The best camping near Custer State Park
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Custer adventure.
88% (27 reviews)
88% (27 reviews)
Granite peaks, rolling prairie, and herds of wildlife roam free at this massive South Dakota park.
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Community favorites near Custer State Park
Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
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Stay at a public campground in Custer State Park
Top-rated campgrounds near Custer State Park
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.
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$27
/ 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%
(259)
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
97%
(45)
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.
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$40
/ night
97%
(35)
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.
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$40
/ night
Booked 5 times
Custer RV Camp Spot
1 site · RV5 acres · Custer, SD
Cozy full hook up RV spot centrally located in the southern Black Hills on five acres. Enjoy beautiful sunsets from the shared fire pit just steps from your RV. Located 5 miles from the town of Custer. Enjoy your days visiting nearby Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Mt. Rushmore, Wind Cave National Park, Jewell Cave. Walk, bike or run on the 109 mi Mickelson trail. We are also 2 hours from Badlands National Park. This area is rich in beauty and history so be sure to get out and explore!
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$40
/ 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!
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$25
/ night
93%
(203)
Plenty Star Retreat
26 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Custer, SD
Bring your hiking shoes, bicycles or motor bikes, your RVs, tents and hammocks or stay in one of our camping log cabins.
From mid May through August we are hosting a limited number of summer camping guests at our private home and property
Plenty Star Retreat is a peaceful 10 acre place, surrounded by National Forest, just a few miles South of Custer, in the Southern Black Hills, of South Dakota.
From its location along Hwy 385, both, Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park, as well as all the other Black Hills attractions, such as Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument as well as numerous hiking trails and lakes are within short driving distance.
The retreat is also conveniently located directly at the Mickelson Trail at mile marker 34/35, about 10 miles South of Custer, SD.
Smaller towns like Custer, 10 miles North or Hot Springs, 24 miles South, offer a variety of interesting shops and some really good restaurants.
We keep our property smoke free.
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$39
/ night
Cloud Nine Campground
10 sites · Lodging33 acres · Hermosa, SD
Cloud Nine Campground is located 7 miles South East of Keystone in a prime location! Beautifully covered in oak and pine trees, secluded in nature, surrounded by national forest on all three sides. You have found a camping oasis! There are no houses on the property, so this isn’t just someone’s back yard. We are sticking you out in nature to enjoy the great outdoors!
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$160
/ night
96%
(59)
Black Elk Resort
1 site · RV5 acres · 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.
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$59
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100%
(4)
Pine Haven Lodging
34 sites · Lodging, RVs17 acres · Rapid City, SD
Pine Haven is situated right in the center of the Black Hills of South Dakota. We're located on 17 acres of forest land at the base of Storm Mountain, fifteen minutes from Mount Rushmore and ten minutes from food and shopping hub Rapid City. We offer full hook-up RV sites and single-family cabins.
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$65
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100%
(4)
Dakota Dream B&B, Cabins, Glamping
5 sites · Lodging10 acres · Custer, SD
Dakota Dream B & B and Horse Hotel sits on 10 pine covered acres under the big Dakota sky.
We have something for everyone: cabins, B&B lodge rooms, and our Stargazer glamping A-frames.
Our property is host to miniature goats, deer, turkey, and the occasional horse, coyote, and cougar. We are less than a mile walk and a 2 minute drive from Downtown Custer SD but feel a world away.
Shopping and dining are only minutes from your mountain home in Custer.
The entrance to Custer state park is just 5 minutes away. Lakes, boating, hiking horse back riding, chuck-wagons, and the wildlife loop are at your doorstep.
Biking the Mickelson trail is less than a mile (plus many other bike/hiking trails nearby) It does not get any better than this.
Dakota Dream makes lodging part of the vacation. Your home in the Black Hills is waiting.
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$164
/ night
The best camping near Custer State Park guide
Overview
About
Nestled in the Black Hills, Custer State Park is a top destination for wildlife viewing. Herds of bison, “begging” burros, elk, antelope, and bighorn sheep freely roam the 71,000 acres that make up the park. Spot them from the many trails around the park, or get up close on a buffalo safari jeep tour. Don’t miss the iconic Needles Highway, one of several scenic drives. Active visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and water play at several lakes and streams. With nine campgrounds offering RV and tent camping, historic lodges, and camping cabins, it’s easy to spend a few days here and explore all the park has to offer.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for viewing wildlife: Lots of wildlife can be found near Game Lodge Campground, which offers sites with RV hookups and a dump station, plus easy access to the State Game Lodge.
- Best for exploring park and area highlights: Located near the Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake Campground is also closest to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial.
- Best for a taste of the Old West: Go horseback riding and enjoy a hayride and chuckwagon roast near Blue Bell Campground.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Plan ahead. Most campsites at the park can be reserved up to one year in advance. Book online or by phone as soon as you know your travel dates. Sites for summer weekends tend to fill up almost immediately.
- If you can’t book anything ahead of time, try for a spot at the Center Lake Campground, which offers same-day reservations only, starting at 6am.
- If your plans are flexible, try going in the off-season. Game Lodge Campground and French Creek Horse Campground are open year-round, though facilities will be limited in the wintertime.
When to go
Summer is the most popular season at Custer State Park, though the weather can be extreme, with afternoon thunderstorms that can bring lightning, high winds, heavy rain, and hail. A popular event is the annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival held in late September. In the summer and fall, enjoy a wide range of naturalist and interpretive programs. The park is open year round, but many campgrounds, lodges, visitor centers, and even the Needles Highway, are closed over the winter.
Know before you go
- Several lodges inside the park offer restaurants, convenience stores, and gift shops. For additional supplies, the towns of Custer, Keystone, and Hill City are nearby.
- The Blue Bell, Sylvan Lake, Game Lodge, and Grace Coolidge campgrounds offer wheelchair-accessible sites and restrooms.
- Cell reception in the park can be very spotty, but wifi can be found in the lodges.
- Do not drink from any of the lakes, rivers, or streams in the park.
Top cities near Custer State Park
- Custer State Park
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