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Camping in Spearfish canyon or Custer state park on the off season.

Original Post
Justin Frandsen · · Gordon, NE · Joined Dec 2020 · Points: 0

I was looking at taking a trip to South Dakota in May but I found out that most campsites open after when I was planning. What are the rules to staying in campsites when no host is around? Also what's some of the best black hills climbing during spring?

Jake wander · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 195

I “camped” in my van on one of the many pullovers on the dirt road that leads from spearfish to the rod and gun campground without any issue.

I’ve also camped (with tent) at the free climbers camp right next to Rushmore.

In may I’ve climbed in spearfish and up in the Sylvan lake area (conn diagonal, cathedral spires) but it was memorial weekend not beginning of may. 

Zack Wrangler · · North Dakota · Joined Oct 2019 · Points: 0

Wrinkled rock climber camp is usually a pretty safe bet. 

Stan Lajoie · · Spearfish, SD · Joined Mar 2016 · Points: 0

There's a free Meadow in Spearfish Canyon up Hannah road, past the paid campground but be respectful and don't have fires.

Garrett Hopkins · · Baraboo, Wi · Joined Feb 2018 · Points: 80

The meadow down the road from Hanna Campground is really nice and you can get water from the campground itself. Also walking distance to a nice little crag up the road 


Edit: At the Hannah Campground there is an “iron ranger” with slips to pay for camping if you choose to stay there. May have a camp host at that point though. 

Travis Bieber · · Fort Collins · Joined Sep 2015 · Points: 1,216

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/blackhills/recarea/?recid=25863

The Hanna Campground is open one week before Memorial Day through one week after Labor Day. NOTE: Walk-in tent sites are open year-round.

I believe the Rod & Gun and Timon campgrounds are "open" year-round, no-host at those sites but the Hanna campground is closest to the best climbing in the canyon. 

The city of Spearfish has a campground that's $25 for primitive but has water and showers. 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Wyoming, Montana, Dakotas
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