Best Campgrounds near Deadwood, SD

Several campgrounds sit close to Deadwood, making it a good base for exploring the Black Hills. Ellsworth AFB FamCamp works well for bigger RVs with its full hookups and room to spread out. Many campers head to Custer State Park, where you'll find different camping areas and trails that wind through the hills. Horse Thief Campground and RV Resort has extras like a swimming pool and playground that kids enjoy. If you want to camp by water, Pactola Reservoir Campground puts you right on the lake with good fishing spots. Horsethief Lake Campground keeps things simple with basic facilities, and it's not far from Mount Rushmore. Summer brings the best camping weather to the area, though most places stay open from May through September. Weather in South Dakota can change quickly, so pack layers and rain gear even for summer trips. The roads to these campgrounds are mostly well-maintained, but it's smart to check conditions if there's been heavy rain recently.

Best Camping Sites Near Deadwood, South Dakota (249)

    1. Spearfish City Campground

    41 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 642-1340

    "Drove about 15 min to Deadwood and about an hour to Mt Rushmore. I will come back."

    "We picked a site near the back of the camp grounds located near the creek and close to a small parking lot (close by to the pet exercise area on the map - though it's labelled as an ice rink on grounds"

    2. Chris' Campground

    17 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 642-2239

    $23 - $65 / night

    "They are close to Spearfish Canyon which has wonderful hiking trails and trout fishing. The area is beautiful.There are also close to Deadwood and Lead, both of which are worth exploring!"

    "The owners are very helpful and friendly, The campground is close to lots of great activities such as Spearfish Canyon, as well as Deadwood and Lead."

    3. Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite

    11 Reviews
    Deadwood, SD
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    "It was so peaceful and relaxing, yet only minutes from Deadwood. We truly enjoyed our stay, the views, and the wildlife!"

    "The road is easy to drive if coming off the CanAm Hwy side of the mountain. Walking distance to the Roosevelt Friendship Tower hike which is highly recommended."

    4. Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins

    10 Reviews
    Spearfish, SD
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 722-1800

    "Easy access off I-90 and super close to Spearfish, Deadwood, Lead and all this area of South Dakota has to offer."

    "Close to freeway and at intersection heading to Deadwood. All the things you could ask for in a campground: beautiful pool, great store, camping cabins, great bathhouses."

    5. Deadwood KOA

    9 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 578-3830

    "It's a pretty small campground down the road from deadwood. You can take the bus into deadwood."

    "Our initially reserved campground nearby was sketchy, so we called KOA Deadwood at 4:30 hoping for a last minute reservation (even though the app said they were full)."

    6. Wild Bill's Campground

    10 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 578-2800

    $28 - $160 / night

    "This little camp is not mentioned in the Deadwood promotional booklet and that's just fine with us! It was not crowded, but busy."

    "Easy to find, very close to Deadwood, clean showers and bathrooms and it has a bar a grill! Bar and grill was so good and I’m still dreaming about that burger."

    7. Days End Campground

    13 Reviews
    Sturgis, SD
    10 miles
    +1 (605) 347-2331

    $20 - $800 / night

    "It has a beer garden, restroom facilities and it's right on the outskirts of town."

    "Helpful convenient right next to freeway so noisy all else is great!"

    8. Whistler Gulch Campground & RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Deadwood, SD
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (605) 578-2092

    "Location is quiet. There is a place to walk dogs. Deadwood trolley comes right to the CG to transport you downtown."

    "They are really close to town, so it’s really convenient. We have a larger side by side, so when I called they made sure that we would have a spot to fit that too."

    9. Hanna Campground

    10 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    "Small, but has 3 shaded sites next to the creek (1,2,3). Nice 1.1 mile hike that starts next to Host site. If you just tent camp, there are about 5 sites off by themselves with a vault toilet."

    "Great little spot nestled in the woods next to a small stream. Quiet road that is part dirt at times. Would highly recommend"

    10. Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Deadwood, SD
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    "Close to Deadwood. Very private. Lots of space. Outhouse at close trailhead."

    "Right outside Deadwood."

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Recent Reviews near Deadwood, SD

1510 Reviews of 249 Deadwood Campgrounds


  • Jim A.
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Kemp's Kamp

    Perfect base for exploring local landmarks

    Kemp’s Kamp near Keystone, South Dakota, is one of those special places that perfectly blends comfort, nature, and convenience. Tucked away in the beautiful Black Hills, it’s the perfect base for exploring local landmarks like Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and the Crazy Horse Memorial, all just a short drive away. The campground offers something for everyone, from cozy, well-kept cabins to shaded tent sites and roomy RV spots with full hookups. Everything is clean and well-maintained, and the staff makes you feel genuinely welcome from the moment you arrive. The peaceful sound of Battle Creek running nearby adds to the charm and makes it feel like a quiet escape while still being close to the area’s main attractions. One of the highlights is the pool area, which is perfect for cooling off after a day of exploring. The bathrooms and showers are spotless, and the laundry facilities make longer stays easy and comfortable. Small touches like these show how much care the owners put into making the campground a relaxing and enjoyable place to stay. https://aethersx2bios.net/

  • Reds H.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Big Pine Campground

    South Dakota’s best scenery

    Big Pine Campground in Custer, South Dakota, is one of those places that instantly makes you feel relaxed. Surrounded by tall pines and quiet trails, it’s perfect if you want to enjoy nature without giving up the little comforts. The campground is super clean, peaceful, and well-maintained, and the staff are genuinely kind and helpful. Whether you’re pitching a tent, parking an RV, or staying in one of their cabins or glamping spots, everything feels well thought out and easy. The bathrooms and showers are spotless, and the whole place has a cozy, welcoming vibe. It’s also really close to Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore, so there’s plenty to explore nearby. Overall, Big Pine Campground is the kind of spot you end up wanting to come back to. It’s quiet, comfortable, and surrounded by some of South Dakota’s best scenery. https://redzhubscriptdownload.com/

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Mt. Roosevelt Dispersed Camping

    Close to Deadwood

    This was a great site! Close to Deadwood. Very private. Lots of space. Outhouse at close trailhead.

  • hThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Calumet Rd Dispersed Camping

    Great location, easy access

    Plenty of spots off the service road. Spots have good distance from each other. Probably best for car/tent camping

  • dThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Mount Roosevelt Camp

    Vibrant Fall Aspen Trees

    Just a turn off the main road along a crest gave me a few days of great views. Not much traffic either.

  • S
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Hart Ranch RV Resort

    Hart ranch is okay

    There are a lot of changes going on here. Good and bad.not perfect but okay for a stay.

  • Donna H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Custer-Mt. Rushmore KOA

    Wonderful campground right off the main highway, but quiet.

    After spending two nights at the Spearfish KOA, I decided to take two more nights in Custer. This campground is clean and comfortable, and the perfect jumping-off point for Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Wind Cave State Park, and touring the Black Hills.  All of which I did and had a wonderful time.

    The facilities were clean, shaded with conifers, and the bathrooms were the cleanest I've seen on this trip. The staff were wonderful. The terrain is hilly, so remember your levellers. I would stay here again in a heartbeat.

  • Donna H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Spearfish KOA

    Beautiful, clean campground close to Devil's Tower.

    After a long day's drive, pulling into Spearfish was a breath of fresh air. The area is beautiful, and this KOA was a welcome break for two days before I continued on my journey to the Black Hills. 

    The park is hilly, so bring levelers! But the spots are gravelled, there's good drainage (storms), and beautiful conifers surrounding each site. The park smells like a Christmas candle. 

    Excellent facilities--very clean, and the store is appointed nicely. The staff were wonderful. I would definitely stay here again.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Spearfish Quarry

    Quiet stay

    It is an open area. There is a sharp right turn coming in and a steep drop. There is a 25’ trailer here now but I would not risk anything longer. A van, B+, or small type C will be fine. The bottom is pretty rocky. If you have cheap Chinese tires or may-pops, I would be very careful. Verizon has good cell service here.


Guide to Deadwood

Camping spots near Deadwood, South Dakota offer diverse terrain at elevations ranging from 4,500 to 5,500 feet throughout the northern Black Hills. The area's pine-covered slopes provide natural shade at many campgrounds while creating distinct microclimates that can be 5-10 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. Most primitive camping areas close by mid-October due to early snowfall potential in the higher elevations.

What to do

Hike to Roosevelt Friendship Tower: Located at Mount Roosevelt Road Dispersed Campsite, this free area offers a short trail with panoramic views. "Had an amazing time at this prime free dispersed campsite! Make sure to hit the hike to the tower and overlook!" shares Bruce S., who notes the area has approximately 10 sites depending on your setup.

Explore Spearfish Canyon: Stay at Spearfish City Campground to access the scenic canyon. "Spend a day driving Spearfish canyon and hiking to waterfalls," suggests Glenda, who appreciates the campground's proximity to natural attractions. The creek that runs through the campground adds natural white noise for sleeping.

Visit historic sites: Many campgrounds provide easy access to Lead, Deadwood and other mining towns. "We spent a lot of time exploring Spearfish Canyon/Roughlock Falls/Lead/etc but spent one day just to relax at the campground/hatchery/Park," notes Megan R., highlighting the balance between sightseeing and downtime.

What campers like

Natural water features: Campers consistently mention creek access as a highlight. "The beautiful creek runs along the camp. It was nice going to sleep and waking up with the sound of the water," writes Shirlee A. about Spearfish City Campground. Many sites offer creekside locations for natural cooling and ambiance.

Transportation options: Several campgrounds near Deadwood provide shuttle service to town. "The trolley to town runs on the hour, it cost $1. Best deal in town," says Brian W. about Deadwood KOA. This allows campers to enjoy Deadwood's attractions without parking hassles.

Wildlife viewing: Many campers report deer sightings near their sites. Karen V. shares about Days End Campground: "Woke up to deer munching on acorns right outside our rig." The forested setting of most campgrounds attracts various wildlife species throughout the season.

What you should know

Reservation timing matters: During peak season (June-August), campgrounds fill quickly. "We made reservations 6 months in advance for a long level site," notes one reviewer at Whistler Gulch Campground, suggesting early planning especially for specific site requests.

Weather variability: The Black Hills experience rapid temperature shifts, even in summer. Evening temperatures can drop 30+ degrees from daytime highs, requiring proper bedding even in July and August.

Site layout considerations: Many campgrounds have close quarters. "The sites are very close together (no privacy) but people were quiet and respectful," explains Aida K. at Hanna Campground, which offers a more secluded alternative with "only 3 sites have shade, others are in direct sunlight until dusk."

Tips for camping with families

Pools and playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer recreational amenities. "The outdoor pool and hot tubs the playground was fantastic," notes Amber W. about Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins, which offers family-friendly features along with upscale amenities.

Educational opportunities: Visit nearby attractions that combine learning with fun. "They are close to Spearfish Canyon which has wonderful hiking trails and trout fishing... also close to Deadwood and Lead, both of which are worth exploring!" suggests Theresa H. about Chris' Campground.

Evening activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby entertainment options. "The city of Spearfish had activities in the park (about 1/4 mile away) every evening (magician, concerts, etc)," shares Megan R., highlighting free family programming that supplements the camping experience.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the Black Hills region have uneven terrain. "We did not have many sites to choose from when making our reservations and had the site next to us had an RV and vehicle parked we would not have been able to get in," explains Tom D., recommending specific sites at Spearfish City Campground: "Sites 1 and 30 are pull-throughs. 31-34 easily accommodate large RVs."

Off-season benefits: Consider camping in May or September for fewer crowds and better availability. "We paid a $44 per night off-season rate with Good Sam discount," notes one RVer about Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort, where concrete pads and modern hookups provide comfort in the shoulder season.

Road access considerations: Most campgrounds have paved access, but some require navigating steeper roads. "The road was in good shape. Lots of deer and wildlife so watch out," cautions one reviewer about Mount Roosevelt Road, emphasizing the need for vigilance when driving to camp.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Deadwood, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, Deadwood, SD offers a wide range of camping options, with 249 campgrounds and RV parks near Deadwood, SD and 35 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Deadwood, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Deadwood, SD is Spearfish City Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 41 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Deadwood, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 35 free dispersed camping spots near Deadwood, SD.