South Dakota is the home of Mount Rushmore, one of the United States’ most popular sites. Besides these four renowned faces, a stunning landscape awaits. Step into the wild and unfamiliar world at Badlands National Park or hike rock formations in the Black Hills. Glamping in South Dakota allows you to explore beautiful buttes, scenic lakes, swaying prairies, colorful woodlands, and other places you usually only see in movies. Everywhere you visit, you can spot signs of modern agriculture, Gold Rush history, and Native American culture. Although South Dakota is one of the sparsely populated states in the United States, it is a home base for many part-time and full-time RVers, so you will not have a hard time finding RV rentals.
Glamping Sites in South Dakota
Horse Thief Campground and RV Resort
Horse Thief Campground is a family-owned campground and resort situated in Hill City between Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore. You can spend your day visiting attractions like Jewel Cave National Monument and Custer State Park. This site accommodates vehicles of any size with plenty of full-service spots that provide water, electricity, and sewer. Relax and enjoy a blend of untamed wilderness and modern convenience with a wide range of amusing amenities, including a picnic pavilion, bathhouses, a heated swimming pool, and more. There is a general store on the spot where you can get essential supplies.
Lake Vermillion Recreation Area Campgrounds
If you are looking for an ultimate aquatic adventure, then search no further than Lake Vermillion Recreation Area. Situated in Canistota on the shores of Lake Vermillion, this spot hosts more than 90 electric tent spots spread across three different campgrounds. Unwind and enjoy some of the finest boating, swimming, and fishing the state has to offer; you can hire a watercraft from the site’s collection of kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. If you want to dry off, you can do so by hiking the stunning 1.25-mile Otter Stream Trail.
Sleepy Hollow Campground &RV Park
Sleepy Hollow is the ideal ground to enjoy South Dakota’s untamed beauty and embark on a memorable adventure. Situated in the Wall, SD, area near the entrance to Badlands National Park, you can quickly surround yourself with mother nature while enjoying quality time with your loved ones. With about 60 pull-through RV spots, this site offers campground-wide internet access and tons of other remarkable amenities, including a dog park, swimming pool, and basketball court. You can take a drive to Sturgis or Mount Rushmore or spend your day exploring the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands.
Sylvan Lake Campground, Custer State Park
Considered one of the best places to go glamping in South Dakota, Custer State Park is one of the country’s biggest state parks. Sylvan Lake Campground sits in Custer near Sylvan Lake’s shores on the north end of Custer State Park. The spot’s proximity to the crown jewel of Custer State Park is just one of the reasons Sylvan Lake Campground is among the most sought-after glamping sites in South Dakota. With more than 30 tent camping spots containing access to shower facilities and flushing toilets, Sylvan Lake Campground is one of the most remarkable ways to enjoy what many consider the state’s finest park. When you get tired of roughing it, you can easily access the Sylvan Lake Lodge, which features a cafeteria, restaurant, and gift shop.
Echo Valley Park
If you are searching for a conventional and straightforward way to head out and connect with nature, then Echo Valley Park near Custer is the right destination for you. Situated next to Crazy Horse Mountain, this secluded paradise is surrounded by beautiful forests and magnificent mountainous landscapes, and it has more than 20 full-hookup sites. Filled with numerous hiking trails, caves, and fishing spots, Echo Valley Park will help you achieve an unforgettable South Dakota experience. Shower houses, speedy Wi-Fi, and laundry facilities are some of the valuable amenities this park has to offer.
Heartland RV Park, Black Hills National Forest
Situated in the heart of Black Hills National Forest, Heartland RV Park is your ultimate home base for fast and easy access to thousands of local attractions. Heartland RV Park is located in Hermosa, which is less than 30 minutes from iconic destinations like Crazy Horse Monument, Mount Rushmore, and Custer State Park. In addition, you can participate in various outdoor activities, including kayaking, fishing, and hiking, or you can take an aerial trip to Black Hill’s spectacular natural landscape.
Where to Glamp in South Dakota
Black Hills National Forest is one of the top-rated places for glamping in South Dakota. Grab a current map to identify forest roads or stop by a Forest Service Office to ask for directions. During summer, this site fills up quickly, so arrive early and camp farther from Mount Rushmore.
A weekend trip to Wind Cave National Park spices up any South Dakota vacation. Perfect for beginning cavers, it’s one of the longest caves in the world and has about 140 miles of explored passages and caverns. Its rare box-work formations, found in a few places on earth, make this cave genuinely astounding. A day spent exploring the cave will inspire a sense of discovery and wonder.
Luxury Camping in South Dakota
When deciding where to glamp in South Dakota, make sure you have several sites in mind. Most of the state’s top sites are situated in the Black Hills National Forest, so it might take some time before you find the right spot. When in doubt, stop by any visitor center in the closest town and the staff will surely give you recommendations for top RV-friendly destinations.
Luxury camping in South Dakota is surprisingly easy. The region has a well-developed infrastructure, specifically in Badlands and the Black Hills, so you can easily find supplies. As long as you can confidently drive your RV on mountainous roads, you will be a few steps from stunning hikes and remarkable fishing opportunities. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about glamping.
For a full-of-information and easy to use campground directory, check out Camp in South Dakota. Camping in the pines. Camping next to the lake. Camping underneath an endless prairie sky. Camping next to the rippling waters of a mountain stream. When you decide to go camping in South Dakota, your choices are limitless. The wide open road and the wide open sky are calling! It’s worth the trip!
With an RV rental, you can get your glamping fix anywhere! Enjoy all the comforts of home on board your RV – linens, cooking supplies, a cozy couch, and a warm bed – all while enjoying the beauty of nature around you. It’s the perfect marriage of rustic camping and upscale comfort. Plan your perfect glamping getaway with an RV rental from RVshare.
