KOA Campgrounds in South Dakota

Nine years ago my family had our first Adventure Awaits: Enjoy 10% Off 500+ Campgrounds with KOA Rewards“>member, you automatically save 10% every day. As members, staying at a KOA campground makes it an easy choice for my family, especially since they are family-friendly.

Camping at KOA Mitchell, South Dakota

The first campground we booked was in Mitchell, which you likely know is home to the roadside attraction, the Corn Palace. This location is classified as a Journey. We noticed the large playground first which was followed by the friendliest team. KOA employees guide every trailer or RV to their spot in a golf cart to ensure the travelers end up in the right place and in the correct direction. What was shocking was that we pulled into our camping spot and the trailer was leveled. There were no adjustments to be made. We pulled in and set up. That was it. It was glorious!

The other highlight of this specific property was the renovated bathrooms. Imagine you just had a home bathroom renovation. It was that nice. The showers were new, modern, and sparkling clean. We unhitched and ventured the few miles into town to eat dinner, and tour the Corn Palace and, of course, purchase the famous popcorn balls. We then returned to the camper and had a nice, quiet evening.

Badlands – White River KOA

Our second salad in the camper, the two of them opted for the on-site walk-up restaurant which offers burgers, fries, and onion rings. After dinner, the kids rode fun recumbent-style bikes around the campground. The giggles still echo in my mind.

Northern Lights at Badlands KOA

As dusk set in, the stars were already starting to reveal themselves. “Hmmmm. I wonder if the Northern Lights will put on a show tonight?” I thought. I looked at my “Aurora Now” app and sure enough, scientists were predicting the aurora borealis. It ends up that a severe G4-class geomagnetic storm was detected. By 9:15 PM, a pink and purple tint was showing in the northern sky over the campground.

Over the next hour, I quietly tipped-toed around the campground taking photos of the glowing sky which has turned green further north. Constellations, like the Big Dipper, were displayed in all their glory. Best of all, I captured pictures of our Airstream with the aurora borealis as the backdrop. While there were a few lights from the campground, as expected, the light pollution in the region is minimal, making for a stunning view. You can see more photos here.

Whether you pull a trailer, drive an RV, or just want to experience the great outdoors without a camper, check out a KOA, especially in South Dakota. You will enjoy it.