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Fort Meade Recreation Area

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Fort Meade Recreation Area

The Fort Meade Recreation Area is a 6,700-acre area of lovely forests and grasslands around Sturgis, South Dakota. The Bureau of Land Management oversees the park, so the grounds are well-kept and are ideal for activities like biking, hunting, hiking, and horseback riding. BLM sites are often home to great free camping areas, and Fort Meade is no exception; two modest campgrounds at the Alkali Creek Trailhead and the Alkali Creek Horsecamp are available year-round. You’ll have to pay during the summer season, and the campground closes down during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

If you want to visit some awesome national parks while camping at Fort Meade, you won’t have to drive too far. Wind Cave National Park is just an hour and a half away and is home to a fascinating wind cave and some lovely prairies and forests. You can reach Badlands National Park in an hour and 20 minutes; at this interesting park, you’ll get to explore the eroded buttes and peaks of the badlands here as well as some of the surrounding plains. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is three hours and 20 minutes away, but you’ll get to take in prairies, badlands, canyons, and the Little Missouri River.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Centennial Trail

The entire Centennial Trail takes visitors through Bear Butte State Park, the Black Hills National Forest, Custer State Park, and, of course, Fort Meade. You can pick up the Centennial Trail near the Alkali Creek Trailhead.

Length: 111 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Alkali Creek Nature Trail

The Alkali Creek Trailhead is also an entry point for the Alkali Creek Nature Trail. Local flora and fauna are on display on this well-marked trail.

Length: 0.5 miles long

Intensity: Easy

7th Cavalry Trail System

The 7th Cavalry Trails intersect the Centennial Trail and adds multiple trails to the Fort Meade Recreation Area.

Length: Over 10 miles long

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and Boating

If you want to go fishing for rainbow trout, then you’ll want to head up to 50-acre Fort Meade Reservoir. You’ll be able to take advantage of a restroom and a couple of picnic tables at this lovely fishing spot with great views of Bear Butte. Speaking of Bear Butte, Bear Butte State Park is just 10 minutes away and is home to Bear Butte Lake, which is a gorgeous place to go boating, fishing, and swimming.

Wildlife Viewing

There are plenty of awesome animals that call this region home, so you’ll hopefully get to see some interesting prairie and forest animals on your visit. Over 200 species of birds live in the Black Hills area, so this is a popular region for bird-watching. Bison, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, and more roam the land in this part of South Dakota.

Picnicking

In addition to the two picnic tables at Fort Meade Reservoir, there are also picnicking facilities available at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Chapel and the Alkali Creek Trailhead.

Other

Those in search of a great scenic road to travel should take their vehicles on the Fort Meade Back Country Byway. This gravel road is five miles long and winds its way through the South Dakota countryside from near Interstate 90 to Highway 34.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Since there are only 12 total sites at Fort Meade Recreation Area, you might need to look elsewhere to find your ideal RV camping site. If you want to stay at one of Sturgis’ oldest campgrounds that’s home to a restaurant, laundry facilities, nightly live music, and more, then you should consider Bear Butte Creek Campground. Those in search of extra-large pull-through spots with full hookups might want to stay at Lamphere Ranch Campground. Another excellent possibility is Glencoe Camp Resort, which, in addition to their many 30-amp and 50-amp sites, has multiple 60-amp sites for those who need a bit of extra electricity.

Free Camping

Outside of May 15 to September 30, you can camp at Fort Meade Recreation Area for free. Dispersed camping is allowed in the nearby Black Hills National Forest as long as you’re at least 100 feet away from any creeks and streams and a half-mile away from developed recreation sites.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Fort Meade Recreation Area BLM trip

Sites at Fort Meade Recreation Area are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no hookups available, so you should plan accordingly. Alkali Creek Horsecamp is available only to those with horses; water is only available during the season because of the potential for freezing pipes. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

The BLM is devoted to preserving nature while also providing excellent places for people to enjoy it, so you should do your best to leave no trace behind once you’re finished camping. Whether you’re camping at an established site or your own dispersed camping area, be sure to dispose of all trash and sewage in a responsible way. When choosing your dispersed campsite, try to find a place that’s already been used in order to keep as much of the surrounding area as undisturbed as possible.

Fort Meade Recreation Area Location

Reaching the entrance to the Fort Meade Recreation Area is simple since it’s only five minutes off of Interstate 90 regardless of the direction of your approach. If you’re heading toward Sturgis from Rapid City or any of the other cities along Interstate 90 between it and Sturgis, simply get off of Interstate 90 at Exit 32 and drive for a few minutes on I-90BL before turning right onto Lazelle Street and driving a few more minutes. If you’re approaching from Spearfish or Whitewood, then simply travel on Interstate 90 and get off at Exit 30 onto I-90BL and take Lazelle Street for five minutes. The address that your GPS will have for the Fort Meade Recreation Area is SD-34, Sturgis, SD 57785.

Ready to visit Fort Meade Recreation Area? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.

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