Deadwood's cabin camping options span multiple elevations in the Black Hills, ranging from 4,500 to 5,300 feet. Situated within a pine forest ecosystem, the area experiences significant temperature variations with summer evenings often dropping 30-40 degrees below daytime highs. Cabins typically cluster along natural water features, with most sites positioned within 200 yards of streams or small lakes.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: Several cabins connect directly to Black Hills trail systems. At Wild Bill's Campground, visitors appreciate the proximity to nature paths. "Beautiful in every way," notes one camper, mentioning the campground is "clean and spread out for privacy."
Fishing opportunities: Many cabin sites feature stocked fishing areas ideal for beginners. At Steel Wheel Campground, the fishing pond gets special mention: "The fishing pond is real neat. Perfect for beginners and young fisherman," writes one visitor.
Downtown trolley service: Several cabin sites offer trolley connections to historic Deadwood for $1 each way. "The trolley to town runs on the hour, it cost $1. Best deal in town," reports a visitor at Deadwood KOA.
Historical cemetery visits: Mount Moriah Cemetery sits within 5 minutes of most cabin sites. "The cemetery where they are buried is a 5 minute drive or trolley from the campground," notes a visitor regarding Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane's gravesites.
What campers like
Privacy options: Despite close quarters at many sites, some campgrounds offer more secluded cabin experiences. "Clean and spread out for privacy," notes one camper at Wild Bill's Campground, mentioning the staff as "friendly and helpful."
Well-maintained bathhouses: Bathroom facilities earn consistent praise at several locations. At Steel Wheel Campground, one visitor reports, "Bathrooms and showers were cleanest and roomiest we experienced in 2.5 month travels."
Creek access: Many cabins sit near natural water features. At Creekside Campground Deadwood, campers highlight the serene location: "Loved staying in the clean cabin by the creek. Bathrooms were also very clean with showers and the lawn was well maintained."
Evening lighting: Some campgrounds invest in safety lighting. "The sidewalks are lined with solar lights so it's beautiful and easy to see your way around at night," notes a Creekside Campground visitor.
What you should know
Late check-in procedures: Many cabin sites accommodate after-hours arrivals. Creekside Campground receives praise for this: "We communicated on our online registration that we would be pulling in after office hours and they were great in accommodating our late arrival by taping a map and campground rules to the office door for us."
Tent site limitations: For those considering tent camping near the cabins, placement can be challenging. At Whistler Gulch Campground, tent sites are "all the way at the top of the hill. Not even in walking distance to bathrooms, showers or the pool."
Heater availability: Night temperatures drop significantly in the Black Hills. One Creekside visitor noted, "Julie offered us a heater for the night but we didn't need it."
Site levelness: Some cabins sit on uneven terrain. At Whistler Gulch, a visitor observed that sites are "pretty level. Currently, sites are close together and they are in the process of merging 2 into 1."
Tips for camping with families
Pool quality variations: Not all campground pools receive equal maintenance. At Wild Bill's Campground, a visitor recommends the pool: "Clean facilities along with helpful and friendly staff."
Playground amenities: Some cabin sites include family-friendly facilities. Chris' Campground offers "a basketball court, recreation room, playground, & petting zoo for the kids," according to one visitor.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Several sites maintain stocked ponds. At Steel Wheel Campground, the fishing area is described as "perfect for beginners and young fisherman. We will come back."
Walking trails: Family-appropriate paths exist at various sites. One visitor to Spearfish KOA mentioned they were "close to the 7.5-mile nature trail entrance from the park to the river, which was great for walking our dogs."
Tips from RVers
Concrete pad availability: Some cabin areas share facilities with RV sites featuring solid parking surfaces. At Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins, an RVer noted, "Easy access off I-90 and super close to Spearfish, Deadwood, Lead and all this area of South Dakota has to offer. The campground is a true resort with concrete pad sites."
Utility placement: RVers appreciate thoughtful hookup designs. At Spearfish KOA, a visitor observed, "The utilities are smartly placed in the middle of the pad. Our pad was plenty long enough for our 39 fifth wheel and F450 truck."
Mobile cleaning services: Some campgrounds facilitate rig maintenance. At Elkhorn Ridge, a visitor shared, "Elk Horn Ridge even has local mobile companies that come to your site and clean your rig. Ours was cleaned while we hiked the Spearfish Canyon!"
