Dalton Lake Campground
Dalton Lake Campground sits next to the 2.8 acre Dalton Lake and offers nearby access to fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and a variety of motorized recreation opportunities. Explore the dozens of miles of nearby trails or simply relax and enjoy the lake and nearby Little Elk Creek. The campground offers 11 sites and a picnic area nestled into the Ponderosa Pines of the Northern Black Hills. Whether you are looking to take some time to relax or looking for an adventure, the seclusion of Dalton Lake Campground offers an ideal experience for almost any explorer.
More like this: reservable in South Dakota · big rigs in South Dakota · pets allowed in South Dakota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 10 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
10 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 25 | No / – | 8 / – | Yes | |
| 3 | 45 | No / – | 8 / – | Yes | |
| 4 | 30 | No / – | 8 / – | Yes | |
| 5 | 35 | Partial | No / – | 8 / – | Yes |
| 6 | 50 | No / – | 8 / – | Yes | |
| 7 | 50 | Partial | No / – | 8 / – | Yes |
| 8 | 30 | No / – | 8 / – | Yes | |
| 9 | 30 | No / – | 8 / – | Yes | |
| 10 | 25 | No / – | 8 / – | Yes | |
| 11 | 30 | No / – | 8 / – | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 55 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | $24.00 / Night for single campsite. $5.00 / Day Use Fee |
• Standard Nonelectric Campsites • Restrooms • Group Picnic Shelter
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Black Hills National Forest |
| Fees | Regular Season: $24/night --- See Off-Season Information |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Sturgis, I-90 exit 32 take Vanocker Canyon Hwy south for approximately 12.5 miles to Dalton Lake Road. Dalton lake is a gravel road. Take Dalton Lake Road east for 3.7 miles to Dalton Lake Campground. The Campground and lake will be on the left-hand side of the road.
| Coordinates | 44.2310° N, 103.4750° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Jack's Campers ↗ | 3.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | The Rooster ↗ | 15.4 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 22.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
CampgroundViews.com - Dalton Lake Campground Nemo South Dakota SD Forest Service
Worth a stop
- 0.2 miDalton Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 3.3 miSouth Boxelder Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 10.3 miVeterans Point Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 10.3 miVeterans Point Fishing Pier ↗Fishing site
- 11.5 miPactola South Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miDalton Lake Shoreline Trail ↗0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miCentennial on Northern Hills ↗38.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 2 more
- 0.2 miCentennial 0891.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 0.4 miPied 2921.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.8 miPied 2911.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.5 miPied 2902.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.2 miDalton Lake Trailhead ↗Black Hills National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Black Hills National Forest.
- inBlack Hills National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,537,116 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Sturgis Water Works Company Supply Works SiteHistoric district · Sturgis · 9.2 mi
- John Hill Ranch–KeltomakiBuilding · Brownsville · 9.6 mi
- Galena SchoolBuilding · Galena · 10.8 mi
Natural features
Dalton Lake Campground sits at just under 4,400 feet elevation and is surrounded by tall peaks and beautiful Ponderosa Pine forest. Little Elk Creek feeds into Dalton lake and continues it’s meandering journey through large boulders and winding canyons east toward Piedmont, South Dakota. The lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, managed by South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks.
Recreation
Dalton Lake Campground provides extensive opportunities for access to outdoor recreation. Try fishing from the several piers surrounding Dalton lake, explore a portion of the 111 mile Centennial trail that runs adjacent to the campground or hop on your dirt bike, ATV or side by side to adventure through the dozens of nearby OHV trails.
Guidebooks for South Dakota and camping across the country
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Dalton Lake Campground?
Sites at Dalton Lake Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Dalton Lake Campground?
$24.00 / Night for single campsite. $5.00 / Day Use Fee
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Dalton Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Dalton Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Dalton Lake Campground have?
12 sites, including 10 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Dalton Lake Campground?
The longest site here provides 55 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Dalton Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Dalton Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Dalton Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Dalton Lake Campground?
Dalton Lake Campground provides extensive opportunities for access to outdoor recreation. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Dalton Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Boxelder Forks Campground (3.8 mi), Roubaix Lake (9.9 mi), and Bear Gulch (11.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby