Map showing campground location near Hill City, South Dakota

Camper submitted image from Black Elk Resort

Black Elk Resort

Black Elk Resort sits in a valley outside Keystone, positioned as a base for exploring Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, and the broader Black Hills region. The property runs eight full-hookup RV sites alongside a handful of small cabins, with nightly rates ranging from $40 to $120. Nearby options include Freedom Ridge Cabins and Mountain View Lodge & Cabins for campers who want to compare properties in the same corridor.

Cell service is essentially absent at the sites. The resort's WiFi reaches the taproom area but reviewers note it does not extend to the RV spots, which matters for anyone working remotely. A community fire pit draws campers together most evenings, and the on-site taproom stocks local beers and wines when open. Cleanliness comes up consistently across reviews. "From the Cabin to the grounds, everything was very clean and immaculately well-kept," notes Doran H.

Pet owners should read the rules carefully before booking. Dogs are allowed but restricted to a six-foot leash and excluded from all common areas, including the fire pit and taproom. The campground provides a written list of roughly 30 rules at check-in. One reviewer found the enforcement approach uncomfortable; others appreciated the resulting atmosphere. The resort operates seasonally, with the taproom, laundry, and some amenities closed in the shoulder months. Campers planning a multi-day stay to work through the area's attractions will find the location holds up well.

Map & DirectionsBlack Elk Resort is located in South Dakota near Hill City

RV Park

Address

12720 S. Highway 16
Rapid City, SD 57702

Coordinates

43.93788079999999 N
103.5098942 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 3/10/26
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 36 users
Last on 9/11/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 5 users
Last on 9/11/26

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 3/10/26
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 36 users
Last on 9/11/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 5 users
Last on 9/11/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
30 Amp Hookups
50 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time

24 min from Rapid City, SD
3 hrs 22 min from Casper, WY
4 hrs 8 min from Cheyenne, WY
5 hrs 4 min from Bismarck, ND

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Black Elk Resort

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the beautiful location, clean facilities, and unique taproom as standout features. Most found the hosts welcoming, though some noted strict policies particularly regarding pets. The resort offers a cozy atmosphere with community amenities.

Rachel G.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 7, 2025

Black Elk

We stayed in RV site #5. Great site. Nice grassy area, firepit, grill, picnic table. Sites are FHU and we arrived preseason so they had just turned on the water at the sites. Still off season so the taproom, cabins, laundry were closed. We stayed almost 2 weeks and enjoyed it very much. A lot to see in the Black Hills area and this was a good central location to all of the attractions and grocery, gas, etc. The resort has a nice common area near the taproom which would be fun in the busy season to interact with other campers.

Site5

Month of VisitApril

(6) View All

Doran H.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 26, 2022

Home away from Home

From the moment we arrived we fell in love with this place! It is so quiet and cozy tucked in between the hills. Dan & Lora were the sweetest and were so incredibly welcoming! They have done such an amazing job with this resort. It isn't just a place to stay, it is a home away from home. We loved the nightly campfires and getting to know other travelers. And the Taproom with local beers and wines was an added bonus. The cabin was so cozy and clean! The beds were very comfortable and it was everything we needed for our week of site-seeing including a great location being conveniently located close to all the sites. From the Cabin to the grounds, everything was very clean and immaculately well-kept.

SiteTatanka

Month of VisitJuly

(4) View All

Sue B.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 23, 2022

Adorable little cabin

Super cute, super clean, wifi, coffee maker, microwave, large mini-fridge. Very nice owners, taproom, group campfire. Oh, and AC as cold as you could want (it was 94 in the shade today). Also has RV sites. Convenient to Mt. Rushmore.

SiteFoxtail

Month of VisitJuly

Bridget D.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 22, 2022

Skip this place if you are working remotely and have a dog

This space has so much potential and is nestled in a beautiful spot outside of Mount Rushmore. I wanted so badly to give this place a good review but this is actually the first review (ever) that I've given but I feel like this is an important one given our expectations.

Dan and Lora were very pleasant when we arrived and very nice but got defensive when it comes to their strict rules that made us feel uncomfortable as guests. While dogs are allowed at this campground, they cannot be in any common spaces, including the check-in center, the camp fire pit, and the common space picnic tables, including if you are the only ones around. Dogs have to be on a maximum 6 ft leash at all times and you can't tie them up to any picnic tables even at your site. TBH I don't even mind campground having a no-dog policy at all but what it boiled down to for us is that we specifically booked this place because it was dog friendly, only to find out that our dog had to stay in our van the entire time.

This place has a lot of rules, including a list of ~30 rules given on a sheet of paper right when you check in, it just doesn't feel as welcoming as Dan and Lora have clearly tried to make it. As far as the amenities go, one of the showers was lovely, the other only dripped and smelled strongly of sulfur but it looked like they were fixing it quickly which was great. The wifi is does not reach to the RV spots, and dogs aren't allowed at the common spaces where it can be accessed, so if you are working remotely & are traveling with a dog I would skip this place and book closer to Hill City or Custer as there is no cell service at this particular part of the valley.

To be fair to the owners, the campground is advertised as such: ie having so many rules & that dogs aren't allowed in the common space, but this review stems more from the condescending nature which made us feel on edge otherwise it would have been a lovely stay.

Month of VisitJuly

Shannon C.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 15, 2021

Cottage stay

Absolutely beautiful, quiet, and cozy. The owners are so personable and sweet. The RV park and cottages are perfectly located between Keystone and Hill City. Close to anything you’d want to do in SD !

SiteMammoth Cottage

Month of VisitOctober

(6) View All

Brandi D.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 21, 2021

Peaceful small community camping

We spent five days here in June to explore Mount Rushmore and the surrounding areas. Eight full hookup camper sites and several small cabins. Community fire pit was a plus that I originally wasn’t sure about. We had several great nights by the fire that we didn’t have to take care of making s’mores and new friends for the whole family. Instead of a normal office, they have a great little taproom which we also enjoyed. Open windows allow you to see the community playset while inside. You can connect to their WiFi there. There is no cell service in campsite which I honestly loved. Coin laundry on site and two nice bathroom/shower rooms if you are a big fan of longer than five minute showers. Great owners live on site. With so much to do in South Dakota, we may be making this an annual stop on the way to other destinations.

Site7

Month of VisitJune