WELCOME

The South Dakota Campground Owners Association welcomes you to our professional trade organization’s website. If you’re seeking a South Dakota campground, glamping spot, or an RV park, please go to CampInSouthDakota.com.

SDCOA was created by campground owners for campground owners. We’re guided by a Board of Directors comprised of outdoor hospitality members from around South Dakota. Even our Executive Director is a former park owner.

We were established in 1972. Our programs are evaluated and modified annually. If you haven’t been a member recently then you might not realize what you’re missing!

MEMBERS, please use the login tab to access member-only information on our Hub (resources, discussions, Q&A forum, directories, etc.).

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • President Stephen Saint (Fort Welikit Campground in Custer)
  • Vice President Tim Schnabel (Hart Ranch Camping Resort in Rapid City)
  • Treasurer Bruce Aljets (Jellystone Park Sioux Falls)
  • Secretary Tyler Burr (Elkhorn Ridge Resort in Spearfish)
  • Director Carla Jacobsen (Rapid City / Black Hills KOA)
  • Director Elaine Zobel (Custer’s Gulch RV Park & Campground in Custer)
  • Director Ray Aljets (Jellystone Park Sioux Falls) (ex-officio)
  • Director Marvin Aga (Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance) (ex-officio)
  • Executive Director Mary Arlington (ex-officio)

AFFILIATIONS

We are active members of the Visitor Industry Alliance (VIA), and we have a seat on their Board of Directors.

We work closely with the South Dakota Department of Tourism

We enjoy great ties to each of the four regional tourism associations: 

  • Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association (on which we serve on their Board)
  • SD Missouri River Tourism Association
  • Glacial Lakes & Prairies Tourism Associations
  • Southeast SD Tourism Association

We are preferred partners with the American Glamping Association.

We are currently partnered with the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC). Outdoor Hospitality Members pay their dues to SDCOA, and can choose to also gain full membership in the national ARVC.

arvc_logo-Member_cmyk_PartneringState-NOCR_POY-2018 smaller

FYI: As of 11/7/2023, the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC) is now known as OHI (pronounced O-HI) (Outdoor Hospitality Industry). We encourage those who use the ARVC logo on their website, as door decals, or in any other place, to update it with the new one. It might take until spring for us to find and replace all references to its former name and logo. To read more about it, click here for the published press release.


SDCOA vs CAMP IN SOUTH DAKOTA

South Dakota Campground Owners Association logo

SDCOA is the name by which we discuss the association. The primary audience includes those in the outdoor hospitality industry, tourism industry, industry suppliers, and public affairs legislators and committees. Click here to see our Facebook posts

Camp In South Dakota logo

Camp In South Dakota is the brand through which we market outdoor hospitality (camping, glamping, RVing, cabins, etc.) in South Dakota. The primary audience is the outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy sleeping in an outdoors setting. Links:  website, Facebook page, Pinterest, and Instagram.  


NEED MORE?

Please check out the information throughout this site, and contact us if we can be of further assistance.