Accessible only to military personnel, retirees, and their guests, Ellsworth AFB FamCamp operates seasonally from mid-May through mid-October on the Air Force base near Box Elder. The campground offers full hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer connections, plus amenities including showers, restrooms, WiFi, and free laundry facilities.
Sites accommodate RVs up to 40 feet, with utilities positioned toward the front-middle of each space. Water pressure runs strong, prompting some campers to use pressure reducers. The older section features more generous site spacing and established trees, while newer areas pack sites more closely together with less shade. Cell coverage varies by carrier, with Verizon providing LTE service and T-Mobile offering weaker signals.
Base access requires coordination for larger rigs, particularly on weekends when commercial gate hours are limited. The visitor center can adjust barriers at the main gate for oversized vehicles when needed. "People are courteous and quiet," notes Justin C., though he warns the WiFi performs poorly for streaming or remote work.
The base commissary and exchange are smaller than typical installations, offering limited shopping options. For additional supplies or dining, campers can access campgrounds near Rapid City about eight miles away. Daily national anthem ceremonies add a military atmosphere to the stay.
Location
Private CampgroundEllsworth AFB FamCamp. is located in South Dakota
Directions
All RV's are REQUIRED to enter through the Commercial Gate. The route for the Commercial Gate from I-90 is well signed East bound traffic should exit at exit 63 and west bound traffic should exit at exit 67 urn south to Old US-14 From Old US 14, turn north onto Commercial Gate Road, which takes you directly to the gate . Once through the gate, Commercial Gate Rd becomes Ellsworth St; continue north on Ellsworth St to the stop sign LeMay Blvd. Turn right onto LeMay Blvd. Follow LeMay Blvd to Lincoln Drive (at the Shoppette/service station) and turn left onto Lincoln. The FamCamp will be visible in front and to the right of you.
Coordinates
44.15779800399495 N
103.07784924204847 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
Verizon5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
- Verizon5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 22 min from Rapid City, SD
- 3 hrs 57 min from Casper, WY
- 4 hrs 40 min from Cheyenne, WY
- 4 hrs 48 min from Bismarck, ND
