Free Camping In South Dakota: Our Favorite Spots
April 23, 2022 by Tucker Ballister |
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South Dakota was one of the most anticipated stops on my five-month US road trip in 2021. Because I was traveling on a budget in my truck camper, I was on the lookout for the best free camping South Dakota could offer.
Fortunately, I found several great options near iconic locations like Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The Black Hills National Forest was also one of my favorite discoveries for epic dispersed camping in South Dakota.
In this guide, Ill tell you more about the spots I visited, how to find them, and what their proximity is to nearby towns or places for supplies. Ill also add a few places I didnt visit so you have a better selection for South Dakota free camping and dont wind up having to sleep in a parking lot.
So lets dive in!
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Lake Sakakawea State Park Pick City Nd
Located on the southern shore of beautiful Lake Sakakawea, the 1,293-acre park is home to some of the states best salmon fishing. The lake itself is one of the three largest man-made structures in the country, trailing only Nevadas Hoover Damn and Arizonas Glen Canyon Dam. The park is also the culmination of the North Country National Scenic Trail, which stretches across the northern U.S. to upstate New York. You will find a variety of campsites and cabin rentals sprinkled around the lake.
Lake Park Campground & Cottages
Located four miles southwest of Rapid City, and serving as a gateway into the Black Hills National Forest, the Lake Park Campground and Cottages offer every level of camping experience you could ask for, whether it’s a tent site or place to park an RV. Every overnight space at the campground features access to fresh drinking water and full-service restroom facilities.
Lake Park also features fantastic cottages ranging from studios to deluxe two-bedrooms.
Wherever you stay at Lake Park, overnight users are encouraged to partake in one of the campground’s many on-location activities. These include exploring the seven-mile bike path, fishing in Rapid Creek, or renting a non-motorized boat to enjoy the adjoining Canyon Lake.
The campground is four miles from downtown Rapid City, where several restaurants and grocery stores are available to restock camping supplies.
Address: 2850 Chapel Lane, Rapid City, South Dakota
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+ Best Campgrounds In South Dakota I Went To With Amazing Views Nearby South Dakota Camping Trip Sd Travel Blog
Hi there!
This includes South Dakota state park campgrounds, South Dakota national park campgrounds, and South Dakota national forest campgrounds.
More about each of these types of South Dakota campgrounds below!
This will include some of the best places to visit in South Dakota!
MAP: South Dakota camping route
To put it simply, this was my general South Dakota camping route:
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park ND to Custer State Park
- 1 night of camping in Custer State Park
- 5 nights of camping in Custer State Park with time in Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Black Hills National Forest
- Custer State Park to Badlands National Park
- 3 nights of camping in Badlands National Park with all time spent in Badlands National Park!
All of the above is in western South Dakota. If you will be driving I-90 into or out of eastern South Dakota, you can also do 1 night of camping in Palisades State Park to break up your drive.
Explore the map.
You can read more about my 10 days in South Dakota itinerary which lists a little more about each days activities.
Below will be a bit about each of the South Dakota campgrounds.
Campground policies can change, so be sure to look into how it currently is before you go!
For example, maybe a campground was first-come first-serve with no way to make reservations last season, but next season it might be mandatory to make reservations.
And then of course, the cost of camping at the different South Dakota campgrounds can change.
South Dakota’s Free Camping
While once again the blue ribbon goes to Black Hills National Forest, free camping can be found across the state. National grasslands like Fort Pierre and Buffalo Gap, along with land managed by South Dakota Game Fish and Parks , offer the chance to camp along the shores of dozens of lakes, for both RV and tent camping. Looking for a few simple overnight sites as you cross the state? Roadside tent sites and city parks alike are scattered across South Dakota.
Learn more about free camping in South Dakota.
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South Dakota Campgrounds: Buryanek State Recreation Area
The Buryanek Recreation Area is spread along the Missouri River and boasts breathtaking scenic beauty. The area is popular with water-lovers and offers an array of water-based activities such as boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. Famous for an area that the world-renowned Lewis and Clark expedition traveled through, the area has 50 RV and trailer camping sites with electricity and water hook-ups, as well as tent sites with picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms with hot showers and flushing toilets and potable water. Three cozy overnight cabins have heating, air conditioning, and electricity, as well as an outdoor fire grate and picnic table, and the area has several amenities such as a boat ramp, beach, a fish cleaning station, a dump station, a childrens playground, and a day-use picnic shelter.
27450 Buryanek Rd, Burke, SD 57523, Phone: 605-337-2587
Sage Creek Campground Badlands National Park
Located on the westside of Badlands National Parks north unit, Sage Creek Campground has been hailed as one of the best overnight experiences in South Dakota.
The primitive camping island is surrounded by a road and parking area, making it ideal for small vehicles or tent camping. Sage Creek is known for being a popular place to spot the Parks resident bison population as well as tons of other South Dakota wildlife.
Enjoy any one of the nearby hiking trails or relax and watch one of the Midwests most breathtaking sunsets.
Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis, and amenities include semi-covered picnic tables and vault toilets available on the campground. When it comes to free camping, you cant get much better than this!
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Lake Metigoshe State Park Bottineau Nd
Located within the majestic Turtle Mountains on the shores of Lake Metigoshe, the 1,551-acre park is a popular spot among nature and photography lovers. Anglers come from all over for the lakes northern pike, walleye, and perch fishing, while hikers are attracted to the parks Old Oak Trail, a National Recreation Trail. Primitive and modern campsites abound and there are several cabins for rent.
Horse Thief Campground And Rv Resort
Nestled between Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial, the Horse Thief Campground and RV Resort provides plenty of overnight options to enjoy camping in the Black Hills.
Ranging from non-electric tent sites to fully furnished cottages, including a plethora of RV sites, the privately-owned Horse Thief Campground also delivers on a prime location. With proximity to other Black Hills’ best attractions, including Custer State Park and Jewel Cave National Monument, Horse Thief Lake Campground is the perfect home base for exploring.
A tiled bathhouse is available for anyone staying at the Horse Thief Campground. Campers also have access to wireless internet and a small store that sells snacks, firewood, and ice. The campground is a popular family camping destination, and is family-owned itself. The sleeping cabins at Horse Thief Campground sleep three, five, or eight people.
Address: 24391 SD-87, Hill City, South Dakota
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Find More South Dakota Rv Parks
For all of your camping and trip planning needs, look no further than RV LIFE Campgrounds and RV LIFE Trip Wizard. RV LIFE Campgrounds is a trusted source of campground and RV park reviews offered by camping and RV enthusiasts just like you. With its accompanying RV LIFE App, RV LIFE Trip Wizard gets you to your camping destinations utilizing RV-friendly routes specific to your RV and travel preferences.
One Of The Best Campgrounds Near Rapid City And The Black Hills Is This Koa
This Rapid City KOA is a great South Dakota RV park.
It is also near the Black Hills and is perfectly situated if you plan on visiting Mount Rushmore.
If youre looking for a centrally located campground near Rapid City SD, its perfect.
At the Rapid City KOA, youll find spacious campsites with plenty of room for RVs of all shapes and sizes.
For those who dont have an RV, they also have cabins and deluxe cabins you can rent.
Along with the excellent accommodations, they have some great amenities.
They have an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, a dog park, giant chess and checkers, a pool, and you can sign up for guided tours of the local national parks.
There are lots of things to do in Rapid City SD, and if you have a few minutes to spare, go check it out!
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Sylvan Lake Campground Custer State Park
As one of the largest state parks in the country and one of the best state parks in South Dakota, Custer State Park has a wide array of overnight options to choose from. One of the most popular and sought-after camping spots in Custer is on the north end of the park in the Sylvan Lake Campground.
The campground is located near the shores of Sylvan Lake, also known as the “Crown Jewel” of Custer State Park.
Alongside the lake, the campground is also has close to the Sylvan Lake Lodge, which features a restaurant, cafeteria, and gift store. The campground has access to flushing toilets and showers. Thirty-nine sites are available at Sylvan Lake Campground and are only suitable for tent camping or small recreation vehicles less than 27 feet.
The campground operates between the middle of May and the end of September, and reservations can be made a year in advance.
Address: 13329 U.S. 16A, Custer, South Dakota
Palisades State Park Campground
Defined by the towering pink Sioux Quartzite jutting along the shores of Split Rock Creek, Palisades State Park provides a unique environment to explore in eastern South Dakota. Visitors to Palisades State Park enjoy hiking the creekside trails that expose the rocky environment, and for those with the right gear and experience, participating in some of the best rock climbing in the state.
For those looking to spend the night, Palisades offers 37 campsites split between non-electric and electric and ranging from tent-only to RV-accessible.
All campsites, as well as the six cabins available to rent, have communal access to flushing toilets and running water. The real appeal of the campground is its proximity to the state park’s many natural attractions. Campers at Palisades State Park can reach the creek with a short walk, and spend the whole day exploring not far from their tent or RV.
Address: 25495 485th Avenue, Garretson, South Dakota
Official site:
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South Dakota Camping: Echo Valley Park Campground
Echo Valley Park Campground is within a short drive from Custer City in the Black Hills and offers wilderness camping at its best. The private campground is set on a property that has multiple hiking and mountain biking trails, tranquil ponds and a lake and offers scenic, family-friendly camping with breathtaking views. The campground has shaded tent sites and RV sites with water, electricity, and sewerage hookups, as well as picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms with hot showers, potable water and flushing toilets. Other amenities on the property include overnight cabins with electricity, coin-operated laundry services, and a childrens playground.
12129 Echo Valley Rd, Custer, SD 57730, Phone: 605-673-3368
The Best Rv Campgrounds In South Dakota For Your Vacation
North Dakota or South Dakota, how do you decide? Picking the best RV campgrounds in South Dakota can be hard with so many wonderful options. This is a beautiful state with tons of natural beauty to enjoy! To help my RVing friends, Ive narrowed the choices down to 11 of South Dakotas best camping destinations.
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Big Pine Campground Black Hills National Forest
If seclusion and serenity is what youre looking for, then youre guaranteed to love Big Pine Campground located in the heart of Black Hills National Forest.
Nestled among a tranquil pinewood setting, this campground hosts a number of spacious primitive tent sites just waiting to be occupied.
You can enjoy any one of the nearby hiking and biking trails, or stay close to home and take advantage of all the fun activities Big Pine has to offer including volleyball, horseshoes, and an indoor game room.
Youll also have no trouble accessing a number of local attractions with this sites prime location. Complete with picnic tables, fire pits, bath houses, free WiFi and more, this campground has everything you need to enjoy the ultimate camping experience!
Hidden Lake Campground And Resort
They have 23 sites and all sites are full hook ups – 12 pull through and 10 back-in. They have 10 cabins. Private lake with a small walking trail around it and an open field for games and pets to run. Pets are allowed. They have great cell reception. Centrally located to a lot of activities and adventures. Laundry room, shower house, and playground. Horse shoe pits, and yard games. Surrounded by nature but close enough to town for anything you may need.
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About Free Camping In South Dakota Or Anywhere
Whats free camping? Free camping is any land youre legally allowed to camp on with no payment for one or multiple nights. In fact, many free camping locations are within the boundaries of the Bureau of Land Management land.
Free camping is commonly referred to as boondocking. Boondocking is camping without access to electricity, water, or sewer hookups. You must be self-sufficient and come prepared with essentials such as enough fresh water to last the duration of your trip. Often those who are boondocking supply their own power by using a generator or solar panels to power their RV.
Its essential that those utilizing free camping respect the leave no trace practices. In other words, you leave all areas better than you found them. No one likes finally making their way to that perfect boondocking location only to find that the last people to use it left it a mess. If our public lands are not taken care of, they will not continue to be available for our use.
Its the campers responsibility to verify that they were legally allowed to camp in that location. Some public lands border private property, which could lead to trespassing if youre in the wrong location. Even if you are on official public land, youll need to verify the area is available for overnight stays.
Go Rv Camping At The Sioux Falls Koa South Dakota
This is one of the best KOA South Dakota destinations.
If you are wanting to stay near Sioux Falls and all it has to offer, this South Dakota campground is a great option.
Visitors think its one of the best campgrounds near Sioux Falls SD.
Its a South Dakota RV park that is actually just within the city limits of Sioux Falls.
But it still feels private and like youre camping.
The campsites are spacious enough to fit even very large RVs.
There are also amenities like a swimming pool, dog park, basketball court, mini-golf, game room, and luxury laundry facilities.
Youll quickly find this is one of the best campgrounds near Sioux Falls SD!
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Find Seclusion At The Badlands Overlook Buffalo Gap National Grasslands
The Badlands Overlook Buffalo Gap National Grasslands is easily one of the coolest South Dakota campsites.
Its not technically a campground as it is a dispersed camping area within the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands.
The dispersed camping area is known as the Badlands Overlook for its amazing views of the Badlands formations.
To camp in this area is completely free and its pretty easy to get to as well.
Unlike most dispersed camping, you wont have to do much backpacking to get to the perfect spot.
Youll probably come across a few other people camping, but for the most part, youll be almost completely alone.
There is a dirt road that you can park on, which makes it pretty accessible.
If you want to experience one of the coolest places for South Dakota camping, this is the spot.
Campgrounds Near Me: Rafter J Bar Ranch
Nestled in the Black Hills near Hill City, Rafter J Bar Ranch is a 160-acre working ranch that features six camping areas surrounded by vast grassy meadows and shady forests of ponderosa pines. Each campsite offers something different for all needs, including tent and RV pull-through sites with or without hook-ups to cozy log cabins, bathhouses with hot showers and flushing toilets, and remote sites that offers peace and tranquility. Each bathhouse has a laundromat equipped with coin-operated washing machines and dryers, and guest services include satellite television hook-ups, a dump station, a snack bar, and ranch store, complimentary wireless Internet around the camp, and full-time security.
12325 Rafter J-Bar Rd, Hill City, SD 57745, Phone: 605-574-2527
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