Top Hotels in South Dakota Campgrounds
Top Things to do in South Dakota
Top 10 Campgrounds in South Dakota, United States
South Dakota has good golf courses, skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, hiking, and biking among rolling prairies, pine forests, and granite mountain peaks like Mount Rushmore. Glacial lakes and Missouri River reservoir lakes provide great fishing, boating, canoeing, water skiing, and windsurfing. The whole family will enjoy this prairie land where grain growing begat roadside attractions like the Corn Palace in Mitchell. Everything made from corn, even the popcorn, tastes better here. Where buffalo roam, roadside diners serve up buffalo and luscious homemade fruit pies. Shop for good deals on cowboy boots on the same Black Hills and Badland Main Streets where cowboys and cowgirls outfit themselves. Be near the eroded buttes, spires, and prairie grasslands of Badlands National Park in Lead, Deadwood, Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis, Hill City, Custer, and other nearby towns. The whole family will enjoy watching for big game like bison, bighorn sheep, antelope, eagles, and hawks. Drive the one-hour Hwy 240 loop road, with a side-trip to Robert's Prairie Dog Town. Learn about the Oglala Sioux Tribe at the White River Visitor Center, which is near Wounded Knee. Tour the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site's Cold War nuclear silos, just outside the Park's boundaries. About 90 minutes west of Badlands National Park is Mount Rushmore. Lead, Deadwood, Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis, Hill City, Whitetail Springs, and Custer are also very near Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, and Jewel Cave National Monument. View Mount Rushmore from the aerial tramway in Keystone, which also houses the Borglum Historical Center celebrating the artist behind the sculpting of Rushmore. Take the kids to the Dinosaur Park in Rapid City. Attend Custer State Park’s Annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival. Bedazzle the whole family with sparkling calcite crystals in 151-mile long Jewel Cave. Bison, pronghorn, and elk graze the grasslands of Wind Cave National Park. Central South Dakota has the state capitol, Pierre, in addition to numerous lakes along the Missouri River. Go fishing and boating in the rivers and lakes. Take the kids to the South Dakota Discovery Center and Aquarium in Pierre to see the state’s native fish. Drop by the Dacotah Prairie Museum along the James River in Aberdeen in the northeast to learn prairie history and natural history. Swing by Sioux Falls to see the USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial and special exhibits at the Old Courthouse Museum. Choose from among 10 golf courses in Sioux Falls.
Things to do in South Dakota
1. Under Canvas Mount Rushmore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
Located on an original gold mining settlement, Under Canvas® Mount Rushmore is the best way to experience one of America’s most iconic landmarks. Enjoy views of Mount Rushmore during the day and a star filled sky with incredible views of the Milky Way at night, all from the comfort of your private tent. Dine on the outdoor patio overlooking Mount Rushmore, wake up with yoga on the deck overlooking the black hills and cozy up next to the fire with s'mores each night. With tons of exclusive activities to go along with our luxurious accommodations, each member of your group is sure to find something they love.
Surrounded by natural beauty !
Reviewed By Curious34221059697This was my first experience with Under Canvas and it was phenomenal ! The staff were very helpful and super-friendly. The setting was incredible. The layout of the tents across the property was smartly-designed. The food and beverages were delicious and there are ample common areas to relax indoors and out. Definitely coming back !
2. Powder House Lodge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 389 reviews
Peace and Quiet
Reviewed By kwfnutI stayed here and it was amazing. The restaurant is excellent and the staff is very attentive. Breakfasts are great. The location is up the hill from the town of Keystone so there is Peace and Quiet. Cabin 25 is nice if you are doing a solo trip.
3. Holy Smoke Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 216 reviews
Holy Smoke Resort offers 26 fully modern log cabins, Cabins can accommodate from 2 to 12 people as they are of different sizes. Some are pet friendly and some have fully equipped kitchens. Our Vacation rentals are fully equipped and one has a game room with a pool table and sleeps up to 12. All cabins have bathroom with shower, AC/Heat, refrig., Microwave, coffee, TV and WiFi. Bedding and towels are provided as well. Daily housekeeping is provided in all units except the vacation rentals. We have a 21 site RV Park. All pull-thru sites with TV, WiFi and full hook up Which includes sewer. Sites are long pull-thrus designed for the larger rigs, all have 30/50 amp. Electric. No showers or restrooms in the RV Park. The park is for fully self contained RV units having their own bathroom facilities. Our staff will gladly help you plan activities and places of interest to fit your schedule.
Cute and Cozy
Reviewed By Lana PI loved our stay here. We rented cabins 9 and 10 for two nights. Cabins were clean and comfortable, close to many attractions and settled into beautiful scenery. Close to the highway but it was very peaceful and quiet. Had everything we needed. Would definitely stay again.
4. Harney Camp Cabins
Overall Ratings
3 based on 42 reviews
Harney Camp Cabins - "A True Hidden Gem" and the "Perfect Base-Camp for your Black Hills Vacation." Centrally located near many area attractions: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, and Sylvan lake and only a short scenic drive from Hill City, Custer, and Keystone. The property is surrounded by national forest and sheltered by a towering cliff. The peaceful sounds of Sunday creek and local songbirds can be heard throughout. Enjoy a campfire with your loved ones at our creek side fire pit picnic areas, play outdoor games, soak in the hot tub, or enjoy an afternoon nap in a hammock. The possibilities are endless! We love the Black Hills and hope we can help you make your vacation one to remember!
Memorial Day Weekend
Reviewed By L6369NTmelindarMy husband and I stayed over Memorial Day weekend and really enjoyed it. The hot tub was amazing! The scenery and the creek was beautiful. Only downfall was the mattresses were hard. We woke up to red marks in the shape of the metal springs. Other then that we would still highly recommend as the location was perfect and it was a beautiful setting
5. No Name City Luxury Cabins & RV, LLC.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
Beautiful quiet campground, private showers, flush toilets, large heated swimming pool, above ground hot tub, free high-speed wireless internet, laundromat. Located on I-90 and only 2 miles from main street!
Great Experience
Reviewed By johnnf237Our family stayed here in one of their nice cabins. Ours had a bathroom with full shower/tub and separate bedroom. Nice heated pool and above ground hot tub. The on-site bar and restaraunt was great. Not huge menu but what they had was very good and high quality.Have a couple local craft beers on tap that are great. The local owners were also the hosts and were very friendly and accommodating. Close to I-90 but noise was not much of a concern. We'll stay here next time we visit Black Hills area.
6. Circle K Campground
Overall Ratings
5 based on 21 reviews
Perfect one nighter
Reviewed By heatherj159This is super easy, just off the interstate. Level, Pull through sites with full hook up. Nice staff. For a one night stop you couldn’t ask for better. They don’t charge extra for more ppl. We paid $42 with tax for 4 of us in our 40 ft 5th wheel. I’ll remember this stop for future travels!
7. Allen Ranch
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Allen Ranch Campground with 12 RV sites, 6 Camping (tent) sites , 2 TiPi's, and 1 Glamping Tent. Experience outdoor living at the Allen Ranch Campground and cool off from the summer heat with a gentle ride down the Fall River's natural springs which runs through the campground. Located with minutes of the city of Hot Springs in the Southern Black Hills of South Dakota. Shopping is within minutes for groceries, supplies, and outdoor gear at High Mountain Outfitters. Whether you are exploring South Dakota's Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park or visiting the Wooly Mammoths at the Mammoth Site or on your way to Colorado you won't want to miss the Allen Ranch Campground experience.
Fun campout
Reviewed By Debbie WA group from a Colorado school used this place as base to explore the big attractions in the black hills. Camping was easy, bug free, and the food that they served was flavorful and filling to hungry teenagers. Warm creek water made for fun. Camp stories around the camp fire were fun. Pricing was very reasonable but our group had reservations. Staff was calm, helpful and even helped one family reach a teen on the campout who's phone had got turned off. Just good folk. I would recommend you plan in advance but worth the effort. It is just off the road but didn't notice the road noise, we were all pretty tired.
8. Firehouse Campground
Overall Ratings
4 based on 4 reviews
RV spaces, cabin and lodge rental in the beautiful Black Hills. A great base for touring the area with quick access to lakes, Mickelson Trail and a 20 minute drive to Mt. Rushmore. Featuring an on-site bistro, wine and beer tasting room with live music each Friday and Saturday.
Mediocre at best
Reviewed By captk09We stayed here one night in our RV. The parking areas were on grass and not level. The hookups were on the wrong side and we were told that was getting fixed, but we didn't see any work being done. For the price, the RV hookups should be better. Also, located right next to the highway. Would not recommend or stay here again.
9. Lewis & Clark Resort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 20 reviews
Cute little resort
Reviewed By BraedWe stayed there in July, super hot!! The room was comfortable, they should update towels but I slept well. Thought it was well priced. It has a small pool, they shut it down early due to a storm they thought was coming but didn't. It is on the lake front, the marina right by it.
10. Big Pine Campground
Overall Ratings
5 based on 299 reviews
Want serenity and seclusion? Spacious, level, shaded sites. 50 & 30 Amp. Camper cabins. Sparkling clean showerhouses/restrooms. Wi-Fi, fire pits, picnic tables, laundry, game room, playground, horseshoes, volleyball, hiking and biking trails. Open May 20-Oct 1.
Beautiful Black Hills
Reviewed By Discover39657We were welcomed by a very friendly owner and family. Our site was adjacent to BLM land so was wild and beautiful. It was close enough to everything we wanted to see and we got to do the Wildlife Loop at Custer State Park twice. The Black Hills are beautiful and the learning of Native American issues at Crazy Horse Memorial is unsurpassed.
