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Hot spring camping in South Dakota

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

97% (180 reviews)
97% (180 reviews)

Popular camping styles for South Dakota

4 top hot spring campgrounds in South Dakota

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.
from 
$39
 / night
96%
(57)

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.
from 
$59
 / night

Starlight Carroll Creek

1 site ¡ RV, Tent4 acres ¡ Custer, SD
Level, grassy field, good for tent camping, motor home parking, hiking, bird watching. Shooting range and gun shop 5 miles away. Hot Springs, Mammoth Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Park within 30 minute drive. Crazy Horse Memorial within 15 minutes (Native items and tour of Crazy Horse sculpture - largest sculpture in the world). Sylvan Lake (actually several nice lakes, less than 30 minute drive. Mount Rushmore 30 minutes away. Custer State Park (miles of Bison and Pronghorn to see) less than 30 minutes away. Downtown Custer shops (gifts, Native items, vape shop).
from 
$60
 / night
100%
(2)

Still House

2 sites ¡ Lodging10 acres ¡ Rapid City, SD
You’re staying in the heart of the Black Hills. This 10 acre of private land was once a mining claim. Evidenced by the numerous “glory holes” pocking the surface of the property. It is directly surrounded by thousands of acres of US forest service on three sides and indirectly on the fourth. There is alot of history of gold mining in Battle Creek just below the property and surrounding hills. This is an incredibly quiet and secluded property with heavy woods and rocky embankments. Only minutes from this property you’ll find the quaint town of Keystone with shopping and the best restaurants in all of the Black Hills. We are truly located in the center of all the Black Hills have to offer. Most attractions are literally minutes away from your tent and include Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse monument, Custer State Park, Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake, and so much more.
from 
$269
 / night

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

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Hot spring 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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