota

100%

(1)

Lake Poinsett Recreation Area

Lake Poinsett, South Dakota

100%

(1)

Mina Lake Recreation Area

Wetonka, South Dakota

100%

(1)

Shadehill Recreation Area

Lemmon, South Dakota

100%

(1)

Snake Creek Recreation Area

Bijou Hills, South Dakota

Lakeside camping in South Dakota guide

Overview

Looking to pitch a tent by a picturesque lake in South Dakota? Look no further than Solace Farm (321 reviews), Black Elk Resort (39 reviews), and Luxury RV Canyon Retreat (24 reviews) are just a few of the top campsites that have received rave reviews from fellow campers. And with popular amenities such as potable water, cooking equipment, and campfires, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. Plus, you'll have plenty of activities to choose from, including climbing, fishing, and hiking. With an average price per night of $30 and options as low as $20, camping by the lake in South Dakota has never been more affordable. So pack your bags and get ready to immerse yourself in nature's beauty!