Camping spots near Blackhawk, South Dakota sit at elevations between 3,400-6,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between day and night even in summer months. Located at the northeastern edge of the Black Hills, the area's terrain transitions from ponderosa pine forests to prairie grasslands. Nights can drop below 50°F even in July, making proper sleeping gear essential for tent campers.
What to do
Horseback riding access: 3 miles from town. At HTR Black Hills, guests appreciate the proximity to equestrian activities and wildlife viewing. "Bear Country USA the drive through wildlife park is right next door which makes it fun for the whole family to drive through," notes Joseph F.
Creek exploration and wading: available at multiple sites. The Boxelder Forks Campground features "a little creek in the park" that's perfect for cooling off. "A beautiful creek runs through it," says Cole S., making it ideal for families wanting water access without the crowds of larger lakes.
Fishing and swimming: combined at one location. At Sheridan Lake South Shore Campground, campers can enjoy both activities from their sites. "Had private lake access from our site," reports Kara S., while others mention the "fishing & swimming beaches" that make it practical for mixed activity groups.
What campers like
Proximity to Mount Rushmore: 2-5 miles from select campgrounds. At Horsethief Lake Campground, visitors appreciate being "just around the corner from Mt Rushmore." As one reviewer notes, "This campground is one of the closest to Mt. Rushmore. Situated on a small lake, you can cliff-dive here, fish or visit the needles hiking trail."
Secluded forest sites: available for both tent and RV campers. Many visitors prefer the quieter options at less developed campgrounds. "Very nice resort to stay at close to a lot of attractions. Really enjoyed my stay the hosts were very nice. Sites are nice and wooded so it's not like camping in a open field," says Joe G. about HTR Black Hills.
Free dispersed camping: multiple sites available in national forest. The RD 356 Dispersed Site in Black Hills National Forest provides no-cost options. "15 minutes to Custer State Park and 15 minutes to breweries in hill city. A perfect location. Plenty of spots on the bumpy main road," reports Lynsey M., though she cautions that "no campfires allowed" in these areas.
What you should know
Weather fluctuations: prepare for unexpected cold. At Sheridan Lake South Shore Campground, one camper mentioned their "visit was unseasonably cool" despite being at "lower elevation [which] usually means warmer temps," highlighting the unpredictability of Black Hills weather patterns.
Limited cell service: plan accordingly. Many campgrounds have spotty coverage. "No service except for the beginning of the campground," notes Alexis R. at Sheridan Lake, while at Pactola Reservoir Campground, one visitor found "no crowd" and notes there's "no electricity or running water but well worth it."
Site configuration varies widely: research before booking. Some campgrounds have major differences between sites. At Horsethief Lake, "The tent sites are fairly small and exposed to each other," while at Pactola Reservoir, a visitor found "huge campsites with views of the lake. Some of the biggest camp sites on our trip. Some had more privacy than others."
Highway and train noise: affects specific campgrounds. At Three Flags RV Park, reviewers note the "only downside to this park is its proximity to the Interstate and the train tracks." One adds that "the highway and the train" create noise, though "it's not a very busy part of the highway and the train only comes by once or twice a day nothing at night."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: available at select campgrounds only. The Rapid City KOA offers "a pool and playground for the kids to relax when the vacationing takes a toll and you need a day off," according to Cassandra I., making it practical for multi-day stays with children.
Swimming options: vary by location. Several campgrounds offer water access, but quality differs. At Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch, one visitor reported their "kids wouldn't touch the pool in the fun zone. I thought they were being dramatic when they said it was dirty, so went to look for myself. Literally brown with scum on the sides. The pool by the lodge is nice though."
Bug awareness: seasonal issues. Some sites report significant insect activity. At Horsethief Lake Campground, a visitor mentioned "there were A LOT of bees" at their site, suggesting bringing appropriate repellents and protective measures, especially during peak summer months.
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: check before arrival. At Three Flags RV Park, RVers appreciate the "nice wide spots and drive through for easy setup" but note differences between sites. The park offers both full hookups and water/electric only sites, with a dump station available.
Leveling challenges: prevalent in hilly areas. Many Black Hills campgrounds require leveling equipment. At Rapid City RV Park & Campground, "Sites are graded but location is on a hill making getting around a pain," according to Vincent B., while another visitor noted the sites were "fairly level but real close together."
Water and electrical access: varies significantly. Limitations exist even at developed sites. At Pactola Reservoir, visitors note having "no electricity or running water" at certain sites despite being an established campground. While some sites are primitive, others offer partial hookups, making advance research essential for RV travelers.
