Places to Camp near Rapid City, SD

Best Camping Sites Near Rapid City, SD (236)

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   1.

   Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch

   51 Reviews

   187 Photos

   158 Saves

   Hill City, South Dakota

   Welcome to Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch, a bustling campground near Hill City, SD. This place is packed with amenities and activities, making it a hit for families and groups. You’ll find two pools, a splash pad, and a jumping pillow to keep the kids entertained. There’s also a variety of dining options, including a restaurant, coffee shop, and even a spot for tacos and margaritas.

   For those who love outdoor adventures, you can rent side-by-sides or take a chuck wagon ride. Horseback riding is also available, offering a unique way to explore the beautiful surroundings. The campground is just a short drive from Mount Rushmore, making it a convenient base for exploring the iconic monument and other nearby attractions.

   The campground offers a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. Some sites are a bit tight, especially for larger RVs, but there are patio pull-through options that provide a bit more space. The property is generally clean, and the staff is friendly and helpful.

   One thing to note is that cell reception can be spotty, so be prepared to disconnect a bit. Wi-Fi is available but can be unreliable, so plan accordingly if you need to stay connected.

   Overall, Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch is a lively and family-friendly campground with plenty to do. Whether you’re here for the amenities or the proximity to Mount Rushmore, you’re sure to have a memorable stay.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Electric Hookups
   • Reservable
   • ADA Access
   • RVs
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   Pactola Reservoir Campground

   31 Reviews

   89 Photos

   209 Saves

   Silver City, South Dakota

   Overview

   This campground is nestled in the pine trees along the south shore of Pactola Reservoir, offering guests lake views and access to a multitude of recreational opportunities both on land and water. Pactola Visitor Center is located in close proximity to the campground, providing opportunities for conservation education and information to visitors.

   Recreation

   Black Hills National Forest offers recreational opportunities for all ages. Visitors can take advantage of opportunities for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on moderate terrain. From Pactola Reservoir, hikers can access the 2.2-mile Osprey Trail which includes two loop trails and a spur trail to an overlook. The trail is named for the ospreys that are often seen in the area. Pactola Reservoir is an ideal spot for fishing and boating. The reservoir is stocked with rainbow, lake and brown trout as well as largemouth and rock bass, kokanee salmon and yellow perch. Record lake trout are caught here annually, and large brown trout find habitat in Rapid Creek above and below the reservoir.

   Facilities

   Black Hills National Forest offers recreational opportunities for all ages. Visitors can take advantage of opportunities for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on moderate terrain. From Pactola Reservoir, hikers can access the 2.2-mile Osprey Trail which includes two loop trails and a spur trail to an overlook. The trail is named for the ospreys that are often seen in the area. Pactola Reservoir is an ideal spot for fishing and boating. The reservoir is stocked with rainbow, lake and brown trout as well as largemouth and rock bass, kokanee salmon and yellow perch. Record lake trout are caught here annually, and large brown trout find habitat in Rapid Creek above and below the reservoir.

   Natural Features

   Located in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, Black Hills National Forest encompasses nearly 1.25 million acres of rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and unique caves. Derived from the Lakota language, the words "Paha Sapa," meaning "hills that are black," honor the dark, pine-covered hills rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie. Pactola Reservoir is the largest and deepest reservoir in the Black Hills, boasting 14 miles of shoreline and 150 foot depths on 800 acres. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the dam and water. Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate mountainous terrain, while elk, deer and pronghorn gather in forests and prairies. Bald eagles, hawks, osprey, peregrine falcon, and hundreds of other bird species can be found in the forest, especially along streams, lakes and rivers.

   Nearby Attractions

   Nearby Jewel Cave is the second longest cave in the world at 159.29 miles. It features sparkling calcite crystals and other rare formations, as well as some of the largest concentrations of passageways in the world. Other possible day trips include Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Monument, Devils Tower National Monument and Wind Cave National Park.

   contact_info

   For facility specific information, please call (605) 574-4402.

   Charges & Cancellations

   No refunds wil be given for weather or related events.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Phone Service
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Group

   $28 - $34 / night

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   Sheridan Lake South Shore Campground

   29 Reviews

   152 Photos

   172 Saves

   Hill City, South Dakota

   Overview

   This campground is along the south shore of Sheridan Lake. Within its 5 large loops, there are many sites with direct access to the lake. Access to the south boat ramp and the Flume Trailhead from within the campground and easy access to the South Beach Area, this recreational complex has everything needed for a fun, family camping experience.

   Recreation

   Black Hills National Forest offers a multitude of recreational opportunites throughout all seasons. Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles are popular in summer and early autumn. Winter landscapes are ideal for snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling. The Dakota Point Trailhead for the popular Centennial Trail is located on the northeast side of Sheridan Lake, as is the Calumet Trailhead for the Flume Trail. At 11 miles (plus a 3-mile loop), the Flume Trail has been designated a National Recreation Trail because of its historical significance to the local people. The Rockerville Flume carried water 20 miles, from Spring Creek west of present day Sheridan Lake, east to the placer diggings near Rockerville. The flume operated until 1885, and the trail follows the actual flume bed for much of its length. Along the way are historic artifacts and parts of the flume itself. Sheridan Lake is an ideal spot for fishing, swimming and boating. The reservoir supports populations of rainbow, brown trout, northern pike and perch. Fly fishing is popular in Spring Creek below the dam, and ice fishing is popular on the lake in winter.

   Facilities

   Black Hills National Forest offers a multitude of recreational opportunites throughout all seasons. Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles are popular in summer and early autumn. Winter landscapes are ideal for snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling. The Dakota Point Trailhead for the popular Centennial Trail is located on the northeast side of Sheridan Lake, as is the Calumet Trailhead for the Flume Trail. At 11 miles (plus a 3-mile loop), the Flume Trail has been designated a National Recreation Trail because of its historical significance to the local people. The Rockerville Flume carried water 20 miles, from Spring Creek west of present day Sheridan Lake, east to the placer diggings near Rockerville. The flume operated until 1885, and the trail follows the actual flume bed for much of its length. Along the way are historic artifacts and parts of the flume itself. Sheridan Lake is an ideal spot for fishing, swimming and boating. The reservoir supports populations of rainbow, brown trout, northern pike and perch. Fly fishing is popular in Spring Creek below the dam, and ice fishing is popular on the lake in winter.

   Natural Features

   Located in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, Black Hills National Forest encompasses nearly 1.25 million acres of rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and unique caves. Derived from the Lakota language, the words "Paha Sapa," meaning "hills that are black," honor the dark, pine-covered hills rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie. Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate mountainous terrain, while elk, deer and pronghorn gather in forests and prairies. Bald eagles, hawks, osprey, peregrine falcon, and hundreds of other bird species can be found in the forest, especially along streams, lakes and rivers.

   contact_info

   For facility specific information, please call (605) 574-4402.

   Nearby Attractions

   Nearby Jewel Cave is the second longest cave in the world at 159.29 miles. It features sparkling calcite crystals and other rare formations, as well as some of the largest concentrations of passageways in the world. Other possible day trips include Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Monument, Devils Tower National Monument and Wind Cave National Park.

   Charges & Cancellations

   No refunds will be given for weather or related events.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Group
   • Trash

   $28 / night

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   Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park

   38 Reviews

   176 Photos

   392 Saves

   Custer, South Dakota

   Anyone who has camped at Sylvan Lake campground in South Dakota’s Custer State Park knows that Black Hills camping doesn’t get much better than this. Sylvan Lake Campground is one of eight designated campgrounds in Custer State Park, and one of the best public land destinations for camping in the Black Hills of southwest South Dakota. The region’s expanse of dense forests, rolling prairies and granite mountain peaks (the very same peaks that were used to form Mount Rushmore) offer photo-snapping tourists and laced-up explorers alike a chance to dive into the ecology of the American West.

   For campers looking for a comfortable and convenient basecamp for diving into the region’s scenery and activities, Sylvan Lake campground is the place to be for many reasons. First, the 40-site campground offers access to the popular swimming spot of Sylvan Lake, where campers might feel inclined to spend their entire stay on the rocky beach of this scenic body of water. There’s also access to multiple hiking trails, suitable for all skill levels, including a trail that takes you to the curious and beautiful Black Elk Peak, the highest summit-able point east of the Rocky Mountains. Both a family-friendly spot and a hardcore adventurer’s playground, Sylvan Lake is Black Hills camping for everyone.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Electric Hookups
   • Reservable
   • ADA Access
   • RVs
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   Horsethief Lake Campground

   28 Reviews

   99 Photos

   293 Saves

   Keystone, South Dakota

   Overview

   Located 10 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota, Horsethief Lake Campground is a delightful setting for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. This campground is 2 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. Sites are tucked into a forest of towering ponderosa and lodgepole pine.

   Recreation

   Black Hills National Forest offers visitors a multitude of recreational opportunites throughout all seasons. Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles are popular in summer and early autumn. Winter landscapes are ideal for snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling. Hundreds of miles of trails and roads offer a variety of terrain for mountain bikers. Hikers and bikers can access the nearby George S. Mickelson Trail, which traverses over 100 miles through the heart of the Black Hills. The majority of the trail follows an abandoned railroad branch line and includes 4 tunnels, over 100 converted railroad bridges, and 15 established trailheads. The trail surface is packed gravel, traversing mountain, meadow, and forest terrain. The trail is named in honor of the former South Dakota governor who crusaded for the trail. For those seeking higher elevations, a day-long trek to the summit of nearby Black Elk Peak is worth the effort. Black Elk Peak is the highest natural point in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Most of the summit is bare granite and offers expansive views of the surrounding area. An old stone tower at the top(Harney Lookout Tower), once used as a fire lookout, is still open to hikers.

   Facilities

   Black Hills National Forest offers visitors a multitude of recreational opportunites throughout all seasons. Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles are popular in summer and early autumn. Winter landscapes are ideal for snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling. Hundreds of miles of trails and roads offer a variety of terrain for mountain bikers. Hikers and bikers can access the nearby George S. Mickelson Trail, which traverses over 100 miles through the heart of the Black Hills. The majority of the trail follows an abandoned railroad branch line and includes 4 tunnels, over 100 converted railroad bridges, and 15 established trailheads. The trail surface is packed gravel, traversing mountain, meadow, and forest terrain. The trail is named in honor of the former South Dakota governor who crusaded for the trail. For those seeking higher elevations, a day-long trek to the summit of nearby Black Elk Peak is worth the effort. Black Elk Peak is the highest natural point in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Most of the summit is bare granite and offers expansive views of the surrounding area. An old stone tower at the top(Harney Lookout Tower), once used as a fire lookout, is still open to hikers.

   Natural Features

   Located in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, Black Hills National Forest encompasses nearly 1.25 million acres of rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and unique caves. Derived from the Lakota language, the words "Paha Sapa," meaning "hills that are black," honor the dark, pine-covered hills rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie. Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate mountainous terrain, while elk, deer and pronghorn gather in forests and prairies. Bald eagles, hawks, osprey, peregrine falcon, and hundreds of other bird species can be found in the forest, especially along streams, lakes and rivers.

   contact_info

   For facility specific information, please call (605) 574-4402.

   Nearby Attractions

   Explore Mount Rushmore National Memorial, host to almost 3 million visitors a year from across the country and around the world. Visitors may want to inquire about any Independence Day Celebrations taking place on the Mountain. Possible day trips include Custer State Park with its many Buffalo and other wildlife, Crazy Horse Monument and Wind Cave National Park as well as Jewel Cave which is the second longest cave in the world at 159.29 miles. It features sparkling calcite crystals and other rare formations, as well as some of the largest concentrations of passageways in the world..

   Charges & Cancellations

   No refunds will be given for weather related events.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Standard (Tent/RV)
   • Market

   $26 - $28 / night

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   6.

   Rapid City KOA

   20 Reviews

   60 Photos

   59 Saves

   Rapid City, South Dakota

   Welcome to Rapid City KOA, a fantastic spot near Rapid City, SD, perfect for a family getaway or a convenient stopover. This campground is open from mid-April to mid-October, offering a range of accommodations including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and even glamping options.

   One of the standout features here is the friendly and helpful staff. Visitors often mention how accommodating and welcoming everyone is, making your stay as smooth as possible. The campground is also big-rig friendly, so if you're rolling in with a larger RV, you'll find it easy to navigate and park.

   For those traveling with pets, you'll be pleased to know that pets are allowed, and the campground is well-equipped with amenities like drinking water, electric and sewer hookups, showers, and toilets. There's even a market on-site for any last-minute supplies you might need.

   Kids will love the playground and the large grassy areas to run around. There's also a pool to cool off in during those hot summer days. If you're into outdoor games, you'll find a basketball court and a large checkerboard to keep everyone entertained.

   The location is a major plus, with easy access to local attractions like Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Pirates Cove mini-golf is just a short drive away, adding a fun activity to your itinerary. And don't miss out on Bear Country USA, a nearby wildlife park that's a hit with visitors.

   Overall, Rapid City KOA offers a clean, convenient, and friendly environment with plenty of amenities to make your stay enjoyable. Whether you're here for a night or a week, you'll find everything you need for a comfortable and memorable camping experience.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Electric Hookups
   • Phone Service
   • Reservable
   • ADA Access
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   Center Lake Campground — Custer State Park

   25 Reviews

   50 Photos

   91 Saves

   Keystone, South Dakota

   Welcome to Center Lake Campground in Custer State Park, South Dakota. Nestled near the city of Custer, this campground is a gem for families and nature lovers alike. Open from April 29 to September 30, it offers a serene escape with plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained.

   The campground features picnic tables, fire rings, and clean restrooms. While there are no electric hookups, you’ll find drinking water and firewood available. Pets are welcome, and you can enjoy a campfire under the stars. The highlight here is Center Lake, perfect for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating. If you’re into hiking, there are trails nearby that offer stunning views and abundant wildlife.

   One thing to note is that reservations are same-day only, which is great if you’re the spontaneous type. Just remember, it costs $20 to enter the park. The campground is divided into two loops, with the upper loop offering slightly more space between sites. The tent-only section is a walk-in area, providing a bit more seclusion.

   Visitors have praised the friendly staff and the peaceful atmosphere. The roads are paved, and while the driveways are somewhat level, there’s not much privacy between sites. However, the natural beauty and the sound of the creek nearby make up for it. Showers are available near the lake, and they even have hot water.

   For families with kids, the Toca Life APK game is a hit, offering endless entertainment and educational value. So, pack your bags, grab your tent or RV, and head over to Center Lake Campground for a memorable outdoor adventure.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Reservable
   • ADA Access
   • RVs
   • Tents

   $20 / night

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   Buffalo Gap Dispersed Camping

   111 Reviews

   364 Photos

   1357 Saves

   Wall, South Dakota

   The Wall is a part of Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. It is near The Badlands National Park and is dispersed camping.

   There is only one small developed recreation area on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. The National Grassland Visitor Center is located in Wall, South Dakota. This site provides the history behind the system of the National Grasslands located across the West.

   While there is only one developed campground, there are plenty of open spaces to camp. Bring your horse, your bicycle or your OHV and spend some quiet time in the wide open spaces of the Grassland.

   https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nebraska/recarea/?recid=30333

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Phone Service
   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Group
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   9.

   Spokane Creek Cabins & Campground

   20 Reviews

   46 Photos

   127 Saves

   Keystone, South Dakota

   Spokane Creek sits in a valley on 24 picturesque acres just 7 miles south of Keystone.

   Spokane Creek offers a wide variety of accommodations from creek side tent sites (with or without water & electricity) to level, grassy RV sites (full or partial hookup) to cabins featuring multiple levels of comfort, size and convenience.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Electric Hookups
   • Phone Service
   • Reservable
   • RVs
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    10.

    Game Lodge Campground — Custer State Park

    24 Reviews

    76 Photos

    129 Saves

    Keystone, South Dakota

    Centrally located in the park along US Hyw 16A near the Visitor Center, Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center, Tatanka Barn, and State Game Lodge, the Game Lodge Campground offers a bit of everything. Grace Coolidge Creek flows through the campground into a swimming beach near the playground.

    Open: April 1 - November 15 with full facilities (may change based on weather conditions) Open House Weekend - October 1 with cold water laundry November 16 - March 31 with comfort station closed, vault toilets and water hydrant available

    Located south of the Visitor Center, near the junction of US Hwy 16A and Wildlife Loop Road

    Staffed: Camp attendant and on-site campground host.

    Sanitation & Water: Flush toilets and showers (2 facilities), dump station, drinking water, vault toilets

    ADA & Accessibility: Camping Cabins GL 5 or Campsites (electric hookup) 3E and 26E

    State Game Lodge is ¼ mile west of the campground. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, State Game Lodge served as the Summer White House for President Calvin Coolidge in 1927. Coolidge General Store is 1 mile west of the campground.

    Amenities: Full service restaurant, Buffalo Safari Jeep rides, lodging and resort cabins, gift shop, laundromat, fishing licenses, convenience store & gift shop, fuel

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $26 - $55 / night