Why South Dakota is a Great RV Trip Destination
South Dakota may not be a popular camping destination like Florida but there is much to see across the state. RVers can go camping in the Black Hills and Badlands, exploring the many lakes, or visiting the iconic Mount Rushmore.
Check out these South Dakota RV parks for your base camp while exploring all the state has to offer. These parks are all highly rated by RVers over on CampgroundReviews.com.
1. Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins
Rating: 9.3 stars
Reviews: 204 reviews
Located in beautiful Spearfish, South Dakota, this full-service resort has 185 RV sites, cabins, and tent camping. No matter the size of your rig, Elkhorn Ridge has a site for you.
The resort amenities include full hookups, a paved and level site, cable TV, WiFi, shower houses, onsite laundry, a grocery store, and restaurants. Plus, during the summer, they have live music, social hours, and host fun events for guests.
2. Big Pine Campground
Rating: 9.2 stars
Reviews: 131 reviews
Need a base camp for exploring? Stay at Big Pine Campgrounds while you visit places like Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park.
Amenities include full hookups, cabins and a retro trailer for rent, a dump station, onsite laundry, game room, WiFi, bathhouses, and outdoor activities.
Photo from RV LIFE Campgrounds
3. Broken Arrow Campground
Rating: 9.1 stars
Reviews: 112 reviews
Broken Arrow is conveniently located only 4 miles from the town of Custer. This South Dakota RV park features an equestrian site, cabins, an inn, and RV camping. Amenities include onsite management, bathrooms, laundry, access to the outdoor kitchen, a group outdoor pavilion, playground for the kids, WiFi, and golf carts available for guest use.
4. Rafter J Bar Ranch Camping Resort
Rating: 9 stars
Reviews: 315 reviews
This South Dakota RV park features five camping areas and also has cabins. The camping areas are separated by alpine meadows and are nestled in the shade of large ponderosa pines.
Rafter J Bar Ranch offers full hookups, a pool and activity center, free hot showers, onsite laundry, satellite TV and WiFi, a dump station, and full-time security.
Photo from RV LIFE Campgrounds
5. Dakota Sunsets RV Park and Campground
Rating: 8.8 stars
Reviews: 135 reviews
Dakota Sunsets RV Park and Campground, formerly known as Camp America, is located just south of Salem, South Dakota. Midway between Sioux Falls and Mitchell, on US Highway 81, this campground is the perfect overnight oasis for visitors who are traveling to and from South Dakota’s many great attractions and scenic wonders.
This RV park amenities include full hookups, picnic tables, WiFi, restrooms and showers, a playground for the kids, onsite laundry, and a camp store.
Photo from RV LIFE Campgrounds
6. Beaver Lake Campground
Rating: 8.5 stars
Reviews: 167 reviews
Come stay at this beautiful pine-filled, rolling terrain RV park in Custer, South Dakota. Here you can enjoy the sounds of the breeze through the pines, birds singing and calm surroundings in a safe, small-town atmosphere. Beaver Lake Campground offers RV sites, tent camping, and cabins.
Amenities for this South Dakota RV park include two heated pools, a waterslide, onsite laundry, dog park, bathhouses, outdoor activities, WiFi, and a dump station.
Photo from RV LIFE Campgrounds
7. Belvidere East KOA
Rating: 8.4 stars
Reviews: 90 reviews
When your camping plans take you to Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, or Devils Tower, make sure you stop and stay at Belvidere East KOA. This campground is a great stop for exploring 1880 TOWN, featuring over 30 buildings from the 1880-1920 era, the Badlands, and the famous Wall Drug Store.
This South Dakota RV park’s amenities include full hookups, a solar heated pool, a playground for the kids, onsite laundry, cable TV, WiFi, bathrooms, a video game room, and a fenced dog area.
Photo from RV LIFE Campgrounds
8. Badlands KOA
Rating: 8 stars
Reviews: 172 reviews
This remote and beautiful KOA campground is just 4 miles from Badlands National Park. In this park, you will find bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and even prairie dogs. This campground set in a quiet rural area with hundreds of large shade trees beside the White River.
This South Dakota RV park’s amenities include full hookups, a pool, cabins for rent, a pavilion, a pet shower, onsite laundry, and a motorcycle care area.
Badlands KOA – Photo via RV LIFE Campgrounds
9. Mitchell KOA
Rating: 8 stars
Reviews: 87 reviews
Stay at Mitchell KOA and see the World’s Only Corn Palace! They offer 100 RV sites along with full hookups, a pool, mini-golf, and bike rentals.
“Stopped here for one night. Easy to find and access. The roads are smooth gravel. Site was level with good hookups. Nothing real special or negative to report. The big attraction is The Corn Palace which is about 3 miles away and is well worth the trip to check out. Friendly staff and good suggestion for place to eat. The Depot and Grill for good food. We camped at Mitchell KOA Journey in a Motorhome.” – RV LIFE Campgrounds
Photo from RV LIFE Campgrounds
10. New Frontier RV Park & Campground
Rating: 8 stars
Reviews: 47 reviews
New Frontier RV Park and Campground provides the ultimate camping experience. Stay and experience western hospitality nestled under the South Dakota prairie sky and a blanket of stars. This campground is located in Presho, South Dakota, an area known for its scenic beauty, abundant hunting, outdoor activities, and numerous tourist attractions.
This campground’s amenities include WiFi, full hookups, onsite laundry, a playground for the kids, clean showers, and tent areas.
Photo from RV LIFE Campgrounds
Find more South Dakota RV parks
For all of your camping and trip planning needs, look no further than RV LIFE Campgrounds and RV LIFE Trip Wizard. RV LIFE Campgrounds is a trusted source of campground and RV park reviews offered by camping and RV enthusiasts just like you. With its accompanying RV LIFE App, RV LIFE Trip Wizard gets you to your camping destinations utilizing RV-friendly routes specific to your RV and travel preferences.
Jennifer lives with her husband and their two cocker spaniels in a 29′ trailer in Mexico. She is one half of DashboardDrifters.com and the founder of RVSpotDrop, a web service for full time RVers.
You missed mentioning Spearfish City Campground located at the south end of the City of Spearfish with Spearfish Creek running through the park. The crystal clear creek water is used and enjoyed by anglers, rafters, and tubers as well. The park is just a few steps away from D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery where we volunteered summer of 2019. The town of Spearfish is an easy 2 block walk from the campground, and the village sponsors open air concerts every Wednesday night and street vendors and bands close off main street every Friday night during the summer. The whole town embraces visitors and really make you feel welcome. Spearfish is located at the northern end of beautiful Spearfish Canyon and it’s a wonderful winding ride through the canyon down to Deadwood and Lead. And Spearfish is a wonderful home base when you’re visiting all that the Black Hills has to offer. Get away from the crowds and enjoy a relaxing stay at Spearfish City Campground
Hiya Herb and Kathy! Great suggestion! We didn’t mean to leave Spearfish off the list, but this list is based on the reviews and star rating. Make sure you leave a review at CampgroundReviews.com of all your fav camping spots 🙂
For those eligible military folks the Ellsworth AFB RV park just outside Rapid City is a gem. Close to the convenience store (1/4 mile and fuel pumps.
City park in Montrose SD is a good place for a one nite stop over on the way to western South Dakota. Clean and inexpensive. About 20 sites 4 with full hookups. Montrose is population 441 if I remember correctly.
For our military folks Ellsworth AFB, just outside Rapid City, is wonderful. Paved sites, full hookups and spacious. The Exchange, commissary, and fuel station are only a couple of blocks away from the park. Showers and laundry facilities are first class.