Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Black Hills National Forest, SD has a lot to offer. Black Hills National Forest is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Black Hills National Forest camping trip.
"With views of Black Elk Peak, a 30 minute drive to most attractions near Mt Rushmore, you can’t beat it. The kids loves the pool area, splash park, and mini-golf."
"Make the most of your South Dakota vacation by spending it camping. My group tented and had a great time."
"This lake is beautiful, its one of my favorite places inside Custer state park. There are a ton of trails, all within easy walking distance. Make sure you pack plenty of water."
"We had one of the spots that was more out in the open and close to our neighbors, but the sites on the outside of the middle loop were much more private."
"My Son and I stayed here while visiting Mount Rushmore and the surrounding area's other attractions. There's a lot of dispersed spots here but most spots don't have a fire ring that I could see."
"Camping area near Mount Rushmore. I was able to find a camping area without a problem. The road does have some bumps in it but overall you do not need a four-wheel drive."
$28 / night
"A tent-only area, which I appreciate- those tend to be quieter than the RV spots, and the tent area was close to the reservoir. Standard campsite amenities- tables, fire pits, bathrooms."
"A tent-only area, which I appreciate - those tend to be quieter than the RV spots, and the tent area was close to the reservoir. Standard campsite amenities - tables, fire pits, bathrooms."
$28 / night
"We visited the Sheridan Lake Black Hills National Forest on our 2019 family vacation in August & it was awesome!! Stayed at a primitive site with gorgeous views of the forest & lake."
"This campground offers over 90 sites along the shores of a lovely reservoir in the vacation wonderland of the Black Hills of South Dakota."
$30 / night
"Horsethief Lake Campground in Black Hills National Forest was surprisingly peaceful and serene though it is close to Mount Rushmore."
"If you're touring the Black Hills, and hitting all of the outdoor attractions, Horsethief Lake is perfectly placed to access it all."
"We had a beautiful campsite in the “Ranch” section that had lots of trees and was a fair distance away from our neighbors."
"Everything is clean and the site we stayed at was located under trees with lots of distance to the next neighbors."
"It is bordered by the Black Hills Natl. Forest. It has site for tent camper, pop-ups and bigger RV's and cabins. Due to the topography you will have to do some leveling."
"Spacius sites about half and half primitive to full hookups showers available, Amazing views and hiking and lake close by. Horseshoe pits and basketball court. Cabins available to."
"Not much to do if you’re not a climber, but luckily that’s all we came to South Dakota to do. Walking distance to nearby climbing and nice views from the huge boulder in the vicinity."
"Scenic campgrounds with 100s of climbing routes within walking distance. There is no water or electricity and only one latrine."
"This was a great spot despite the thunderstorm I got caught in and nearly destroyed my tent."
"Chances are you’ll be a ways away from other campers. Great spots to get away from the crowded campgrounds."
ScoutQuiet open and secluded with lots of open space to camp out
Travelerif you're looking for a place, away from everything/everyone with peace & quiet, this is the place for you... 33+ acres, spaced out RV sites (not crammed against each other), and yet close to all the best attractions that South Dakota has in the black hills... this is the place to be... surrounded by USFS lands on 3x sides, 1/2mi back from the main dirt road to get here... this is as far back in the woods you can be without hiking miles in somewhere else... they have glamping tents on the hillside (rentals), sheep wagons in the meadow (rentals), bumper pull & 5th wheel trailers (rentals), tiny house rental, and daily/weekly & monthly RV & tent sites... open year-round beginning this year, and open to ice fishers & hunters that wish to use the local area for their sports... I've been here since Jan 2025, and this is an awesome place... seen deer, wild turkey, fox, rabbit, and pronghorn in the local area...
TravelerThe entrance and spots of the road are pretty rough. With that being said we still got to our spot on motorcycle. There’s a lot of spots to tent and even spots further down the road that had 20ft campers.
ScoutOnly came across one other camper. Easy to get to. Secluded.
RangerOverall this is a very nice campground in Rapid City. Staff is nice, grounds are clean, bathrooms are well maintained however there is a distinct lack of shade trees. Please see attached photos for reference.
ScoutWe planned on parking/camping here for a night, only to arrive to find signs saying day use only with hours on it (something like 6am-10pm), so we didn't stay overnight.
TravelerThis is a well kept beautiful, historical city park. The hatchery and creek right along side. Great bike paths, disc golf, walk up Spearfish Canyon or hop your bike and go down the canyon and have brunch at Latchstring Restaurant.
GuideThis campground is absolutely glamping paradise! From the moment you drive in it is absolutely gorgeous, the landscaping is pristine, all the buildings are very well taken care of and super cute. It feels super fancy! My kids loved the outdoor pool and hot tubs the playground was fantastic And there is even a bar by the pool if you want a cocktail. They have coffee that is delivered to your camper in the morning if you would like it… If you are looking for a fabulous experience with tons of included amenities, this is your spot!
TravelerSite 7 is perfect for tent camping! We were able to fit 2 6-person tents on this site. There's great lake access near all sites for fishing and paddleboarding, and our kids loved climbing all the huge boulders here. Our site was a little close to site 6, especially considering how spread out most of the others are, but it didn't bother us and our neighbors were chill. Very close to the vault toilet and water spigot. The camp host was wonderful and super friendly. The location is right in the middle of all the fun stuff to do in the Black Hills. My favorite campsite ever!
Camping near Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota, offers a fantastic mix of outdoor adventures and beautiful scenery. Whether you're pitching a tent or rolling in with an RV, there’s something for everyone in this stunning area.
Camping near Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota, is a great way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy all the beauty this area has to offer!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Black Hills National Forest offers a wide range of camping options, with 257 campgrounds and RV parks near Black Hills National Forest and 35 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Black Hills National Forest is Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch with a 4.2-star rating from 54 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 35 free dispersed camping spots near Black Hills National Forest.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Black Hills National Forest that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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