Nomad View Dispersed Camping
Buffalo Gap National Grassland
Write a Review Hwy 240 Wall, SD 57790 605-279-2126 308-432-0300 Official WebsiteGPS: 43.8931, -102.2385
Overview of Nomad View Dispersed Camping
Travel on designated roads only - these are indicated on the Grassland's MVUM (Motor Vehicle Use Map). You can get this map at the Wall District NFS office or on the official NFS website for free. Please read Dispersed Camping at Buffalo Gap National Grassland – What the Rangers Want You to Know.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: Boondocking 101.
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by jcvistait on 10/9/2024
Longest RV Reported: 44 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by West of Ordinary on 8/20/2022
Pad Type grass
Open Seasonally Yes
Elevation 2,985 ft / 909 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Nomad View Dispersed Camping
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 605-279-2126
JAMA Overland asked on 5/20/2020
Where is a good place nearby to fill up water tanks and dump waste? Any recommendations?
dedoug asked on 6/3/2020
Will my 16 ft travel trailer be safe there if I unhook her and go into Badlands NP? I will put a hitch lock on her.
SueT asked on 2/15/2020
Is there anything that might serve as a windbreak for a tent? Sites near rocks? A lone tree?
Wandering Pulse asked on 9/10/2019
I'm headed there in a few days (class C) and have read the reviews and studied the satellite map. I see one turn off ...
roadtrippers-sgeweh asked on 5/31/2024
If I’m van camping, how do I save where I’m camping should I go somewhere with the van?
camper-843786 asked on 7/5/2023
What are the chances of getting a campground in early August?
camper-640390 asked on 3/30/2022
Does the roads have a lot of ruts? Our pull behind is fairly low? Also has this place ever been packed out where you ...
SparV Adventures asked on 2/7/2022
Considering staying here in mid April. Anyone have experiences traveling into area during this time? Concerned with m...
Jake the Snake asked on 8/2/2021
Is this campsite accessible to standard passenger vehicles? i.e. a Prius? I plan to scout the road when I reach the g...
Sbmiller asked on 6/16/2021
Should I worry about all the campsites at Nomad View being filled upon arrival?
PineTreesAreDope asked on 5/23/2021
Going this weekend with my hatchback set up. I have a few questions:
-can I dig a hole for pooping? What do you reco...
Joe the Computerguy asked on 5/22/2021
Where is the closest place to dispose of garbage?
PineTreesAreDope asked on 5/19/2021
Nearby bathroom recommendations for this place for non-RV campers?
ellie asked on 2/4/2021
Hey y'all! I'm from AZ so I don't know much about snow but am traveling back to college and need to pass through SD,...
MadMigs asked on 12/23/2020
Can I "Save" a spot at Nomad View? We will be driving a Class C with NO toad, can we save a spot as we go to explore...
Chris asked on 8/9/2020
Can I get here with a rear-wheel drive vehicle? I am taking a road trip across the west in my Hyundai Kona and wonder...
felt0134 asked on 7/16/2020
Would it be realistic to camp without a tent at this site (just sleeping pad and bag)? Or would that be foolish. Pass...
Natalie asked on 7/1/2020
What about Pop Ups? I will be there Friday night and just curious how they do with this much wind. I've been looking ...
Jauton asked on 6/14/2020
First time RVing. Will this area be crowded late September? Do RVs get cold at bight like cars or do they hold their ...
Reviews of Nomad View Dispersed Camping 265 people have reviewed this location.
“Perfect Place For Easy NP Access”
Reviewed 9/4/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
This campsite was only a couple of minutes outside of the park. It had great views, a ton of room for camping (RV,trailer,van,tent,etc), and it was free!
Make sure you keep weight in your tent because the afternoons can get windy.
Mccracken_pnw would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Excellent View! No Reason To Stay Inside The Park When You Have This For Free”
Reviewed 8/28/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Stayed in a tent. Plenty of space, beautiful view, just outside the entrance of the NP. Excellent!
camper-780563 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing Views”
Reviewed 7/22/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
RV Length: | 31' (Fifth Wheel) |
It’s always changing here. We’ve been here for several nights and it’s been great. We came in on July 19. Make sure that you take the second road up by the twin towers. Watch the weather. As for the flies, they were annoying at times and other times they were ok. The wind has been just the right amount for most of time. We have seen th... more
It’s always changing here. We’ve been here for several nights and it’s been great. We came in on July 19. Make sure that you take the second road up by the twin towers. Watch the weather. As for the flies, they were annoying at times and other times they were ok. The wind has been just the right amount for most of time. We have seen the cows, but they have not been a bother. Just a few mosquitoes. There are more mosquitoes in the grassy areas. I can see how people may have different experiences depending on weather, etc. This is our second time here. Last year we were here in June and stayed 5 days. It was beautiful then too. We have a 32 foot fifth wheel. No problem coming up. I can see where the first road would be an issue - again, take the second road by the twin towers. If you turn right, there is enough room to turn around if you do not find space. The views are amazing. There is a trail on each end.
Most people are respectful. Some walk through campsites unfortunately. Most do not. Pick up your garbage. Be respectful of your neighbors when using generators.
Linda and John would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Badlands are cool, but the experience was not”
Reviewed 7/18/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Here are my main points of negativity: 1. The road in is treacherous for big rigs. The first entrance has a huge incline you simply cannot pull a rig up without 4wd. Our F450 dually even struggled with our 44' fifth wheel. The second entrance gets extremely rocky and bumpy. 2. The flies are insanely rampant. We put 3 fly traps up and c... more
Here are my main points of negativity:
1. The road in is treacherous for big rigs. The first entrance has a huge incline you simply cannot pull a rig up without 4wd. Our F450 dually even struggled with our 44' fifth wheel. The second entrance gets extremely rocky and bumpy.
2. The flies are insanely rampant. We put 3 fly traps up and caught about 30 flies in 1.5 days. There were swarms of hundreds outside our rig.
3. The thunderstorms are horrible. Wind nearly ripped our awning toppers off even with the sides closed.
4. The heat is unbearable and you can't use awnings because of aforementioned wind.
5. Cows are cute, but come and damage anything and everything they can get their mouths on. Prepare to get woken up at 6 am by them some days.
But the views are incredible. That's enough to justify a short trip here. The ideal setup for this is a vanlifer or very small camper. 4wd is almost essential.
Portal-to-Portal would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing Views!!!”
Reviewed 7/15/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | N/A |
This dispersed camping area has the most amazing views of any place we have ever stayed and is literally minutes from the Badlands Park entrance. The only negative, the mosquitos in July were horrible and it is windy up there. Make sure you have plenty of bug spray and don't put out your awning or rugs. I was a little afraid of the roa... more
This dispersed camping area has the most amazing views of any place we have ever stayed and is literally minutes from the Badlands Park entrance. The only negative, the mosquitos in July were horrible and it is windy up there. Make sure you have plenty of bug spray and don't put out your awning or rugs. I was a little afraid of the roads getting there, but honestly it was not bad and wide enough if we needed to pass another camper in areas. It was easy to find once you get off the exit at Wall Drugs. I agree with others to use the second entrance near the two tower poles even though it did have a good amount of pot holes. Once you get to the top at the "Y" you can either turn left along the ridge or turn right a short little path. If you turn right, there is a round about area to turn around at the end (as we were worried and did not go that direction because we were uncertain). If you are towing a vehicle, I might suggest unhitching at the Wall Drugs exit, drop your motorhome there for a few and drive up to check out the spots and roads.
thepiggs would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great views, but....”
Reviewed 7/10/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 14 |
RV Length: | 10' (Teardrop Trailer) |
I was here 14 days, 6/21-7/5. Like everybody has stated, the view is amazing. It's clean and usually spread out. Goes for a long ways. But I give it three stars only for what you have to endure during your stay; Storms...the storms here are BRUTAL! Two separate nights, severe thunderstorms ripped through here. And I mean severe. ... more
I was here 14 days, 6/21-7/5. Like everybody has stated, the view is amazing. It's clean and usually spread out. Goes for a long ways.
But I give it three stars only for what you have to endure during your stay;
Storms...the storms here are BRUTAL! Two separate nights, severe thunderstorms ripped through here. And I mean severe. One warning I received stated 90mph winds and I believe it. The valley was a light show and the rain lateral. Couple tents near me, and I felt so sorry for them to go through that. Then another late afternoon, hailstorm came through with strong winds. Quarter-size hail pounding into my trailer and truck. Came through once for close to ten minutes, stopped, another wave about 10 minutes later leaving my truck and camper damaged. You can't go by the forecast for this area because it changes constantly.
Sun...When the sun is out, it is hot if you don't have any shade. None is provided in the area. You need an awning, screen tent or a makeshift with a tarp. Hot.
Wind...it's always windy. Refreshing when in the sun, but if it's cloudy and the temps drop, it's unbearable.
Road...the dirt here is like a clay. After a storm, it's not mud, but a slippery clay. One class c I saw had to call a tow truck to winch them out from their spot. Wheels were just spinning.
All in all, it's a must stop for the view. Just be aware of the elements here.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Plenty Of Spots. But Crowded”
Reviewed 7/8/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
RV Length: | 34' (Travel Trailer) |
This is an epic spot. It has been on my bucket list. It was crowded but there are SO many spots we were able to get one right on the cliff. The road closest to Badlands pinnacle gate was closed it looked like they were regrading the road.
I+E would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Very Crowded”
Reviewed 7/8/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 14 |
I was here 3 years ago (2019) and I was one of only 3 or 4 campers. Today there are dozens of campers here. We were lucky to find a spot. Visible internet connection: 130mbps download, 9.93mbps upload. It’s a 5 star location but I only give it 4 stars because of the crowds.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Awesome Rugged Beauty!”
Reviewed 7/5/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Beautiful views! Pull-off sites are clean and mostly level. Nights are very peaceful - except for our first night when we were pounded by one of the fiercest storms we have experienced in decades, and we grew up in tornado alley. The road in is in relatively good condition - just watch for the low spots and the occasional rut or t... more
Beautiful views! Pull-off sites are clean and mostly level. Nights are very peaceful - except for our first night when we were pounded by one of the fiercest storms we have experienced in decades, and we grew up in tornado alley.
The road in is in relatively good condition - just watch for the low spots and the occasional rut or two.
Cell service was good enough to hold Zoom meetings.
Would definitely visit again if ever this way!
Sweet Life FL would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Best Free Camping”
Reviewed 6/30/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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RV Length: | 20' (Travel Trailer) |
Quiet area that could accommodate large and small rigs. AMAZING views! Boondocking only, no facilities at all. Storms can make the ground slippery. Don’t be surprised to see large herds of cattle grazing around the campsites.🐄
Josey_Wales would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Pets
- pets
Nearby
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