- Custer State Park
The best camping in Custer State Park, SD
89% (30)
The best camping in Custer State Park, SD
89% (30)
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Custer State Park adventure.
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C
Corina
2 weeks ago
31 ft Class C
With pets
We reached out to the camp host to see if they’d let us check in earlier and so thankful that they did. It allowed us to have enough time to drive down and explore the Badlands since we only had one day of fun. It’s about an hour away from here. We also got to see a famous roadside attraction Wall Drugs.
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Corina
2 weeks ago
31 ft Class C
With pets
We were on site 10 and it’s leveled. We stayed here on their last weekend of the season. Pine Haven is near Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore. It’s on the outside of town but near pretty much everything. If we cross this way again, we definitely would come back here.
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Christopher
3 weeks ago
With pets
Tammy's place was everything we wanted - its cozy, remote but in the heart of so much beauty. We got in at sunset and were able to take our dog on a night stroll up her hill for a very peaceful evening. The heat in our cabin was NICE and made it extra cozy. The bathroom / shower set up was top notch - sooo clean! 10/10 recommend this place! + Tammy is such a friendly, kind, good human!
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Jenna
October 2025
25 ft Class C
Kurt's spot was easy to access and had everything we needed. He was a great host and ensured we had what we needed. I'd love to come back and have a bit more time to enjoy this location! A great find!
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Shandra
October 2025
1 night at Battle Creek Camping Resort
Hillview Lodge was a cozy dream home away from home. I wish I had time to stay more than one night, but I do plan on returning in the future. I didn’t use the shower, but the bathroom house in general was clean and just a minute walk away from Hillview. I used the firepit at night too, ate some s’mores that were provided + had coffee in the morning before departure from provided Keurig coffee station. Would definitely recommend to any camping fantasy loving nerd!
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Gregory
October 2025
25 ft Class C
With pets
This was a well equipped site. We were the only ones there and it was very peaceful. Lots of wildlife there.
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Alisha
October 2025
With kids
We loved staying at Bear Den! Tammy and Tim are the most welcoming hosts — we immediately felt like a part of their family! As our 5-year-old told us when they went back to their house after greeting us… “They’re so nice, I wish they didn’t have to go.” :) The cabin was cozy and perfect for our family of four. We were extra impressed by the cleanliness of the facilities, and amenities we didn’t expect. Our kids loved exploring the property, seeing the stars at night, and waking up to watch the deer right outside the cabin. The location was great, and pretty central for all the things we wanted to do. Our whole family hopes to visit again, and we will tell all our friends to make a trip to the Black Hills to stay with Tammy and Tim!
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Charles
October 2025
2 nights at Bear Den Cabins & Camp
We had the most amazing time at Lil Bear! Tammy and Tim are so kind and made us feel so at home! Our cabin was stocked with little snacks, was so cozy, had heat, coffee machine and it was just the best! Would absolutely recommend for a weekend getaway!
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Nicholas
October 2025
1 night at Bear Den Cabins & Camp
We had such a wonderful time. Tammy and Tim were so hospitable and set us up for one of the coolest experiences to date. We can’t wait to come back - 10/10! Thank you so much!
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William
October 2025
12 ft pop-up camper
Beautiful place with an extremely friendly staff! I would definitely recommend it.
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Jordan
October 2025
1 night at Fort Welikit Campground
We stayed in the Covered Wagon. It was super cute! Cheap and the camp hosts were great! The showers were clean and hot, and the Wagon was comfortable with plenty or space for two people. Would defiantly recommended! Make sure you bring sleeping pads or an air mattress, they isn’t one in the wagon.
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Deborah
October 2025
32 ft Class C
With pets
Kurt is an amazing host in more ways than one. After I texted him saying we were set to arrive in our RV in the middle of the night, he gave detailed instructions on where to park. Not only that, but he congratulated us via text after he awoke on the good job of parking in the dark, since we had already left for the Buffalo Round up in our car. We reserved the site for two weeks but our son was with us and he was anxious to get home after being away for months hiking the Continental Divide Trail. We left after only five days and Kurt graciously agreed to refund us. He was so understanding and even spoke to my husband in person.
The site is amazing because it is in the middle of the countryside with no other RVs. Accommodations were excellent...great wifi. We highly recommend this host/site and hope to return in the future.
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David
October 2025
27 ft travel trailer
With pets
Fantastic stay! New, modern services and site in a unique setting. Quiet, with a beautiful wildlife and vista. Great hosts and amazing area. We'll be back for a longer stay to explore more of the area!
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Joseph
October 2025
3 nights at Fort Welikit Campground
Loved this place, we stayed in Tipi, then in Keg once it got cold. Was a great stay. Cooked over campfires. Shower/bathrooms worked great. Great location to lots of things
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Paul
October 2025
26 ft Class B
With pets
Really nice spot , convenient to all the things we wanted to see. Level site, good power , water!
Clean shower.
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Krystl
October 2025
1 night at Fort Welikit Campground
This was a charming campground with lots of amenities nearby. I stayed in a tipi, and I'd definitely stay here again to check out some of the other unique lodgings.
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Bobbie
September 2025
Tent
Our view was very nice! Great sunsets. Our spot was pretty flat for our tent. Easy to park our motorcycles. Great shower facilities. Definitely recommend this place!
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Danielle
September 2025
Group trip
The cabin on the property is quite lovely! It was a great place to rest for the night from the Mickelson trail. Lovely views!
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Chrissy
September 2025
30 ft travel trailer
Megan was a great host. We had a great time there.
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Chrissy
September 2025
45 ft travel trailer
Megan was incredibly helpful and we had a great visit. Thank you
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Other options near Custer State Park
The best camping in Custer State Park, SD 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.
89%
30 ratings · 12 reviews
Recommends
· November 2025
Wild donkeys are not wild - take crackers to feed them.
G
Greg Z.
16 reviews
Recommends
· June 2025
One of our favorite places we went to. Incredible beauty, and the hiking trails are unmatched!
Ben S.
7 reviews
March 2022
The roads in the campground are very narrow. Parking pads are short and very narrow - some with steep drop-offs. Our 19' trailer barely fit on the pad with no room for our tow vehicle. Showers did not have hot water when we were there. The location is great, but if you have a trailer or RV longer than 16', I suggest looking somewhere else.
Barbara B.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2018
Check out each of the 3 scenic drives in Custer State Park: Iron Mountain Road, Needles Highway, and Wildlife Loop.
Sara + Mike (.
9 reviews
Recommends
· October 2018
Showers were always full until I started getting up at 7.
Jennifer H.
4 reviews
August 2017
I would highly recommend this spot. I was in 21E and we had an easy walk down to the lake. In addition there was power, a picnic table, and a fire ring. The tent pad itself was a short walk away to give us plenty of privacy. Water and showers were close by and some primitive toilets were right next to the site. All the facilities were clean and well kept.
J
John B.
4 reviews
Recommends
· July 2017
There are narrow tunnels along the Needles Highway (the most scenic and popular route to Sylvan Lake). We had to take the southern route into the campground, but this campground was so worth going out of our way for!
Fern T.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2017
Nice shady campsites for tents along the creek. Slight incline down to the water's edge walking from the parking spot.
M
Marie D.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2017
Several sites situated on a hillside- beautiful site, level tent pads, but must haul gear up. It's worth the privacy.
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Marie D.
8 years on Hipcamp
March 2017
A cool stop while going through South Dakota. Near a fun smaller town called Hill City and Mount Rushmore. We were in campsite 26 which was secluded and very nice and dog friendly. From the campground there are hiking trails that can take you to the lake which are relatively easy but convenient to stay off the road! The lake was pretty crowded but we were close to the 4th of July when we stayed there. There's a fun hike around the lake and through the rocks in my photo. There are non-motorized boat rentals for recreation.
Jennifer H.
8 years on Hipcamp
July 2016
I promise to leave a review once I've stayed here, but I'm excited to share that I scored a reservation. I'm new to this site, so I'm extremely grateful to fellow campers who are posting reviews and helpful photos/guide suggestions/et al.
Looking forward to paying it forward.
Chad M.
9 years on Hipcamp
October 2015
Stockade North Campground was in a great location to all of the activities Custer State Park has to offer! The campsites were a great size and not right next to neighbors. Be sure to research which site you pick, ours was a little gravel-y which made staking the tent down a little bit of a challenge. The amenities were very clean and upscale compared to other places we have stayed. Be sure to look up when you are sitting around your campfire at night to catch a glimpse of the stars at night! The sky is crystal clear!
Stefanie C.
10 years on Hipcamp