Top Camping Spots In The U.S.: South Dakota And Minnesota

If you're looking to enjoy some of the top camping experiences in America, you won't have to travel far.

Camping app The Dyrt scoured reviews from its vast community of users to rank the ultimate American campgrounds for its list: 2025 Best Places to Camp: Top 10 in the U.S., and a South Dakota and Minnesota location each landed in the Top 5.

South Dakota's Best

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The Mount Rushmore State is represented at number five by a place that's actually not a traditional campground, but rather a 'dispersed camping area'.

It's called 'The Wall', and what it lacks in services (there are none), it makes up for in breathtaking views of Badlands National Park.

Located just north of the Pinnacles Entrance Station, off a dirt road a bit north on Highway 240.

Not only is the scenery spectacular, but wildlife encounters are quite common with bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and prairie dogs.

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So, what will this once-in-a-lifetime experience set you back? Absolutely nothing, it's free!

Minnesota's Best

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The North Star State's gem is at number three overall.

Nestled in the shadows of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is Shipwreck Creek Campground, which features 46 drive-in sites with electric hookups for just $20-$35 per night.

The campground also has 20 sites for backpackers and kayakers, roughly two miles from the parking lot. But don't worry about hauling your gear all that way; campers can use provided wheeled carts to transport their stuff to and from their site.

DYRT'S 2025 BEST PLACES TO CAMP IN THE U.S.

Lost Lake Campground — Gunnison National Forest — Colorado
Sandy Springs Campground — Ohio
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground — Minnesota
Alabama Hills Recreation Area — California
The Wall — South Dakota
North Rim Campground — Grand Canyon National Park — Arizona
White Star Campground — Pike-San Isabel National Forest — Colorado
Scoria Pit — North Dakota
Town Hall Road — White Mountain National Forest — New Hampshire
Copper Falls State Park Campground — Wisconsin

LOOK: 10 Reasons to Visit the South Dakota Badlands

Returning from a weekend trip to Rapid City, South Dakota for state basketball tournaments we decided to visit the Badlands National Park.

A quick turn-off I-90 will take you into some of the most awe-inspiring scenery.

It's also fun to note that several big-screen movies were filmed in the Badlands. Dances With Wolves, Starship Troopers, Armageddon, and most recently, Academy Award winner, Nomadland.

It's a spectacular park with tons to do. If you're setting out on a hike, bring lots of water and sign the hikers' logs at the trailheads. It could save your life. It's a tough place to survive.

Here are 10 facts about the Badlands:

Gallery Credit: Danny V

Standing Where South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota Meet

Wanna stand in three states at once? You can do just that at the Tri-State Iron Monument just outside the city of Valley Springs, South Dakota.

It's a simple monument, but it's neat to know so much history lies in the area. You just have to know where to look.

Gallery Credit: Andy Gott

5 Things South Dakota Gave the World

South Dakota may not get much respect. We get a blizzard and it's a footnote on the national scene, but if Florida gets a bit chilly it's breaking news. But, maybe it's fine to be forgotten about. We kind of like being left alone on our quiet piece of the plains.

South Dakota has given a lot to the world though. Not just giant mountain carvings and settings for HBO shows, but awesome things that the rest of the world should thank us for.

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns