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Find the Best Tent Camping Sites in South Dakota

Tent camping is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors, but there is a lot more to it than that. You'll need to do some research to figure out the best way to camp for you and your family. South Dakota is a great place to spend time away from it all and find a little piece of heaven in the middle of the prairie. There aren't many places in the world that have a claim to being nearly completely untouched by civilization, except the Himalayas.

A key reason for this is the high levels of privacy, which is why many campers in South Dakota stay in solitude in their tents. This can make for a rewarding tent-camping experience, but it does require a bit of preparation.
Tent camping in South Dakota is a great way to experience the great outdoors. Staying in a tent can be a cheaper and more comfortable option to a more traditional camping experience. Being a tent camper in South Dakota is a combination of great experiences and bad. The tent camping in South Dakota provides you with an opportunity to experience the great outdoors, away from the hustle-and-bustle of city life. You can be close enough to civilization to grab a quick bite to eat but still be far enough away to enjoy the quiet, the beauty of the land, and the great outdoors.

The South Dakota state park system offers visitors a variety of state parks and recreation areas to camp in, with campgrounds and other facilities, and with activities and attractions to enjoy. Among the best tent camping in South Dakota is in the Buffalo Gap State Park and Resort in the Big Sioux Recreation Area, near the town of Sioux Falls. The park has a variety of campgrounds and backcountry sites and has great tent camping in South Dakota.

Things to Know About Tent Camping in South Dakota

The northern plains of South Dakota are dotted with tent cities. These settlements are home to many who don't own a car and rely instead on their tent to make their living. While tents are great for roughing it, the lack of year-round access to bathrooms and other services can cause problems for those living in these communities.

As the summer months approach, here are some things that should be done by people planning to stay at a campsite. There's not a lot of good tent camping in South Dakota, but there are some. The south end of Lake Sakakawea is a popular tent camping destination, as is the Fort Lincoln Recreation Area. There is some good tent camping information on the Department of Natural Resources website.

South Dakota has plenty of camping options for tent campers, but it can be difficult to decide which way to go. The state has three national parks, three national forests, and numerous state parks and state forests. There are also a number of privately-owned campgrounds to choose from, where a few pay a fee to camp. South Dakota is one of the best places to tent camp in the lower 48 states, thanks to its lack of mosquitoes, mild winters, and dry summers. And since South Dakota's soil is rich in minerals, tent camping is an excellent choice for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Tent camping is one of the newest forms of camping, and it is attracting more and more people every year. There are several different ways to tent camp, but the easiest one is just to purchase a simple portable tent and use it for your entire trip.

The Top Places to Camp in South Dakota

  1. 1

    Campground

    Oahe Downstream Recreation Area Campgrounds #1 and #2

    What People Are Saying

    We stayed over the weekend on site 58 the beaver point primitive site.

    Overall Rating: 
    4.7/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    45

    Location

    Fort Pierre, SD, United States

    Latitude / Longitude

    44.4381759, -100.3890817
  2. 2

    Campground

    Sage Creek Campground

    What People Are Saying

    "Bring a very wind resistant tent."

    Overall Rating: 
    4.7/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    276

    Location

    Wall, SD, United States

    Latitude / Longitude

    43.8941126, -102.4138712
  3. 3

    Campground

    Hanna Campground

    What People Are Saying

    "The camp host was above and beyond nice and helpful."

    Overall Rating: 
    4.7/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    39

    Location

    Lead, SD, United States

    Latitude / Longitude

    44.2750067, -103.8507145
  4. 4

    Campground

    Left Tailrace Campground

    What People Are Saying

    "Beautiful, clean campground with rv and tent sites."

    Overall Rating: 
    4.7/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    135

    Location

    Fort Thompson, SD, United States

    Latitude / Longitude

    44.0410281, -99.4408324
  5. 5

    Campground

    Pactola Reservoir Campground

    What People Are Saying

    "The best thing about this campground though is the Osprey trail."

    Overall Rating: 
    4.7/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    127

    Location

    Rapid City, SD, United States

    Latitude / Longitude

    44.0661699, -103.504256
  6. 6

    Campground

    Grizzly Creek Primitive

    What People Are Saying

    "Smaller Rv can fit or campvans but is the best for Tents."

    Overall Rating: 
    4.6/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    81

    Location

    Hill City, SD, United States

    Latitude / Longitude

    43.8769093, -103.4396941
  7. 7

    Campground

    Sylvan Lake Campground

    What People Are Saying

    "Tent sites are hike-in, so pack light or bring a wagon."

    Overall Rating: 
    4.7/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    80

    Location

    Custer, SD, United States · In Custer State Park

    Latitude / Longitude

    43.8397083, -103.5571049
  8. 8

    Campground

    Oreville Campground

    What People Are Saying

    "Best camp ground in North Dakota."

    Overall Rating: 
    4/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    62

    Location

    Custer, SD, United States

    Latitude / Longitude

    43.8780844, -103.6119157
  9. 9

    Campground

    Comanche Park Campground

    What People Are Saying

    "Our tent was surrounded by wild sage and Pine trees."

    Overall Rating: 
    4.5/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    56

    Location

    Custer, SD, United States

    Latitude / Longitude

    43.7349807, -103.7118629
  10. 10

    Campground

    Custer State Park Blue Bell Campground

    What People Are Saying

    "Our tent site was perfect!"

    Overall Rating: 
    4.8/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    162

    Location

    Custer, SD, United States · In Custer State Park

    Latitude / Longitude

    43.7189344, -103.4806544
  11. Important Camping Gear for South Dakota

    South Dakota is home to some of the best national parks in the country, including Crazy Horse, Jewel Cave, Custer State, Jewel Cave, Badlands, Mount Rushmore, and more. Camping is a popular way to enjoy the beauty of these parks, and it's also an affordable option to get in the great outdoors. If you're looking for camping gear for South Dakota, you're in the right place. Would you like to enjoy your next camping trip knowing that you have the best tent, gear, and supplies to make it a success? You can rest easy knowing that all of that is taken care of! Here we will write about important camping gear that is useful when you go camping with your equipped camper.

    Camping essentials such as tent, blanket, pillow, sleeping bag
    Cooking basics such as fire starter, cooler, pots, plates, cups, bowls, silverware, and spatula
    Table and chairs
    Headlamps
    Clothes according to the weather


    South Dakota is a wonderful place to enjoy outdoor activities like camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and more. It is also a great place to explore, explore, explore! There are many great places to explore in South Dakota, but a few stand out most for one reason or another.

    Best Bluetooth Beanies Worth Buying
    Best Pocket Knife for Camping

Planning Your Camping Trip

Best Time of Year to Tent Camp in South Dakota

The warmest months of the year to tent camp in South Dakota are May through August. The weather during this time is nice, and the campsites are often open. Summer months can also be a great time to tent camp if you like the water and prefer the beach. July and August are also great months to tent camp in South Dakota because it can be quite warm while the school year is still in session.

The best time of year to tent camp in South Dakota is probably in early spring before the weather gets too hot, but it could be anytime in the spring or summer months. The best time to go tent camping in South Dakota depends on what type of camping you are looking for, but it also depends on the time of the year. The best times to go tent camping in South Dakota are in the spring, summer, fall, or winter months. The best time of year to go tent camping in South Dakota is when the weather is warm enough to enjoy the outdoors, but not too hot.

Hard to believe, but there is a time of year when it is best to go tent camping in South Dakota. That time is when the spring melt is at its peak. During this time, the snowpack is at its heaviest, and the snow is likely to be the thinnest when the melt occurs. With water levels in the state at their highest in years, finding a campsite with a large amount of water is a real possibility.

Average Temperatures By Month in South Dakota

Month Avg Low °F Avg High °F
January 10.6°F 32.1°F
February 13.6°F 35.6°F
March 22.7°F 45.2°F
April 32.8°F 57.7°F
May 44.1°F 68.3°F
June 53.5°F 77.8°F
July 59.7°F 84.9°F
August 57.8°F 83.6°F
September 47.5°F 74.1°F
October 35.4°F 60.2°F
November 23.2°F 44.4°F
December 12.2°F 32.9°F

Learn More Camping Tips for Beginners

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