The Ultimate Guide to RV Camping in South Dakota

By Laura Falin

August 8th, 2023

State Travel Guides

South Dakota is an often-overlooked state when it comes to RV camping trips, but this gem is full of fascinating things to see! With famous state and national parks, national monuments, and a variety of museums, along with cities like Rapid City and Sioux Falls, you’ll find lots to do in “The Land of Infinite Variety.”

If you’re considering an RV camping trip to South Dakota, this article has everything you’ll need to know! We’ll look at what you need to prepare ahead of time, plus where you should go, what you should see, and where you should stay on your trip.

Preparing for RV Camping

Of course, the first thing to ensure for an RV camping trip in South Dakota is an actual RV! If you don’t have your own RV, you can rent one from RVshare. After you have your RV or travel trailer in place, you’ll want to make sure it’s packed with everything you need for your trip.

Choosing the right RV for your needs

If you’re planning to rent an RV or trailer for your trip, you’ll need to determine the type of RV you want. How big is the group you’re traveling with? A smaller family or group can manage with a Class C camper, but if you have a large group, you may want a Class A motorhome or a fifth-wheel trailer. If you’re traveling by yourself or with one other person, you could even use a Class B campervan or a small pop-up trailer.

After you’ve considered how big of a rig you need, think about the amenities you’ll want. If you’re traveling light in a campervan or trailer, you might only have a bed and some storage. If you want lots of modern conveniences, a Class A motorhome or fifth-wheel trailer will have a bathroom, an entertainment area, and possibly even a washing machine or fireplace!

Finally, you’ll want to think about how you’ll get around once you’ve set up your camp. If you have a vehicle like a campervan, you can use that and park it each night. A trailer allows you to unhitch and use the vehicle you towed your trailer with as your transportation. If you have a Class A or Class C camper, you may want to tow an extra vehicle behind you. Depending on where you stay, some RV parks are near public transportation or national park shuttles, and you may not need an extra vehicle at all.

Packing essentials for a successful trip

As you pack for an RV camping trip, you’ll want to strike a balance that allows you to bring everything you need without overloading your RV! You might find it helpful to have two packing lists – one for your personal items and one for the gear you need in an RV.

Personal Packing List:

Clothing – be sure to pack enough for your trip, or enough for between laundry days
Toiletries
Medications
Bug spray or citronella candles
Sunscreen
First Aid kit
Outdoor recreation clothing (hiking boots, bathing suit, or other specialized clothing)
Winter or summer accessories (winter hats, gloves, sun hat, etc)
Flashlight
Entertainment (books, games, movies)
Extra batteries
Groceries
Electronics & chargers
Pet supplies
Quarters for showers or laundry

Before you make your RV packing list, check the listing for your rental to see if anything is included. Some rentals include dishes, linens, and even outdoor equipment while others don’t include any of those things. Once you know what comes with your rental, you can plan the rest of your supplies.

RV Packing List:

Pots & pans
Dishes
Utensils – don’t forget a can opener, bottle opener, spatula, set of knives, etc.
Dish towels & sponges
Sheets & pillows
Bath Towels
Tool kit
Folding camp chairs
Blankets
RV leveling blocks
Sewer hose and adapter
Freshwater hose
Surge protector

You’ll also want to consider where you’re traveling and what time of year you’re visiting and you may want to adjust your list accordingly. Be sure to check our RV Checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything!

Considerations for Camping in South Dakota

South Dakota can be a dry, windy, and hot place to camp depending on the time of year! Take precautions while hiking and exercising outdoors. Be sure to drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen. Check weather reports, and be careful driving in windy conditions, especially if you have a high-profile RV.

You’ll also want to consider the laws for RVs and trailers in South Dakota before driving there. Each state has its own laws governing RVs and trailers, although many of them are similar. You’ll want to make sure you know South Dakota’s laws so you can avoid a ticket.

The maximum width for an RV in South Dakota is 102 inches. The maximum length for a motorhome is 45 feet and the maximum trailer length is 53 feet. The maximum combined length for a single vehicle and two trailers is 75 feet. On Needles Highway 87 in the Black Hills, the maximum width of a vehicle is 8 feet, 7 inches and the maximum height is 10 feet, 8 inches.

Passengers are allowed in truck campers and fifth-wheel trailers if they have two-way communication with the driver. Overnight parking in rest areas is not allowed unless signs are posted saying otherwise.

Researching campground options and making reservations

Now that you’ve figured out your RV or trailer for your trip, it’s time to start looking at RV campgrounds in South Dakota! There are lots of ways to research campgrounds right at your fingertips. Websites like The Dyrt, RoverPass, Campspot, and BookOutdoors will all be helpful as you search for campgrounds in South Dakota. Hipcamp and Harvest Hosts have unique places to stay including farms and wineries. Finally, KOA and Jellystone campgrounds are great options for families looking for amenities and things to do at camp.

Finding Campgrounds

There are lots of campgrounds in South Dakota, so you can narrow down your search depending on where you want to visit, price, and what amenities you want in a campground. Whether you enjoy luxury camping, public campgrounds in spots like national or state parks, or urban camping, you’re sure to find a great campsite!

Exploring public campgrounds in South Dakota

Public campgrounds include those at South Dakota state parks, along with national parks, national forests, and Bureau of Land Management land. Public campgrounds are often less expensive than private campgrounds, but they also have fewer perks like showers or laundry.

Badlands National Park in South Dakota, USA

National Park Camping

South Dakota has two national parks – Badlands and Wind Cave. Both national parks have RV campsites available. However, due to the popularity of national parks in the U.S., you’ll want to make reservations ahead of time to be guaranteed a spot!

South Dakota also has other national monuments and sites. They are:

Jewel Cave National Monument
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Missouri National Recreation River
Mount Rushmore National Memorial

While some of these sites have campgrounds, others are day-use-only sites and you would need to find a private campground nearby.

National Forest Camping

The Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota also has camping available within its boundaries. The forest covers more than 1.25 million acres and stretches across southwestern South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. You can fish, hike, mountain bike, or go horseback riding. The forest is near Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave, and Custer State Park.

The Deerfield Reservoir Complex, Boxelder Forks Campground, and Dalton Lake Campground are all great options for camping in the Black Hills National Forest.

State Park Camping

Custer State Park is the largest state park in South Dakota and is a wonderful spot to visit! The park also operates as a wildlife reserve, and you can see bison, deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, and a number of other animals. Granite spires that shoot out of the earth are fascinating features to drive or hike near, and you’ll find lakes and streams for fishing and swimming in, or to hike or mountain bike past.

Along with Custer, there are some other excellent state parks in South Dakota! Visit Palisades State Park to view the 1.2-billion-year-old Sioux Quartzite rocks. Or camp at the West Whitlock Recreation Area and enjoy time at Lake Oahe.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Camping

You’ll also find BLM camping in South Dakota. Usually, RVers and campers are allowed to dispersed camp on BLM land as long as they leave no trace and follow dispersed camping rules.

Fort Meade Horse Camp is in the grasslands of South Dakota and is a great spot for horseback riding, hiking, hunting, fishing, and more. Nearby Fort Meade Recreation Area is another nice option.

Exploring private campgrounds and RV parks

You might also want to consider a private campground in South Dakota! Private campgrounds tend to have more perks like showers, laundry facilities, possibly a swimming pool or playground, dump stations, and even planned events for campers. Private campgrounds also tend to cost more than their public counterparts. If you want to go really upscale, try glamping in South Dakota! Heartland RV Park in the Black Hills National Forest offers kayaking, fishing, hiking, and more.

Boondocking in South Dakota

If you want to go the complete opposite route, you can try boondocking in South Dakota! Boondocking means that you won’t have any hookups, and very few amenities, so you’ll be camping off the grid. There are great dispersed campsites on BLM land, in the Black Hills National Forest, or at places like Buffalo Gap National Grassland and Dude Ranch Lakeside Use Area.

Planning your itinerary

Once you have your campgrounds narrowed down, it’s time to start planning your itinerary. There are many different activities you can plan to do in South Dakota! Whether you want to learn about history at a local museum, enjoy outdoor activities at a national park, or visit cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City, you’re sure to find plenty to entertain you!

Features and attractions in South Dakota

A great way to get an overview of South Dakota is by embarking on a scenic drive in the state! The Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway takes you past Mount Rushmore, Rapid City, Custer State Park, and the Black Elk National Wilderness Area. The Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway takes you to Jewel Cave National Monument, Crazy Horse Memorial, Sheridan Lake, and the town of Deadwood.

Make sure to see some of South Dakota’s famous landmarks while you’re there as well! Crazy Horse Memorial is north of Custer and has been a work in progress since 1947. You can see the head and upper body of Lakota leader Crazy Horse, and you can learn about the carving and about Native American culture at the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Education & Cultural Center. The Mammoth Site is an actual dig site and museum in Hot Springs, South Dakota. You can learn about archaeology and the more than 60 mammoth remains that have been discovered at the site.

National sites like Jewel Cave National Monument and the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site are also worth a visit.

Festivals, fairs, and events in South Dakota

You may want to plan your RV camping trip to South Dakota to coincide with a big festival or other event. There are plenty of events in South Dakota, including the South Dakota State Fair and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. If you want to rent an RV to attend a South Dakota event, there’s a good chance that event even has camping on-site or very nearby. Many RV owners will also set up your rental for you for an extra fee. That way, when you arrive you can get right to enjoying yourself!

Exploring Outdoor Activities in South Dakota

There are lots of places to get outdoors in South Dakota! Whether you enjoy hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or other outdoor activities, you’ll find lots to do.

Hiking, biking, and nature trails

Hiking and mountain biking on South Dakota’s many trails is a wonderful and inexpensive way to explore the state. Here are some of the best hiking trails in South Dakota to try!

If you enjoy mountain biking instead of hiking, here are some of the best biking trails in the state.

Fishing, boating, and water activities

South Dakota’s grasslands might fool you into thinking it’s an arid, dry place, but there are lots of rivers and lakes in South Dakota that you can enjoy! Head out fishing at Spring Creek, Spearfish Canyon, or Sylvan Lake. Look for some of South Dakota’s beautiful waterfalls, like Sioux Falls, Devil’s Bathtub, or Hippie Hole. You can even relax at one of South Dakota’s best beaches (yep, those exist!).

Wildlife viewing and photography

Wildlife abounds in South Dakota, and there are plenty of places for you to go looking for animals. Pronghorn and elk love the grasslands, river otters splash in the waters, and bighorn sheep frolic in Custer State Park and a few other areas.

In fact, Custer State Park is an excellent place to watch for wildlife in South Dakota. Other good options are Badlands National Park, Spearfish Canyon, and Wind Cave National Park.

Family-friendly activities and attractions

If you’re traveling with your family to South Dakota, there are lots of family-friendly things to do! You’ll find museums, historical sites, amusement parks, and other places to entertain people of all ages.

Historical sites and museums

Want to have some educational fun on your trip? Try a museum or historic site in South Dakota! The Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village is the only archaeological site in the state that is open to the public. You can learn about the people who lived in the area 1,100 years ago at this site. Bear Butte is an important landmark and sacred religious site for Plains Indians.

Another fun way to learn on a family trip is by visiting a South Dakota museum. Some of the best museums to visit in the state include:

Trails, Trains & Pioneers Museum
Old Courthouse Museum
Prairie Village
Ingalls Homestead
Old Fort Meade Museum

You can find museums to interest a wide variety of people, and you’re sure to end your visit smarter than when you began!

Amusement parks, zoos, and wildlife refuges

Of course, you may want to spend a day not worrying about learning and just having some thrilling fun with the family! South Dakota has several amusement parks to entertain and engage everyone. The WaTiki Waterpark Resort is an indoor waterpark in Rapid City. It’s a great option in winter, and the 30,000 square foot facility is the largest indoor waterpark in the Dakotas. Rush Mountain Adventure Park in the Black Hills includes a zipline, a ropes challenge course, and a mountain coaster.

You can also spend a day at the zoo in South Dakota. The Great Plains Zoo in South Dakota has hundreds of animals from around the world. The Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a major stop for migratory birds every spring and fall. The Waubay National Wildlife Refuge is another excellent spot for birdwatching.

Safety and Preparedness when RV Camping in South Dakota

You’ll have a wonderful time RV camping in South Dakota! However, it doesn’t hurt to know about major natural disaster risks and weather risks in the state so you can be prepared.

Weather conditions and natural disaster preparedness

The most common weather threats and natural disasters in South Dakota are winter storms, wildfires, flooding, and hail.

If you plan to camp in South Dakota in the winter, keep a close eye on weather reports. Be aware of blizzards or heavy snow before making driving plans. Make sure your heater and other equipment work properly in extreme cold and that you have a backup plan if you need it.

When camping during the summer, make sure you check fire restrictions in the area. Know how to light and extinguish a campfire safely. Check weather conditions before starting a fire as well – a dry, windy day is not the best time to be lighting a fire!

Wildlife encounters and precautions

Wildlife that you might encounter in South Dakota includes mountain lions and bison. Don’t let small children or dogs run ahead of you when you’re hiking. Read posted signs and follow their advice on what to do if you encounter a wild animal. Give bison plenty of space – they can run much faster than you think! Also, use the thumb rule to determine if you’re far enough away from a wild animal. With your arm fully extended in front of you, give a “thumbs up” and see if your thumb completely blocks the animal. If you can see it on either side of your thumb, move back.

An RV camping trip to South Dakota is a great way to see the state! You’ll learn new things, see some natural beauty, and make memories that could last a lifetime.

More Inspiration for Your South Dakota Travels

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The Ultimate Guide to RV Camping in South Dakota