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The best camping near Black Hills National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Black Hills SD adventure.

98% (49 reviews)
98% (49 reviews)

Beyond Mount Rushmore, explore 1.2 million acres of forested mountains.  

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Community favorites near Black Hills National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Black Hills National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Black Hills National Forest

99%
(75)

The Wilderness

1 site ¡ RV, Tent80 acres ¡ West Pennington, SD
Learn more about this land:Tired of the city? Want to get away from people? This 80 acre site is perfect for getting away from civilization and experiencing nature as it was meant to be. Hike in the beautiful Black Hills or make the short trip to Lake Pactola for boating or fishing. If relaxing isn't your speed, take a bike ride on the Michelson Trail or travel one of the many off road trails nearby.
from 
$25
 / night
97%
(44)

Horse Creek Resort RV Sites

10 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents18 acres ¡ Rapid City, SD
theHCresort.com Centrally-located on 18 acres between two of the Hills’ largest and most beautiful lakes, and less than 15 miles from Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, Horse Creek Resort is the perfect creekside oasis for your next adventure. The resort is located off Highway 385, the main thoroughfare through the Black Hills National Forest, yet is peacefully nestled in a quiet valley, completely surrounded by national forestland with a tranquil year-round creek meandering throughout the property. Rock outcroppings, hiking trails and offroad trails are within footsteps of every cabin. The serene space is an outdoor sanctuary centrally-located within 20 miles of Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Needles Eye Tunnel / Highway, and Black Elk Peak. Your adventure will also take you near Hill City, Keystone, Custer, and Historic Deadwood. Drive a little further, and end up in Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Sturgis, or Devils Tower National Monument.
from 
$35
 / night
97%
(34)

Horse Creek Resort

24 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents18 acres ¡ Rapid City, SD
theHCresort.com Centrally-located on 18 acres between two of the Hills’ largest and most beautiful lakes, and less than 15 miles from Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, Horse Creek Resort is the perfect creekside oasis for your next adventure. The resort is located off Highway 385, the main thoroughfare through the Black Hills National Forest, yet is peacefully nestled in a quiet valley, completely surrounded by national forestland with a tranquil year-round creek meandering throughout the property. Rock outcroppings, hiking trails and offroad trails are within footsteps of every cabin. The serene space is an outdoor sanctuary centrally-located within 20 miles of Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Needles Eye Tunnel / Highway, and Black Elk Peak. Your adventure will also take you near Hill City, Keystone, Custer, and Historic Deadwood. Drive a little further, and end up in Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Sturgis, or Devils Tower National Monument.
from 
$38
 / night
93%
(200)

Custer's Last Chance Rv Park

32 sites ¡ RVs, Tents4 acres ¡ Custer, SD
Custer's Last Chance RV Park & Campground is about us and our dream come true. We spent 3 years putting a plan together so we could make the move to South Dakota. Finding the right piece of land wasn't easy and came with a few setbacks. We were lucky to find land in Custer with the French Creek running through the property. The creek features a couple of wide pools. The rest of the creek is fairly narrow with slow moving water. The kids will have a great time exploring the lower acreage. We plan to add new features & amenities to the park every year. Without you this dream wouldn't be possible. We hope you enjoy your stay!
from 
$25
 / night
100%
(7)

Naked Acres WY

4 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs20 acres ¡ Newcastle, WY
Naked Acres WY welcomes you with 20 private acres located in the heart of the Wyoming Black Hills! With a private pond fed by a natural cold water spring, cool off with a swim or paddle board, sit on the dock and watch the wildlife, or enjoy the prettiest sunset this side of Mount Rushmore! The property is bordered by 200 acres of Forest Service land that you get access to, perfect for our biking and hiking friends! We are located close enough to some beautiful tourist attractions, without being too close! 54 miles to Devils Tower for all of your climbing needs. 1 hour 20 minutes to Mount Rushmore. 1 hour to Hill City, SD 36 miles to Deadwood, SD 45 miles to Spearfish Canyon, SD Naked Acres WY also boasts some amazing wildlife year round including Wild Turkey's, Gosling Hawks, Deer, Elk, Mountain Lions, and tons of different butterfly, bird, and dragonfly species. A nature lovers dream! We can't wait to welcome you with our weekly community fire social around the fire pit!
from 
$35
 / night

Bearded Buffalo Resort

11 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents18 acres ¡ Custer, SD
Experience the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern comfort at Bearded Buffalo Resort. Nestled just 2 miles from the entrance to Custer State Park, our resort offers a tranquil retreat surrounded by the natural beauty of the Black Hills. Choose from four cozy short-term rental cabins, each thoughtfully designed to provide you with a comfortable and memorable stay. Whether you're seeking a romantic getaway or a family vacation, our cabins offer the perfect home base for your adventures. For those who prefer camping under the stars, we offer 35 seasonal and overnight full hook-up campsites. Set up your RV or pitch your tent amidst the scenic beauty of the Black Hills, and enjoy easy access to outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. At Bearded Buffalo Resort, we understand the importance of reconnecting with nature and escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you're exploring the trails of Custer State Park or simply relaxing by the campfire under the starry sky, our resort provides everything you need for a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation in the heart of South Dakota's wilderness.
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$50
 / night
100%
(1)

Black Hills Station

87 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres ¡ Piedmont, SD
Located in Piedmont, South Dakota, our campground is surrounded by the Black Hills! Whether you’re in South Dakota for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, visiting Mount Rushmore, or looking to reconnect with nature, we’re the perfect place to stay! We are home to the 46 Bar & Casino, and offer tent camping, RV camping, and have cabins all throughout our campground. Our RV spaces feature amenities such as full hookups (30- and 50-AMP), plus water, electricity, and sewer. Some of our on-site amenities are game machines and Wi-Fi. Located right off Interstate 90, there are many outdoor activities and nearby attractions for the whole family to enjoy – bicycling, hiking, and fishing to name a few! Or you can enjoy Rapid City and other nearby towns where there are many delicious restaurants, art galleries, national parks, and museums. We look forward to seeing you all soon!
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$29
 / night
100%
(252)

Bear Den Cabins & Camp

8 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents2 acres ¡ Hermosa, SD
Bear Den is a small camp with 3 Glamping Tents, 2 cabins and shower house. Outdoor spaces for relaxing. We are located approximately 5 miles from Custer State Park, 11 miles from Keystone the Gateway to Mt. Rushmore in the beautiful southern Black Hills. Cabins have electricity, our tents do not have electricity. All sites including bring your own tent sites have access to the shower house and outdoor grilling areas. Pick a spot to pitch your own tent, one tent per space. If you have 2 tents please book 2 sites. We have 3 spots cleared. Hang your hammock in trees around the property. This option includes all access to the shower house and outdoor grilling areas!
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$20
 / night
98%
(162)

Tent camping near a pine forest

14 sites ¡ RVs, Tents16 acres ¡ Custer, SD
Learn more about this land:These tent sites are located in a campground. While staying here you have access to free hot showers, flush toilets, a dish washing station, a charging stations for electronics, a game room and a laundry room.
from 
$27
 / night
Booked 4 times

Borderlands Ranch

6 sites ¡ RVs, Tents135 acres ¡ Hill City, SD
Borderlands Ranch, located on the Pe Sla, the heart of the heart of the sacred Black Hills of South Dakota, 16 miles from Hill City, near the tiny community of Deerfield. Homesteaded at the turn of the century, Borderlands offers a peaceful and nurturing environment amidst 135 acres of high prairie, forest and limestone cliffs.Many First Nations peoples consider the Black Hills to be the spiritual center of the universe. Various spiritual traditions reflect the belief that certain phenomena in the world, such as mist – which is neither air nor rain; dreams – which are not waking or sleeping; and mistletoe -which is neither tree nor plant, have special spiritual meaning. These are the "in between things" that are worthy of special reflection. The name 'Borderlands' comes the Celtic spiritual tradition and refers to the place where the earth meets the sky -where one entity encounters another. Considering reconciliation, we refer to the borderlands as the place where one part of the created order meets another, where different cultures meet -where we can break through the boundaries of our world and communicate with that which is beyond all that we have previously known. In the Black Hills, you will find the place where the prairie finally rises to meet the dark mountains that are the home of ancient spirituality and where together they join the sky.Thousands of acres are available for hiking and a 114-mile long rails-to-trails recreation trail can be reached just nine miles away. There is swimming, fishing and canoeing at Deerfield Lake, raspberry picking in August and horseback riding year around. Snow sports abound in the winter, including sensational cross-country and down hill skiing. Rock-climbing, trail rides and traditional horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides are available nearby. Badminton, basketball, volleyball, croquet, board games and horseshoes are available at the ranch.Borderlands Ranch, just one hour away from the Rapid City Regional Airport, offers small group space indoors with sleeping space for up to twenty people, or large group space camping outdoors. The facility includes the two bedroom, two bath, guesthouse with a galley kitchen, covered porch and deck. Guests also enjoy parts of the main house including the library, the Great Room with cathedral ceiling and wood-burning stove, a country kitchen, several decks and a hot tub. A turn of the century log cabin and corrals for your horses are also availableLearn more about this land:Tenting 1/2 mile from main,buildings; electrical outlet in nearby barn, cabins also available on 4000 acre prairie in the heart of the forest in Black Hills of SD. 1/2 hour from nearest town. Cafe 5 miles away. Elevation 6000 ft.3 Cabins also available to rent nightly offering bath, shower, and kitchen in one cabin.
from 
$20
 / night
100%
(1)

Bulldog Creek Campground

362 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents43 acres ¡ Sturgis, SD
Just 5 minutes from Sturgis, South Dakota, and nestled in the Black Hills is Bulldog Creek Campground. Exit 37 on Interstate 90 contains 43 acres of beautiful green grass, shade trees, and Bulldog Creek. The Campground houses 50 & 30 Amp Full Hookups, 30 Amp with Water only, 110-volt electric sites, and plenty of space for both tent campers and dry campsites. Bulldog Creek Campground is a Family Owned and Operated facility. Be sure you check out our Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Camp Site Rates. We pride ourselves on serving a top-notch Breakfast and a killer Supper during the Rally. Have friends stayed at a different campground? Bring them on over for one of our nightly specials as our Bar and CafĂŠ are open to the public! We are excited for you to experience the Bulldog and look forward to you staying with us! At our campground, you can enjoy RV Sites for all sizes of tents, campers and motorhomes, as well as, enjoy our home-cooked meals daily!
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$15
 / night
98%
(204)

Crow Peak’s Last Best Place

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents40 acres ¡ Spearfish, SD
We purchased this property in 1990, with no home or buildings on it. The trees were so little you could see OVER them!! We’ve since built our home and life here, as well as raised our family. We think our little corner of the world is perfect and just want to share it with others!!Nestled deep in the Black Hills of South Dakota, this camp site is sure to be a relaxing retreat!! With full hookups, and Spearfish just 10 minutes away, you’ll have all the amenities you need. Spearfish has plenty of restaurants, shopping and entertainment for the whole family. The Black Hills offers something for all ages. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a history buff, you’ll find your niche here. There are winter sports and gaming just 20 miles from camp in Deadwood. These campsites are quaint and clean for your perfect getaway!!
from 
$55
 / night

The best camping near Black Hills National Forest guide

Overview

About

Watched over by the four presidents of Mount Rushmore, Black Hills National Forest is South Dakota’s adventure playground. Explore 353 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails, leading through pine-clad hills and jagged canyons, or fish along 1,300 miles of mountain streams. Once you’ve visited the Crazy Horse Memorial, seen Jewel Cave, and marveled at the Cathedral Spires, take your pick of 30 primitive campgrounds or venture into the backcountry to pitch your tent beneath the stars. Better yet, join a summer moon walk to experience the forest on a night hike. 

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for equestrian campers: Iron Creek Horse Camp has nine tent/RV sites with corrals suitable for 2-3 horses.
  • Best for RV campers: Close to Jewel Cave, Comanche Park Campground can accommodate up to 60-foot RVs.
  • Best for visiting Rushmore: Horsethief Lake Campground has 22 tent and RV sites within two miles of Mount Rushmore.  

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. You can reserve campsites at the Black Hills National Forest campgrounds via the Recreation.gov website from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The rest of the year,  sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  2. Campsite reservations open six months in advance. 
  3. Campsites can book up as fast, especially on summer and holiday weekends. Book a minimum of three months in advance to avoid disappointment. 

When to go

Peak season at Black Hills National Forest is Memorial Day through Labor Day, when Mount Rushmore can get crowded—plan an early arrival to avoid crowds. Summer temperatures are slightly cooler in the hills, making this the ideal time for hiking and camping, while fall colors brighten the forest from late September through mid-October. Winter ski and snowmobiling season in the Northern Hills runs from December through March.

Know before you go

  • The forest is in southwest South Dakota, about a 10-minute drive from Rapid City. 
  • No admission fees are charged, but camping reservation fees, parking fees, and activity permits may apply.
  • Park facilities include restrooms, picnic areas, and day-use areas; bring everything else you need with you. Cell phone service is patchy.
  • Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the Black Hills, as long as you follow Leave No Trace principles and camp away from developed reservoirs and campgrounds. 
  • Accessible campsites, restrooms, and picnic areas are available.

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