Although it’s home to Mount Rushmore, South Dakota offers so much more for scenic glamping adventures. Campers in the state can go hiking among the rocks in the Black Hills or watch wildlife at Badlands National Park. You can also explore diverse terrain, like beautiful lakes and colorful woodlands, all while a glamping campsite waits for your return with a cozy fire under the stars.
Top Glamping Sites in South Dakota
Under Canvas Mount Rushmore
Under Canvas Mount Rushmore is a campground with three different types of glamping tents available for you to rent. Tents include a suite that can sleep up to four people, a stargazer that can sleep two under the stars, and a deluxe that can also sleep up to two. The location of the campground is on a historic gold mining settlement south of Sturgis, and it works well as a starting point for taking to the Black Hills or Custer State Park.
Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort
South of Sturgis sits Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort, where you will find rental tents, tipis, cabins, RV parking spaces, and even treehouses. This campground encompasses 85 acres and has a general store, solar-heated pools, and outdoor concessions. From the campground, you can check out local shopping, dining, and even hiking options in Black Hills National Forest.
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 while you stay at your glamping campsite. This location accommodates RVs and tents of any size with plenty of full-service spots that provide water, electricity, and sewer hookups. 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.
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 also 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 Wall, SD, the 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 also 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 for glamping RVs. 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.
Where to Glamp in South Dakota
If you aren’t sure where to go glamping in South Dakota, stop first in the Black Hills National Forest, where you can find miles on miles of hiking and biking trails. You can also stop by Mount Rushmore while in the area, but be sure to come early in the summer to reserve a glamping campsite before all of the campgrounds fill up. You can take a weekend trip to Wind Cave National Park, too, to explore 140 miles of caverns.
What to Bring When Glamping in South Dakota
● Disposable plates, cups, and silverware
● Extra pillows and blankets
● Refillable water bottles
● Insect repellant and sunscreen
● Flashlights
Discover more camping options in South Dakota. When you go glamping in this state, you’ll be able to explore historic and scenic sites during the day knowing a comfortable campsite is ready for you at night. You can also take your glamping trip in an RV rental, such as a rental offered by RVshare, to make traveling even more convenient.
