I can't remember the name of the campground but it is on the west side of town up the road to the dirtbike track. Of all the times I have been this one fits the bill now. I stayed at the chip and its ok but wouldn't stay there again. Stayed at Bear butte and would't stay there again. Glenco is out too. There are probably other good ones and opinions on all so just my opinion and no you don't need reservations. You will find something. Good luck. If you want to hang out look for the Red ultra. Oh ya there are probrbly 10000 of those haha. Colorado Plates Black bushtec long beard, oh ya there are probably 10000 of those too. good luck and just talk to anyone everybody is pretty easy goin and will let you tag along

 

Yup, thats Hog Heaven. It just past the dirt track and the hill race track were the Gypsy riders use to race. I believe thats what got Sturgis started?

 

Lamphere Ranch is great. It has shade, you can probably still get reservations, it is right accross road to the south of Full Throttle Saloon. There is "da bus" which will take you back and forth from the Throttle all night for donations. Quieter than most campgrounds at Sturgis but you can always find a party.

 

No Name City is my choice...

tiled showers and bathrooms
24hr snack bar
pool and two hot tubs
bus service to town and concerts

Been there '06, '07, '08, 09 and going again this year.

Same exit as the Veterans Cemetery just South of town

 

I think I am going to do HH this year. 30 bucks a night. I will only be there two nights, so that isn't too bad. I guess I will have to bring my tent, sleeping bag, and flashlight.

 

Don't even think of Glencoe or the Chip. You'll spend all your time coming and going to both as they are on a 35mph road that's always jammed in the evenings due to Buffalo Chip concerts. Best bet is between Rapid City and Sturgis. Elk Creek campground is 11 miles from Sturgis. Exit 46 and about 2 miles from Interstate 90 in Piedmont.

 

I didnt know how hard it would be to get a site to stay so I got one at Shade Valley camp ground seemed realy nice. Rented two camp sites from Tuesday through Saturday night. A buddy of mine got a Hotel room in Belle Fourche SD. We will stay the night at the camp site on Tuesday night only. So if anybody would like to have the rest of the days dirt cheap let me know. I paid 215.00 for both will let the rest go for 125.00. Check out there web site Shade Valley camp ground.

 

Glencoe is fairly quiet "if" you stay in the tent camping area only. It's away from party cnetral but close enough to the action and Full Trottle or the Chip. Ya, the crowds can be a pain but after awhile you learn the side streets to bypass 75 percent of heavy traffic.
Since it's your first time you will want to see and do it all. The crowds is part of the Sturgis action for first timers.