French Creek Camping Area

4.33

72 reviews

1801 Highway 18 Bypass Hot Springs, SD 57747

Featured in:Primitive Camping South Dakota Camping Near Wind Cave National Park Spring Camping South Dakota +6 more

Quick Facts

2,910 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Fall River Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

2,910 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Fall River Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

French Creek Camping Area

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No fees are required for this site.

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

Get Notified When Available

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

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

USFS

Provider

605-745-4107null

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.33

Recommended

Based on 72 reviews

64 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietclean

Some mention

small

"User reviews indicate a varied experience at French Creek Campground, with highlights including its peace, cleanliness, rockhounding opportunities, and scenic beauty. Complaints were primarily centered around limited space, occasional noise from late-night campers, and lack of certain amenities like water and cell service."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

1801 Highway 18 Bypass Hot Springs, SD 57747

French Creek Camping Area

1801 Highway 18 Bypass Hot Springs, SD 57747

Driving directionsFrom Fairburn, South Dakota travel 11.4 miles east on French Creek Road. The entrance to the campground is located on the north side of the road on Forest Service Road 7055.

Travel can be difficult if the roads are wet; roads may become slick due to clay.

Nearby places

Fairburn, SD - 11.4 miles

Hot Springs, SD - null

Rapid City, SD - null

Nearby supplies

null

Best Time to Camp at French Creek Camping Area

French Creek welcomes adventurers throughout all four seasons, each offering its own unique charm. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, with gentle snowfall creating picture-perfect scenes (snow graces the area up to 13.69% of winter weeks). As spring arrives, the campground awakens with new life, leading into glorious summer days where temperatures climb to a comfortable 89°F under brilliantly clear skies – perfect conditions for agate hunting and outdoor exploration. During peak summer weeks, you'll enjoy over 90% clear skies, creating ideal conditions for stargazing and photography. Fall brings crisp air and golden hues to the surrounding hills, making it a photographer's paradise.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.5 / 5

Users report pleasant summer visits and good rockhounding; access generally good.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall noted as pleasant for rockhounding and wildlife viewing; scenic season.

Spring(Mar-May)

2.5 / 5

Spring access can be difficult when wet; creek may flow unpredictably.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Open year-round and scenic in snow, but limited winter-specific activities and possible access issues.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round.
Current Alerts: No active alerts were provided by official sources.

About French Creek Camping Area

Tucked away in a tranquil corner of South Dakota's rugged landscape, French Creek Campground offers an authentic back-to-basics camping experience for those seeking solitude and adventure. This intimate, developed campground invites you to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature's simple pleasures. Each site comes equipped with sturdy picnic tables and fire rings perfect for evening gatherings under starlit skies, while a clean vault toilet ensures basic comfort. What truly sets this destination apart is its proximity to the legendary Fairburn Agate Beds, where rockhounding enthusiasts can hunt for these prized gemstones just minutes from camp. Embrace the rustic charm of dry camping here – no electricity or running water means you'll experience the wilderness as it was meant to be enjoyed.

French Creek Campground provides primitive-style camping accommodations. It is primarily used for tent camping and dispersed camping within the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.

Historical SignificanceStep into a landscape rich with geological wonder, where every rock tells a story millions of years in the making. The nearby Fairburn Agates you'll discover aren't just beautiful stones – they're South Dakota's official state gemstone, formed over countless millennia and treasured by collectors worldwide. These distinctive banded gems have drawn rockhounds to this region for generations, creating a unique culture of exploration and discovery that continues today.

Weather and SeasonsFrench Creek welcomes adventurers throughout all four seasons, each offering its own unique charm. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, with gentle snowfall creating picture-perfect scenes (snow graces the area up to 13.69% of winter weeks). As spring arrives, the campground awakens with new life, leading into glorious summer days where temperatures climb to a comfortable 89°F under brilliantly clear skies – perfect conditions for agate hunting and outdoor exploration. During peak summer weeks, you'll enjoy over 90% clear skies, creating ideal conditions for stargazing and photography. Fall brings crisp air and golden hues to the surrounding hills, making it a photographer's paradise.

ElevationPerched at the gentle base of the Black Hills foothills, the campground offers the perfect vantage point where prairie meets mountain. This strategic location provides easy access to both the dramatic peaks above and the rolling grasslands below, creating a diverse landscape that changes with every glance.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground emerges like an oasis where the majestic Black Hills begin their rise from the prairie floor. Stately mature trees provide welcome shade and frame your camping experience, while expansive grassy meadows invite morning walks and afternoon relaxation. The surrounding barren hills reveal nature's artwork in exposed rock formations that have captivated geologists and casual observers alike. French Creek meanders alongside the campground, its seasonal flow creating an ever-changing backdrop – sometimes rushing with spring runoff, other times revealing a peaceful dry creek bed perfect for exploration and rock hunting.

Geological RegionDiscover a rockhound's paradise where the ancient Black Hills meet the Great Plains. French Creek Campground sits at this geological crossroads, where millions of years of Earth's history lie exposed in the surrounding hills and creek beds. The barren hillsides showcase layers of sedimentary rock, each band revealing a different chapter in our planet's story. French Creek itself has carved through these formations, exposing the treasured agates and other minerals that make this region famous among collectors. This unique geological setting offers endless opportunities for discovery, whether you're a serious rockhound or simply curious about the natural world beneath your feet.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Null

Check-out

Null

Stay Limit

Maximum of 14 days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutFenced tent camping area; grassy area without fencing available east of parking lot; hitching posts for horse campers.

Reservation Platformsnull

Walk-in AvailabilityAvailable, lightly visited, and seldom fully occupied as noted by user reviews.

Cancellation Policynull

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not documented in the authoritative source or user reviews.

Site SizeThe camping area itself is fenced in and described as primitive. Eddie Brewer comments that more room might be needed than the fenced-off area provides.

PrivacyUser reviews emphasize the campground's quiet and secluded nature. Brad Straw called it 'quiet, secluded, and majestic,' while Bobbi described it as 'beautifully maintained and surrounded by mature trees.

Total Campsites10 campsites

Recommended SitesSet up tents in shaded areas; grassy areas have more space but are less shaded and may have cattle droppings.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

French Creek Campground offers a range of outdoor activities primarily centered around rockhounding and exploring the Fairburn Agate Beds. Other recreational opportunities include day hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. Scenic beauty is a highlight for visitors, making it appealing for those seeking tranquility.

HikingDay hiking is available and mentioned in authoritative sources. Jim and Patti Herrington highlight good access for hiking in the area but note there are no trails.

Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is listed as an activity in the authoritative sources. Specific wildlife sightings are not detailed, but animals like cows were occasionally mentioned by users.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRoads can become slick due to clay after rain. Cattle occasionally wander through the grounds, and wasps have been noted by reviewers.

Active AlertsNo active alerts were provided by official sources.

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

Fire PolicyDry camping; fire pits available but subject to seasonal restrictions as noted by users.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10 PM to 6 AM.

Emergency ServicesFall River Ranger District Office, 1801 Highway 18 Bypass Hot Springs, SD 57747; Phone: 605-745-4107.

Trash & RecyclingThe campground does not provide details about trash and recycling facilities. Some reviews mention cows occasionally coming through the grounds, which might impact cleanliness for campers.

Water FeaturesAdjacent to French Creek, which is often dry; no potable water available.

Camp HostNo specific host details provided other than positive maintenance reviews like 'Dave does a hell of a job keeping the place up.'

Weather at French Creek Camping Area

Reviews

4.3

72 reviews

Recommended

French Creek Camping Area is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews indicate a varied experience at French Creek Campground, with highlights including its peace, cleanliness, rockhounding opportunities, and scenic beauty. Complaints were primarily centered around limited space, occasional noise from late-night campers, and lack of certain amenities like water and cell service.

Review Summaries

Based on 72 reviews

What Campers Love

Many users praised the campground's cleanliness, seclusion, and rockhounding opportunities. Brad Straw described it as a 'quiet, secluded, and majestic little campground,' while Becca Goettl called...

Based on 72 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the lack of potable water, limited space in the fenced area for camping, occasional noise from other campers, and unnerving incidents like a drone circling the campsite...

Based on 72 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips include bringing your own water and GPS for hiking due to the lack of trails, being cautious about wet roads leading to the agate beds, and expecting occasional cow visits as mentioned by...

Based on 72 reviews

Seasonal Insights

French Creek Campground is open year-round, with user reviews indicating pleasant experiences in summer and fall for rockhounding and wildlife viewing. Access difficulties are noted during wet...

Based on 72 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. Brad Straw: 'The beauty of the surroundings here can only be foreshadowed by endless rocks and minerals just waiting to be discovered.' 2. Eddie Brewer: 'My only complaint would be the camping...

Based on 72 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Reviews do not specify particular campsite numbers but do emphasize the cleanliness and maintenance of the campground.

Based on 72 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are not mentioned in reviews by users with disabilities.

Based on 72 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are permitted at the campground but must be kept on a leash within the fenced area as per official sources. No specific pet-related reviews were noted.

Based on 72 reviews

0 review