Bear Butte State Park RV & Campground Guide
South Dakota
- Home
- State Parks
- South Dakota
- Bear Butte State Park
Bear Butte State Park is home to the geological laccolith feature of Bear Butte, which is an intrusive body of igneous rock. From the summit of Bear Butte, you can take in scenic views of four states. It’s not just a state park, but also an important landmark and religious site for many American Indian tribes, who often make pilgrimages to leave offerings and prayer clothes along the mountain, as well as to hold various religious ceremonies. The mountain is a place of prayer, meditation and peace, and visitors are sure to enjoy the serene, relaxing atmosphere while also enjoying nature activities such as hiking, boating and more.
Spring 40s-60s F
Summer 50s-80s F
Fall 20s-70s F
Winter 15-30s F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Bear Butte State Park
Camping doesn’t always have to be in a tent under the stars! If you’re looking for a more comfortable, convenient camping experience, consider trading in your tent for an RV. With an RV as home base for your next trip, you’ll have a private bathroom, kitchen stocked with your favorite snacks and a comfortable bed. If you’re considering an RV for your next camping trip, consider renting one fromRVshare.com. With a helpful support team, finding a completely custom RV that fits your needs and your budget is a breeze. Plus, all rentals include nationwide insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance.
What could be better than parking your RV for the night right inside the state park? There are campsites located inside Bear Butte State Park, nearby horseback riding, fishing and boating activities. With a great location, these popular campsites fill up quickly. Luckily, there are several other campgrounds nearby. Here are some worth checking out:
Deadwood/Black Hills KOA
Located just about a half hour from the state park, nestled among the pines and aspen trees of the Black Hills, the Deadwood/Black Hills KOA is a family-friendly, serene campground. There are plenty of amenities to enjoy and the location is nearby many of the local attractions. Your entire group is sure to have fun here!
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: cable TV, pool, hot tub/sauna, dog park, basketball court, playground, hiking
Bear Butte Creek Campground
Only 10 minutes from the state park, Bear Butte Creek Campground is one of the oldest campgrounds in the area! With plenty of shady sites and unique on-site amenities, you’re sure to have a wonderful time on your camping trip.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: no
Pet-friendly: no
Other amenities: 3 shower houses with hot water and bathrooms, portable water, outdoor dance floor and bandstand, picnic tables, bar, free morning coffee, general store, restaurant
What to Do at
Bear Butte State Park
Inside Bear Butte State Park
Bear Butte State Park is a serene, tranquil park, thanks in part to the rich cultural history, which visitors can learn about in the education center. There are also plenty of fun nature activities to enjoy, from hiking to boating, fishing and much more. Here are more details on some of the activities inside the park:
Water Activities – Bear Butte Lake offers plenty of water fun. The lake features a boat ramp for boating, and fishermen can try their hand at fishing on the lake or from the fishing dock.
Trails – Enjoy the natural beauty of the park and maybe even spot a bison or two on the trails! Bear Butte State Park has three trails, the slightly difficult Summit Trail that brings you to the summit of Bear Butte, where you can enjoy scenic views of four states. The easy lake trail is 2.5 miles long and goes around the lake. Bear Butte State Park is also home to the northernmost point of the 111-mile Centennial Trail.
Bear Butte Education Center and State Park History – Bear Butte has a rich history, and is still today sacred to many American Indian tribes, who see it as a place where the creator has chosen to communicate with them through visions and prayer. Religious ceremonies are also often held at Bear Butte. During your visit, it’s common to see colorful pieces of cloth and small bundles or pouches hanging from trees. These are prayer cloths and tobacco ties, which represent the prayers offered by individuals during their worship, and should be left undisturbed.
The Bear Butte Education Center offers displays, books and brochures highlighting the park’s geological history, pioneer landmark days and the holy mountain role and cultural beliefs for American Indian tribes. Visit the center to take in a little history and enjoy learning!
How to Get to
Bear Butte State Park
Bear Butte State Park is located 6 miles northeast of Sturgis, SD on Hwy. 79.
Entering Bear Butte State Park
Fees are waived for those holding religious ceremonies at the park.
Bear Butte State Park Daily : $6.0
Bear Butte State Park Annual Pass : $30.0
From taking in scenic views of four states to learning about local culture and religious ceremonies, there is so much to do and see at Bear Butte State Park. You are sure to have a wonderful time taking it all in! And we want to hear all about it and even see your great photos, so don’t forget to tag us on social media, or shoot us a photo and some details at [email protected]. We may just feature your story on our blog or social media channels. Happy camping!
Frequently Asked Questions About Bear Butte State Park
There's a small campground in Bear Butte State Park that's open year-round. The campground contains 19 gravel campsites, 15 of which can accommodate RVs. These standard campsites don't have hookups.
As long as they remain leashed, pets are permitted in most areas of Bear Butte State Park. Note that pets are not allowed on the Summit Trail because it isn't wide enough.
There's a herd of buffalo that roams the base of the butte in this park. The area is also inhabited by black-tailed prairie dogs and a variety of bird species.
Bear Butte State Park has warm summers and very cold winters. The temperature can be as high as 87 degrees F during summer and as low as 14 F in winter. There's significant snowfall during winter and early spring.
The ideal times to visit Bear Butte State Park are usually between June and September. The summer is warm enough for outdoor recreation, but it shouldn't get hot enough to be uncomfortable.
Related
RV Rentals near Bear Butte Creek Campground Sturgis RV Rentals near Saddleback Butte State Park East Lancaster RV Rentals near Saddleback Butte State Park Lancaster RV Rentals near Orland Buttes CampgroundBlack Butte Lake COE Orland RV Rentals near Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Hill Country Canyon Lake RV Rentals near Glacier Grizzly Resort Browning RV Rentals near Bear Gulch Campground Kimberly RV Rentals near Honey Bear Campground Boone RV Rentals near Blue Bear Mountain Campground Todd RV Rentals near Bear Creek Campground Fort Worth Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Fossil Butte National Monument Lava Beds National Monument Tonto National Forest Guide Shoshone National Forest Guide Bitterroot National Forest Guide Denali National Park Kenai Fjords National Park Banff National Park RV Rentals near Bear Butte Creek Campground Sturgis RV Rentals near Saddleback Butte State Park East Lancaster RV Rentals near Saddleback Butte State Park Lancaster RV Rentals near Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Hill Country Canyon Lake RV Rentals near Bear Gulch Campground Kimberly RV Rental Bear River WY