Small and quiet, this National Forest campground sits directly across a two-lane highway from Custer State Park, offering easy access to both forest and park experiences. The 21 sites spread across forested and open terrain near Bismarck Lake, with several positioned for direct lake views.
Sites 4, 5, and 8 provide the most coveted lake overlooks, while sites 6 and 7 occupy a large rock outcrop with graded tent areas, though they sit closer together than most. Site 21 stands alone in a meadow, separated from the main camping area. Hayley K. found site 4 "literally just up the hill from the lake" with a two-minute walk to bathrooms in either direction. The rocky terrain can challenge tent placement on some sites, though RV campers report good leveling options.
The lake supports non-motorized boating through a graded boat ramp, with a boardwalk extending along one shoreline and a bridge crossing the dammed section. Fishing draws visitors year-round, and the hiking trail circling the lake includes benches positioned for sunset viewing. "Lots of water taps" serve the campground, and vault toilets receive consistent praise for cleanliness throughout the season.
Access involves some rough road sections that concern reviewers, particularly after rain. The campground operates with reservations from mid-May through early September at $30 per night, plus a $2 daily pet fee. Six first-come, first-served sites remain open year-round for $28 nightly. Camp hosts provide firewood bundles for $5 and maintain the facility well. Cell service reaches most sites reliably.
For those exploring beyond this location, camping spots outside Custer provide additional options in the region. The central Black Hills location puts Mount Rushmore 30 minutes away and the Badlands within 90 minutes, making this a practical base for area exploration.
Description
Overview
Bismarck Lake Campground is set amidst a scattering of aspen groves and Ponderosa pine on the southeast edge of Bismarck Lake at 5,000 feet. This is a great place for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in the Black Hills National Forest. Acess to this campground is through Custer State Park near the West Highway 16A entrance. Sites in the campground are widely spaced and open up to views of lakes, providing adequate privacy for visitors.
Recreation
The forest offers accessible recreation for all ages and abilities. Visitors can take advantage of opportunities for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on moderate terrain. At the campground, a short foot trail traverses the forested shoreline, offering opportunities for birding in early morning or picnicking in the afternoon. 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 (Harney Lookout Tower) at the top, once used as a fire lookout, is still open to hikers. Adjacent to the campground is Bismarck Lake, an ideal spot for fishing and boating. The lake supports populations of rainbow and brown trout, a variety of sunfish, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and catfish.
Facilities
Bismarck Lake Campground has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. Access to the lake is within walking distance and there is a beautiful boardwalk and with fishing piers along the waters edge. The campground has picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water; however, electrical hook-ups are not available.
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
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. Bismarck Lake Campground is within a couple of miles of the start of the beautiful Needles Highway scenic drive .
Charges & Cancellations
No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
Location
Public CampgroundBismarck Lake Campground is located in South Dakota
Directions
In Custer, SD, at the intersection of State Rt. 89/US Rt.16A (Mt.Rushmore Rd) and US Rt. 16/US Rt. 385 (5th St.), take US Rt.16A east for 4.8 miles (past Custer State Park entrance) to Bismarck Lake campground sign. Turn left at sign into campground.
Coordinates
43.7819444 N
103.5158333 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 3/21/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 3/21/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 3/21/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 3/21/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 3/21/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 3/21/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 53 min from Rapid City, SD
- 3 hrs 6 min from Casper, WY
- 3 hrs 52 min from Cheyenne, WY
- 4 hrs 27 min from Fort Collins, CO
