Best RV Parks In South Dakota: 2o25 Guide

South Dakota is an amazing place to travel– but where do you stay while you’re there? 

The quality of your trip is directly proportional to the quality of the parks and campgrounds you stay at.

To help you make the most of your next trip to the beautiful state of South Dakota, we’ve researched the best-rated parks in the state to find what we believe to be the best-of-the-best.

These are parks that check off most of the boxes that visitors say are important to them, from cleanliness to proximity to attractions and scenic views.

Below you’ll find our top picks locations, chosen based on their positive ratings and reviews by previous visitors, with insights on why visitors loved visiting there.

Read on to find the best RV parks in South Dakota. 

Best RV Parks In South Dakota: 2025 Guide

Here are the top rated RV parks in South Dakota:

1. Palisades State Park

• Location: Garretson, South Dakota

Palisades State Park is located in Garretson that offers some of the best views of any park in South Dakota, including incredible rock formations.

The park offers multiple hiking trails, spacious RV sites, and is a great destination for rock climbing if that’s your thing.

2. Lewis & Clark Recreation Area

• Location: Yankton, South Dakota

Named after the famed adventures, Lewis & Clark Recreation Area is a park located in Yankton.

It offers lake access for a variety of water-based activities, such as fishing, swimming, boating, and kayaking. 

The park offers large RV sites and some really fantastic camping spots with scenic lake views.

3. Newton Hills State Park Campgrounds

• Location: Canton, South Dakota

Newton Hills is a state park in Canton known for its ideal bird watching environment and surrounding nature.

The park also offers several great hiking trails and large shaded campsites, a welcome reprieve from what can sometimes be a strong South Dakota sun depending on when you’re staying. 

4. Custer State Park Campgrounds

• Location: Custer, South Dakota

Another state park, Custer State Park offers several different campgrounds and a few unique features.

First, it’s located near Mount Rushmore making it an ideal park to stay at if that’s a destination on your route.

The park itself offers multiple campgrounds with slightly different experiences, giving you the ability to choose how you want to camp and what activities are nearby.

You can even view bison herds nearby, giving it some truly incredible scenic attractions.

5. Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort

• Location: Spearfish, South Dakota

Elkhorn Ridge is an RV resort in Spearfish with lots of incredible amenities.

The park is super pet friendly and offers spacious pull-through RV sites, luxury amenities, and even golf course access.

It’s also located near Spearfish Canyon, which offers its own set of amazing natural experiences. 

6. Rafter J Bar Ranch

• Location: Hill City, South Dakota

Rafter J Bar Ranch is a park in Hill City that offers a more rustic feel, but balances that with modern amenities and well-tended facilities.

The park offers large RV sites, scenic views, and even nearby access to Black Hills and its various attractions.

The park is well known for its friendly staff and rustic charm, making it an easy choice for anyone just looking for a pleasant stay.

7. Rush No More RV Resort

• Location: Sturgis, South Dakota

Rush No More is an RV resort in Sturgis with more than just an awesome name.

As the name implies, the resort offers a great atmosphere for relaxation, including an on-site pool and hot tub as well as well-maintained facilities and grounds. 

The park is also in close proximity to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for some unique fun.

What Visitors Loved Most About Deadwood RV Parks

Deciding where to stay can be tough if you have as many options as there are in South Dakota. 

So, how do you choose where to visit? One way to help you decide is seeing what previous visitors loved about the parks and campgrounds they visited.

By doing so, you can figure out what matters most to you and choose the parks that offer those features (besides basic amenities). 

Here are the most common features visitors loved during their stay at South Dakota RV parks and campgrounds:

1. Family-friendly: Many South Dakota parks are family friendly, offering playgrounds, pools, and group activities.
2. Cleanliness: Well-maintained grounds including restrooms and showers are a big selling point to many visitors.
3. Recreational activities: Fishing, hiking, boating, and wildlife watching are just a few of the activities that visitors enjoy.
4. Proximity to local attractions: South Dakota offers lots to do, and many parks are in close proximity so that you can enjoy the natural setting of the park while also the urban attractions of the city or nearby towns.

How We Chose the Best RV Parks: Sources

We collected ratings and review information from a variety of sources, including online forums, reservation, and campgrounds sites.

Those sites included:

• GoRVing subreddit
• RV community forums
• Tripadvisor.com
• Hipcamp.com
• Yelp.com

That information was cross-referenced with personal experience, online walkthroughs, the park’s official media, and other information to form as “complete” a perspective as possible before deciding whether to include it on the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to live in an RV park in Deadwood, South Dakota?

Park fees range between $40 – 50 in South Dakota, with monthly fees between $1,200 – 2,500. Keep in mind that this doesn’t include other costs such as fuel, food, and insurance.

Can you park an RV on the street in Deadwood, South Dakota?

South Dakota, including Deadwood, is incredibly RV friendly. With that said, according to city regulations you cannot park for more than 24 hours in a particular spot..

Can you live in an RV permanently in Deadwood, South Dakota?

Yes, you can live in an RV throughout South Dakota. Make sure to research the regulations of the city you’re staying to make sure you’re adhering to any local laws.

Can you park an RV at Walmart?

Yes, Walmart is very RV friendly. Not every Walmart allows overnight RV parking, however, so you’ll need to call ahead to make sure you’re allowed to park overnight.