(70 votes, average: 4.23 out of 5)
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This "primitive camping" area in Badlands National Park caters to tenters, but it can accommodate smaller RVs. The road makes big loop with parking all around the inside, and tent sites and picnic tables in the middle. Bison wander the area grazing. There is an area designated for horse use. An 18' foot limit has been placed on RVs.
Worth it for the wildlife
Small & Crowded. Filled up before sundown. Trash and Pit Toilets.
Plenty of wildlife. Bison right up to our van.
Stayed here in a 22 foot-long Class C (RV). SugarRush would stay here again.
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Fantastic free site
Great free campsite. Camped on a Tuesday in mid august. Arrived around 9 pm and got a spot, although it was a little full. Night sky was fantastic, with a symphony of coyotes starting at one point. Next morning, saw many prairie dogs and a few bison right by the campground. Everyone was quiet and kept their lights low. Clean bathrooms and trash cans.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. Brody would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 1 0
Great
Stayed there June 14 2022. Very nice cite. Many people there. Clean restrooms and trash cans and picnic tables. Prairie dogs and bison in the field right next to you, which is pretty cool. We came with a tent, would definitely stay here again.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. cadenxh would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 2 0
A Thrill Spot
I can't add much to the reviews already on the page. Free campsite. Hard, rutted road in. Friendly valley loop for RVs/trailers and room for tents. Bison all around. Prairie Dogs for entertainment. I will note that camping within Badlands is kind of cool. Additionally, I'll verify what's been written about storms in the valley. I stayed for one night but ended up sleeping in the driver's seat in my Jeep. I normally would have pitched my tent, or at worst, slept in the back of the Jeep Liberty. Rain and wind were so intense that I had no chance to clear out back of car for sleeping area and so I was pocketed in the front seat, and watched a few tents blow across the campground. All-in-all, I would recommend Sage Creek because of its fabulous setting, the bison and prairie dogs, and the warmth and friendliness of fellow road trippers. A little rain could not take away the great experience of being there. I hope to return.
Tom Emory, Jr would stay here again.Is this review helpful? 4 0
Great campground in Badlands NP>
Very nice free, campground in the Badlands NP, good walks all around. Ideal for tents but fine for a camper too.
Stayed here in a 12 foot-long Truck Camper (RV). Bruce Goforth would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 0 0
Awesome experience
First, the good: This is a beautiful, secluded camp spot. Amazing sunsets and the wildlife is out of control. Bison and prairie dogs everywhere. The not so good: Even though I've never been, I got major "Burning Man" vibes from this place. Very windy and dusty. We were in a van, but it seems unenjoyable for a tent. Also, as already noted, the road in is quite long and bumpy. Just prepare yourself. :)
Stayed here in a 20 foot-long Class B (RV). vinnyvango would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 2 1
Good overnight spot, clean/save and lots of wildlife
A good spot for an overnight if you happen to be near the area. The gravel road was like a washboard and I felt like I was shaking my rig apart. Once in the camping area it was wide open, plenty of spots. There is a horse area and what looked like a place to park horse trailers, several were camped there...no horses though. There about 20 spots or so, maybe more I didn't count them. Most people were very quiet, nice and clean bathrooms. Tons of wildlife. Coyotes, Buffalo and prairie dogs all over the place. All in all, it was a pretty good spot.
Stayed here in a 21 foot-long Class B (RV). awagoner would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 3 0
Amazing!!! Easy to get to, and so beautiful! Lots of wildlife, some hiking, and great views. Y’all, we woke up with a bison outside of our tent! And the prairie dogs are hilarious:) Toilets very clean. Tables, garbage, and recycling on site. Can’t recommend enough. Would suggest getting there before 4 for a pick of your spot, but any spot is nice, and late arrivals had no trouble finding a site. Super chill. Mostly tents, but also saw small trailers and several cans. First come first serve.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. Murph12 would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 3 0
Great if not for Violent Thunderstorms
This is a great basic campground. It was clean, had basic amenities - vaut toilet and tables, and was in a beautiful area. People were very quiet and mellow. We were there on a Tuesday night at the end of July - we got in at 5pm and there were plenty of people, and when we got back from a drive into the park, a few more had arrived, but there was room for more. As far as the road goes, it was not as bad as people made it sound, and the trick for washboard roads (without potholes) is actually to go faster rather than slower. The speed limit is 45 - if you go slow you feel every bump, if you go the speed limit, they blend in to one. My only other caution is what I read AFTER the fact - "Summers in the badlands are hot and dry with occasional violent thunderstorms." Yes, violent indeed. Just know that the weather often does not predict these, as in our case. We (2 adults and 2 small children) were shook out of our tent at 3 am and had to run for the car. Our tent stakes were bent, all 3 poles snapped, our inner room wall ripped apart, and flooded. We actually just threw the tent away. Some of the smaller tents (like singles) made it. One guy even got out of his trailer because it was rocking so bad and got into his truck. Someone from Florida rated it a category 3 hurricane. LOL. But seriously, if there is any chance of thunderstorms at all, you might reconsider. If not, camping in the Badlands is pretty cool. I only wish we could have spent more days there to explore.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. Elan N Saitas would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 9 0
Great community camping area. Don’t expect privacy from other campers, but the location is excellent and everyone there was respectful and quiet after dark. Two bison walked by our camp in the morning and we heard coyotes at night. The wind picked up quite a bit at night and kept up until morning. We had no trouble with the gravel road going in and it was in great shape when we were there. No AT&T signal at the campground, but there was a signal at the top of the hill.
Stayed here in a PopUp Trailer (RV). lnovitzki would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 1 1
Plan on doing a motorcycle camping trip here in a week or so. How long is the gravel road once you leave pavement?
Editor's Note: It appears to be 12 miles of dirt/gravel from the east or 15 miles on the western route. It looks pretty hard packed with loose spots.
Is this review helpful? 0 0
Rough drive
Holy smokes was this a rough drive in. We made the trip in a 40ft class A before there was a length restriction. Although the site is amazing, I wish we didn't go in. This would be a great place for cars/vans, small rigs.
Stayed here in a 40 foot-long Class A + a Toad (RV). kruedinger would stay here again.
Blog post: https://www.nomadicamerica.com/blog/category/south-dakota
Is this review helpful? 1 0
Sleep with the Prairie Dogs and Bison
We LOVED this site. After the long gravel road, reaching this gem of a site made us so happy. You literally sleep among the prairie dogs and the bison. The pit toilet was fairly clean and not smelling. We tent camped in Nov- it was cold and windy but we're from Wisconsin so we can handle it. :) Would 100% recommend this camp site!
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. begrowfam would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 4 0
Great place to park and camp
We stayed here in a small car for one night. The site has about 25 spots or so and is a good bit from a paved road, we drove about 8 miles on gravel. The site is in a beautiful location, but was pretty public. Prairie dogs are plentiful, and bison were around the area.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. fireguy14 would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 2 0
Magical place!
This place was magical! Bison right on my "front porch", a double rainbow over the whole campground, and several short trails leading up the hills to watch the sunset. This site is definitely more of a community type setting with more sites closer together. The neighbor was playing his guitar and singing in the afternoon but the place did quiet down right around dark. Clean bathrooms. Only down side is half of the loop was pretty muddy from the recent rain so if it has rained for you I would come early to pick a good spot so you won't get stuck in the muddy area. I saw about 20 spots and also some additional spots in the field specifically for travelers with horses. They even provide one small corral for your horses. Big enough for two horses at least.
Stayed here in a Passenger Vehicle. Savanah would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 2 0
Gorgeous
Absolutely loved this campsite. The gravel road getting down but a bit tough for our front wheel drive, especially after it rained. There are plenty of spaces to put tents- we were there during the week but could tell it would get crowded over the weekend! You’re definetly sharing this campground with prairie dogs. Didn’t see any other wildlife! Everyone at the campground was respectful. 2 pit toilets with a line at 8 am. Plenty of shelters and picnic tables.
Did not expect the landscape to be so completely different from the canyon lands that we expected being in the Badlands! Wish we could have stayed for longer.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. lukegoeswest would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 1 0
Awesome location literally sharing space with a prairie dog town
Nice little campground. Yes, first come first serve but is open so if you can find a spot, you are good to go. It was crowded the night I stayed but it was still peaceful and everyone was very respectful.
I think this listing needs correction though... There are way more than 5 campsites since it's just a big open space. There were at least 20-25 cars and RVs when I was there. And it is 12 miles from a paved road. There is a sign saying that when you start down Sage Creek Rim road.
Stayed here in a Passenger Vehicle. WinterCardinal would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 2 0
I can’t say enough good things about this spot. There are bison and prairie dogs throughout. Went up and watched the sun set over the hills right next to camp and the people are also very nice and laid-back. Even with a large amount of people the site was quiet by about 10:30. The service is here and there but shouldn’t deter you from camping here. It is mostly tent camper but rigs can also fit here if you get there early enough. One of my favorite spots I’ve ever been to!
Tb2507 hiked in and stayed here with a tent. Tb2507 would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 2 0
We woke up to Bison!
Clean vault toilet, trash and recycle, Prairie Dogs, and waking up to Bison right outside! We camped here in our van from 04.28.18 to 05.01.18. If you want to get up close to Bison, this is the place to go!!! We saw 2 Bison near the 1st overlook on Sage Creek Road and jumped out of the van (like all the other tourists) to take pictures from a distance. Little did we know that 30-45 minutes further down Sage Creek Road, at this campground, we would have 15-20 Bison roaming within sight! You will literally wake up, open your window, and have Bison grazing right outside. We had fresh hoof prints 6” behind our van one morning. So cool, this is a site that we will never forget. A word of caution if rain is in the forecast though... we got rain for an entire day, and it jacked up the roads a bit. When we were leaving the day after it rained, the mud at the campground was more like wet clay which stuck to our tires and literally had us fish-tailing going 5-10mph. If you come from the middle/northern entrance to the Badlands, the road is 7-10 miles of washboard as well. It was still easily traversable, but keep that in mind. No open fires allowed either. And we had 2 bars of VZ LTE here.
Stayed here in a 21 foot-long Class B (RV). Born2Explore would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 13 0
Great spot!!
One of my favorite campsites! Super remote but accessible to most all cars and camper types. High likelihood you'll wake up with buffalo in sight, of not in the camp ground. Outhouses and picnic tables are a major plus but be sure to bring your own water.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. Rachael would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 4 0
truly wild and beautiful campsite
What a beautiful site! Stayed here on October 31 (Happy Halloween!!) nobody was here except the neighbors, Bison roaming around the picnic area. Wide open space, can see the sky clearly. Clean toilet pit. trash can. Picnic table is great! At nght we heard prarie dogs crying, maybe they were getting attacked? Gave us a Halloween night scare. In the morning we saw them roaming around eating. They actually did wake us up cause they were knocking on our vehicle. Weirdos. Would definitely stay here again. Remember it's all gravel. We drive a Honda Fit.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. jeiadventurist would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 3 0
Nice campsite
Stayed here on Wednesday September 13th (I think) on a motorcycle camping trip. It was a long gravel road in, and whoever last graded it left a lot of washboard dips in. I had to ride pretty slow since I was on a big heavy Harley. Adventure bikes would have no issues at all I think. I got in to the area probably around 4 or 5 PM and was able to get a spot easily. It did fill up later on. I saw and used both of the vault toilets that were pretty clean. They had multiple trash/recycling bins. Got pretty windy the night I stayed but nothing too bad. A sole bison came through the edge of the camp a couple times. Park ranger also came by a couple times just on a routine patrol. I didn't get any cell signal with AT&T, tried both an iPhone and a mobile WiFi device. I rode out pretty early.
Stayed here with a motorcycle and a tent.
Blog post: https://www.flickr.com/photos/135131069@N08/sets/72157688245755516
Is this review helpful? 1 0
Nice stay with great views. And, free! But, it is difficult and somewhat dangerous getting there.
LOVED THE STAY! BUT BE WARNED - YOU COULD DO DAMAGE TO YOUR RIG GETTING THERE!
Stayed mid September 2017. People were nice and friendly. No trash. Beautiful views on the hills above. Lots of back country camping available. Trash, clean toilets, and picnic tables also provided.
The only problem I have is the drive to get there. And, I feel like other reviewers don't point this out enough. We took a 35 foot 5th wheel down the 8 mile washboard gravel road. We had very little control going down the road and almost went over the cliffs a few times. Also, the washboards will giggle loose items in your RV. Ours were several screws inside and some plumbing, which caused quite a bit of water damage. We also popped a tire shortly after leaving, which I attribute to that awful awful road.
If you do decide to go to this site, make sure you either have a smaller rig or an older one that you don't mind getting banged up. Also, DRIVE AT LEAST 20 MPH on the road. It helps turn each washboard from individual bumps into a lesser vibration. Easier on your vehicle and rig!
Checkout our Blogpost about the Badlands and this site: http://journalingamerica.blogspot.com/2017/09/not-bad-for-sunday.html?m=1
Stayed here in a 35 foot-long Fifth Wheel (RV). JournalingAmerica would not stay here again.
Blog post: http://journalingamerica.blogspot.com/2017/09/not-bad-for-sunday.html?m=1
Is this review helpful? 3 1
Found on the official linked website:
“Mortor homes, pull behind trailers, and other recreational vehicles greater than 18 feet in length are prohibited. This limitation does not apply to horse trailers.”
Rules are usually there for safety reasons.
(I left the “mortor” typo from the site lol)
Is this review helpful? 5 0
Awesome, can view a bunch of wildlife from your tent!
Highly recommend staying at this campground. You do have to drive about 12 miles on a gravel road to get there but worth it, there are great views on the drive, a prairie dog town, and bison. The camping area is an open space and you can set up camp wherever, everyone was respectful of space. We met some amazing people camping there! If you don't want to be close to other people, or have your own camping "space" in woods or something aka high maintenance I don't recommend this campground for you. Also pets are welcome, I had my pup with me!
Adrienne would stay here again.Is this review helpful? 3 0
Beautiful campsite in the middle of the Badlands.
Wow. Beautiful site. The buffalo herd's grounds are right on the campsite, so having to drive through buffalo was a beautiful and harrowing experience. The site had room for multiple RVs, tents, and vehicles. Single vault toilet. The crowd was a little loud at times, but the camaraderie among campers was enjoyable.
Stayed here in a Passenger Vehicle. nomadicnords would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 3 0
Arguably better than the Cedar Pass campground in the park. I would definitely stay here again. Very flat with multiple pit toilets and basically unlimited campsites. did not see any bison here (a whole herd up the road though). tons of little prairie dogs though. 5-6 primitive trails up to the hills surrounding the creek as well. Road in is gravel and clearance is not an issue. I'm in a volvo sedan and went 45 the whole way no problem.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. jw.welsh7 would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 4 0
Beautiful site!!
Awesome campground. Primitive. You have to drive 15 miles on very bumpy gravel road but when you get there it's worth it. My civic made it. Bisons roam around freely but don't harm anyone. Star gazer's paradise.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. Manoj would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 4 0
Free, convenient, fun
Just stayed here for 3 nights, very nice! Toilets are clean, they have recycling and garbage available as well. The campsite got full every night at dusk with folks pulling in for night--most would then leave in the morning. Bison and prairie dogs are everywhere. The bison keep to themselves and stay on the outside of the camp but do keep an eye out for them. I saw one charge someone who was getting to close. No reception on phone unless you walk up the hill...
Stayed here in a 17 foot-long Trailer (RV). evan would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 2 0
Wildlife galore!
The campsite was a large ring of gravel, people pulled off on the side of it, put up tents. Quite a few cars were parked there but you might have a hard time finding room for an RV later in the evening as more and more people came. It was pretty crowded but everyone was respectful and quiet. Several paths to explore right from the campsite up the hills and out onto the grasslands.
Bison wandering through the campsite so look around before you venture over to the toilets so you don't step in one's path or cowpie! Baby bison were wandering about when we stayed in early May and were adorable. We had a prairie dog barking at us from a hole right next to the car which my daughter founds extremely amusing. We heard lots of coyotes howling in the evening and as we pulled out the next day saw one roaming through the prairie dog town. There were tons of wildlife along Sage Creek Road as well-- pretty much everything the park has to offer!
Stayed here in a Passenger Vehicle. michigan_bees would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 4 0
Awesome! Loved it!
Awesome! Saw so many buffalo and even heard coyotes in the distance. Beautiful place to stay the night. Don't be worried about the gravel road, I was at first but it is well worth it! Also saw tons of prairie dogs! It had 2 toilets and they were both well maintained and clean! Definitely would go back!
Stayed here in a 15 foot-long Passenger Vehicle. Keri would stay here again.
Blog post: https://wandertotheunknown.wordpress.com/2017/05/13/day-1/?preview=true
Is this review helpful? 2 0
Nice campground clean toilets not sure where you are to park just a big ring everybody just seemed to park along the road or pitched a tent. There were bison everywhere
Stayed here in a 22 foot-long Passenger Vehicle. supertramp717 would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 1 0
A Real Treat, Bison roaming extremely close and prairie Dogs everywhere, the pit toilets were amazingly clean, trash bins for recycling. you will need a wifi extender or a good V Jet pack or no connection, phone service can be sketchy. very quiet and great views of the hills and grassland. wish i could have stayed much longer than one night but a storm blew in and i needed to leave for fear of getting stuck. i would go again if in the area.
Cindy Morgan would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 2 0
Primitive but awesome! Bison everywhere!
Primitive with clean pit toilets but so lovely! Within the Badlands National Park and bison roamed everywhere! Dirt road in was fine and not too much trouble for our car. Nice picnic tables and loads of place to pitch a tent. Starting to get icy in the mornings now though.
Stayed here in a Passenger Vehicle. AdventureNix would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 2 0
A little challenging to get to but this primitive campground has lots of rustic charm.
This campsite is a diamond in the rough. It's classed as primitive, meaning there are no actual marked out campsites. There is dirt road in the shape of a loop that marks the general area where you can set up camp. Most people were camping in either tents or small RVs. We stayed in a 40 foot motorhome and had no problem finding space. We staked our claim up near the horse corral. Finding a level space and navigating the gigantic potholes were about the only real challenges. The campground tends to get busy as the evening draws to a close but it clears out early in the morning. We found it peaceful, even with lots of people around. We were woken by bison on two mornings. They like to make their way through the campground for early morning breakfast.
The 15-mile road to the campground itself can be rough in places. The surface is unfinished and parts are like a washboard but the secret for us was to go slowly and we made it without any problems.
The rustic charm of the campground and easy access to Badlands National Park makes it a standout for us and we will definitely return.
The campground has pit toilets and trash cans.
disjecta would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 4 0
Well worth the 12 mile dirt road drive down! Clean bathrooms and Bryson everywhere!!! Perfect place to stay after a long day of exploring the badlands. And you don't have to leave the park or pay!! Places for tents and vehicles. Was perfect!
Stayed here in a Passenger Vehicle. Lauren would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 2 0
Very cool campsite! Attached a load of pictures, there are some good hiking trails and also a stream nearby. We woke up to 2 bison grazing feet from our truck! Much better and more secluded than the campsite when you come in from the east entrance. Also a good first stop on the way to Mt.Rushmore, IMO this was WAYYYY better than Rushmore!
Stayed here in a 14 foot-long Truck Camper (RV). Brian would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 2 0
Fills up quickly on weekends but you can always find a place. Close to prairie dogs and bison. Road in is very rough about 13 miles in both directions. Clean toilets.
Stayed here in a 20 foot-long Passenger Vehicle. nmuleski would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 1 0
This is a great site, but very little privacy. I camped one night there on my way toward yellowstone. There are some big black spiders, so zip up your tent. Also, be sure to face your tent according to the wind direction. A huge windstorm cam through about 4AM and was determined to tear down all of our tents. The road in is perfect for any type of vehicle if you take it slow.
Wonderful place to watch the stars.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. DrFeelGood would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 3 0
Stayed here for two nights in a VW Passat and a tent last weekend. It was pretty busy being that it was a Friday night but we got a spot before sundown. In the morning everyone cleared out and we were able to use one of the picnic tables supplied. there are about seven tables or so. No guarantee you'll grab one. In the afternoon we got to see a herd of about 70 bison cross the hill to the left of the entrance. They also sat there around dinner time on Saturday evening. Be alert, they like to hang out by the little bit of water by the camp. There are two vault toilets that were kept very clean. There is zero privacy and not all neighbors were respectful of others at night (shouting, music, and guitars). Pictures are a tiny bit deceiving- picture camping at a music festival.
All in all- Great! Nice to be surrounded by tents. We don't get to see that very often.
WanderingWildflower would stay here again.Is this review helpful? 1 0
Dirt road, primitive camping. Bison grazing, beautiful views.
Absolutely beautiful! Stayed here for one night in early May, 2016. Free primitive campground. Vault toilets, and shade structures over picnic tables. The best part - rolling grassy hills with bison grazing all over the place. I woke up at sunrise and they were 50 feet from my tailgate. They're docile, but don't be an idiot and hassle them by getting too close. The campsite is a large, ringed dirt road situated in a valley near the badlands. Careful if it's been raining, and you don't have 4x4 - the mud can be tricky and at times very hard to see. It's really easy to get stuck if so. Theres lots of space to accommodate plenty of campers, and the Badlands National Park entrance is about 15 minutes around the corner, along a well groomed dirt road that winds around the outside of the hills surrounding the campsite. I took sage creek from route 44, and there was no fee area or park entrance to go through. Awesome experience camping there.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. Dan would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 2 0
Becomes a community at night
By far my favorite free site my entire trip. I was there in August 2015 and during the day there was no one there but by the end of the day... the headlights looked like field of dreams driving in and the community grew! Bison may wake you in the morning while they are eating. The hike up the side of the hill is worth taking at sunset. Really loved the energy here.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. sojodave would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 3 0
Stayed 2 nights in a tent during October. Bison, prairie dogs, coyotes and other wildlife abound. The site is fairly large, no real defined campsites, just setup where you wish in the center of the loop (or the equine area). Several picnic tables, a pair of vault toilets, some garbage cans, not much more to it. There are no open fires allowed, but do note you can use charcoal grills and camp stoves inside of the camping area. If you are relying on campfires for cooking you might want to bring one or the other.
Shortly after I got my tent setup a pair of bison passed right through the camping area (within 10 feet of my tent), do be respectful and not approach them. Along the road in to the camp you will pass several prairie dogs. When the sun went down the coyotes came out with howls coming from every direction. With no moon the stars were awesome, it did get a bit cool at night but that is to be expected in October.
The road in had a bit of washboarding but nothing too bad, but do take it slow, as I was leaving there was a road grader working on things. This is a site I will definitely visit again. Verizon had a somewhat weak, but usable signal, at least I was able to text, skype and a few webpages, I never tried a voice call.
Is this review helpful? 3 0
My boyfriend and I stayed here three nights during the last week of September 2015. It wasn't busy whatsoever yet that could be due to the fact that we stayed during the weekday. This is definitely, absolutely, and without a doubt the best free campsite I have ever stayed. There are two vault toilets in the area as well as plentiful picnic tables. The vista was a sight to wake up to as well as, oh yeah, the FREAKIN' BISON THAT ROAM RIGHT NEXT TO YOUR TENT! It was AMAZING! Everyone was extremely respectful and cautious of their distance to the enormous animals because the bison certainly could not give a damn. Hearing the coyotes yip in the night and the prairie dogs doing their thing was fantastic. If you ever have a chance to stay here, I highly recommend it. Yes it was windy, and yes it did get chilly at night, but that's what camping is about. oh, and it's free! Needless to say, I was sad to leave.
Is this review helpful? 2 0
I had a pleasant stay here a couple of nights ago having come in from the south (route 44 from Rapid City). The gravel road was very passable in any vehicle, but there was significant washboarding within the park that made the travel a little slower there. Be aware that it is more like 10 miles from a paved road than the 1 mile indicated in the description above. The gravel road is marked on a one page map from South Dakota vistor’s centers – this is an 8 ½” x 14” page with the Black Hills on one side and maps to Devil’s Head and the Badlands on the other side. There were many cars there when I arrived in the evening, but I still had plenty of room to set up my tent, and the area was surprisingly quiet for the number of people. If you want a covered picnic table, plan to arrive by mid-afternoon. By the time I left around 1:00 p.m., people were already starting to claim those tables for the next night. If you plan to get there later, bring something to sit on (chairs, blanket, etc.). For equestrian campers, there are several hitching posts, four pipe pens that will each hold one or two (maybe three) horses, and a water tank about a three mile ride away (directions at the camp). Vault toilets were exceptionally clean even before they were pumped and cleaned the next morning. Trash and recycling receptacles on site. NO WATER ON SITE. Buffalo are nearby (and have left footprints in the camping area when wet), so read the precautions when you arrive.
Is this review helpful? 2 0
Arrived at night in an 04 Toyota minivan in light rain. Road was recently leveled and was a pleasure to drive in (no clearance issues)
Awoke to an awesome panorama, a short climb to the hill on the right side of the CG entrance offers a really nice view. It was truly muddy though, the mud that adds pounds to your boots/shoes.
Plenty of space, clean, secluded, awesome.
Camped here in LATE MAY 2015, still free!
Is this review helpful? 2 0
A great site and a great place to stay whether visiting the Badlands or just passing through on I-90. It has about ten fabricated shades over picnic tables, but if you don't have one of these, shade is non-existent. Pleasantly unoccupied during the week, it does get quite busy on the weekends, so be aware! Also the 4-5 mile road in, while graded, can be wash-boarded in places. In mid-July, the sage is an almost fluorescent green, a stark contrast to the otherwise arid landscape.
Is this review helpful? 1 0
One of my favorite free tent sites. A quick (albeit) bumpy 30 minute ride from 190 for a lovely place to camp with the buffalo.
Is this review helpful? 1 0
This place is an awesome campground! I don't think it's possible for this campground to fill up. There's only about 12 of those wagon-tables, no water. But it's a huge loop that can fit a lot of cars and tents. It's absolutely free and in the Badlands National Park. I took the backroads from Mt. Rushmore (whatever diverts you south of Rapid City into the backroads) to Sage Creek road and saved about 30-40 minutes as opposed to driving up through Rapid City and taking the highway east. Also from this way when you enter the park you do not (at least not from my experience) have to pay an entrance fee since there is no official entrance gate to pass. I have a parks pass anyhow which I would recommend getting anyways because it's worth it. Here is a picture of what the campsite looks like: http://i.imgur.com/ZojGT9O.jpg 
Enjoy your stay here! I know I did. Beautiful sunsets, views of the beginning of the badlands, buffalo roaming right past you. Good stuff.
Is this review helpful? 6 0
I drive a Class C RV, but I do not have a towed vehicle. Can I leave a "Site Occupied" sign at my space so I can drive off premises to see the park, etc? Will be there on Mon Aug 18th. Thx!
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I stayed there 9/7/13. Some foolish campers pitched tent in the middle of the bison grazing area, and had to resort to climbing a tree. The loop has many nice sites with picnic tables and shade. No bison issues there. There were probably 20 vehicles, but there was plenty of room.
Is this review helpful? 4 0
A very good gravel road from the southwest. My 35' bus fit here no problem. Am posting this on Verizon 3G wireless. No wood gathering or open fires.
Is this review helpful? 7 0
perfect
exactly like a pay for campground. no bars for t-mobile. vault toilet that was very clean with trash and and recycling. picnic tables with pretty wooden shades.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. nesieberry would stay here again.
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