Camping in South Dakota

Over 50 state parks and recreation areas offer camping in South Dakota. Campsites can be reserved 90 days in advance. Comfort stations close down during the winter months, but camping is welcome year-round in most parks as some are closed due to eagle nesting.

Reservations

Camping reservations are available 90 days prior to arrival at most state parks and recreation areas.

• campsd.com | 1.800.710.2267

Same-Day Reservations

• Center Lake Campground at Custer State Park
• Yankton Campground at Lewis & Clark Recreation Area

First-Come, First-Served

• Bear Butte State Park
• Burke Lake Recreation Area
• Lake Hiddenwood Recreation Area
• Lake Louise Recreation Area
• Little Moreau Recreation Area
• North Wheeler Recreation Area
• Okobojo Point Recreation Area

Self Registration

A friendly face is generally waiting for you at South Dakota state parks. But if we're not at home, a self-registration station will allow you to pay all necessary fees.

Both entrance and camping fees can be paid through self-registration envelopes at these stations:

• Bear Butte
• Burke Lake
• Little Moreau
• North Wheeler
• Okobojo Point
• Lake Louise (10 sites)
• All Lakeside Use Areas

Simply remove an entrance license envelope or camping permit from the dispenser, complete the information, enclose the fee and drop it into the tube. Place your temporary license in the lower passenger-side corner of your windshield. It is your responsibility to pay these fees.

Campfire Status

Burning restrictions may be enacted by the counties due to dry conditions. Learn more from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, Division of Wildland Fire.

State parks may also prohibit campfires in these areas. Please contact the individual park directly or go to their webpage for the most current information.

Firewood Alert

Do not bring out-of-state firewood into South Dakota.

Firewood from another state may contain the Emerald Ash Borer, which could be harmful to trees in this state. To help contain these destructive pests, we ask that you please leave out-of-state wood at home. Firewood is available for purchase at South Dakota state parks.

The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an insect from China that is destroying ash trees. Through the movement of infested firewood and nursery stock, the beetle has expanded across the United States and into Canada.

South Dakota is heavily dependent on ash trees for urban and shelterbelt trees. If the insect is introduced in South Dakota the economic impact will be enormous. It is critical that out-of-state firewood not be brought into South Dakota to avoid the introduction of this pest into the state.