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Places to Camp near Custer National Forest

36 Reviews

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Custer National Forest, SD is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Custer National Forest. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Camping Sites Near Custer National Forest, SD (8)

  1. Camper-submitted photo from Wayside RV Park
  2. Camper-submitted photo from Broadus Motels & White Buffalo Campground
  3. Camper-submitted photo from Diamond Butte Lookout

    3.

    Diamond Butte Lookout

    1 Review
    5 Photos
    6 Saves
    Colstrip, Montana

    Overview

    Diamond Butte Lookout is perched atop a 30-foot masonry tower on Diamond Butte at an altitude of 4,245 feet in the Custer National Forest approximately 40 miles from Ashland, Montana. The lookout was moved from its original location of Yeager Butte in 1958 and was an active fire lookout until 2001. Guests can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. This vantage point offers the chance to enjoy sunrises, sunsets and star gazing on clear nights. The lookout is accessible by car, but it is a 200-foot walk up a steep hill to the lookout from the parking area. Guests should be prepared to bring most of their own supplies and gear.

    Recreation

    You can enjoy hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking near the lookout. Opportunities are available to enjoy off-road vehicle riding and hunting.

    Facilities

    The lookout can accommodate 4 people and is furnished with a table, chairs and1 twin bed with mattress, a double futon with mattress and a cot. Propane appliances include a cook stove with an oven, lights and a heater. A few cooking and eating utensils are provided, along with a broom, mop and bucket. Parking and an outhouse with a pit toilet are located at the gate 200 feet below the lookout. A wagon is stored in the lookout's basement to help haul gear. Water and electricity are not available. Guests must bring their own water for drinking, cooking and washing. Items such as bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, extra toilet paper, first aid supplies, trash bags, dish soap, towels and an ice chest are not available. Guests are expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving.

    Natural Features

    The lookout offers expansive views of the nearby hills and the distant Bighorn Mountains, which are about 100 miles away. Vegetation is sparse, but sagebrush and lupin thrive on the surrounding landscape. Wildlife in the area includes fox, black bear, antelope and a variety of bird species ( bear safety ).

    • Pets
    • Toilets
    • Alcohol

    $45 / night

  4. Camper-submitted photo from Moorhead Recreation Site

    4.

    Moorhead Recreation Site

    1 Review
    1 Photo
    1 Save
    Custer National Forest, South Dakota

    Located next to the Powder River, this site contains a semi-developed, yet primitive, campground popular for fall hunting camps, but beautiful to camp in year round. BLM managed lands are nearby providing hunting and many other recreational activities. Moorhead Campground is also a Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) that has become a very popular area for many recreationists seeking to get away from it all!

    • Tents
    • Picnic Table
    • Drinking Water
    • Alcohol
  5. Camper-submitted photo from Whitetail Cabin

    5.

    Whitetail Cabin

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    2 Photos
    1 Save
    Colstrip, Montana

    Overview

    Whitetail Cabin sits at an altitude of 4,048 feet in the north end of the Custer National Forest approximately 20 miles from Ashland, Montana. The cabin was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Formerly a ranger station, it is now a registered historic site. The cabin is available year-round and is accessible by car, but guests should be prepared to hike about 100 yards to the cabin in winter, depending on road conditions. Some creature comforts are provided, but guests will need to bring several of their own amenities.

    Recreation

    Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are popular options in the area. Horse facilities are provided at the cabin. In winter, the landscape is ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The cabin is popular with hunters during elk, deer and turkey hunting seasons.

    Facilities

    The 2-room cabin sleeps 4 and comes furnished with 2 sets of bunkbeds with mattresses, a table with 4 chairs, electric range, electric refrigerator, cleaning equipment and some basic cooking and eating utensils. A wood burning stove is provided, along with a limited supply of firewood. A picnic table and campfire ring are located in front of the cabin. An outhouse with pit toilet is located nearby. Horse facilities include a corral, 1 hitching rails and approximately 5 acres of fenced area to contain livestock. Seasonal spring water can be used for livestock consumption only, but guests should call the Ranger District to check water availability in advance. No water is available at the cabin. Guests must bring their own supply of water for drinking, cooking and washing. Items such as bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, extra toilet paper, first aid supplies, trash bags, dish soap, and towels are not available. Guests are expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving.

    Natural Features

    The cabin sits in an open area backed by a stand of ponderosa pine. It is located in the Ashland Ranger District, which features a landscape of ponderosa pines and steep rocky outcroppings. Custer National Forest supports populations of bear, mule and whitetail deer, antelope, elk, cougar and bobcat ( bear precautions ). A variety of birds also inhabit the area.

    • Electric Hookups
    • Picnic Table
    • Toilets

    $65 / night

  6. Camper-submitted photo from DJ's RV Park

    6.

    DJ's RV Park

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    Ekalaka, Montana
    • Pets
    • RVs
    • Trash
    • Drinking Water

    $25 / night

  7. Camper-submitted photo from Macnab Pond

    7.

    Macnab Pond

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    1 Save
    Ekalaka, Montana

    Family Picnic and day use fishing pond on the Ekalaka Hills Unit, Sioux Ranger District. Camp sites: Dispersed Camping Accessible Facilities: Toilet Trash Pickup: No Firewood: No Information: Sioux District Office Box 37, Main & First Camp Crook, SD 57724 (605) 797-4432

    • Tents
    • Toilets
  8. Camper-submitted photo from Macnab Pond Campground

Popular Camping Styles near Custer National Forest

Pet-friendly camping near Custer National Forest

Recent Reviews In Custer National Forest

36 Reviews of 8 Custer National Forest Campgrounds