Picnic Spring Campground

About

Picnic Spring Campground sits in the North Cave Hills Unit of the Sioux Ranger District, approximately 8 miles west and north of Ludlow, South Dakota. The campground is nestled adjacent to beautiful woods and rocky, cliff-edged canyons, offering a remote camping experience in this lesser-visited corner of the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The campground provides 9 individual campsites and 2 group sites, all free of charge and available on a first-come, first-served basis with a 14-day stay limit. Amenities are minimal but include accessible vault toilets. A spring provides non-potable water that can be filtered or treated, but campers should plan to bring their own drinking water supply. There is no trash service, so all waste must be packed out. Parking spurs average 50 feet in length, accommodating smaller RVs and trailers. The campground operates year-round, though access is weather dependent and forest roads may become impassable during winter conditions. Day hiking opportunities are available in the surrounding North Cave Hills area.

Directions

From Ludlow, SD travel north 2 miles on Hwy 85 to Tufte Road. Turn left and continue for 4 miles and turn right continuing on Tufte Road. Go 1 mile and turn left on Forest Road 3114 (Fuller Pass Road). Go 1/4 mile and turn left on Forest Road 3123. Go 1/4 mile and turn right into Picnic Spring Campground.