Discover Camping in South Dakota - Recreation.gov (2024)

  • Badlands National Park

    National Park Service

    Near Porcupine, South Dakota

    The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prai...

  • Black Hills National Forest

    USDA Forest Service

    Near Hill City, South Dakota

  • Wind Cave National Park

    National Park Service

    Near Buffalo Gap, South Dakota

    Wind Cave National Park protects two very different worlds - one deep within the earth, the other a sunlit world of many resources. Bison, elk, and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands and forested hillsides of one of America's oldest national parks. Below the remnant island of intact ...

  • Bear Gulch

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Rapid City, South Dakota

    This private access group campsite is isolated among the forested Black Hills of South Dakota, overlooking a private bay on the Pactola Reservoir. Great for group events with up to 40 people, there are eight individual tent sites around a central parking area. The summers are pleasant, and the bay p...

  • Bismark Lake

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Custer, South Dakota

    Bismarck Lake Campground is set amidst a scattering of aspen groves and Ponderosa pine on the southeast edge of Bismarck Lake at 5,000 feet. This is a great place for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in the Black Hills National Forest. Acess to this campground is through Custer State Par...

  • Black Hills National Forest Christmas Tree Permit

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Hill City, South Dakota

    This permit allows you to cut a Christmas Tree within designated areas of the Black Hills National Forest. Lifelong memories with family and friends are built during these special times, and the Forest is happy to help with any information gathering you will need to make this experience safe and en...

  • Boxelder Forks Campground

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Nemo, South Dakota

    Boxelder Forks Campground is host to 13 campsites, tucked into the Ponderosa Pines along Boxelder Creek near the town of Nemo, South Dakota. The campground offers easy access to both motorized and non-motorized recreation. The Centennial Trail is just 1 mile east of the campground and serves as a b...

  • Comanche Park

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Custer, South Dakota

    Situated in an open Ponderosa pine forest 6.5 miles west of Custer, South Dakota, Comanche Park Campground is a campground for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in the southern Black Hills National Forest. The campsites are spacious. Towering pine trees provide shade. This is the clo...

  • Cold Brook Campground

    Cold Brook Lake

    Near Hot Springs, South Dakota

    Located less than 1 mile north of Hot Springs, South Dakota sits one of the area's most perferred campgrounds. At the south end of Cold Brook Campground sits Cold Brook Lake, a popular destination for those looking to take a swim at the beach, snorkel in the crystal clear water or wet a line while t...

  • Cold Brook Lake

    US Army Corps of Engineers

    Near Hot Springs, South Dakota

    Cold Brook Dam, SD was constructed to reduce flood damages in the Fall River Basin. Located less than 1 mile from the town of Hot Springs, SD, Cold Brook Lake offers an excellent variety of recreational activities year-round including canoeing, fishing, swimming, wildlife viewing, and camping. Win...

  • Cottonwood (NE) Day Use Shelter

    Lewis and Clark Lake

    Near Yankton, South Dakota

    Cottonwood Day Use Shelter is located near Lake Yankton in Cottonwood Day Use Area. The shelter has lights, electricty, water near by, and a large grill. Nearby attractions include, Gavins Point Dam, Lewis and Clark and historic Yankton, SD. Horse shoe pits, a disc golf course, a sand volleyb...

  • Cottonwood Springs Campground

    Cottonwood Springs Lake

    Near Hot Springs, South Dakota

    Located just 5 miles west of Hot Springs, SD is a hidden gem of a campground. Cottonwood Springs Campground is a quiet, peaceful campground tucked away in the southern part of the Black Hills of South Dakota. It offers beautiful scenic views within a short walk of each campsite. While Cottonwood Sp...

  • Cottonwood Springs Lake

    US Army Corps of Engineers

    Near Hot Springs, South Dakota

    Cottonwood Springs Dam, SD was constructed to reduce flood damages in the Fall River Basin. Located just 5 miles west of Hot Springs on U.S. Highway 18 and nestled in the rugged hills and evergreen trees of the southern Black Hills, Cottonwood Springs Lake is the place to go for nature lovers. This...

  • Dutchman

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Hill City, South Dakota

    Dutchman Campground, located in a shady Ponderosa pine forested area on the northeast edge of Deerfield Reservoir at 5,000 feet. This camp is an ideal setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. Sites in the campground are widely spaced, and a few offer w...

  • Dalton Lake Campground

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Nemo, South Dakota

    Dalton Lake Campground sits next to the 2.8 acre Dalton Lake and offers nearby access to fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and a variety of motorized recreation opportunities. Explore the dozens of miles of nearby trails or simply relax and enjoy the lake and nearby Little Elk Creek. The cam...

  • Elk Mountain Campground

    Wind Cave National Park

    Near Hot Springs, South Dakota

    Elk Mountain Campground, straddles the edge of a ponderosa pine forest and open prairie, offering unique opportunities to view the diverse flora and fauna of the southern Black Hills. These campsites are available in both forested and open environments. May 20 to September 30: Customers can re...

  • Grizzly Creek Primitive

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Keystone, South Dakota

    This campground lies beneath a canopy of oak and Ponderosa pine on the banks of Grizzly Creek. The site has retained much of its original Civilian Conservation Corps character, and offers visitors recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. Located along the Iron Mountain Road, it is...

  • Horsethief Lake Campground

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Hill City, South Dakota

    Located 10 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota, Horsethief Lake Campground is a delightful setting for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. This campground is 2 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. Sites are tucked ...

  • Iron Creek Horse Camp

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Custer, South Dakota

    Located 13 miles outside Custer, South Dakota, Iron Creek Horse Camp offers a peaceful setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in Southeastern South Dakota's Black Hills National Forest. The camp is adjacent to Iron Creek and surrounded by Ponderosa pine forests. Horse enthusiasts ...

  • Jewel Cave National Monument

    National Park Service

    Near Edgemont, South Dakota

    Immerse yourself in one of the longest caves in the world. With over 220 miles of mapped and surveyed passages, this underground wilderness appeals to human curiosity. Its splendor is revealed through fragile formations and glimpses of brilliant color. Its maze of passages lures explorers, and its s...

  • Left Tailrace

    Lake Sharpe

    Near Fort Thompson, South Dakota

    Left Tailrace Campgound at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Big Bend Project, sits on the shore of Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River below Big Bend Dam. Just upstream of Left Tailrace, Lake Sharpe, a popular recreation destination in the Great Plains,was created by the completion of Big Be...

  • Lake Oahe

    US Army Corps of Engineers

    Near Pierre, South Dakota

    Oahe Dam, SD takes its name from the Oahe Indian Mission established among the Lakota Sioux Indians in 1874. Lake Oahe extends from Pierre, SD to Bismarck, ND. The lake is 231 miles long, and has 2,250 miles of shoreline. The 51 recreation areas located around the reservoir offer camping, picnicking...

  • Lake Sharpe

    US Army Corps of Engineers

    Near Lower Brule, South Dakota

    Big Bend Dam, SD takes its name from the unique bend in the Missouri River 7 miles upstream from the dam. At this point in its course, the Missouri makes almost a complete loop, traveling 25 miles before returning to the "neck" where the land is not quite a mile wide. The 19 Lake Sharpe recreation...

  • Oreville Campground

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Custer, South Dakota

    Located 4 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota, Oreville Campground is a delightful setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. The sites are nestled on a hillside among aspen groves, towering ponderosa pines, and grassy areas. Many of the campsites are...

  • Pactola Reservoir Campground

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Rapid City, South Dakota

    This campground is nestled in the pine trees along the south shore of Pactola Reservoir, offering guests lake views and access to a multitude of recreational opportunities both on land and water.Pactola Visitor Center is located in close proximity to the campground, providing opportunities for co...

  • Roubaix Lake

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Deadwood, South Dakota

    Roubaix Campground is tucked into a grove of Ponderosa pines along its namesake lake. With a popular swim beach and opportunities for non motorized boating and paddling, campsites are dispersed among four loops, and many offer lake views. At an elevation of 5,500 feet, this camp remains comforta...

  • Sheridan Lake

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Rapid City, South Dakota

    This campground is along the south shore of Sheridan Lake. Within its 5 large loops, there are many sites with direct access to the lake. Access to the south boat ramp and the Flume Trailhead from within the campground and easy access to the South Beach Area, this recreational complex has everyth...

  • Sheridan North Cove Grp Cg

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Rapid City, South Dakota

    Sheridan North Cove Group Campground, in a forest of Ponderosa pine is along the north shore of Sheridan Lake. This is an ideal setting for large groups and gatherings. Lake views and access to a multitude of recreational opportunities both on land and water draw guests to this part of Black Hil...

  • Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Newcastle, South Dakota

    Summit Ridge Cabin is located near the border of Wyoming in southwestern South Dakota.iin Black Hills National Forest, providing a perfect setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's, the cabin was originally used as housing for pers...

  • Whitetail

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Hill City, South Dakota

    Whitetail Campground is located above Deerfield Reservoir at 6,000 feet, an ideal setting for guests seeking summer climate relief, recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. Sites in this campground are widely spaced. Several have lake views, while others are more secluded and tu...

  • Willow Creek Horse Camp

    Black Hills National Forest

    Near Hill City, South Dakota

    This horse camp is nestled at the confluence of Willow Creek and Palmer Creek near the Black Elk Wilderness area of the Black Hills National Forest. From this campground, hikers and horseback riders can access a network of trails into the backcountry. The campground is within the Norbeck Wildlife P...

  • Discover Camping in South Dakota - Recreation.gov (2024)

    FAQs

    How much does it cost to camp in South Dakota state parks? ›

    Camping fees in South Dakota state parks vary depending on the type of campsite and amenities offered. On average, you can expect to pay the following for campsites: Primitive or non-electric campsites: $15 to $18 per night. Electric campsites: $21 to $26 per night.

    What does FF mean in camping? ›

    view by available dates on www.recreation.gov for a particular campground. A calendar will come up with all of the sites and their status. FF means it has become a first come first serve site, A means available, R reserved.

    Is Boondocking allowed in South Dakota? ›

    There are a few different types of public land in South Dakota where dispersed camping is allowed. The most plentiful dispersed camping opportunities can be found in Black Hills National Forest.

    Can you camp on walk in land in South Dakota? ›

    A: No, you cannot rough camp on Game Production Areas or on Walk In Areas. Walk In Areas are privately owned by individuals and leased by our agency for hunting.

    What is the best time of year to camp in South Dakota? ›

    The ideal time weather-wise to camp in a tent is spring and summer months, when the temperatures warm up, snow defrosts from winter's chill and rural areas turn green again.

    How much does it cost to camp at Badlands? ›

    Badlands National Park offers two campgrounds: Cedar Pass Campground and Sage Creek Campground. Cedar Pass Campground has a fee of $22 per night for a standard campsite and $37 per night for a campsite with electrical hookups.

    What does TT stand for in camping? ›

    TT – abbreviation for travel trailer, a type of RV.

    What does CL mean in camping? ›

    A CL site is a Motorhome and Caravan Club (previously known as The Caravan Club) 'Certified Location' (CL) campsite. What this means is that the campsite is privately ran site by a Farm/Landowner, however, as it meets certain standards of the Club it's 'recognised' and therefore able to advertise as such.

    What does nr mean in campground? ›

    No reservation would mean that you apply for the permit when the remaining permits are available, usually 2 weeks in advance. Walk-in has in the past referred to the last-minute permits available the day of or day before entry, whether you get them on the spot using your phone, or have a ranger write you a permit.

    Can you sleep overnight at rest stops in South Dakota? ›

    The South Dakota State Code doesn't specifically name a dollar amount or penalty but does indicate the ability to levy a fine. You are not allowed to camp at South Dakota rest stops either. This is considered to be a petty offense you can be fined for, but again the amount is not mentioned.

    What is the difference between boondocking and camping? ›

    Boondocking refers to camping outside of campgrounds without any hookups, while dry camping simply refers to camping with no hookups. In other words, all boondocking is dry camping, but not all dry camping is boondocking. When you stay at a campground with no hook-ups you are not boondocking.

    Where can you camp for free in the Badlands? ›

    While there are no free campsites within Badlands National Park, you can find free dispersed camping on nearby Buffalo Gap National Grassland. The grassland surrounds the park and offers primitive, undeveloped camping spots.

    Can I carry a gun in Custer State Park? ›

    Firearms must be unloaded and cased unless during a hunting season with the proper license. Concealed carry is allowed with the appropriate permit.

    Can you bring firewood into South Dakota? ›

    South Dakota prohibits the entry of firewood from any of the states infested with emerald ash borer. Due to other states' quarantines on pests like thousand cankers disease and spongy moth, it is illegal to bring firewood into South Dakota from many out-of-state sources.

    Can you metal detect in South Dakota state parks? ›

    No person may use a metal detector on lands owned, leased, managed, or controlled by the department without written authorization from the site manager. Recreational metal detecting on designated swimming beaches.

    How much is it to camp at Custer State Park? ›

    Camping fees at Custer State Park vary depending on the type of campsite and amenities. Tent and RV campsites with electric hookups typically range from $20 to $35 per night. Modern cabins and lodges are also available, with prices ranging from $50 to over $200 per night.

    How much is a state park sticker in South Dakota? ›

    South Dakota's 2024 annual state park entrance licenses are now available for purchase. The passes allow entrance into state parks and state recreation areas. An annual park entrance license is $36. Purchasers of one license can also buy a second at half price.

    Do I need a state park pass in South Dakota? ›

    A state park entrance license allows you to enjoy over 60 state park and recreation areas throughout South Dakota. The license is required of all motorized vehicles for entrance into designated state parks, recreation areas, and lakeside use areas.

    Can I camp anywhere in South Dakota? ›

    While you cannot camp just anywhere in South Dakota, there are numerous designated campgrounds and camping areas throughout the state where camping is allowed. These include state parks, national forests, and private campgrounds.

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