Picnic Spring Campground
Custer Gallatin National Forest
Write a Review Fuller Pass Rd. Ludlow, SD 57755 605-797-4432 Official WebsiteGPS: 45.8732, -103.4852
Overview of Picnic Spring Campground
This is bear country! Please follow bear safety and food storage requirements.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by camper-778328 on 8/10/2024
Longest RV Reported: 38 feet
Reported by PauHanaTravels on 7/25/2018
Number of Sites 8
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 3,248 ft / 989 m
Max Stay 14
Max Length 30 ft
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Picnic Spring Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 605-797-4432
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Reviews of Picnic Spring Campground 12 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 7 Users
Last reported 9/25/2024
Confirmed by 3 Users
Last reported 6/10/2021
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 7/25/2018
“Quiet and Spread Out ”
Reviewed 9/25/2024
| Days stayed: | 3 |
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Overall Rating
Small campground with super huge site that can accommodate any size rv once you get here. The roads in coming northbound on US85 (about 15 minutes from the US 85) are dirt but smooth until the last 1/2 mile before the campground. Nothing bad just minor washboard. Once you get here, there are around 12 sites, most of which have a fire p... more
Small campground with super huge site that can accommodate any size rv once you get here. The roads in coming northbound on US85 (about 15 minutes from the US 85) are dirt but smooth until the last 1/2 mile before the campground. Nothing bad just minor washboard. Once you get here, there are around 12 sites, most of which have a fire pit and picnic table. Once you start to loop back past the restroom, those sites are along the cliffs so watch out if you have little ones. The sites are large and wide for the most part. Very quiet area when we were here. Water was tested as good to drink in 9/24 but you have to go down a steep trail to get to a pipe which provides the drip water. Recommend you plan in advance and bring water in. Had ten turkeys walk past our site and our dog loved it. Nice loop to walk around the campground and almost every site is spaced far apart. Been boondocking for 3 years full time and this is a really interesting spot to go to for several days or an overnighter.
Most sites were full when we got here on a Tuesday around noon.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A Jewel ”
Reviewed 8/10/2024
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 1 |
Overall Rating
We camped here 3 days and had the place to ourselves. There were vault toilets (super clean and well stocked). Sites were positioned on top of sandstone escarpment and here was a spring (water test by USFS indicated unsafe). The area was beautiful. Nearest town was Bowman ND. We loved wandering the campground area and taking in the ama... more
We camped here 3 days and had the place to ourselves. There were vault toilets (super clean and well stocked). Sites were positioned on top of sandstone escarpment and here was a spring (water test by USFS indicated unsafe). The area was beautiful. Nearest town was Bowman ND. We loved wandering the campground area and taking in the amazing landscape.
camper-778328 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Unexpected Scenery Not Far Off The Beaten Path Jayfeather Boondocks. ”
Reviewed 9/18/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
Overall Rating
I came here after work and arrived well after dark. I didn’t realize it was the first weekend of hunting and the campground looked full and I was expecting maybe one other person to be here. I drove around twice and noticed an opening in the weeds I stopped and looked and it was a campsite. I backed in set up and started looking around... more
I came here after work and arrived well after dark. I didn’t realize it was the first weekend of hunting and the campground looked full and I was expecting maybe one other person to be here. I drove around twice and noticed an opening in the weeds I stopped and looked and it was a campsite. I backed in set up and started looking around and was blown away even in pitch black no light. Definitely stop here even if it’s just as your driving past and have a look around. You don’t have to stay overnight worth the trip for the views alone. Jayfeather Boondocks.
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Verizon 4G
NDNomad would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful spot”
Reviewed 9/30/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
Overall Rating
Picnic springs campground has 9 sites and one day use area most sites are well spaced apart there are fire rings and picnic tables and two pit toiles there is a spring that says it was tested over the hill but if you need a lot of water may take awhile there is a well about a mile before you reach the campgrounds on the left hand side ... more
Picnic springs campground has 9 sites and one day use area most sites are well spaced apart there are fire rings and picnic tables and two pit toiles there is a spring that says it was tested over the hill but if you need a lot of water may take awhile there is a well about a mile before you reach the campgrounds on the left hand side of the road not sure who owns it maybe a rancher or that if it is safe to drink but good for dishes I did end up making coffee with it with no problems
Supertramp would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Easy access loop, quiet and scenic”
Reviewed 7/27/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| RV Length: | 31' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Stayed here in the summer of 2021 as an overnight in between Jewel Cave NM and Theodore Roosevelt NP. Stayed in a large site on the north end that was close to some cliffs where you could check out the views, relax, and watch the sunset. We had two picnic tables at our site, which was near the north pit toilet, and there were great tre... more
Stayed here in the summer of 2021 as an overnight in between Jewel Cave NM and Theodore Roosevelt NP. Stayed in a large site on the north end that was close to some cliffs where you could check out the views, relax, and watch the sunset. We had two picnic tables at our site, which was near the north pit toilet, and there were great trees available to hang hammocks. The kiddos were able to run around and have fun while the adults relaxed a bit. There is plenty of room between campsites so our generator usage didn't impact our neighbors. It's quiet, except for wildlife sounds and some cattle moving about, and we enjoyed our stay here.
We would definitely stay here again.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/custergallatin/recarea/?recid=60847
nVeeGreen would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful secluded camp site with mostly level sites and water available(sort of)”
Reviewed 6/10/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| RV Length: | 29' (Class C) |
Overall Rating
About six miles from highway 85 down an easy dirt road is one of the most beautiful and secluded campsites we've discovered. There are maybe 12-14 sites, almost all with picnic tables & fire rings, and a few even have little wood burning ovens (Something we've never seen at a campsite, another reviewer posted a photo of one) Most of th... more
About six miles from highway 85 down an easy dirt road is one of the most beautiful and secluded campsites we've discovered. There are maybe 12-14 sites, almost all with picnic tables & fire rings, and a few even have little wood burning ovens (Something we've never seen at a campsite, another reviewer posted a photo of one) Most of the sites are somewhat level, and with our leveling blocks we got almost plumb. Most of the sites are situated near the edge of the bluff that the whole campground sits on, with spectacular views down the 50-100 foot sandstone cliffs out across the forest and pastures below. Deer and many cows can be seen roaming below in the meadows surrounding the area. Two pit toilets are positioned at opposite ends of the loops, but we did not use them during our stay.
There is water, though it is unconventional and somewhat difficult to access. to the west of the first pit toilet is a small sign on the side of the road that simply says "WATER". Upon close inspection you will notice a footpath leading down into an overgrown gully. follow the meandering flagstone path down until you are just out of site of the road and you will stumble on a little gurgling spring! It is literally a pipe sticking out of the rocks. the water comes out somewhat slowly so you might need a bucket and a funnel to fill any water jugs or jerrycans you're using, and it will be tiresome to haul it back up the path to your campsite, but it is there if you really need it!
We would have stayed longer but it reached 90 degrees on our third day so we had to evacuate. We were the only occupants of the whole place for two of the three days, though some other reviews have said it gets quite crowded. We stayed Sunday to Tuesday so that may have had something to do with it.
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AT&T 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Very remote and very beautiful ”
Reviewed 6/7/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | NA |
Overall Rating
There was almost no one here so we could pick from almost all the spots. No trouble bringing a 23’ airstream up here, but it was about 10 miles of dirt roads and eventually some cool climbs up to the campsite which is nestled in a lightly wooded field at the top of a butte. The campsites were well-maintained, all have fire pits and e... more
There was almost no one here so we could pick from almost all the spots. No trouble bringing a 23’ airstream up here, but it was about 10 miles of dirt roads and eventually some cool climbs up to the campsite which is nestled in a lightly wooded field at the top of a butte.
The campsites were well-maintained, all have fire pits and even some sort of wood-burning stove along with a picnic table. There are a few sites that sit up on a cliff and are amazing.
Only noise was birds and deer. Stars were fabulous.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
ChuckE would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Unusual daytime flock of nighthawks wows camping family. ”
Reviewed 8/18/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Overall Rating
I concur with the former review: the cliff side surprise nature of this place requires those with children to either teach them well, so that they may heed your warnings not to approach a fifty plus foot drop surrounding most of the sites, or tie them to a tree to ensure their safety. Our 9 year old also crashed in the thick shale loop... more
I concur with the former review: the cliff side surprise nature of this place requires those with children to either teach them well, so that they may heed your warnings not to approach a fifty plus foot drop surrounding most of the sites, or tie them to a tree to ensure their safety. Our 9 year old also crashed in the thick shale loop that comprises this campground’s inner circle, resulting in the need for not one but two Star Wars band aids, fashioned into an X shape like old Pop Eye cartoons.
Beyond that, and despite the fact that seventeen minutes out it seems implausible that a National Forest could exist here, this remote little campground was full save for one space at 5:30 on a Saturday in August.
We scouted the road—not on Google Maps—which leads beyond the campground’s entrance, and though the roads were clearly real and not incredibly difficult to navigate in a van (for a large RV, this would not be the case, and certain death is likely), and even despite finding a spot with a campfire ring, the tall grass made it undesirable to stay there. Not to mention the actual Picnic Springs Campground is apparently free this year. We looked all over and saw no signs asking for payment, no campground host, and no iron ranger.
Though we snagged the last spot, they’re mostly all spaced very far away from one another, 1/8th of a mile apart at times even. Cell service came briefly and went, and though the sound of generators humming all night was not exactly quiet, the multitude of Northern Plains Nighthawks and enough Milky Way to fill every Saturday morning cartoon bowl of cereal on the planet made up for it.
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Verizon 4G
Nathan @ Wand'rly would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful, quiet and serene. ”
Reviewed 10/30/2019
| Nightly rate: | $5 |
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| Days stayed: | 0 |
| Site Number: | ? |
Overall Rating
Beautiful place. Quite a few camp spaces near to drop off of cliffs. I thereby would recommend that it’s not so outfitted for children. Sufficient, plenty of room to back in your rv, nicely set up with picnic tables, bench, stove and fire pit. Some bathrooms throughout and plenty of hiking trails to explore. Bring a coat-gets pretty wi... more
Beautiful place. Quite a few camp spaces near to drop off of cliffs. I thereby would recommend that it’s not so outfitted for children. Sufficient, plenty of room to back in your rv, nicely set up with picnic tables, bench, stove and fire pit. Some bathrooms throughout and plenty of hiking trails to explore. Bring a coat-gets pretty windy up there.
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Verizon 4G
The Vilhauers would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great spot !”
Reviewed 9/8/2018
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
It was a great spot! We arrived at night. The unpaved road is super easy. You have plenty of space on your campsite, with a fire pit, a table and a space for the tent. Not crowded at all. The place is very beautiful.
Lise 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
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- restrooms: vault
Pets
- pets
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