Discover the best private sites campgrounds in South Dakota

United States
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South Dakota

95% (121 reviews)

Popular camping styles for South Dakota

Under $50

5 top campgrounds in South Dakota

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Highland Meadows Resort

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · Hot Springs, SD

Highland Meadows Resort sits on 12.5 acres atop a private mesa in Hot Springs, South Dakota. The resort features four private cabins, two glamping tipis, and an earth home on the upper mesa — and a campground on the lower mesa. Tipis are equipped with a king-size bed, sleeper sofa, and basic kitchenette. There's a shared wood fire pit, laundry facilities, horseshoe pit, and a private bath w/ shower for each tipi. Tipis also come with a pack and play for one extra infant/toddler. Kitchenettes come with a microwave, mini-fridge, coffee maker, and some basic place settings. The campground has several tent and RV sites, each with their own fire pit, picnic table, and power. The campground has a common area for larger gatherings and flush toilets with sinks. There are several water spigots in the campground as well: two near the restrooms and one at each RV site. Highland Meadows Resort is located near The Mammoth Site, Wind Cave, Cold Brook Reservoir, and local hot springs. It's a short drive from Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore.

Refuge Hill

3 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Hot Springs, SD

Our tucked away forest and meadow are the perfect place to find peace and relaxation away from the busy tourist spots in the Black Hills. We have a walking trail going throughout the property and we are very close to the Mickelson Trail (1.1 miles from driveway), Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Park, Custer State Park, natural hot springs, and much more. We are family and pet friendly. Great location for a home base for UTV and ATV riding with plenty of extra parking.

Downhome Country Farm

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Lennox, SD

Downhome Country Farm is 10 acres of woods and prairie with a large garden, chickens, guinea fowl, mules, horses, a dog, and bee hives in the pasture. We have two restored vintage campers that sleep 4 people and multiple tent sites. The bathroom and solar shower are shared by all guests. There are 2 sites for self-contained RV's with 20A electric available and water at some sites. 2 tent sites are available until the hay season then the pasture is wide open tent camping. Horse boarding and camping available too. Each site can request individual fire rings. We have an outdoor community area that has a large fire pit, covered shelter and a woodfired pizza oven that will be in use on some weekends and by request. Local musicians are known to provide pop up private concerts some weekends and impromptu jam sessions. On occasion, we have outdoor movies and morning yoga along with great activities in the surrounding community too. Or just hang out in the hammocks and soak in that downhome country feeling. Come and enjoy the great outdoors on our farm!

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The Larson Campground

8 sites · Lodging, Tents13 acres · Garretson, SD

Welcome to the Larson Homestead! Our 13.5 acres has a lovely view of the pasture, creek, and surrounding farms. We have pet goats, cows, chickens, dogs, cats, and kittens! Depending on when you come you could witness baby chicks hatching or baby goats being born or bottled. The goats are super friendly and love to be petted or fed. You can wander around the pasture and creek during your stay. There are many RV spots with the power along with a pool! Firewood is available on site. We reserve the right to prohibit fires if we feel it’s too dry or windy. A picnic shelter is available to use for assistance if extra bedding or space is needed. The picnic shelter is equipped with a loft along with refrigeration, stove, oven, microwave, soon, shower, and a toilet. Next to the picnic shelter is a large area to have a bonfire where you can grill food or just relax around and enjoy the scenery! Along with your stay, we provide being big boards and bags for your entertainment along with a stereo for music. If your family is traveling with four wheelers or dirt bikes we have a large area to explore along with a man-made track that is on the edge of the yard. We are located 11 miles north off of interstate 90. We are 15 miles from Sioux Falls And 6 miles from Garretson (where you have the opportunity to visit Devils Gulch, Split Rock Park, or Palisades State Park!) We have a large area for children to run and play including three different places in the sandbox. Our animals would love to meet you!

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Stagecoach Stays

5 sites · Lodging, RVs60 acres · Hot Springs, SD

We were fulltime RV'ers for 5 years; we traveled all across the United States before we settled in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. We decided to build the vacation site that we always wanted, but could never find. We have two large, level RV spots with 50 feet between the two sites. We also have two apartment suites, each with a full kitchen, queen bed and queen pull out sofa. We have created an environment for our guests to enjoy peaceful relaxation while staying with us. We offer amazing sunsets, sunrises, wild turkey, song birds, deer and amazing Black Hills landscapes to help you enjoy your time in this beautiful area. We have hiking trails and a community bonfire available for our guests to use. Well-behaved pets are welcome! We offer weekly rates for both the RV sites and the apartment suites.

Private sites 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.