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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Arlington, SD
28 campgrounds and RV Parks near Arlington, SD. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
28 campgrounds
1288 campsites
12 RVs available for delivery
From $16/night
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Best campgrounds near Arlington, SD
Campground 2 - Oakwood Lakes State Park
South Dakota (9 miles away)
$$$$$
(65 sites)
+7
Horse Camp - Oakwood Lakes State Park
South Dakota (10 miles away)
$$$$$
(6 sites)
+5
Campground 1 - Lake Poinsett State Recreation Area
South Dakota (12 miles away)
$$$$$
(83 sites)
+9
Lake Thompson Recreation Area
Lake Preston, SD (16 miles away)
$$$$$
(103 sites)
+7
Ingalls Homestead
De Smet, SD (20 miles away)
$$$$$
(4 sites)
+3
Lake Herman State Park
Madison, SD (26 miles away)
$$$$$
(72 sites)
+7
Walkers Point Recreation Area
South Dakota (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(43 sites)
+8
Pelican Lake Recreation Area
Watertown, SD (34 miles away)
$$$$$
(76 sites)
+6
Watertown Mobile Estates Campground
Watertown, SD (36 miles away)
$$$$$
(15 sites)
Sandy Shore Recreation Area
Watertown, SD (37 miles away)
$$$$$
(17 sites)
+5
Memorial Park Campground
Watertown, SD (39 miles away)
Stokes-Thomas Lake City Park & Campground
Watertown, SD (39 miles away)
Most common amenities
Grills Playground Tables Toilets Showers Pet friendly Dump station Firewood Hiking Trails
Campgrounds near Arlington, South Dakota
Arlington sits in South Dakota's glacial lakes region, a network of prairie lakes carved by retreating ice sheets. The town is a practical base for RV travelers heading to state parks and recreation areas along US Highway 81 and US Highway 14. Lake Poinsett Recreation Area, located about 14 miles northeast of Arlington, is the closest state-managed campground.
Most overnight options in the area are run by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. Oakwood Lakes State Park lies to the northeast near Bruce and is broken into sections, with Campground 2 and a small Horse Camp within walking distance of each other. Lake Thompson Recreation Area sits to the west near Lake Preston, and Lake Herman State Park is south near Madison. All are open year-round, with reduced services in the colder months.
Sites are generally electric-only with a shared dump station rather than full hookups. RV travelers should plan to fill water at central spigots and dump on the way in or out.
Things to do around Arlington
Water recreation drives most trips. Lake Thompson is one of the largest natural lakes in the state, and anglers target walleye, northern pike, perch and bass. Lake Poinsett is a comparable draw, with 16 miles of shoreline for boating, water skiing, swimming and fishing.
Oakwood Lakes State Park adds variety on land. The park has almost 5 miles of trails, a 9-hole disc golf course, a swim beach and 5 picnic shelters, plus a horse camp and an original settler cabin from the 1860s. Lake Herman State Park offers hiking through oak woodlands and prairie, and preserves an early log cabin listed on the National Register.
Families typically combine a beach afternoon with fishing, disc golf, or a stop at the Lake Poinsett Visitor Center and Museum.
Camping spots and RV parks near Arlington, SD
When to visit Arlington
- spring
March - May
55° / 32°F 58 mmThaw and mud; comfort stations reopen by May
- summer
June - August
81° / 59°F 88 mmPeak season; lakeside sites fill weekends 90 days out
- fall
September - November
55° / 34°F 45 mmCool nights; water systems shut off after October 1
- winter
December - February
27° / 9°F 16 mmCold and windy; water systems closed; ice fishing active
The main RV season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with July and August the busiest weeks. Warm weather from June through August draws the heaviest crowds to Lake Poinsett, Lake Thompson and Oakwood Lakes, so lakeside sites should be booked well ahead.
Shoulder seasons are quieter and often more comfortable for RV travel. Late May and September bring cooler nights, fewer bugs, and easier reservations, though water systems may already be shutting down in fall. Between October 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets and other water systems at Oakwood Lakes, Lake Poinsett and other GFP parks may be closed, while vault toilets typically remain open.
Winter is cold and windy on the open prairie, but ice fishing and cross-country skiing continue at Oakwood Lakes, Lake Poinsett and Lake Herman. Expect vault toilets only and self-contained rig setups during that stretch.
How to book campsites near Arlington
All South Dakota state park campgrounds near Arlington use the same reservation system operated by Game, Fish and Parks. Sites can be booked online at gooutdoorssouthdakota.com or by calling 1-800-710-2267. Individual campsites at Oakwood Lakes, Lake Poinsett, Lake Thompson and Lake Herman open 90 days before the arrival date at 7 a.m. Central. Modern lodging such as camping cabins and lodges can generally be reserved up to 365 days in advance.
A park entrance license is required in addition to the site fee. Daily and annual licenses can be purchased online in advance or at self-registration stations on arrival. Summer weekends and holidays fill fast, so plan to book the day the 90-day window opens if a specific loop or lakeside site matters.
What to expect on arrival
Most sites in the area are back-in with 30 or 50 amp electric service, a fire ring, and a picnic table. Water is available from central spigots rather than at individual sites, and each park has a dump station near the entrance. Comfort stations with showers and flush toilets operate from about May through September and close for the winter.
Expect open prairie exposure with pockets of shade. Lake Thompson sites sit close to the shoreline with limited privacy between campers, while Oakwood Lakes tends to be more wooded and Lake Herman mixes shaded and lakeside loops. RVs at Lake Poinsett Campground 1 are limited to about 60 feet.
Quiet hours generally start at 10 p.m. Cell coverage is usually adequate but variable at lakeside sites. Bring bug spray in early summer; mosquitoes are heavy after wet spells.
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Arlington, SD
How do I choose the right campsite for my RV?
Start with the practical stuff: site length, the hookups you need, and whether it's a back-in or pull-through. Camping conditions in the U.S. vary by region and elevation, so check the local season, road access, and reservation requirements before you book. Federal campgrounds use Recreation.gov and state parks each have their own systems. Learn more.
How much are RV campsites near Arlington, SD?
Campsite prices near Arlington, SD depend on the type of campground. State park sites typically run $20-$45 with hookups. Private RV parks in town often run $40-$100, with tourist-hub locations charging more. Nearby Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management sites are usually $10-$25, often without hookups.
Is there any free camping near Arlington, SD?
Free camping near Arlington, SD depends on what federal public land is in driving distance. Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land usually allows up to 14 days of dispersed camping at one spot. Check fire restrictions before you head out. Learn more about free camping.
Can I book a campsite through RVezy?
Not directly. RVezy doesn't handle campsite reservations, but each campground listing links to the operator's website or booking page when one's available.
What's the best time to go camping near Arlington, SD?
Camping near Arlington, SD works best in the shoulder seasons, with spring and fall hitting the sweet spot in most of the country. Summer is peak in northern climates; winter is peak in the southern and desert states. Local weather and elevation drive the specifics.
How far are RV campgrounds from Arlington, SD?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Arlington, SD. The closest are: {closestCampgroundsWithDistance(3)}. Most U.S. cities have a state park or private RV park within an hour's drive.
Where are dump stations near Arlington, SD?
Dump stations near Arlington, SD are usually at private RV parks and state park campgrounds, sometimes for a fee if you're not staying overnight. RVDumpsites.net maps the nearest options.
What's the best time of year to rent a RV in Arlington, SD?
Renting a RV in Arlington, SD works best in the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) across most of the U.S. Peak rental demand runs June through August nationwide, while the snowbird stretch from December through March drives winter demand in the southern states and southwest deserts.
What's the best time of year to rent an RV in Arlington, SD?
RV rentals in Arlington, SD peak from June through August when school is out. Shoulder months (April, May, September, October) usually have better availability and lower rates. Winter is high season for snowbird destinations in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and southern California.
Can I have an RV delivered to my home or campground in Arlington, SD?
Yes. Many RVezy hosts in the U.S. deliver and set up at your home, a campground, or a destination. It's especially useful for first-time renters and for trips into remote areas where backing in a big rig isn't fun.
Can the RV be delivered near Arlington, SD?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Arlington, SD at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.