The best camping near Rapid City with snow sports

19 sites · Buffalo Chip, South Dakota

4. Bear Butte State Park

Bear Butte State Park: A Sacred Summit with Trails to Explore.

72 sites · Chadron, Nebraska

5. Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands

92%

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Ahhh, the heartland. Wide open spaces of undeveloped land in which to spread your wings and find some breathing room. Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands is one of these places, comprised of two forests of ponderosa pine and three grassland areas. Come here to set up your temporary little house on the prairie and be a pioneer camper for a while! Wandering and exploring is unrestricted for non-motorized travel here, meaning freedom is yours for the taking! If you don’t want to just head into the abyss, try visiting the nation's oldest federal tree nursery (awww, baby trees!), or the largest extinct bison boneland in the world at the Hudson-Meng Bison Research Center. Or, head to Soldier Creek Wilderness Area for a little rewilding and backcountry exploration. Keep your eyes peeled for prairie dogs and wildflowers popping their cute little heads up, rock formations dotting the landscape, and magic around every turn. There’s a lot going on in that grass!

Electrical hookup

14 sites · Hot Springs, South Dakota

6. Cold Brook Lake

A visit to Cold Brook Lake will chill you out and warm your heart. Why? Because it’s a recreation and relaxation haven where you can accomplish all your fishing, swimming, paddling, and chillaxing goals in the company of Mother Nature. It doesn’t get much better than that! Fishing docks and cleaning stations make this a no brainer spot for anglers to cast their lines. There is also a swimming beach where you can beat the summer heat. In the winter, you could visit for some ice fishing, skating, or cross country skiing. Of course, you also have camping options to make this a full vacay. Bring the fam, the canoe, the picnic treats, and make this place your go to spot!

1 site · Fairburn, South Dakota

7. Buffalo Gap National Grassland

Looking for a wide-open expanse of land to pitch your tent and watch the world go by? The Buffalo Gap National Grassland is the second largest of its kind in the country. With very little development or amenities, it’s a truly wild destination with a surprising diversity of plants, animals, and awesome back-country vibes. So what can you do on these 600,000 acres of wild prairie land? You can scope the land for wildlife, including the rare black-footed ferret, hunt for rocks in a rich geological landscape, hike, ride your trusty horse, zip around on your ATV, camp under a blanket of stars, photograph the incredible scenery, and fall in love with the great outdoors. You won’t have to avoid the crowds here, unless of course it’s a herd of buffalo. Get away from it all at Buffalo Gap National Grassland.

8. Cottonwood Springs Lake

14 sites · Hot Springs, South Dakota

Feel like nestling yourself in the sanctuary of evergreen trees in the rugged black hills for a while? How about throwing in a clean and peaceful lake to float on, and the chirpings of songbirds to listen to? If that sounds like your cup of tea then a visit to Cottonwood Springs Lake is in order. This is a sweet little spot for nature lovers to get away, try a little fishing or hiking, and camp primitive style to get back to the land good and proper. The lake only allows electric motored boats, so you can expect to find some quiet here. Slow down and let Mother Nature work her magic on you for a change, and you’ll be fresh as a spruce tree in no time.

Public campgrounds near Rapid City

14mi from Rapid City · 56 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

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Pactola Reservoir Campground

15mi from Rapid City · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

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Sheridan Lake Campground

Dalton Lake Campground

17mi from Rapid City · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

17mi from Rapid City · 16 sites · in Black Hills National Forest

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Grizzly Creek Primitive Campground

18mi from Rapid City · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

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Horsethief Lake Campground

Boxelder Forks Campground

18mi from Rapid City · 13 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

24mi from Rapid City · 15 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

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Oreville Campground

24mi from Rapid City · 30 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

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Roubaix Lake Campground

Bismarck Lake Campground

25mi from Rapid City · 20 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

Castle Peak Campground

25mi from Rapid City · 9 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

Dutchman Campground

28mi from Rapid City · 33 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

29mi from Rapid City · 16 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

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Custer Trail Campground

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

G

Gregory

October 2025

25 ft Class C

We were looking for a nice isolated, dark sky location to ourselves and got just what we wanted. We would definitely stay here again!

A

ANDREW

October 2025

20 ft campervan

With pets

Beautiful location that is excellently maintained. The host was very accommodating.

P

Paul

October 2025

26 ft Class B

With pets

2 nights at Black Elk Resort

Really nice spot , convenient to all the things we wanted to see. Level site, good power , water! Clean shower.

B

Bill

September 2025

24 ft Class C

2 nights at Crow Peak’s Last Best Place

We love this place, very private , will be back. This was our second time.

L

Louis

September 2025

28 ft travel trailer

With pets

Absolutely perfect, private gem of a camping spot!

V

Vernon

September 2025

30 ft travel trailer

With pets

4 nights at Crow Peak’s Last Best Place

Oh my goodness we loved our time sept 11-14. The sky cloud views were unbelievable!! Many turkeys passing thru the evergreen each am also many dear in the meadow! Quiet and places to walk.

C

Cory

September 2025

38 ft fifth wheel

With pets

7 nights at Crow Peak’s Last Best Place

Beautiful area with views. Little traffic for walking dogs. Laure was very communicative and accommodating.

K

Krystal

September 2025

32 ft fifth wheel

With kids

6 nights at Crow Peak’s Last Best Place

Great location! It’s quiet. It’s close to town. Base of the mountain with trees. It’s perfect. The gravel road is well maintained and easy spots to get into.

G

Gale

September 2025

36 ft fifth wheel

With pets

Beautiful location at the end of a very nice gravel road. Quiet, great sunrise and sunset settings at the base of Crow Peak. Laure was very prompt in replying when I had questions. Full hook ups are a total plus.

K

Keith

August 2025

36 ft fifth wheel

With pets

Weekend Trip to Crow Peak’s Last Best Place

Very peaceful and a great hospitality!

A

Anne

August 2025

34 ft fifth wheel

Weekend Trip to Crow Peak’s Last Best Place

We had a marvelous, peaceful stay at Laure's hipcamp, surrounded by beautiful trees and hills. We've stayed on this property before and loved it so much that we returned. In addition, Laure is a great communicator. We highly recommend this hipcamp!

Charles

August 2025

10 ft travel trailer

First, Laura is an excellent host. Great communication throughout. Her husband even sent a site location map before my arrival. This was extremely helpful finding where i was supposed to be. It also helped understand where to enter the property as the site seems to have a geocode versus physical address. All in all, I was able to get settled in about 10 minutes which is a personal best 🤣 The location is situated in a beautiful area, off the beaten path - literally. It's excellently maintained with water and electricity easily available. Unlike every site I've been to, the hosts actually provided an adaptor for those not prepared (I was but there was a time...) The only minor things I'd do differently or change are: 1.) I'd is choose one of the other 2 sites (which were available). Both are more open than the one I had which is near a building (albeit a very slick black garage). 2.) I had to be careful walking my dogs, even though on leashes, due to the electric fencing (which I understand the need for).. in a perfect world, there'd be a place to walk them less stressfully...minor. Overall this is great place and clear why its so highly rated.

B

Beverly

August 2025

40 ft fifth wheel

4 nights at Crow Peak’s Last Best Place

Great communication and a beautiful, safe, peaceful location! What more could you ask?! 😃 We would most certainly stay again.

Eric

August 2025

25 ft travel trailer

This Hipcamp does it right. I just wrapped up a 8,000 cross country trip and this spot is the standard other should be judged by. Easy access, full, well maintained hook-ups and great views.

W

Wyatt

August 2025

36 ft fifth wheel

With pets

2 nights at Crow Peak’s Last Best Place

My wife and I loved staying at Laure’s place and will definitely stay there again if we make it back to the Spearfish area. If you are looking for an extremely quiet spot with a great Black Hill views, this is the spot!!

B

Bambi

July 2025

27 ft travel trailer

6 nights at Crow Peak’s Last Best Place

Beautiful, serene property! We had a wonderful stay! The hosts are very friendly and helpful!

S

Sue

July 2025

24 ft Class C