Camping spots near Custer, South Dakota sit at elevations between 4,500-6,000 feet with summer temperatures typically ranging from 50-80°F. The region's mixed coniferous forest creates natural camping divisions, with ponderosa pines dominating western sites while eastern locations feature more open prairie terrain. Night temperatures often drop 30+ degrees from daytime highs, even in July and August.
What to do
Horseback riding at Blue Bell: 1-2 hour trail rides available directly from the campground. "Horse stables and trail rides onsite. Walking distance to store and excellent restaurant. Wildlife includes bison, deer, birds..." notes a camper at Blue Bell Campground.
Swimming at Center Lake: This smaller, less crowded lake option provides a natural swimming area with gradual entry. "It's a quiet, remote spot with basic amenities: pit toilets, water spigots, and a shower up the road by the lake," shares one Center Lake visitor.
Fishing between lakes: Multiple campers report successful fishing at both Stockade Lake and nearby Bismark Lake. "Across the small highway is Bismark Lake, in Black Hills National Forest, which is stocked for fishing, and provided us with a delicious fried trout meal our second night!" mentions a visitor at Stockade North Campground.
UTV rentals: Some campgrounds offer on-site vehicle rentals. "There are UTVs that you can rent to go out on the trails," reports a camper at Mount Rushmore KOA, making backcountry exploration more accessible.
What campers like
Free camping with mountain views: Dispersed sites provide no-cost alternatives to developed campgrounds. "We came in one afternoon and there was hardly any sites available. It was beautiful tho!" notes a camper about North Pole Rd Dispersed Camping, adding "The place was very calm just some cars went on the road behind us."
Privacy at walk-in sites: Some campgrounds offer secluded sites requiring short hikes. "My family camped at a walk in site. It was about .15 miles uphill to the site. A bit of work to get everything up the hill but it was worth it. The views and seclusion were amazing," shares a Sylvan Lake visitor.
Cool temperatures at higher elevations: Many campgrounds sit at elevations that provide natural cooling. "Be prepared for some snow, even in late May. I didn't see any obvious campsites, but lots of level areas to choose from," warns a North Pole Rd camper, highlighting the surprisingly cool mountain climate.
Clean bathroom facilities: Campers consistently mention the quality of facilities. "Bathrooms and showers are clean. Camp hosts are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful," notes a camper at Fort Welikit Family Campground.
What you should know
Vehicle clearance for dispersed sites: Many free camping areas have access limitations. "GPS: 43.7633292, -103.7281010. The road in is in great shape," shares one North Pole Rd camper, while another notes "You can go to this place if you search a very calm place."
Reservation workarounds: Some campgrounds offer ways to extend stays without additional fees. A Center Lake camper discovered: "Reserve your first night online, then use the on-site landline to extend your stay without extra fees."
Fire restrictions in dispersed areas: Some free camping zones prohibit fires. "The area seems to not allow for campfires," notes a visitor to RD 356 Dispersed Site.
Cell coverage variations: Signal strength differs dramatically between campgrounds. A North Pole Rd visitor reports: "Cell coverage is poor but still present," while another at RD 356 notes: "No Verizon connection."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas: Some camping areas include structured play spaces. "The kids loved the pool and they hosted an awesome grilled meal on July 4th in appreciation for the campers," shares a visitor at Custer Crazy Horse Campground, adding "Kids loved playing on the rocky outcrop."
Consider cabin options for mixed-weather trips: Cabins provide weather protection with outdoor access. "We stayed in a rustic cabin - no water or bathroom. Only electric, heat/air. The cabin was perfect! We were able to put our hammock up between trees," notes one Blue Bell visitor.
Watch for wildlife viewing opportunities: Many sites offer regular animal sightings. "We were blessed with watching a herd of 10 deer each evening across the street," shares a Horsethief Lake camper.
Check out ranger programs: Several campgrounds offer educational activities. "Evening programs offered every night were educational and entertaining for the most part," mentions a Blue Bell visitor.
Tips from RVers
Dump station availability: Limited dumping options create planning challenges. "We arrived after 6 nights of boondocking and were disappointed with the inaccuracy of the amenities," shares a Stockade Lake camper, adding that they "edited the amenities" since the campground lacks a dump station.
Site leveling requirements: Mountainous terrain creates uneven sites. "Some of the sites will need a bit of leveling as it's very hilly," warns a Stockade Lake North visitor.
Check campground roads for larger rigs: Some campgrounds have challenging access. "We did watch two large rigs struggle to back in their vehicles due to the narrow, curved campground roads," notes a Stockade Lake North camper.
Voltage fluctuations: Higher-demand summer periods can stress electrical systems. "Electric only at our site, very unlevel, hard to get into. Recommend a small rig than us, we were at 25 ft with two slides," cautions a Sylvan Lake visitor.
