Is Big Sioux Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Big Sioux Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Big Sioux Campground?

Big Sioux Campground is open Open year-round. Showers, flush toilets, and some water systems may be closed Oct 1–Apr 30; vault toilets remain available.. 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 Big Sioux Campground?

Yes, Big Sioux Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Big Sioux Campground have?

Big Sioux Campground has 49 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Big Sioux Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Big Sioux Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Big Sioux Campground?

Big Sioux Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Big Sioux Campground?

Popular activities at Big Sioux Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Big Sioux Campground

4.51

158 reviews

Top 10% in SDWinter

Seasonal ranking by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

B+Report Card

Quick Facts

1,299 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

49 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

ElectricShowers

Book on SouthDakotaStateParks Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Quick Facts

1,299 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

49 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

ElectricShowers

Book on SouthDakotaStateParks Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Big Sioux Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

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South Dakota State Parks

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Big Sioux Campground

43.5839, -96.5990

Nearby places

Brandon (a few miles), Sioux Falls (nearby)

Nearby supplies

Brandon, SD (groceries, fuel, dining)

Weather at Big Sioux Campground

Best Time to Camp at Big Sioux Campground

Spring and fall bring the campground to life with mild temperatures and stunning seasonal colors—think golden cottonwood leaves and fresh spring greenery. Summer heats up with water activities and bustling campsites, perfect for families making the most of long, warm days on the river. When winter settles in, the crowds disappear and the trails transform into peaceful corridors for snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Just keep in mind that modern amenities like showers, flush toilets, and potable water typically close from October 1 through April 30, so plan accordingly for off-season adventures.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring brings fresh greenery and mild temps; trails and wildlife viewing highlighted.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round. Showers, flush toilets, and some water systems may be closed Oct 1–Apr 30; vault toilets remain available.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

About Big Sioux Campground

Escape to Big Sioux Campground, where towering cottonwoods and riparian forests create a shaded riverside retreat along the Big Sioux River. Just minutes from Brandon and Sioux Falls, this woodland sanctuary offers something for every outdoor enthusiast—from paddling and fishing to disc golf and archery—all connected by miles of scenic trails.

A developed state recreation campground with electric RV/tent campsites and a small number of rentable cabins (about 49 campsites and 3 camping cabins reported).

Historical Significance

The recreation area lies along the historically important Big Sioux River corridor; campground sources refer to regional history interest but do not document specific historic structures or interpretive features at the campground.

Weather and SeasonsSpring and fall bring the campground to life with mild temperatures and stunning seasonal colors—think golden cottonwood leaves and fresh spring greenery. Summer heats up with water activities and bustling campsites, perfect for families making the most of long, warm days on the river. When winter settles in, the crowds disappear and the trails transform into peaceful corridors for snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Just keep in mind that modern amenities like showers, flush toilets, and potable water typically close from October 1 through April 30, so plan accordingly for off-season adventures.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Natural Features and SceneryNestled in the Big Sioux River floodplain, the campground feels like a hidden oasis beneath a canopy of mature cottonwoods, maples, and pines. Dense shrubs and towering junipers provide welcome shade at most sites, while the river murmurs nearby. Wind your way through the woods on paved and natural trails, or test your skills on the 18-hole, 2.5-mile disc golf course that weaves through gently rolling terrain and diverse woodland landscapes. Whether you're seeking a shaded retreat or an open grassy spot, the mix of wooded and open sites means you'll find your perfect riverside basecamp.

Geological RegionBig Sioux River floodplain / Big Sioux River valley

Scenic ViewsMany sites and trails offer direct river views and wooded trail vistas framed by tall cottonwoods and mixed hardwoods; open picnic areas provide grassy views with the river as a backdrop.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsUseDirect (state park reservation system)

Total Campsites49 campsites

Best CampsitesNo site-by-site rankings are provided. General guidance from campsite descriptions: riverfront sites likely offer the best scenic views and quick access to paved riverside trails and fishing; interior wooded sites offer more privacy and wind protection.

Need help booking Big Sioux Campground?

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When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Seasonal modern restrooms and showers, year-round vault toilets, potable water in the main season, and electric campsites. No Wi‑Fi reported; no explicit information on dump stations, picnic tables, or fire rings.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Vault toilets

Cabin Lodging

I manage this campground

Things to do at Big Sioux Campground

Wide range of activities including hiking and paved riverside/bike trails, disc golf, archery, canoeing/kayaking and fishing on the Big Sioux River, birdwatching, and winter uses such as snowmobiling and snowshoeing.

Hiking4.0/5

Fishing4.0/5

Biking4.0/5Top 11% in South Dakota

Paved riverside bike trails and miles of scenic paths suitable for cycling.

Boating4.0/5

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Riparian woods, mature cottonwoods and shrubs support birdwatching and wildlife viewing.

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Direct river views, tall cottonwoods, fall colors and wooded trails offer strong photo subjects.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsThe campground is on a river floodplain and can be affected by rising Big Sioux River waters; visitors should monitor weather and flood advisories and avoid flooded areas.

Cell CoverageSpecific carrier‑by‑carrier data is not reported in the camping sources, but several hints are available: - The campground is on the **edge of Brandon and near Sioux Falls**, both urban areas with generally strong regional cell coverage.[2][4] - A TripAdvisor reviewer notes **no Wi‑Fi or cable TV**, and mentions some over‑the‑air TV reception and that heavy tree cover can limit satellite reception.[5] This implies reliance on standard cell networks for data. Given its proximity to Brandon and Sioux Falls (inference based on regional coverage patterns): - **Major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T‑Mobile)** are likely to have usable 4G/LTE coverage in most areas of the park, though reception may be weaker or more variable in heavily wooded or low‑lying spots near the river. Because no source directly measures cell strength, campers should assume **generally good but not guaranteed coverage** and download maps or trail info offline beforehand.

Trip Planning Tools

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

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Good to know

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, and timing, compiled by Outdoorithm from public reviews and operator information.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.5

158 reviews

Top-Rated

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

Overall very positive reviews praising shaded, well-maintained riverside campsites, an extensive trail system, and a variety of on-site activities; close proximity to Brandon and Sioux Falls is frequently noted.

Review Summaries

Based on 158 reviews

What Campers Love

Beautiful, shaded campsites along the Big Sioux River; strong trail network (paved riverside paths and wooded trails); disc golf and archery amenities; cabins available; convenient to Brandon/Sioux...

Based on 158 reviews

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Big Sioux Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

South Dakota State Parks

Provider

Go if

Paved and natural trails, river fishing, and a wooded site work best for you here. Fall is the sweet spot, and cabins plus RV, tent, and electric sites make it easy to match your setup.

Skip if

No Wi-Fi, seasonal restroom closures from Oct 1 to Apr 30, and some weak satellite reception under the trees make this a poor fit for remote work or anyone who needs full amenities in winter.

Nearby Campgrounds

Tucked along the winding banks of Split Rock Creek, Palisades Campground offers front-row seats to some of South Dakota's most dramatic geological wonders—towering pink quartzite cliffs that glow in the shifting light. Whether you settle into a creekside campsite or cozy cabin, you'll find yourself minutes from scenic trails that wind past King and Queen Rock viewpoints, all while staying conveniently close to Garretson and Sioux Falls for supply runs.

Big Sioux Campground

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Big Sioux Campground

Campground Map

Weather at Big Sioux Campground

Best Time to Camp at Big Sioux Campground

Planning Tips

About Big Sioux Campground

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Big Sioux Campground?

Amenities available

Things to do at Big Sioux Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

How campers graded it

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Ask Camp Sage about Big Sioux Campground

Best Time to Camp at Big Sioux Campground

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Big Sioux Campground?

Amenities available

Things to do at Big Sioux Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love