The city of Mitchell is the county seat of Davison County and has a population of 15,660 as of the 2020 U.S. Census. Settlers began construction here in 1879, and the town became incorporated in 1883. The city gets its name from Alexander Mitchell, a Milwaukee banker and president of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad.
Mitchell's most famous landmark is the Corn Palace, a multipurpose arena and facility off Main Street. It hosts concerts, exhibits and sports events. You may want to visit the Dakota Discovery Museum while in town as it hosts a history and an artists' gallery as well as the Dakota Discovery Historic Village. Another popular venue is the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village, the only open archaeological site in South Dakota. It features the 1,000-year-old village on the shores of Lake Mitchell, offering daily tours and a gift shop during the summer.
Lake Mitchell has been functioning as a recreation area since 1928. Formerly, it supplied the town's drinking water. The campground at Lake Mitchell provides tent and RV sites, and you can explore the 12 miles of trails around the lake on a bike or by foot. If you like antiquing, the Second Impression Antique Mall offers two floors of antiques, collectibles and unique items sold by multiple vendors.
Cattleman's Club Steakhouse in Mitchell gets good reviews from patrons wanting American food while El Columpio is a favorite for Mexican and Southwestern dishes. Locals claim Marco's Pizza is the best in town, and you can stop in the Back 40 Taphouse Grill if you want to enjoy a selection of beers with your meal.
In Iowa, two hours and 10 minutes southeast of Mitchell, the Sioux City North KOA Holiday off Streeter Drive has 107 back-in or pull-through sites with full RV hookups, 30- and 50-amp power options, cell reception, a shower and a pool. Your dog will enjoy the dog park, and you might find the mini-golf entertaining after a day on the road.
Tower Campground is on the west side of nearby Sioux City, west of the I-29 and I-298 interchange, an hour and five minutes southeast of Mitchell. It has 116 back-in or pull-through sites starting at $55 per night. You can enjoy snacks out of the vending machines and access video games while your RV can be hooked up to 30 or 50 amps of power.
Sioux Falls KOA Journey sits north of I-90, off the Cliff Avenue Exit. This family-run property, which is an hour and five minutes southeast of Mitchell, offers both back-in and pull-through sites in a pet-friendly environment. The kids will appreciate the on-site playground, and you can rent bikes to explore the surrounding area.
Niobrara State Park is across the Nebraska border, an hour and 25 minutes south of Mitchell. It encompasses 1,640 acres of bluffs. Visitors here enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, primitive and RV camping, swimming and wildlife-watching opportunities. You will see beaver, mink and muskrats along the river while white-tailed deer and wild turkeys wander throughout the park. Explore 14 miles of trails ideal for biking and hiking, or go fishing in the park's lake. The park is fun year-round, but many people like to come here in the spring and fall. On Saturdays during the summer, the park hosts buffalo cookouts with entertainers like cowboy poets or storytellers. From mid-June through mid-August, the park's modern swimming pool with lifeguards is open. There are 37 campsites with electrical hookups and a dump station on-site.
Palisades State Park is an hour-and-20-minute road trip east of Mitchell, south of Garretson. Split Rock Creek cuts through the park, exposing Sioux quartzite formations 5 to 50 feet high. Four trails wind through these cliffs that you can use to get a closer look. Guests here can also enjoy camping, picnicking, hiking, photography, sightseeing and rock climbing. There are tent-only and electrical campsites with developed group picnic shelters and playgrounds. The park is open year-round, but the flush toilets, showers and other water systems are shut down from the start of October to the end of April.
You can also journey an hour and 35 minutes southeast of Mitchell to visit Newton Hills State Park outside Canton. Named after the man who settled this area, it features a dark forest on the open prairie. Birding, hiking, hunting and wildlife viewing are popular activities here. More than 200 species of birds frequent the area, and other wildlife, like squirrels, foxes, rabbits, marmots, white-tailed deer and wild turkeys, wander through the park. Bow hunting is allowed in parts of the park between October 1 and April 30. There are 126 campsites here with varying amounts of amenities.
The Missouri National Recreational River site headquarters is located near Yankton, an hour and a half southeast of Mitchell. It is part of undeveloped sections of the river that allow people to experience it in a pristine condition. You can boat, fish, hike, hunt, paddle or visit Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery depending on what section of the site you are visiting. The 39 Mile District between Pickstown and Running Water and the 59 Mile District between Yankton and Ponca, Nebraska represent the two main sections of the site.
Pipestone National Monument is an hour and 45 minutes northeast of Mitchell in Pipestone, Minnesota. This site preserves over 50 soft, red stone quarries used by Native Americans for making pipes for prayers and sacred ceremonies. Visitors will witness a centuries-old tradition as members of federally recognized tribes still mine here. The visitor center introduces the site and explains the geology that helped create the quarries while two trails let you explore the area more closely. Don't forget to stop at the Pipestone National Monument Museum in the visitor center.
If canoeing is your passion, one of the best places in the nation to do so is a two-hour-and-35-minute drive southwest of Mitchell down U.S. Route 183 in Nebraska. Niobrara National Scenic River contains sections with rapids and waterfalls that help make the canoeing so exciting. You can hike several trails along the river, fish for various species, and observe the wildlife that makes their homes near or at the water's edge. Nearby towns like Ainsworth and Valentine offer RVers amenities like food, gas and shopping.
Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest is near Valentine, Nebraska, three hours and 45 minutes southwest of Mitchell. This 116,000-acre national preserve contains the 195-mile Cowboy Trail that features a variety of landscapes and moderate to difficult ratings depending on the section you hike. Popular activities include birding, camping, fishing, horseback riding, hunting and water sports. There is dispersed camping throughout the forest, and the Star Creek Campground has 23 sites and eight horse corrals.
Black Hills National Forest is near Rapid City, four hours and 45 minutes west of Mitchell. Its 1.25 million acres cover parts of southwestern South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. Mount Rushmore and Wind Cave National Parks are within this forest, and it contains 1,300 miles of streams and 11 reservoirs that attract anglers. Hundreds of miles of trails also attract bikers, hikers and horseback riders. For $16 per night, you can stay at facilities like Boxelder Forks and Deerfield Reservoir Complex Campgrounds. These locations lack electricity and RV hookups, however.
Chippewa National Forest is near Deer River, Minnesota, seven hours and 20 minutes northeast of Mitchell. It covers approximately 1.6 million acres and includes the Lost 40, a section of old-growth trees that are 350 years old. Nearly half of the terrain is covered by various watersheds, making water activities a top draw. Canoeing, fishing, paddling and swimming are popular on the water, and camping or hiking on the land are also fun pastimes. You will find many dispersed camping areas near lakes and rivers, or the Chippewa Campground offers 26 sites with access to electricity and showers for $26 per night.
Badlands National Park is two hours and 50 minutes west of Mitchell via I-90, south of the town of Wall. Visitors are drawn here by the eroded buttes and pinnacles that create exotic landscapes and panoramic views. The park has several trails for exploring, or you can forge your own path if backcountry hiking is your thing. RVers can start at the Ben Reifel or White River visitor centers to learn about the park before driving Badlands Loop Road to get incredible views of the park's landscape. The Fossil Preparation Lab is worth a visit to see what paleontologists are currently cleaning up. You can camp at Sage Creek Campground if your RV is less than 18 feet long, and Cedar Pass Campground has electricity.
Wind Cave National Park is west of Badlands, four hours and 35 minutes southwest of Mitchell. The 150+ miles of surveyed passages make the cave one of the world's lengthiest and most complex underground systems. Over 30 miles of hiking trails above ground take you through a mixed-grass prairie or ponderosa pine forest. You will see bison, elk and mountain lions on the trail system, but remember to keep 25 yards distance to maintain safety. Summer is a popular time to visit the park when temperatures reach the 80s. June and July see severe thunderstorms with lots of lightning and large hail. Elk Mountain Campground has tent and RV campsites but no RV hookups.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is seven hours and 15 minutes northwest of Mitchell. Named after the 26th President of the United States, this North Dakota site covers 70,466 acres of Badlands, open prairie and the Little Missouri River. The park features some of the most pristine bison habitats in the nation, and you'll glimpse other wildlife like bobcats, coyotes, elk, horses, prairie dogs and pronghorn. Popular activities include backpacking, camping, fishing, hiking, kayaking and more. There are two primitive campgrounds in the park with RV-friendly options nearby.
In most areas, the price to rent a motorhome is around $200 a night and the price to rent a towable trailer is around $120 a night.
What does RVshare Protection cover with my Mitchell, SD RV rental?RVshare's protection plan standard package covers up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage based on the value of the RV. It also includes free 24/7 roadside assistance and free towing and tire service. For more information on RVshare insurance, click here.
What is included in my Mitchell, SD RV rental?You should find any amenities that are included with your rental in the listing details. But it never hurts to check in with the owner before you arrive at the RV or have it delivered to ensure you have everything that is needed to have a fun and enjoyable trip!
Can I have my Mitchell, SD RV rental delivered to a specified location?Many owners on RVshare.com offer delivery, and will even set it up for you at the campsite. Choose the 'Delivery' filter to narrow down your search results to RVs that can be brought to your home or destination. Check the listing details for any information regarding extra fees for delivery, or ask the owner if you are unsure.
