South Dakota RV Camping and Campgrounds

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Recreational Vehicle Camping In South Dakota

RV camping in South Dakota (Our Home State) is hard to beat! Fabulous scenery, interesting history, and of course the faces on Mt Rushmore all await you. From RV resorts, to basic service public campgrounds, there is something for everyone in South Dakota. Free dispersed camping (boondocking) is available on USDA Forest Service lands.

Free camping locations and ideas follow South Dakota resources.

South Dakota Resources for RV Camping Information

Private RV Parks - Research tools for finding the best RV parks and campgrounds in South Dakota.

National Park Service - NPS information about camping in South Dakota National Parks and other NPS administered areas.
US Forest Service - USFS information about free dispersed camping (boondocking) and developed campgrounds in the USDA National Forests in South Dakota. Recreation Maps & More.
Bureau of Land Management - BLM information about camping in South Dakota.
US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about camping at Corps lakes in South Dakota.
US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about camping at National Wildlife Refuges in South Dakota.

South Dakota State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do. Includes campgrounds.
State Parks and recreation areas in South Dakota

Camping Reservations - South Dakota Federal Campground Reservations

Current Weather - From the National Weather Service
Historical Weather - Know what to expect on your RV camping trip. Includes monthly average highs, lows, mean temperature, GPS location and elevation.

RV Dump Stations

RVDumps.com - Places to dump in South Dakota.
Sanidumps.com - South Dakota RV dump locations listed by town.

RV Camping pages with more information

USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS policies and rules about RV camping. Information about dispersed camping, and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites.
BLM (Bureau of Land Management) - Vast areas of the western USA are available for free RV camping on lands managed by the BLM. Rules and policies about recreation and RV camping.
USACE/COE (US Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, RV camping possibilities, and rules and policies for use of these water based recreation areas is included.
NPS (National Park Service) - General information about RV camping and campgrounds in US National Parks. With campgrounds in the most historic and scenic places in the country, the NPS offers some of the best places for RV camping.
Boondocking - Learn the rules and regulations of public lands, and how to find the best dispersed camp sites.

We recommend the South Dakota Atlas & Gazetteer to find RV camping locations. This South Dakota topographic atlas offers comprehensive detail including trails, back country roads, lakes and streams, boat ramps, forests, wetlands, campgrounds, public lands, and hunting and fishing locations. Information about family trips, wilderness outing possibilities, and more are included. Put that together with DeLorme Topo 6.0 Software and you have a versatile set of tools to find RV camping sites all across South Dakota.

Free and Low Cost Camping

Free RV camping is available throughout South Dakota. Many small town and city parks allow free overnight, and even extended stays. By checking with local police or city offices, you will very often be told of a free place to spend the night. Free dispersed camping in the USDA National Forests and Grasslands is permitted.

Free RV Camping has ideas about places to stay that you may not have thought about.

South Dakota Camping Location Maps - Map of public campgrounds across South Dakota. This map shows only a few of all free and low cost camping locations available. Map features can be zoomed in, and panned for exact location.

ARLINGTON Arlington Camping Location Map

Free overnight camping, or $5 for electric hookup at Arlington City Park.

FAIRBURN

10 miles east of town in Buffalo Gap National Grassland. French Creek Campground offers pit toilets and fire pits.

LAKE PRESTON lake Preston Camping Location

Free overnight camping is available in Thorsness Municipal Park.

MARTIN

The Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge allows free camping in designated areas.

REDFIELD

A limit of 5 free days of camping are available at Have-A-Rest municipal campground. Water, electric, fishing, boat launch and playground.

WALL

Free RV camping is allowed a few miles south of Wall on National Grassland managed lands. This free dispersed camping (boondocking) location is our November 2007 - Campsite of the Month with maps, directions, and photos of this great free RV camping location. More...

South Dakota Public Campgrounds

RV camping in South Dakota is great for RVers looking for varied outdoor experiences. Campgrounds managed by the National Park Service, BLM (Bureau of Land Management), USFS (US Forest Service), and South Dakota State Parks offer great RV camping locations. Amenities range from dry RV camping with only trash and pit toilets to RV camping sites with full RV hookups. This is only a partial listing of RV camping opportunities at public campgrounds in South Dakota.

ABERDEEN Aberdeen Camping Location Map

Richmond Lake Recreation Area offers RV camping, boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, and hiking. Electric and non electric campsites.

HERMOSA

Custer State Park is a popular destination for RV camping. All types of outdoor recreation opportunities are available. Camping reservations are available.

HOT SPRINGS Hot Springs Camping Location Map

Wind Cave National Park has first come first serve camping. No hookups.

LAKE CITY

Two campgrounds with different personalities are available at Roy Lake State Park. Sandy beaches, picnic areas, boat rams and a variety of hiking trails are available. Groceries, boat rentals and more.

LEMMON

The Llewellyn Johns Recreation Area is a small park with fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. 10 electric campsites available.

STURGIS

The BLM managed Ft Meade Recreation Area offers two designated camping locations. Low cost camping in a historic area with picnic tables and vault toilets.

Bear Butte State Park offers RV camping near sacred Native Lands. Hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing.