The best waterfall campgrounds in South Dakota

South Dakota packs in over 400 places to camp near waterfalls, with sites ranging from $40 to an average of $170 a night. Expect rugged pine forests, thundering falls, and trails that cut through granite canyons. Campfires are allowed at most spots, and you’ll find toilets and pet-friendly sites. Wildlife-watching is a local rite of passage—bison, deer, and eagles are regulars. Hiking and horseback riding trails start right from many campsites. Top picks lead the pack with hundreds of glowing reviews. Bring your boots, keep your camera handy, and wake up to the rush of water steps from your tent.

Top-rated campgrounds in South Dakota

Wickiup Village Cabins

1. Wickiup Village Cabins

Lead, SD · 20 sites

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.

Pets

Toilets

Showers

from

$138

/ night

Rush Lake Outdoors

2. Rush Lake Outdoors

Webster, SD · 30 sites · Tents, RVs

Rush Lake Outdoors is located on the west side of Rush Lake, right in between Webster and Waubay, SD, in the heart of the Glacial Lakes which offer some of the world's best walleye fishing. We provide Boondock camping for tenters, RV's, and campers. Our camping sites are located right off Highway 12; we offer two entrances to the camping area, and the lots are mowed grass spaces. We also offer guides for guided fishing through the spring, summer, and fall. Self-guided and guided hunting for waterfowl and pheasants in the fall is also available.

Pets

Campfires

from

$40

/ night

Black Hills National Forest

3. Black Hills National Forest

98%

(51)

National forest in South Dakota · 337 sites

Beyond Mount Rushmore, explore 1.2 million acres of forested mountains.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Custer Gallatin National Forest

4. Custer Gallatin National Forest

84%

(59)

National forest in Montana · 936 sites

Find wilderness camping near Yellowstone National Park and beyond.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

South Dakota packs in over 400 places to camp near waterfalls, with sites ranging from $40 to an average of $170 a night. Expect rugged pine forests, thundering falls, and trails that cut through granite canyons. Campfires are allowed at most spots, and you’ll find toilets and pet-friendly sites. Wildlife-watching is a local rite of passage—bison, deer, and eagles are regulars. Hiking and horseback riding trails start right from many campsites. Top picks lead the pack with hundreds of glowing reviews. Bring your boots, keep your camera handy, and wake up to the rush of water steps from your tent.

Top-rated campgrounds in South Dakota

Wickiup Village Cabins

1. Wickiup Village Cabins

Lead, SD · 20 sites

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.

Pets

Toilets

Showers

from

$138

/ night

Rush Lake Outdoors

2. Rush Lake Outdoors

Webster, SD · 30 sites · Tents, RVs

Rush Lake Outdoors is located on the west side of Rush Lake, right in between Webster and Waubay, SD, in the heart of the Glacial Lakes which offer some of the world's best walleye fishing. We provide Boondock camping for tenters, RV's, and campers. Our camping sites are located right off Highway 12; we offer two entrances to the camping area, and the lots are mowed grass spaces. We also offer guides for guided fishing through the spring, summer, and fall. Self-guided and guided hunting for waterfowl and pheasants in the fall is also available.

Pets

Campfires

from

$40

/ night

Black Hills National Forest