Lake Camping Near Box Elder, South Dakota, US: 12 Best Lake Campsites 2025

Box Elder delivers over 460 lake-focused camping options, perfect if you want to wake up near the water without driving for hours. Expect campsites where swimming, fishing, and hiking are more routine than novelty. Top picks include Plenty Star Ranch Retreat (161 reviews), Horse Creek Resort RV Sites (137 reviews), and Black Elk Resort (61 reviews)—all well-tested by campers. You’ll find everything from basic clearings near shorelines to sites offering showers, campfire rings, and pet-friendly space. Prices average $65 a night, with some spots dipping as low as $40. If you want to cast a line at sunrise or take a dip at sunset, these sites put you right where you want to be.

96% (472)

Top-rated campgrounds

Box Elder delivers over 460 lake-focused camping options, perfect if you want to wake up near the water without driving for hours. Expect campsites where swimming, fishing, and hiking are more routine than novelty. Top picks include Plenty Star Ranch Retreat (161 reviews), Horse Creek Resort RV Sites (137 reviews), and Black Elk Resort (61 reviews)—all well-tested by campers. You’ll find everything from basic clearings near shorelines to sites offering showers, campfire rings, and pet-friendly space. Prices average $65 a night, with some spots dipping as low as $40. If you want to cast a line at sunrise or take a dip at sunset, these sites put you right where you want to be.

96% (472)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Lake Park Campground

100%

(9)

11mi from Box Elder · 66 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Colonial Pine Hills, SD

We look forward to serving you on your vacation! Located just minutes away from the entire Black Hills Area, our fully equipped vacation homes, cottages, and full-service RV sites will be your home away from home during your stay! For over 25 years, Lake Park Campground has taken pride in helping you create memories of a lifetime on our amazing properties. A recipient of Great Service Awards from the SD Department of Tourism for 25+ years, Lake Park will help make the most of your vacations with a unique combination of location, natural beauty, and convenience.

2. Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

93%

(281)

42mi from Box Elder · 35 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Custer, SD

Property description Our property is nestled between Hwy 385, the Mickelson Trail, and the National Forest. We are located between Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park along Hwy 385 and the Mickelson Trail; about 30 minutes from Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Mountain. The nearest towns with restaurants are Pringle, (2 miles S); Hot Springs, (24 miles S), Custer, (9.5 miles N).; Hill City, (24 miles N), and Rapid City, (50 miles N). The blacktop driveway grants easy access for every type of vehicle. A couple of ponds, creeks, and dispersed willow, pine, and aspen trees enhance the diversity and beauty of the landscape. It is peaceful here and we enjoy sharing it with our guests during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Plenty Star Ranch Retreat has our home, a big pole barn (RV storage), a garage/wood workshop with an attached restroom for all guests, a regular hot water shower cabin, 2 small home-built camping log cabins, 7 RV sites, 9 clearly marked tent and car-camping sites, and several water hydrants fed by our well, providing great quality drinking water. 2 pets maximum per campsite, no pets allowed when booking a cabin. Check-In is 2 pm to 9 pm; Check-Out is 10 am for the cabins and 11 am for all other sites.

3. Horse Creek Resort RV Sites

97%

(229)

22mi from Box Elder · 18 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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. There are 8 open creek side RV sites (Sites 1 -8). You will receive site assignment the day prior to your stay. *****NOTE: HWY 385 Road Construction***** South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) began Highway 385 road construction , which is the main highway that runs through the Black Hills, from Deadwood through Custer, in the fall of 2023. They recently just started construction along the section next to Horse Creek (fall of 2024), which will continue through summer of 2025. Please use the following link for any updates: us-385 dot com

4. Castle Creek Horse Cabins

36mi from Box Elder · 1 site · Lodging · Hill City, SD

Dry cabin rentals with access to kitchen and bath in main cabin. Electric for trailers with living quarters. Paddocks and/ small pasture. Ride from the property or trailer to one of many horse trails in the BlackHill, SD. 972-989-0840

5. Luxury RV Canyon Retreat

95%

(55)

41mi from Box Elder · 1 site · RV · Lead, SD

The property is one of the few rentals allowed in Spearfish Canyon. A NEW Post and Beam Pavilion for parking and picnics! An outdoor table and chairs under pavilion available for usage. Also NEW--horseshoe pits in meadow for your enjoyment. It sits besides an historic 95-year old log cabin. A guest house, Couples Canyon Retreat, sleeps 3, is also available for rent. Contact owner. Learn more about this land: All paved road to your private luxury concrete RV pad sitting at the entrance of beautiful Spearfish Canyon. Convenient location to all sites in SD Black Hills including Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish and one hour drive to Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore. Walking distance to a trout pond for fishing and Cheyenne Crossing for a delicious meal. Hiking and off-roading trails galore. Go to sleep hearing Upper Spearfish Creek across the road, with mountain views, deer and smell of fresh pine trees. Lead Country Club Golf course close by. New Post and Beam Pavilion available for parking and picnics.

6. Black Elk Resort

96%

(69)

25mi from Box Elder · 1 site · RV · Rapid City, SD

Black Elk Resort is one of the finest cottages and RV resorts in South Dakota, nestled in a beautiful wooded setting and only a short drive to Mount Rushmore. We feature 9 cottages sleeping 2 to 5 people, 8 Full Hook-up Pull-Thru 50 ft. RV sites with 30/50 Amp, picnic tables, & park style charcoal grills available for the ultimate RV experience. Whether taking advantage of our cottages, RV sites or the Palmer Creek Taproom, our long list of amenities are available for your use and enjoyment. We are proud of our family-oriented reputation and continually strive to make the Black Elk Resort as beautiful as the nature that surrounds it.

7. Beaver Lake Campground

38mi from Box Elder · 92 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Custer, SD

WELCOME TO BEAVER LAKE CAMPGROUND IN CUSTER, SD Come join us in our beautiful 19-acre pine-filled, rolling terrain campground in Custer, South Dakota. Enjoy the sounds of the breeze through the pines, birds singing, and calm surroundings in a safe, small-town atmosphere. Stay in our spacious RV sites, your tent, or simple to deluxe cabins. Have fun in our heated pool. We are conveniently located just 3.5 miles from the town of Custer, South Dakota. We are 30 minutes from Custer State Park, 22 minutes from Mt. Rushmore, 10 minutes from Crazy Horse Monument, and 9 minutes from Jewel Cave National Monument. The beauty of Custer State Park and the infamous Needles Highway can be very busy for campers, which is why many of our guests choose to stay with us at Beaver Lake Campground. Our central location and peaceful setting will put you very close to all of the amazing things to see and do in the Black Hills (Paha Sapa in the Lakota language) of South Dakota. We are open from April 1 to November 1. Pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The water slide closed. Wonderful News! As of 6/4/22, we have a brand new park-wide Wi-Fi system. Guests dependent on WI-Fi for work will need their own system. Our rural infrastructure isn’t equivalent to big-city Wi-Fi. A WARM WELCOME, FROM THE OWNERS As the owners of Beaver Lake Campground for the past several seasons Julian and Kachina Starr are amazed at how fortunate they are to have purchased this very special campground. The Black Hills area is spectacular with so many things to do and see. You could spend a month here and still not see it all. The summer weather is perfect with warm but not hot days and cool summer nights due to the 5,300-foot elevation. Perfect for evening campfires. Living and working in the Black Hills National Forest is incredible. They feel very happy to be in such calm, peaceful surroundings. Julian and Kachina have accomplished many updates, and improvements in the time they have been here. Everything from not-so-exciting infrastructure, well pumps, electrical upgrades, painting, swimming pool pump, etc., and have attempted to give this beautiful campground a more inviting atmosphere, comfortable seating on the office patio, beautiful flowers, unique pinecone art, upgrades to the cabins, mini-fridges in all cabins, new mattresses, electrical improvements and more. The Starr’s 25-year experience in the RV business in Gold Beach, Oregon, and Durango Colorado has given them lots of warm memories and some funny stories too. They look forward to many more great guest experiences greeting and serving old and new friends. AVAILABLE UNITS •RV Sites •Cabins •Tents ENJOY OUR AMENITIES •1 Large Heated Pool •Store •2 Laundry Facilities •RV Sites Small to Huge •Tent Sites •9 Cabins •Dog Park •Basket Ball, Tether Ball, Volley Ball Net & Horseshoes •3 Bathhouses •1 Accessible Family Bath •Log & Timber Rec Room For Groups •Fire Wood, 10 lb Bag Ice, and Propane Sales •Free Wifi •Playground •Dump Station Free to Guests •Honey Wagon $ •RV Tech On Site •Car Rental LOCAL AREA ATTRACTIONS •Mount Rushmore •Custer State Park •Rocky Knolls Golf Course •Crazy Horse Monument •Jewel Cave National Monument •The 1880 Train •Wind Cave National Park •Custer •Rapid City •Deadwood •Lead •Spearfish •Sturgis •Hot Springs

Camper favorites near Box Elder

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Castle Creek Horse Cabins

36mi from Box Elder · 1 site · Lodging · Hill City, SD

Dry cabin rentals with access to kitchen and bath in main cabin. Electric for trailers with living quarters. Paddocks and/ small pasture. Ride from the property or trailer to one of many horse trails in the BlackHill, SD. 972-989-0840

Luxury RV Canyon Retreat

95%

(55)

41mi from Box Elder · 1 site · RV · Lead, SD

The property is one of the few rentals allowed in Spearfish Canyon. A NEW Post and Beam Pavilion for parking and picnics! An outdoor table and chairs under pavilion available for usage. Also NEW--horseshoe pits in meadow for your enjoyment. It sits besides an historic 95-year old log cabin. A guest house, Couples Canyon Retreat, sleeps 3, is also available for rent. Contact owner. Learn more about this land: All paved road to your private luxury concrete RV pad sitting at the entrance of beautiful Spearfish Canyon. Convenient location to all sites in SD Black Hills including Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish and one hour drive to Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore. Walking distance to a trout pond for fishing and Cheyenne Crossing for a delicious meal. Hiking and off-roading trails galore. Go to sleep hearing Upper Spearfish Creek across the road, with mountain views, deer and smell of fresh pine trees. Lead Country Club Golf course close by. New Post and Beam Pavilion available for parking and picnics.

Black Elk Resort

96%

(69)

25mi from Box Elder · 1 site · RV · Rapid City, SD

Black Elk Resort is one of the finest cottages and RV resorts in South Dakota, nestled in a beautiful wooded setting and only a short drive to Mount Rushmore. We feature 9 cottages sleeping 2 to 5 people, 8 Full Hook-up Pull-Thru 50 ft. RV sites with 30/50 Amp, picnic tables, & park style charcoal grills available for the ultimate RV experience. Whether taking advantage of our cottages, RV sites or the Palmer Creek Taproom, our long list of amenities are available for your use and enjoyment. We are proud of our family-oriented reputation and continually strive to make the Black Elk Resort as beautiful as the nature that surrounds it.

Beaver Lake Campground

38mi from Box Elder · 92 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Custer, SD

WELCOME TO BEAVER LAKE CAMPGROUND IN CUSTER, SD Come join us in our beautiful 19-acre pine-filled, rolling terrain campground in Custer, South Dakota. Enjoy the sounds of the breeze through the pines, birds singing, and calm surroundings in a safe, small-town atmosphere. Stay in our spacious RV sites, your tent, or simple to deluxe cabins. Have fun in our heated pool. We are conveniently located just 3.5 miles from the town of Custer, South Dakota. We are 30 minutes from Custer State Park, 22 minutes from Mt. Rushmore, 10 minutes from Crazy Horse Monument, and 9 minutes from Jewel Cave National Monument. The beauty of Custer State Park and the infamous Needles Highway can be very busy for campers, which is why many of our guests choose to stay with us at Beaver Lake Campground. Our central location and peaceful setting will put you very close to all of the amazing things to see and do in the Black Hills (Paha Sapa in the Lakota language) of South Dakota. We are open from April 1 to November 1. Pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The water slide closed. Wonderful News! As of 6/4/22, we have a brand new park-wide Wi-Fi system. Guests dependent on WI-Fi for work will need their own system. Our rural infrastructure isn’t equivalent to big-city Wi-Fi. A WARM WELCOME, FROM THE OWNERS As the owners of Beaver Lake Campground for the past several seasons Julian and Kachina Starr are amazed at how fortunate they are to have purchased this very special campground. The Black Hills area is spectacular with so many things to do and see. You could spend a month here and still not see it all. The summer weather is perfect with warm but not hot days and cool summer nights due to the 5,300-foot elevation. Perfect for evening campfires. Living and working in the Black Hills National Forest is incredible. They feel very happy to be in such calm, peaceful surroundings. Julian and Kachina have accomplished many updates, and improvements in the time they have been here. Everything from not-so-exciting infrastructure, well pumps, electrical upgrades, painting, swimming pool pump, etc., and have attempted to give this beautiful campground a more inviting atmosphere, comfortable seating on the office patio, beautiful flowers, unique pinecone art, upgrades to the cabins, mini-fridges in all cabins, new mattresses, electrical improvements and more. The Starr’s 25-year experience in the RV business in Gold Beach, Oregon, and Durango Colorado has given them lots of warm memories and some funny stories too. They look forward to many more great guest experiences greeting and serving old and new friends. AVAILABLE UNITS •RV Sites •Cabins •Tents ENJOY OUR AMENITIES •1 Large Heated Pool •Store •2 Laundry Facilities •RV Sites Small to Huge •Tent Sites •9 Cabins •Dog Park •Basket Ball, Tether Ball, Volley Ball Net & Horseshoes •3 Bathhouses •1 Accessible Family Bath •Log & Timber Rec Room For Groups •Fire Wood, 10 lb Bag Ice, and Propane Sales •Free Wifi •Playground •Dump Station Free to Guests •Honey Wagon $ •RV Tech On Site •Car Rental LOCAL AREA ATTRACTIONS •Mount Rushmore •Custer State Park •Rocky Knolls Golf Course •Crazy Horse Monument •Jewel Cave National Monument •The 1880 Train •Wind Cave National Park •Custer •Rapid City •Deadwood •Lead •Spearfish •Sturgis •Hot Springs

Public campgrounds near Box Elder

Dalton Lake Campground

22mi from Box Elder · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

100%

(1)

Pactola Reservoir Campground

22mi from Box Elder · 56 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

100%

(3)

Sheridan Lake Campground

22mi from Box Elder · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

Boxelder Forks Campground

24mi from Box Elder · 13 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

100%

(2)

Grizzly Creek Primitive Campground

24mi from Box Elder · 16 sites · in Black Hills National Forest

100%

(11)

Horsethief Lake Campground

25mi from Box Elder · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

100%

(2)

Roubaix Lake Campground

30mi from Box Elder · 30 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

Bear Butte Campground

30mi from Box Elder · 19 sites · Tents, RVs · in Bear Butte State Park

100%

(4)

Oreville Campground

31mi from Box Elder · 15 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

Bismarck Lake Campground

32mi from Box Elder · 20 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

Castle Peak Campground

32mi from Box Elder · 9 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hills National Forest

Sheps Canyon Campground

35mi from Box Elder · 33 sites · Tents, RVs · in Angostura Recreation Area

Stories from the community

P

Paul

October 2025

26 ft Class B

With pets

2 nights at Black Elk Resort

Really nice spot , convenient to all the things we wanted to see. Level site, good power , water! Clean shower.

D

Danielle

September 2025

Group trip

1 night at Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

The cabin on the property is quite lovely! It was a great place to rest for the night from the Mickelson trail. Lovely views!

c

christina

September 2025

33 ft Class C

With pets

1 night at Horse Creek Resort RV Sites

Awesome trails to walk, creek next to campsites. Well taken care of.

S

Simon

September 2025

25 ft Class C

1 night at Horse Creek Resort RV Sites

Well cared for campground with a cozy feel. Garret, our host, was very accommodating and communicative. There is a neat little rock outcropping hill that stands behind the resort which is a great spot for a hike with a view. Nice facilities. Would recommend and stay again!

Chris

September 2025

30 ft travel trailer

4 nights at Luxury RV Canyon Retreat

We reserved the camper site for a long weekend in September and loved our site. They are right near the entrance to Spearfish canyon and it is beautiful there. June was super responsive to all of our questions which was great. It is very peaceful and quiet and we enjoyed our stay and would definitely recommend. The site is concrete and there is water hookup which we loved. We have a 26ft camper and recommend backing the camper in for the smoothest transition. If we decide to come back to the Black Hills we would stay here again.

R

Raymond

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

My friend Ben and I were riding / bike camping along the George Mickleson gravel trail from Edgemont SD to Deadwood SD. We chose Plenty Star ranch due to nearest camp/cabins northbound deadwood SD. Off season it was not busy, the Point of Contact Isa was nice. Shower and restroom clean! WiFi! At camp wow!

A

Adriana

September 2025

29 ft travel trailer

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Horse Creek Resort RV Sites

Very quiet peaceful campground, there was a little rattle snake on our campsite when we got there so just wear good shoes and they left us alone.

D

Daren

September 2025

25 ft Class C

With pets

4 nights at Luxury RV Canyon Retreat

We camped there with our 25 ft RV. Nice and clean site. Very peaceful and private. Enjoyed not being in a big camp site. Site is right at the entrance to Spearfish Canyon. Would definitely stay there again. Slab is not level due to drainage reasons. Be prepared to level out RV.

Ranch/Campground View from Hwy 385/driveway

M

Milissa

August 2025

26 ft Class A

Weekend Trip to Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

Fabulous, quiet, clean, great location. The host was helpful and kind.

M

Milissa

August 2025

Tent

3 nights at Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

Lovely location. Well kept and maintained property. Host was above expectations with her communication. If wanting Wind Caves or Custer State Park close this is definitely the best choice in the area.

R

Ruth

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

This was the perfect location for our 3 day Mickelson trail bike ride. Our cabin was clean and cozy, and even though located on the highway, traffic sounds were almost non-existent at night.

Arrival, overlooking the property from the driveway. Looking toward the North

Kimberly

August 2025

Tent

1 night at Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

I am super happy that I booked the Teepee site on top of the hill. We enjoyed the privacy and proximity to the amenities. The stars were spectacular and we enjoyed how close Custer was to our tourist destinations (Mount Rushmore and Deadwood). The bathroom was clean and the shower was hot with great water pressure. The only drawbacks I would point out are road noise and the dry pond, (Clearly outside of their control), but I was glad I didn’t book the tent site near there. I would definitely stay there again and recommend it to others.

T

Tauny

August 2025

20 ft Class B

With kids

Weekend Trip to Horse Creek Resort RV Sites

We didn’t stay long as we were passing through but this place was absolute paradise! Garret is super responsive and was a fantastic host! The view is unbeatable. My favorite part is there was no bugs. The bathroom and showers were perfect for our family and although we didn’t need it they do have onsite laundry which I’ve found can be hard to come by. The surrounding area is stunning, with Lake Sheridan just around the corner. Would definitely stay again!

Catherine

August 2025

25 ft Class C

With pets

2 nights at Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

Beautiful secluded spot. Nice flat sites, plenty of space between, and beautiful surroundings.

P

Pilar

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

It was a nice location. We were able to find it easily. We were unable to stay since it was raining and we had a roof top tent we could not get wet. We did get our farm fresh eggs and Martin was very responsive and understanding when we had to change our plans.

T

Teresa

August 2025

32 ft Class B

3 nights at Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

This beautiful spread just north of Pringle is a peaceful and relaxing homebase for adventures in the Black Hills. Our full hookup spot was under shade most of the day. Stars forever in the evening!

M

Matt

August 2025

24 ft Class B

With pets

1 night at Horse Creek Resort RV Sites

This is a very quiet, very clean spot to post up for a few days if you are in the area. Great communication with the hosts. Would definitely visit again.

Partial RV Site No. 4 is to the left camper's left side (Site No 3) in this picture. The black pickup sits on Site No. 1. It is a back-in or pull-in site with a few fruit trees at the end of it.

S

Steve

August 2025

21 ft Class C

Weekend Trip to Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

Great views. Nice shower. Just need to cut the grass a bit

E

Emma

August 2025

19 ft Class A

With kids

Weekend Trip to Horse Creek Resort RV Sites

Such a great location, near to Mount Rushmore a lovely tranquil campground

Z

Zoe

August 2025

Tent

With pets

4 nights at Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

Great piece of land, close to the highway so it is easy to get to and easy to find, also if you want to head into Custer, it's an easy drive. Though if you're not a fan of a little traffic noise then I'd choose something else. Saw the owner come and take care of the amenities every day and she was so pleasant to talk too! The kids LOVED running around and playing. The dog loved napping in the grass. Firepit was great and the area for the tent was nice and flat. The Teepee on the site was cute, but it did have a nice little spider family and maybe a little mold problem so definitely just make sure kiddos/dogs are aware to not play inside of tent. Overall a nice place to spend a long weekend!