South Dakota RV campgrounds — top 8 hand-picked

PickRV Editorial

The small team behind PickRV

Cited primary sources

No paid reviews

Updated July 9, 2026

South Dakota summer-only mostly. Custer State Park + Black Hills + Badlands.

Best months: May-October.

Pricing: State parks: $25-40. Private: $40-80.

Reserve: Custer State Park: 12+ months ahead. State parks: GFP reservation.

Top RV-friendly campgrounds

Game Lodge Campground (Custer State Park)

state-park

Custer State Park · $28-40/night · RVs to 50ft · partial hookups

Pros: Custer SP location · Some hookups

Caveats: Books months ahead

Reservation tip: Book 12 months ahead.

Center Lake Campground (Custer SP)

state-park

Custer State Park · $28/night · RVs to 35ft · partial hookups

Pros: Lake setting

Caveats: Limited

Reservation tip: Book 12 months ahead.

Cedar Pass Campground (Badlands NP)

national-park

Badlands NP · $22-28/night · RVs to 50ft · partial hookups

Pros: NPS basecamp · Some hookups

Caveats: Books months ahead

Reservation tip: Reserve Recreation.gov.

Sage Creek Campground (Badlands NP)

national-park

Badlands wilderness · Free · RVs to 35ft · dry

Pros: Free · Year-round · Bison nearby

Caveats: Primitive · No services

Reservation tip: First-come.

Rapid City KOA

koa

Rapid City · $50-100/night · RVs to 75ft · full hookups

Pros: Full hookups · Transit hub

Caveats: Premium

Reservation tip: Book direct.

Sylvan Lake Campground (Custer SP)

state-park

Custer State Park · $28/night · RVs to 40ft · partial hookups

Pros: Iconic location

Caveats: Books months ahead

Reservation tip: Book 12 months ahead.

Oahe Downstream Recreation Area

state-park

Pierre area · $22-28/night · RVs to 50ft · partial hookups

Pros: Lake fishing

Caveats: Affordable

Reservation tip: Book GFP reservation.

Bear Butte State Park

state-park

near Sturgis · $15-22/night · RVs to 30ft · dry

Pros: Sacred mountain

Caveats: Limited

Reservation tip: Book GFP reservation.

South Dakota rules · last verified 2026-05-10

· Tax: 8.50%
· Min driver age: 21+ standard, 25+ Class A
· Gravel roads: Allowed — disclosure required
· Generator quiet: 22:00-07:00