Dispersed Camping in Buffalo County, South Dakota
Showing 4 locations in Buffalo County.
Left Tailrace Campground (USACE)
A well-maintained Army Corps of Engineers campground located along the scenic Missouri River below Big Bend Dam. Offers level, paved sites with electric hookups, picnic tables, sunshades, and a nearby boat ramp.
North Shore Recreation Area
This developed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground offers spacious campsites adjacent to the Missouri River. The facility provides basic amenities including pit toilets and trash dumpsters, though water spigots are currently inactive. Access involves a minimally maintained dirt road with some potholes, but it remains passable for most passenger vehicles. Visitors should expect some local drive-through traffic and high insect activity during warmer months.
Old Fort Thompson - COE
Once a maintained recreation area, this unmaintained Army Corps of Engineers loop now offers primitive, free dispersed camping along the river. Concrete pads from the old campground are still present but heavily overgrown with vegetation, and the access loop contains large potholes. Access is best achieved using the main dam road, as navigation systems may incorrectly route vehicles down closed roads near the dam. No services are available, making it suitable only for self-contained rigs.
Right Tailrace COE Area
A basic recreation access point located on the south side of the Big Bend Dam, primarily offering hike-in access with basic water and restroom facilities.