How much does camping cost at Picnic Spring Campground?

Camping fees at Picnic Spring Campground range from $3-$8/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Picnic Spring Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Picnic Spring Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. All sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; no reservation is required.

What is the best time to visit Picnic Spring Campground?

Picnic Spring Campground is open null. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Picnic Spring Campground?

Picnic Spring Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Picnic Spring Campground have?

Picnic Spring Campground has 8 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Picnic Spring Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Picnic Spring Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Picnic Spring Campground?

Picnic Spring Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Picnic Spring Campground?

Popular activities at Picnic Spring Campground include Hiking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Picnic Spring Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Picnic Spring Campground?

Fire policies at Picnic Spring Campground: Each campsite includes a fire pit, and wood for the fire is noted to be abundant by some users. However, official sources indicate that firewood is not provided.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.56

39 reviews

Scenic Views

Featured in:Tent Camping Montana RV Camping Montana Primitive Camping Montana +2 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

3,264 ft

Price

$3 - $8/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

8 campsites

Season

null

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Sioux District Office Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

3,264 ft

Price

$3 - $8/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

8 campsites

Season

null

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Sioux District Office Official Website

Get Directions

Picnic Spring Campground

$3.00 - $8.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The campground does not require reservations and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. While there is no specific fee for camping at Picnic...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider

(605) 797-4432null

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What Campers Say

4.56

Top-Rated

Based on 39 reviews

31 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewssceneryquietsites

Some mention

noise

"The campground is highly praised for its scenic beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and remote location. Common themes include the stunning sandstone formations, privacy of sites, and the natural surroundings. Some noted the lack of crowds, even during peak seasons."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Picnic Spring Campground

45.8736, -103.4842

Nearby supplies

null

Driving directionsFrom Ludlow, SD travel north 2 miles on Hwy 85 to Tufte Road. Turn left and continue for 4 miles and turn right continuing on Tufte Road. Go 1 mile and turn left on Forest Road 3114 (Fuller Pass Road). Go 1/4 mile and turn left on Forest Road 3123. Go 1/4 mile and turn right into Picnic Spring Campground.

The roads leading to Picnic Spring Campground include gravel roads, as described in the user reviews: "An absolutely wonderful free campground down a long, but good, gravel road." User reviews also confirm that these roads can accommodate larger rigs, suggesting good accessibility for most vehicles.

Best Time to Camp at Picnic Spring Campground

Summer delivers the warmest, driest conditions with daytime highs in the mid-70s to low-90s°F and nights cooling to the 40s-50s°F. Clear skies and long days make this the best window for hiking the cliffs and stargazing after dark. Wildfire restrictions can limit campfires during dry stretches. Winds pick up occasionally, and cooler temperatures arrive with weather systems. Mid-week visits offer the best chance of solitude, even though the eight sites rarely fill compared to larger campgrounds.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer noted as best window: warm, dry days and clear skies for hiking/views.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: null
Current Alerts: null

About Picnic Spring Campground

Picnic Spring Campground sits in the North Cave Hills Unit of the Sioux Ranger District with 8 sites spread across sandstone cliffs and Ponderosa pine groves. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. Fees run $3-$8 per night. The campground accepts tents and RVs, though sites are small and better suited to smaller rigs. Vault toilets are the only facilities. Bring all your own water; the on-site source isn't potable.

Picnic Spring Campground provides 8 primitive campsites suitable for both tent camping and small RVs. The focus is on providing a secluded and natural experience.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the warmest, driest conditions with daytime highs in the mid-70s to low-90s°F and nights cooling to the 40s-50s°F. Clear skies and long days make this the best window for hiking the cliffs and stargazing after dark. Wildfire restrictions can limit campfires during dry stretches. Winds pick up occasionally, and cooler temperatures arrive with weather systems. Mid-week visits offer the best chance of solitude, even though the eight sites rarely fill compared to larger campgrounds.

Elevationnull

Natural Features and ScenerySandstone formations tower around the campground, creating what visitors call "absolutely beautiful cliffside camping." The warm-toned rock layers frame clifftop vistas that glow at sunset. Ponderosa pines shade the sites and fill the air with their vanilla-bark scent. Wild turkeys wander through camp. The elevation sits at 3,264 feet. Despite the dramatic scenery, summer can bring wasps to the pit toilets, and grazing cows sometimes add noise to the otherwise quiet setting.

Geological RegionPerched within the remarkable North Cave Hills Unit of the Sioux Ranger District, Picnic Spring Campground showcases nature's artistry through its spectacular sandstone formations and clifftop vistas. This geological wonderland, where ancient rock layers tell stories millions of years in the making, offers campers front-row seats to some of the region's most breathtaking scenery. Towering Ponderosa pines frame the sandstone canvases, creating a landscape that seamlessly blends forest and stone into what visitors consistently describe as 'absolutely beautiful cliff-side camping.'

Scenic ViewsSeveral user reviews emphasize the scenic cliffside views, sandstone formations, and overall peaceful surroundings. One user described it as "absolutely beautiful cliff-side camping," while another noted "great views and nice scenery."

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style or alternative accommodations are offered at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are offered.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Null

Check-out

Null

Stay Limit

The campground has a 14-day stay limit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Most reviews indicate campsites with picnic tables and fire pits, suggesting enough space for typical family camping setups.

Groups

Group camping is not available at this campground.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe 8 sites spread far enough apart that you won't hear or see neighbors. Each sits beneath Ponderosa pines with room for tents or smaller rigs. One reviewer mentioned "room for bigger rigs," but specifics on maximum lengths aren't available.

Reservation PlatformsThe campground is managed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis; no reservation is required.

Cancellation PolicyNo reservations are accepted, hence no cancellation policy applies.

AccessibilityAccessible toilet facilities are available at the campground.

Site SizeThe campsites are small and suitable for tents or smaller rigs. "Room for bigger rigs" was mentioned by a reviewer, but specifics on maximum sizes are not provided.

PrivacyCampsites are well-spaced, providing ample privacy. A reviewer noted, "Spots are far enough apart, you will not hear or see your neighbors.

Total Campsites8 campsites

Recommended SitesUser reviews suggest choosing campsites with shaded areas and picnic tables for the best experience.

Amenities available

Picnic Spring Campground is a small, peaceful location offering 8 campsites. Accessible facilities include a toilet, but there is no trash pickup or firewood available. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis and enforces a 14-day stay limit. The campground provides a minimalistic experience in a serene, remote setting.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The campground is set amidst beautiful sandstone formations and Ponderosa Pines, offering opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, and enjoying the scenic surroundings. Some reviews highlight the quiet and remote nature of the campground as perfect for relaxation.

Hiking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsUser reviews caution against drinking the water from the nearby spring and note the presence of wasps in the pit toilets.

Active Alertsnull

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Flush ToiletsNo flush toilets are available at Picnic Spring Campground.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyEach campsite includes a fire pit, and wood for the fire is noted to be abundant by some users. However, official sources indicate that firewood is not provided.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are null

Emergency Servicesnull

Trash & RecyclingNo trash pickup services are available. Campers must pack out their trash.

Water FeaturesThe campground features a spring located down a trail, approximately 50 yards from the campsites. However, reviews advise against drinking the water from the spring.

Camp Hostnull

Cell CoverageCell phone service is not mentioned in the source materials, suggesting it may be unreliable or unavailable in this remote location.

Weather at Picnic Spring Campground

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.6

39 reviews

Top-Rated

Picnic Spring Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground is highly praised for its scenic beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and remote location. Common themes include the stunning sandstone formations, privacy of sites, and the natural surroundings. Some noted the lack of crowds, even during peak seasons.

Review Summaries

Based on 39 reviews

What Campers Love

- "Most beautiful campground ever... quiet, overlooking cliff views." - "Well laid out campground with 8 sites." - "Absolutely beautiful cliff-side camping." - "Fire pit and picnic table at each site...

Based on 39 reviews

Common Concerns

- "No one else here mid-week in August. Don't drink the water and watch for wasp in the pit toilets." - "Lots of noise from cows." - "Vault toilets had wasps nearby." - "Very isolated nature might...

Based on 39 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

- Bring your own drinking water as the available water is not potable. - Avoid the pit toilets if wasps are a concern. - Campers should pack out all trash due to the lack of trash pickup services. -...

Based on 39 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground remains uncrowded even during peak camping months like August, making it an ideal location for those seeking solitude. Mid-week visits are particularly quiet. Summer months bring...

Based on 39 reviews

Camper Quotes

- "Highlight campout of our week of road trip and car camping." - "An absolutely wonderful free campground down a long, but good, gravel road." - "Nice free camp with a couple pit toilets. Water is a...

Based on 39 reviews