Forest camping in South Dakota with climbing
Black Hills, Badlands, and presidential icons await intrepid campers.
97% (783 reviews)
- South Dakota
97% (783 reviews)
Popular camping styles for South Dakota
Star Hosts in South Dakota
Under $50
12 top forest campgrounds in South Dakota with climbing
97%
(75)
Horse Creek Resort RV Sites
17 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents18 acres · Rapid City, SD
theHCresort.com
Centrally-located on 18 acres between two of the Hills’ largest and most beautiful lakes, and less than 15 miles from Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, Horse Creek Resort is the perfect creekside oasis for your next adventure.
The resort is located off Highway 385, the main thoroughfare through the Black Hills National Forest, yet is peacefully nestled in a quiet valley, completely surrounded by national forestland with a tranquil year-round creek meandering throughout the property. Rock outcroppings, hiking trails and offroad trails are within footsteps of every cabin. The serene space is an outdoor sanctuary centrally-located within 20 miles of Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Needles Eye Tunnel / Highway, and Black Elk Peak. Your adventure will also take you near Hill City, Keystone, Custer, and Historic Deadwood. Drive a little further, and end up in Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Sturgis, or Devils Tower National Monument.
There are 8 open creek side RV sites (Sites 1 -8). You will receive site assignment the day proir to your stay.
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$40
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94%
(217)
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.
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$45
/ night
100%
(314)
Bear Den Cabins & Camp
8 sites · Lodging, Tents2 acres · Hermosa, SD
Bear Den is a small camp with 3 Glamping Tents, 2 cabins and shower house. Outdoor spaces for relaxing. We are located approximately 5 miles from Custer State Park, 11 miles from Keystone the Gateway to Mt. Rushmore in the beautiful southern Black Hills.
Cabins have electricity, our tents do not have electricity. All sites including bring your own tent sites have access to the shower house and outdoor grilling areas.
Pick a spot to pitch your own tent, one tent per space. If you have 2 tents please book 2 sites. We have 3 spots cleared. Hang your hammock in trees around the property. This option includes all access to the shower house and outdoor grilling areas!
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$20
/ night
98%
(210)
Crow Peak’s Last Best Place
3 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Spearfish, SD
We purchased this property in 1990, with no home or buildings on it. The trees were so little you could see OVER them!! We’ve since built our home and life here, as well as raised our family. We think our little corner of the world is perfect and just want to share it with others!!Nestled deep in the Black Hills of South Dakota, this camp site is sure to be a relaxing retreat!! With full hookups, and Spearfish just 10 minutes away, you’ll have all the amenities you need. Spearfish has plenty of restaurants, shopping and entertainment for the whole family. The Black Hills offers something for all ages. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a history buff, you’ll find your niche here. There are winter sports and gaming just 20 miles from camp in Deadwood. These campsites are quaint and clean for your perfect getaway!!
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$55
/ night
93%
(205)
Custer's Last Chance Rv Park
32 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Custer, SD
Custer's Last Chance RV Park & Campground is about us and our dream come true. We spent 3 years putting a plan together so we could make the move to South Dakota. Finding the right piece of land wasn't easy and came with a few setbacks. We were lucky to find land in Custer with the French Creek running through the property. The creek features a couple of wide pools. The rest of the creek is fairly narrow with slow moving water. The kids will have a great time exploring the lower acreage. We plan to add new features & amenities to the park every year. Without you this dream wouldn't be possible. We hope you enjoy your stay!
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$25
/ night
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(10)
Rustic Rendezvous
1 site · RV, Tent5 acres · Hermosa, SD
Semi secluded on 5 acres camping has a large cement pad with a bathroom that has shower, toilet, and sink.
Nearby is Mt Rushmore, Custer State Park, Black Hills Playhouse, Rush Mountain Adventure Park, Keystone, Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, numerous off roading trails, and hiking trails, Iron Mountain Road, Needles Highway.
A short drive away is Deadwood, Sturgis and Spearfish Canyon. Devils Tower and Badlands are within driving distance
History in the Black Hills is unlimited, along with off roading adventures.
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$42
/ night
96%
(62)
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.
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$59
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90%
(31)
Luxury RV Canyon Retreat
1 site · RV3 acres · Lead, SD
The property is one of the few rentals allowed in Spearfish Canyon.
Brand NEW this year--a Post and Beam Pavilion available for parking and picnics!
Also NEW--horseshoe pits in meadow for your enjoyment.
It sits besides an historic 95-year old log cabin.
A guest house, Couples Canyon Retreat, sleeps 3,
is also available for rent. Contact owner.
Learn more about this land:
All paved road to your private luxury concrete RV pad sitting at the entrance of beautiful Spearfish Canyon. Convenient location to all sites in SD Black Hills including Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish and one hour drive to Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore. Walking distance to a trout pond for fishing and Cheyenne Crossing for a delicious meal. Hiking and off-roading trails galore. Go to sleep hearing Upper Spearfish Creek across the road, with mountain views, deer and smell of fresh pine trees. Lead Country Club Golf course close by. Brand New Post and Beam Pavilion available for parking and picnics.
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$40
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Custer RV Camp Spot
1 site · RV5 acres · Custer, SD
Cozy full hook up RV spot centrally located in the southern Black Hills on five acres. Enjoy beautiful sunsets from the shared fire pit just steps from your RV. Located 5 miles from the town of Custer. Enjoy your days visiting nearby Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Mt. Rushmore, Wind Cave National Park, Jewell Cave. Walk, bike or run on the 109 mi Mickelson trail. We are also 2 hours from Badlands National Park. This area is rich in beauty and history so be sure to get out and explore!
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$40
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(1)
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).
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$60
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(5)
Dakota Dream B&B, Cabins, Glamping
5 sites · Lodging10 acres · Custer, SD
Dakota Dream B & B and Horse Hotel sits on 10 pine covered acres under the big Dakota sky.
We have something for everyone: cabins, B&B lodge rooms, and our Stargazer glamping A-frames.
Our property is host to miniature goats, deer, turkey, and the occasional horse, coyote, and cougar. We are less than a mile walk and a 2 minute drive from Downtown Custer SD but feel a world away.
Shopping and dining are only minutes from your mountain home in Custer.
The entrance to Custer state park is just 5 minutes away. Lakes, boating, hiking horse back riding, chuck-wagons, and the wildlife loop are at your doorstep.
Biking the Mickelson trail is less than a mile (plus many other bike/hiking trails nearby) It does not get any better than this.
Dakota Dream makes lodging part of the vacation. Your home in the Black Hills is waiting.
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$164
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(2)
Secluded and Serene Tentground
1 site · Tent2 acres · Garretson, SD
Welcome! If you’re looking for a quiet place to tent camp, look no further. We have tent camping available on 2 acres of land equipped with your own fire pit, surrounded by beautiful trees. We are a half mile walk from hiking at Palisades State Park and a two mile drive to 3 other parks. No restrooms onsite.
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$49
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Available this weekend
Dog-friendly getaways
Forest camping in South Dakota with climbing 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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