Named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux Native American tribes, South Dakota is a sparsely populated state in the Midwest. It's blanketed by rolling prairies and the rugged Black Hills National Forest, which is famously home to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial.
European-American settlement accelerated in the region following a late-19th-century gold rush, which was followed by a period of intense dust storms known as the Dust Bowl. While ranching dominates the west of the state, eastern South Dakota is home to the majority of the state's population around the city of Sioux Falls.
The state's topography ranges from rolling hills to rugged buttes, expansive prairies, and densely wooded forests. Its continental climate is divided into four distinct seasons, with RV campgrounds in South Dakota offering something for campers no matter what time of the year you visit.
RV Camping in South Dakota
If you're visiting the Black Hills National Forest in the western region of the state, you can book a campsite at the Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins on its northern edge. It's on the doorstep of historic Deadwood and the city of Sturgis (where the long-running Sturgis Motorcycle Rally takes place), with a heated swimming pool, sports courts, and multiple hot tubs among the facilities.
The central hub in the region is Rapid City, which is home to several fine museums and the Rapid City RV Park & Campground. This South Dakota RV park is close to restaurants and grocery stores while featuring full-hookup RV sites, modern laundry facilities, and a dump station. Also nearby is the Rush No More RV Resort, which offers both back-in and pull-through sites with concrete patios, barbecue grills, and even private hot tubs. If you want to be in the heart of Sturgis, you can go camping at Sturgis RV Park, which is just two blocks from the downtown area.
If you drive south from Rapid City, you'll eventually arrive at the Heartland RV Park & Cabins, which makes a good base for visiting Custer State Park and the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. There are plenty of modern amenities that include free Wi-Fi and cable television, as well as a hot tub and a children's play area. If you're traveling with kids, the Fort Welikit Family Campground & RV Park in Custer is another popular option, with a unique playground and wild deer roaming the grounds.
Drive east to explore Badlands National Park while staying at the Sleepy Hollow Campground & RV Park, a pet-friendly South Dakota RV campground. There are 59 full hookups, a swimming pool, and a volleyball court, all just minutes from the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands.
In the southeast region of the state is Sioux Falls. The city's outstanding museums and historical sites can be visited while camping at the Sioux Falls KOA. Take advantage of its children's play area and heated swimming pool before driving northeast to Palisades State Park. Full-hookup sites are available at the Sanpitch Campground and Wakara Campground within the park, and there's an 18-hole desert canyon golf course where you can practice your swing.
Whether you want to photograph Mount Rushmore or discover the rich history of Sioux Falls, book a camper rental in South Dakota and start planning your adventure.
