Hartford Beach State Park South Dakota (SD) RV Rentals
RV Rentals Dates
Home / National & State Park Guides / State Parks / Hartford Beach State Park
Looking for RV rentals, camper van rentals or travel trailer rentals near Hartford Beach State Park?
Introduction
Hartford Beach State Park is a fantastic destination for RV camping enthusiasts. Its location on the shores of Big Stone Lake provides a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance. The park’s history dates back to the early 19th century when it was a site of Dakota Indian encampments. Today, visitors can still see remnants of this rich cultural heritage, including burial mounds and artifacts. The park’s most distinctive feature is its picturesque sandy beach, which is a rarity in this part of South Dakota. The beach was formed by the waters of Big Stone Lake, which is itself a product of glacial activity. Over time, the waves have eroded the shoreline, creating the stunning sandy beach that attracts visitors from all over the region. RVThereYet is an RV rental company, offering a diverse fleet of motorhomes, including Class A, Class B, and Class C Rentals, Travel, Trailers, and Motorhomes for unforgettable adventures in scenic RV parks and campsites in Hartford Beach State Park. Ensure early reservations for camper rentals at Hartford Beach State Park.
RV Rentals in Hartford Beach State Park
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Coupon Code: RVTHEREYET - 10% Off
Transportation
-
Driving/Transportation
Hartford Beach State Park offers two entrances for private vehicles both accessible via Highway 12. RV renters should take note that some park roads are narrow and winding so it’s crucial to drive cautiously. There are no restrictions on rig sizes making it easy for visitors to bring their RVs and enjoy the park’s scenic beauty and recreational activities.
-
Parking area
Recreational vehicles are welcome at the park but they must adhere to certain guidelines. RVs can park in designated areas throughout the park but overnight parking is only allowed in designated campsites. Camping with an RV can be a great way to explore the park and using alternative transportation methods can enhance the experience.
-
Public Transportation
Visitors to the park have several options for getting around. Shuttle buses and walking paths are available for those who want to explore without driving. The shuttle buses run on a regular schedule and make stops at key locations throughout the park. Walking paths offer a more leisurely way to take in the scenery and they are accessible from many of the park’s campsites and picnic areas.
Top Campsites in Hartford Beach State Park
-
Reservations camping
The most popular campgrounds near Hartford Beach State Park that require reservations are This scenic campground is located just a few miles from the park and offers 75 sites for tents RVs and trailers. It’s open from May to October and is pet-friendly. Amenities include showers flush toilets a playground and a dump station. Activities include fishing hiking and swimming. RVs and trailers up to 40 feet are permitted. With 80 sites for tents RVs and trailers this campground is located on the shores of Lake Herman and is open from May to September. It’s pet-friendly and offers amenities such as showers flush toilets and a boat ramp. Activities include boating fishing and hiking. RVs and trailers up to 35 feet are permitted. Located about 30 minutes from Hartford Beach State Park this campground offers 120 sites for tents RVs and trailers. It’s open from May to October and is pet-friendly. Amenities include showers flush toilets a swimming beach and a playground. Activities include boating fishing and hiking. RVs and trailers up to 45 feet are permitted. This campground is located about 45 minutes from Hartford Beach State Park and offers 99 sites for tents RVs and trailers. It’s open from May to September and is pet-friendly. Amenities include showers flush toilets and a swimming beach. Activities include boating fishing and hiking. RVs and trailers up to 30 feet are permitted.Pioneer Campground
Lake Herman Campground
Oakwood Lakes State Park
Roy Lake State Park
-
First-come first-served
If you’re looking for first-come-first-served camping options near Hartford Beach State Park here are a few options Located on the Missouri River this campground offers 40 sites for tents and RVs. It’s open from May to September and is pet-friendly. Amenities include vault toilets and a boat ramp. Activities include boating fishing and hiking. RVs and trailers up to 30 feet are permitted. This campground offers 25 sites for tents and RVs on a first-come-first-served basis. It’s open year-round and is pet-friendly. Amenities include vault toilets and a picnic area. Activities include hiking and horseback riding. RVs and trailers up to 30 feet are permitted. With 120 sites for tents and RVs this campground is located on the shores of Lake Thompson. It’s open year-round and is pet-friendly. Amenities include showers flush toilets and a boat ramp. Activities include boating fishing and hiking. RVs and trailers up to 45 feet are permitted.Farm Island Recreation Area
Sica Hollow State Park
Lake Thompson Recreation Area
-
Alternate camping
If the campsites inside Hartford Beach State Park are full here are some alternative camping options nearby This private campground is located about an hour from Hartford Beach State Park and offers full hookups for RVs and trailers. It’s open year-round and is pet-friendly. Amenities include showers laundry facilities and a swimming pool. Activities include mini-golf a jumping pillow and a dog park. This state park offers backcountry camping for tents only. It’s located about 45 minutes from Hartford Beach State Park and is open year-round. Amenities are limited but the park offers hiking trails and fishing opportunities. This campground is located on the shores of the Big Sioux River and offers 69 sites for tents and RVs. It’s open year-round and is pet-friendly. Amenities include showers flush toilets and a boat ramp. Activities include boating fishing and hiking. RVs and trailers up to 45 feet are permitted.Sioux Falls KOA
Split Rock Creek State Park
Big Sioux Recreation Area
-
General activities
Hartford Beach State Park is a haven for RV campers who love outdoor activities. Here are some popular options listed in order of popularity With miles of scenic trails hiking is a favorite activity at Hartford Beach State Park. The trails offer beautiful views of the lake forest and prairie and they range from easy to challenging. The most popular trail is the Big Stone Lake Trail which runs along the lake and offers stunning views of the water and surrounding landscape. The park has several miles of paved and unpaved bike trails that are perfect for RV campers who love to cycle. The trails wind through the park’s forests prairies and wetlands and they offer a variety of challenges for riders of all levels. The most popular trail is the Lake Shore Trail which runs along the lake and offers breathtaking views of the water. Hartford Beach State Park is a popular destination for RV campers who love to fish. The park has several fishing piers as well as boat rentals so anglers can fish from the shore or from the water. The lake is home to a variety of fish including walleye northern pike and bass. The park has a large sandy beach that is perfect for swimming sunbathing and picnicking. The beach is staffed by lifeguards during the summer months and it offers a variety of amenities including changing rooms showers and a concession stand. For RV campers who love a good treasure hunt Hartford Beach State Park offers several geocaching options. Geocaching is a modern-day scavenger hunt that uses GPS devices to find hidden caches. The park has several caches hidden throughout the park and they offer a fun and challenging way to explore the area.Hiking
Biking
Fishing
Swimming
Geocaching
-
Alternative activities
. If typical outdoor activities aren’t your thing there are still plenty of reasons to visit Hartford Beach State Park in your RV. Here are some alternative options listed in order of popularity The park offers several scenic overlooks as well as a historic lighthouse and interpretive center. The lighthouse which dates back to the 1800s offers stunning views of the lake and surrounding area and the interpretive center provides information on the park’s history and ecology. Hartford Beach State Park is home to a variety of wildlife including deer foxes and birds. The park’s wetlands and forests are especially popular with birdwatchers who come to see the park’s many species of waterfowl and songbirds. The park offers several picturesque spots that are perfect for taking photos. The most popular spot is the lighthouse which offers stunning views of the lake and surrounding landscape. Other popular spots include the beach the fishing pier and the park’s many scenic overlooks. The park has several picnic areas as well as grills and picnic tables so you can enjoy a meal in the great outdoors. The beach and the scenic overlooks are especially popular picnic spots. The park’s remote location and lack of light pollution make it an ideal spot for stargazing. The park hosts several stargazing events throughout the year and visitors can also enjoy the night sky on their own.Sightseeing
Nature Watching
Instagram-Worthy Photo Opportunities
Picnicking
Stargazing
Season-specific experiences in Hartford Beach State Park
-
Spring activities
. In the spring Hartford Beach State Park is a popular destination for RV campers seeking recreational activities and landmarks. Visitors can explore the beautiful hiking trails such as the Big Sioux River Trail which offers breathtaking views of the river and surrounding forest. Another popular activity is birdwatching with over 200 species of birds calling the park home. The park’s historic Anderson Cabin is also a must-visit showcasing the area’s rich history and providing a glimpse into the life of early settlers. For those looking to relax the park’s sandy beach is the perfect spot to soak up the sun or take a refreshing dip in Lake Madison. Lastly the park’s annual Spring Fling event is a hit among campers offering a variety of activities including live music games and food vendors.
-
Summer activities
When summer rolls around Hartford Beach State Park becomes a hub of activity for RV campers. Boating and fishing are popular pastimes on Lake Madison with the park offering boat rentals and a fish cleaning station. The park’s disc golf course is another favorite among campers with 18 holes that wind through the beautiful forest. For history buffs the nearby Fort Sisseton Historic State Park is a must-visit offering a glimpse into life on a 19th century military fort. The park’s beach is also a popular spot for swimming sunbathing and building sandcastles. Lastly the park’s annual Summer Festival is a highlight of the season featuring live music food and activities for the whole family.
-
Fall activities
As the leaves begin to change color and the air turns crisp Hartford Beach State Park becomes a popular destination for RV campers looking to enjoy the beauty of fall. One popular recreational activity is hiking the park’s many trails which offer stunning views of the fall foliage. The park’s most famous trail is the Big Stone Lake Trail which winds through the forest and along the lake’s shoreline. Another popular fall activity is fishing in Big Stone Lake. The lake is home to a variety of fish including walleye northern pike and bass. RV campers can fish from the shore or rent a boat from the park’s marina. Visitors can also learn about the area’s history by visiting the Historic Log Cabin which dates back to the 1800s. The cabin is furnished with period pieces and offers a glimpse into life in the past. For those looking for a unique fall activity the park offers horseback riding through the forest. The park’s stables offer guided trail rides for all skill levels. Finally no visit to Hartford Beach State Park in the fall would be complete without a trip to the park’s Apple Orchard. Visitors can pick their own apples and enjoy fresh cider and donuts.
-
Winter activities
When the snow starts to fall Hartford Beach State Park transforms into a winter wonderland. One popular winter activity is cross-country skiing on the park’s groomed trails. The park’s ski trails offer a variety of difficulty levels making it a great destination for both beginners and experienced skiers.
Another popular winter activity is snowshoeing. The park offers several snowshoe trails including the popular Big Stone Lake Trail. Snowshoeing is a great way to explore the park’s winter scenery at a slower pace.
Visitors can also enjoy ice fishing on Big Stone Lake. The lake is known for its excellent ice fishing with many anglers catching walleye northern pike and perch.
For those looking for a unique winter activity the park offers snowmobiling. The park’s snowmobile trails offer miles of scenic views and the chance to explore the park’s winter landscape.
Finally no visit to Hartford Beach State Park in the winter would be complete without a trip to the park’s warming house. The warming house offers a cozy place to warm up and enjoy hot chocolate or a snack.