Dirt camping at it's finest. Dusty, dirty and muddy.
There are a lot better places to camp in Sturgis.

 

I stayed at Lamphere's a couple of years ago. It was 80 bucks for 3 nights tent camping. The rules about liquor and weapons are state laws, not specific campground rules. That said, I stopped in Rapid City and got a bottle or two for the night and carried while riding and i never had my bike searched, nor was I frisked. The chip is a different animal so ymmv.

 

This isn't what you asked but I'll throw it out there anyway. My camping group stayed at the Katmandu campground when we all when up. We didn't want all the noise of the "Chip" campgrounds. We rode all day and just wanted a place to drink a beer and sleep. They do have a bus so you can get into town and not worry about having to ride back to camp. Unless you want the whole Buffalo Chip experience, I'd bet that Katmandu would serve pretty well.

Ride Safe

David

 

 

 

Definitely looking for the buffalo chip experience, not just a place to pitch a tent. For those who are kinda hating on this place, have you ever stayed there?

Since I bought the passes, I’m now committed, as they are non-refundable. Now I’m a bit nervous on my decision. I guess if it sucks that bad, I can set up somewhere else, but still have access to the venues. (Probably won’t, but I guess it’s an option)

 

didnt mean to sound so negative...i just turned 49 and honestly was checking out the website because i was thinking about it too....was just surprised about the prices but actually $55 a day aint that bad, hell tickets for a show cost that much and you dont get to camp. Hope its fun.

 

Camped at the Chip in 14 in toy hauler. They searched the trailer when we registered. We had heard they would, so left 4 beers in the fridge and acted surprised when they searched and confiscated. (We had 8 bottles of booze and 3 cases hidden which they did not find, nor did they find our guns.) They stopped our bike the first two days when returning to camp to check for booze. It was not much of a search and would not have found a gun. Overall, the partying and bands were good: ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skinner, John Mayall, Train, Fla/ Ga, etc. But, it was a dirty dusty place, which was okay. After the rains, mud everywhere. Every dick in a 4X4 thought they were offroading by running up and down the dirt roads. End result was a mess. Would never camp there again.

 

I have stayed at the chip a couple of times. Once with my camper and once with just a tent. When my brothers pulled in with the camper they did search it for booze.

On my bike they looked in the saddle bags but not in my luggage.
The best part of the chip is the concerts other then that its pretty tame.

Its not a cheap place to stay but its ok if you like the bands playing.
The free showers can get busy and kinda funky. Consider paying extra for the pay showers especially if bringing a woman.

Most of the events there are lame except for the concerts.
We are going to stay in Rapid city this year.

 

No need to worry. I've camped at the Chip six different Sturgis trips and I've always had a great time. As Woody likes to say, you're paying for the concerts and entertainment, while the camping is free. If you're not into the concerts, than yes, from a camping perspective the Buffalo Chip is an expensive place to stay.