Camping in South Dakota with wildlife watching

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

96% (2563 reviews)
96% (2563 reviews)

Popular camping styles for South Dakota

Community favorites in South Dakota

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds in South Dakota

Under $50

Available this weekend

12 top campgrounds in South Dakota with wildlife watching

100%
(1060)

Uncle B's Produce Farm

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents11 acres · Monroe, SD
Awarded South Dakota's best Hip Camp to see in 2024, 2023, 2021, and runner up in 2022. Uncle B's farm is a small 11 acre hobby farm with a large vegetable garden, chickens, peafowl, guinea fowl, turkeys, a goat, dogs, and cats. There is an old quarried stone railroad bridge and a few short walking trails around the pond. The pond is at the back of the property where I have 6 dry camp sites listed as Uncle B's farm for tents or self contained RV's. All sites have partial to full shade and most have mature trees that will work for a hammock or tensile tent. All of the campsites have a firepit, some with cooking grates and all sites have a picnic table. The "shower shack" is shared by all guests and has 2 separate 3/4 baths with all modern plumbing. There is also a basic outdoor kitchen with a few portable grills as well as a sink with modern plumbing. Available at Uncle B's RV Camper site I have 3 RV sites with water and 30 Amp electrical hookups. My "Ready Set Camp" listing is a dome tent set up and furnished with 2 cots, table, and lamp as well as a match ready fire. The Barn loft apartment is a studio apartment with a small galley kitchen and private bath. Uncle B's farm has been voted Best Hip Camp to see in South Dakota for the 3rd time.... Come see why...
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from 
$29
 / night
96%
(168)

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 prior to your stay. *****NOTE: HWY 385 Road Construction***** South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) began Highway 385 road construction , which is the main highway that runs through the Black Hills, from Deadwood through Custer, in the fall of 2023. They recently just started construction along the section next to Horse Creek (fall of 2024), which will continue through summer of 2025. Please use the following link for any updates: us-385 dot com
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from 
$40
 / night
94%
(242)

Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

35 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Custer, SD
Property description Our property is nestled between Hwy 385, the Mickelson Trail, and the National Forest. We are located between Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park along Hwy 385 and the Mickelson Trail; about 30 minutes from Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Mountain. The nearest towns with restaurants are Pringle, (2 miles S); Hot Springs, (24 miles S), Custer, (9.5 miles N).; Hill City, (24 miles N), and Rapid City, (50 miles N). The blacktop driveway grants easy access for every type of vehicle. A couple of ponds, creeks, and dispersed willow, pine, and aspen trees enhance the diversity and beauty of the landscape. It is peaceful here and we enjoy sharing it with our guests during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Plenty Star Ranch Retreat has our home, a big pole barn (RV storage), a garage/wood workshop with an attached restroom for all guests, a regular hot water shower cabin, a solar shower building, 2 small home-built camping log cabins, 7 RV sites, 9 clearly marked tent and car-camping sites, and several water hydrants fed by our well, providing great quality drinking water. 2 pets maximum per campsite, no pets allowed when booking a cabin.
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from 
$40
 / night
100%
(5)

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.
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from 
$30.40
 / night
100%
(7)

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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from 
$20
 / night

Dog-friendly getaways

Other options in South Dakota

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping in South Dakota with wildlife watching guide

Overview

Looking to experience the great outdoors in South Dakota while indulging in some wildlife watching? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 285 options in South Dakota that cater to wildlife watching, you'll have no shortage of choices. From the serene landscapes of Uncle B's Produce Farm (451 reviews) to the peaceful atmosphere of Solace Farm (321 reviews) and the convenient amenities offered at Custer's Last Chance RV Park (108 reviews), you're sure to find the perfect campsite for your adventure. Plus, with an average price per night of $35 and options as low as $10, camping in South Dakota has never been more affordable. So pack your bags and get ready to immerse yourself in nature, with hiking, wind sports, and whitewater paddling just a few of the popular activities awaiting you!

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