Ranch camping in South Dakota
Black Hills, Badlands, and presidential icons await intrepid campers.
91% (199 reviews)
- South Dakota
91% (199 reviews)
Popular camping styles for South Dakota
Available this weekend
Under $50
10 top wheelchair-accessible ranch campgrounds in South Dakota
100%
(4)
Woodland Ranch
25 sites · Tents2000 acres · Allen, SD
Warnings:
🛻1) All roads are difficult, you should have 4x4 if you want to visit us.
🌚2) We do not have signage, lighting, toilets or showers. You must be comfortable using the maps provided and it is highly suggested you show up before sunset.
🐺3) Unfortunately, there are neighbor dogs who can enter the property, and while they are not dangerous, they may initiate conflict with your dog if you have a dog.
Enjoy a retreat in one of the most remote regions of the United States. This one thousand-acre ranch is part of a 7th generation legacy. The ranch is surrounded on three sides by a complex network of creeks and canyons full of wildlife.
Learn more about this land:
Woodland Ranch is surrounded by creek stream canyons on 3 sides. This canyon system fills a pond at one of our primary campsites. Our family has managed this ranch since 1970. We are tribal members happy to share the natural beauty and discuss the history and current developments of our area. There are turkey, deer, elk, and bison for those interested in hunting. We have a resident hunting guide available to show you around. We also have an abundance of wild sage, plums, and other herbs.
Pets
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from
$25
/ night
93%
(203)
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.
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from
$39
/ night
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(1)
B gravel pit.
1 site · RV, Tent1500 acres · Wall, SD
This ranch is the home of children's book author Cowgirl Annie. This site is in an abandoned gravel pit so you will be parking on sandy gravel base. There are cottonwood stands close by that you can hike through to the river. A wide variety of wildlife live in this area, so no telling what you my see or hear. You will have a big area to yourselves. I have tried to plan areas so you won't be disturbed by other campers. Wall Drug and the Badlands National P
02ark are about a 20 minute drive.
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$39.99
/ night
100%
(3)
Skygazer's Paradise
10 sites · RVs10 acres · Wessington, SD
Learn more about this land:Pick your own spot on a South Dakota ranch. Located in the beautiful Wessington Hills. Watch deer, pheasant, water fowl, and prarie birds. Low light pollution allows for starry skies at night. Located only 8 miles off of highway 14.
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$20
/ night
69%
(8)
Home Ranch LLC
1 site · RV, Tent1500 acres · Wasta, SD
This ranch is the home of Cowgirl Annie. It has had two movies about the Battle of the Little Bighorn filmed on it. The Lytle's raise Red Angus cows and Alfalfa hay. The ranch has Juniper trees in the river breaks and cottonwoods in the river valley. A wide variety of wildlife and birds can be found on the ranch. Visitors will likely get to see deer and hear the coyotes howling and observe other critters. This ranch is over 1500 acres. Campsite is about a mile off of Interstate 90. Wall Drug and the Badlands National park are about 20 minutes away. Visitors are encouraged to hike and play in the river. There are plenty of good areas to play hide and seek along with logs to climb on. There isn't much light pollution so you can enjoy stargazing on a clear night. Attractions in the Black Hills are about 60 miles away.
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$39.99
/ night
100%
(2)
Home Ranch LLC
1 site · RV1500 acres · Wasta, SD
This working ranch is the home of Children's book author Cowgirl Annie. It covers over 1500 acres where depending on the time of the year you can see cattle, horses, a variety of wildlife (deer, raccoons, beaver, eagles, owls, meadowlarks, ducks, geese, coyotes, snakes, and bugs.) You can fish, hike to the river, hills, or through cottonwood trees. The Badlands National Park and Wall Drug are about a 15 minute drive. Camping spots are within 3 miles of Interstate 90 and easily accessed. The black hills are aboout 1.5 hours drive. You can sit back and relax away from the crowds here on the ranch. Visitors in April and May can see the newborn calves before they are moved to summer pasture. Enjoy stargazing, listening to the frogs and coyotes. the sunsets, and sunrises are often spectacular. The smell of fresh cut hay will make you want to stay forever. Cowgirl Annie may even have time to visit with you about ranch life. There is a fire ban on the ranch. No pets are allowed. All campers must be self-contained units as I have no hook-ups or dump stations.
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$39.99
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(29)
Steinke Ranch Buffalo
7 sites · RVs, Tents1000 acres · Colome, SD
Learn more about this land:
Welcome Steinke Ranch! We offer rolling hills covered with beautiful trees. We have 8 different sites available alongside 3 fishing lakes within 10 miles. Find a shooting range near by and a plenty of deer, turkey, buffalo, and pheasant, only 2 1/2 miles off of highway! Come here and enjoy ultimate peace and quiet!.........have a Camp Fire...Play Horseshoes....Cowboy putting green.....Skeet shooting....Buffalo meat ...Buffalo snacks....Wisconsin Cheese......100% Pure Maple Syrup from Vermont.....Buffalo toys......Decals.....
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$35
/ night
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(1)
Miner Ranch
3 sites · RVs, Tents960 acres · Gregory, SD
Originally homesteaded in 1904, Miner Ranch is now home to a large number of animals. Situated in the middle of beautiful vast prairie, Miner Ranch offers many different arts and crafts activities, horse back riding, video game projectors, and opportunities to feed different animals. Come enjoy the beautiful scenery that Miner Ranch has to offer! Full RV hook ups and a dump site near by, plus many areas for tent camping. Optional personal chef available.
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$45
/ night
Booked 2 times
Home Ranch
1 site · RV1500 acres · Wasta, SD
Home Ranch LLC rents property from ranchers to provide nature experiences to campers that want to getaway from the crowds. This property provides access to juniper canyons that are home to a wide variety of wildlife on over 1000 acres. You can almost always see some deer, a variety of birds: including ducks, geese, great blue herons, and eagles. Meadowlarks and coyotes can usually be heard daily. The campers can also enjoy wading or fishing in the Cheyenne River that borders the property on the west side. The river is just a short hike through the cottonwood covered bottoms that show signs of raccoon and beaver activity. Children can enjoy climbing on logs, playing hide and go seek in the trees or throwing rocks in the river. The sunrises and sunsets can be quite spectacular. The ranch also allows for some star gazing at night. Feel free to bring your telescopes. If Campers arrive in April or May they can go on a calving tour to see the newborn calves. If coming in June through August campers could catch a tour to put out mineral and salt for the cattle in summer pasture or maybe ride along in the haying process.( These tours would not happen on a daily basis.) Every day is different on a ranch. Home Ranch tries to spreadout the campsites so campers don't feel like others are intruding on their space and interrupting their quite time to enjoy nature. Sometimes depending on the weather (rain) you may be asked to move your camper to a different site on the ranch to avoid being stuck in the mud. The town of Wall (home of Wall Drug) is about a 15 minute drive. the Badlands National Park is about 25 minutes from the campsites. Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park and other tourist spots are about one and a half hours driving time.
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$39.99
/ night
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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.
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$50
/ night
Dog-friendly getaways
Ranch camping in South Dakota guide
Overview
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.
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