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 Reservation
- 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.
- Campsite reservations open six months in advance.
- 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.
Black Hills National Forest
Beyond Mount Rushmore, explore 1.2 million acres of forested mountains.
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.
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.
Activities in the park
21 campgrounds in Black Hills National Forest
Boaters and anglers looking for a relaxing camping spot should check out Custer Trail Campground. Pitch your tent right up on the shore of Deerfield Reservoir. There’s a boat launch and marina here, and the water is filled with trout. You’ve got competition for those fish, though—if you peer up into the treetops, you just might spot a bald eagle. Read more...
A small, isolated, high elevation campground with four campsites, Redbank Spring Campground is your landing spot while exploring the Redbank Spring Reservoir. This particular site is located near Briggs Spring Road, and is nestled next to a charming open grassy field, often frequented by elk and other wildlife. Read more...
Tumbling streams and hundreds of miles of trails, Oreville Campground offers opportunities for every sort of outdoor recreation. The campsites are spacious and nestled into the hillside amongst the surrounding forest and grasslands, and the wildlife in the area boasts Bighorn sheep, white elk, deer, eagles, hawks, ospreys, and falcons. Oreville Ca Read more...
Fishing, hiking, and good old fashioned relaxing? We’re not going to lie, Rod and Gun Campground is quite the stellar spot. With just a handful of sites, you’re no doubt in for a secluded and scenic time among the waterfalls, trees, and rocky cliffs of Black Hills National Forest. Campsites are first-come, first-served, spacious, and totally worth Read more...
Sheltered by a forest of spruce and jagged mountains, Hanna Campground lies right in the heart of South Dakota’s gorgeous Black Hills National Forest. With a handful of sites and limited amenities, you can get a feel for the sweet, sweet serenity of the great outdoors. Hanna is one of the quieter spots in Black Hills, so grab a few friends and fam Read more...
It’s true—things don’t get much more classic than pitching your tent in a scenic, lakeside location that’s surrounded by tree after tree. Roubaix Lake Campground offers loads of things to do, not to mention being situated in a seriously stunning setting. With fishing, swimming, canoeing, and mountain biking, you’ll no doubt find something to do th Read more...
If you want to check out Jewel Cave, the closest place to camp will be Comanche Park Campground. After spending your days exploring the underground wonderland of this amazing cave system filled with sparkling crystals and magic, you’ll be so happy for a close place to crash among the tall pines, that you won’t even notice the nearby road that can Read more...
What’s better than seeing Mt. Rushmore for the first time? Camping nearby next to a beauty of a lake among the pines that’s what! Horsethief Lake Campground is only two miles from Mt. Rushmore, so you probably want to pay it a visit if you haven’t already. Then you can get to the good stuff of fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and campfire cookouts Read more...
Campers who stay at Sheridan Lake South Shore Campground will be in a nice large, developed site just a short jaunt to the lake. Pitch your tent in this open ponderosa pine forest and spend your days swimming and boating. Sound good? Thought so! This is a great place for bird enthusiasts. Visitors often spot bald eagle, hawk, osprey, and peregrine Read more...
Black Fox Campground sits along the South Fork Rapid Creek, and is especially popular on summer weekends. Although, the campground is small and secluded enough that you’ll still have a remote and relaxing experience. Visit the adjacent Black Fox Botanical Area in the warmer months, or head over in the winter for some snowmobiling! Roads are closed Read more...
Ditch work, ditch school, Ditch Creek. This campground is perfect for a quiet outdoor getaway. Just steps from the creek, the campground is mostly open, with some shade provided by spruce trees. Anglers can cast a line in the creek, and reel in a fresh and tasty dinner. Want a few more activities to keep you busy? You’ll be just a short drive from Read more...
Beaver Creek Campground is an idyllic spot dotted with a handful of secluded and spacious campsites. For those into roughing it, Beaver Creek is no doubt the place to be. Right on the border between Wyoming and South Dakota, you’ll truly feel in the middle of the wilderness among the trees and craggy cliffs of Black Hills National Forest. Get back Read more...
Into water views and water sports? Yeah, us too. Check out Pactola Campground, it’s got great views of Pactola Reservoir, and is just a short walk to the beach and boat launches. Hikers can explore the 14 miles of picturesque shoreline. Interested in a short-but-sweet hike? We recommend Osprey Trail. It’s 2. 2 miles, includes two loop trails and a Read more...
Calling all tent campers! Sometimes you just want to be around other like-minded campers who don’t mind sleeping on the ground without their generators in tow, right? Well then head over to the tent only Grizzly Bear Campground and pitch it like you mean it. Bring along the fishing pole and try catching some brook trout from Grizzly Creek. Bring t Read more...
Dutchman Campground is known as the most RV-friendly spot in the Deerfield Recreation Area. The campsites are widely spaced, with just a short walk to views of the Deerfield Lake. Hikers, bikers, and equestrians can take the 10-mile Deerfield Lake Loop Trail along the shoreline, or head further afield to explore the park’s rugged rock formations, Read more...
Looking for a secluded spot to camp along the banks of a shady creek? Castle Peak Campground is perfect for ya! The last eight miles of the road into this small campground are pretty rough and narrow, so be ready for a slow ride. You can pitch your tent in this scenic canyon covered in spruce trees along Castle Creek. Just perfect for a relaxing, Read more...
Looking for a campground with secluded campsites in the forest? How about spacious camping spots with lake views? At Whitetail Campground, you can have either! The campground sits above Deerfield Lake, surrounded by grasslands, forests of lodgepole and ponderosa pine, and rugged mountain terrain. Take the short walk down to the lake for some fishi Read more...
Get awed by some serious natural beauty at Timon Campground. Sites are shaded and right near a refreshing creek—perfect if you’re hoping to escape the hot summertime heat. If you’ve got a hankering for some camping adventures, hike up to get incredible views at Timon Cave or drive over to nearby Mt. Rushmore. Any way you slice it, Timon is a super Read more...
Boxelder Forks Campground is great for campers looking for a quiet getaway, especially hikers and anglers. The campground sits in a mostly open area, with some dispersed trees providing shade. Visitors will be near a trailhead for the popular Centennial Trail, a 111-mile trail through prairies, rough mountainous terrain, streams, and caves. Fisher Read more...
Dalton Lake Campground is a small campground just steps from tiny Dalton Lake. The campground is mostly open, with some shade from the towering trees. Whether your get around by foot, bike, horse, or off-road vehicle, there’s a trail around here to suit you! A motorized trailhead is just steps from the campground, so bring your four-wheeler. A tra Read more...
Time to brush the dust off of your canoe and bring it down to Bismark Lake Campground. This peaceful spot will have you chilled out in no time, as you settle into the peaceful vibes of the aspen and ponderosa filled landscape. Choose one of the primitive campsites accessible to tents or RVs, then get to exploring the area on the trails, or floatin Read more...
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Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
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
Public campgrounds (book externally) —