French Creek Camping Area
4.3120 reviews1801 Highway 18 Bypass Hot Springs, SD 57747
Quick Facts
Price
Free
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
10 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsQuick Facts
Price
Free
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
10 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsFrench 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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00
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USFS
Provider605-745-4107null
What Campers Say
4.31
Recommended
Based on 20 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."
Fees & Passes at French Creek Camping Area
Free
Campsite fees
Standard Site
Basic tent/RV spot
Stay Limit: Maximum of 14 days.
Cancellation: null
Prices verified November 17, 2025
Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Fall River Ranger District website.
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.
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.
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.
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Campsite details
AccessibilityAccessibility features are not documented in the authoritative source or user reviews.
Sites 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.
Sites 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 CampsitesSet up tents in shaded areas; grassy areas have more space but are less shaded and may have cattle droppings.
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 are 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.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round.
Reservation Platformsnull
Walk-in AvailabilityAvailable, lightly visited, and seldom fully occupied as noted by user reviews.
Cancellation Policynull
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.
Hiking
Day 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 viewing
Wildlife 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
No winter-specific recreational activities such as cross-country skiing or snowshoeing are mentioned.Water Sports
The campground does not support water sports activities like kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are allowed
- Dry camping; fire pits available but subject to seasonal restrictions as noted by users.
- Quiet hours are 10 PM to 6 AM.
Hazards
General hazardsRoads 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.
Weather at French Creek Camping Area
48
°F
Dec 7
Sunday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Humidity: 51%
Moderately humid conditions
Wind: 5.4 mph
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Clear sky
Weather History
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Emergency Services
Fall River Ranger District Office, 1801 Highway 18 Bypass Hot Springs, SD 57747; Phone: 605-745-4107.
Good to know
Peak season datesnull
Trash and 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.
Proximity to water featuresAdjacent to French Creek, which is often dry; no potable water available.
Common complaintsSmall fenced camping area; no potable water; occasional drone activity; wasps; slick roads when wet.
HostNo specific host details provided other than positive maintenance reviews like 'Dave does a hell of a job keeping the place up.'
Campground Map
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
Reviews from booking and map sources
4.3
20 reviews
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 20 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 20 reviewsShow more
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 20 reviewsShow more
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 20 reviewsShow more
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 20 reviewsShow more
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 20 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
Reviews do not specify particular campsite numbers but do emphasize the cleanliness and maintenance of the campground.
Based on 20 reviewsAccessibility Features
Accessibility features are not mentioned in reviews by users with disabilities.
Based on 20 reviewsPet-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 20 reviewsCamper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
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Last updated November 17, 2025
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