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Dog-Friendly Camping near Hermosa, SD

199 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    Heartland RV Park and Cabins provides a central location for pet owners exploring the Black Hills region. The established campground features a fenced dog exercise area where pets can play off-leash, while maintaining pet-friendly policies throughout the property's tent sites, RV spaces, and cabins. Several miles away, Custer State Park's campgrounds including Game Lodge, Blue Bell, and Sylvan Lake also welcome pets with designated pet-friendly accommodations. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to be leashed when not in designated exercise areas, and owners must clean up after their animals. The bathrooms and facilities at these pet-friendly locations remain immaculately clean despite the regular presence of four-legged visitors.

    Campers with pets have access to numerous hiking opportunities in the surrounding Black Hills National Forest, where dogs are permitted on trails when properly leashed. RD 356 Dispersed Site in the national forest offers free primitive camping with pets allowed, providing a more rustic alternative to established campgrounds. When staying at Heartland RV Park, guests appreciate the convenient location approximately 30 minutes from Mount Rushmore and 50 minutes from Crazy Horse Memorial. The park's proximity to Highway 79 creates noticeable road noise, but this doesn't typically bother pets. For those planning extended stays with animals, both Heartland and Southern Hills RV Park offer monthly rates for long-term campers with pets, making them suitable bases for thoroughly exploring the region's dog-friendly attractions.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Hermosa (199)

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      1. Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch

      4.2(55)18mi from HermosaRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Downside is it’s a crowded and our site had the dog park behind it."

      "Make the most of your South Dakota vacation by spending it camping. My group tented and had a great time."

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      2. Center Lake Campground — Custer State Park

      4.6(28)11mi from HermosaRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "The lake is cool and quiet, tucked away in the center of Custer park. Several trails and tons of fishing spots. There are vaulted toilets and a shower house."

      "I planned my trip too late to stay at Sylvan Lake campground, but wanted to be near the Needles Highway since that was the reason this park was on my itinerary."

      from $20 / night

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      3. Game Lodge Campground — Custer State Park

      4.6(27)12mi from HermosaRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "This campground is open year round and is located in Custer State Park, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Features cabin, camper, and tent sites."

      "Our dog grumbled at a few animals that might have gotten too close to the tent for her liking (we are pretty sure just deer)."

      from $26 - $55 / night

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      4. Spokane Creek Cabins & Campground

      4.5(22)9mi from HermosaRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "FYI- We had to get here via trucker route due to the size of our RV, we couldn't fit through some of the rock tunnels on the winding roads in South Dakota."

      "Very nice park tucked away on Iron Mountain. Big Rigs BEWARE do not take 16A!!! Luckily there are a few ways to get to the park, most are tight roads, but do-able."

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      5. Horsethief Lake Campground

      4.6(31)15mi from Hermosa42 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Situated on a small lake, you can cliff-dive here, fish or visit the needles hiking trail. The campsites are nice, but fill up quickly."

      "If you're touring the Black Hills, and hitting all of the outdoor attractions, Horsethief Lake is perfectly placed to access it all."

      from $30 / night

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      6. Heartland RV Park And Cabins

      4.2(14)1mi from HermosaRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Not far from Rapid City but close to all the attractions in South Dakota. The heated pool was NOT heated and the hot tub was NOT hot. That is why I gave the CG four stars."

      "We are traveling through South Dakota and a storm was brewing. We decided to camp here instead of dry camping so that we would have hookups incase we couldn't open the windows."

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      7. Blue Bell Campground — Custer State Park

      4.5(36)17mi from HermosaRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "This is closest to the southern entrance. We had bison herds South of us and North. We never managed to make it East where the long trail is, which seems to be known for wildlife."

      "Campsites are $21 (plus the entrance fee) for a standard tent site without hookups. Sites with electricity are $25, and camping cabins are $50 per night. "

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      8. Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park

      4.7(40)18mi from HermosaRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "This lake is beautiful, its one of my favorite places inside Custer state park. There are a ton of trails, all within easy walking distance. Make sure you pack plenty of water."

      "We had one of the spots that was more out in the open and close to our neighbors, but the sites on the outside of the middle loop were much more private."

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      9. RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest

      4.8(32)17mi from HermosaTents

      "My Son and I stayed here while visiting Mount Rushmore and the surrounding area's other attractions. There's a lot of dispersed spots here but most spots don't have a fire ring that I could see."

      "Camping area near Mount Rushmore. I was able to find a camping area without a problem. The road does have some bumps in it but overall you do not need a four-wheel drive."

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      10. Sheridan Lake South Shore Campground

      4.4(31)17mi from Hermosa111 sitesRVs, Tents

      "This campground offers over 90 sites along the shores of a lovely reservoir in the vacation wonderland of the Black Hills of South Dakota."

      "So close to so many places to visit, which we never did (we loved every minute being disconnected). The weather was mostly perfect, besides some hail and rain a couple nights."

      from $30 / night

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    Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Hermosa, SD

    147 Photos of 199 Hermosa Campgrounds

    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Hermosa, SD

    1808 Reviews of 199 Hermosa Campgrounds

    • B
      Sep. 4, 2021

      Heartland RV Park And Cabins

      Tidy, Clean, Friendly, Attractions

      This is a great place to stay. Not far from Rapid City but close to all the attractions in South Dakota. The heated pool was NOT heated and the hot tub was NOT hot. That is why I gave the CG four stars. I was really looking forward to using them. Also, both seemed overloaded with chemicals. I have owned lots of pools with blue colored bottoms, but these looked like there was “Ty-d-bowl” added. Brilliant, stark blue. I just don’t believe it can be just the basic treatment. See what you think. ???The laundry areas (3 of them) were clean and tidy, too. $2.00 for each, but 45 minutes on the dryer, so that’s fair. 😀 Our spot was a bit difficult for us to level our rig on because the rocks kept slipping. We had to go purchase extra Xchocks. There is a nice store for basic needs, and alcohol, and an event schedule for evening entertainment. The event center serves wings (no celery or carrot sticks), pizza, etc. There is a playground for kids and they said a dog park. —-I did find a big area there, but no fence around it. ???

    • Jan S.
      Aug. 22, 2021

      Fort Welikit Family Campground and RV Park

      Great location for Custer State Park and surrounding area

      Very friendly owners. Gravel pads, most have some grassy areas. Turkey and deer walk thru. Has small clean dogpark. Town of Custer has large clean dog park within 2 mile drive. Stayed in 53 FHU 3 nights then moved to 45 W/E as we made reservations late. Both faced away from the center of the campground which was nice. Nice laundry . Okay bath/ shower..didn't use but looked ok. Great campground for folks with dogs and for super easy access to town of Custer and the State Park.

    • TyAnn J.
      Aug. 7, 2017

      Fort Welikit Family Campground and RV Park

      Ranger Review: OOFOS OOlala Slide Sandal at For Welikit Family Campground and RV Park in The Black Hills National Forest Custer, SD

      Campground Review:

      If you are looking for a family and pet friendly place to camp while visiting the Black Hills South Dakota area, look no further!! We started planning our family trip 6 months ago, and booked the Fort Welikit Family Campground and RV park based on reviews we read online. We wanted to be in between Custer State Park (Kids choice) and The Badlands (Dad and Moms choice)

      There are 100 sites nestled in gorgeous tall pine trees. The tent sites are located on the south two loops, and the Tipi and Cabins sites are mixed in with the RV sites. We stayed 9 days in site 20 that is a RV 50 Amp Pull through site. Check in time is 1:00pm, and check out time is 11:00am. **Very important to know: The trees are fighting the Pine Beetle, so they DO NOT allow you to hang anything like clothes line or hammocks on them. ALSO they DO NOT allow you to bring in out of the area firewood. They do sell approved firewood at the office for $4.50 for a small bundle. The family style bathrooms were located just behind our site, and were cleaned daily. (If we ever stayed there again we would ask for a space on a further loop, as this was a high traffic area!!) The offer a laundry room with washers and dryers as well, but bring our quarters as a wash cycle was $1.75 a load, and the dryer is .25 for a 6 minute cycle. The added kids old time fort play area and the dog park area were well kept and there was plenty of room to play ladder ball and washer toss. We would highly recommend this campground to anyone looking for a family/pet friendly area. If you are looking for solitude, this would not be the place for you.

      ...................................................

      Product Review:

      As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. I tested the OOlala Slide Sandal from OOFOS Footwear https://www.oofos.com/ that I won in the West North Central Review Contest in June. Let me begin by saying I was a little nervous when I thought about what size to order (I am an 8 & 1/2 Wide ladies) I went to the website, and immediately drawn to the OOlala Slide Sandal. When I went into the description, under the "pick your size" button is a handy little "sizing" tab. When you click the tab it reads "If you normally wear a whole size: order the same whole size OOFOS. If you normally wear a half size: Order a half size UP for best fit. (MEN: Order a half size DOWN for best fit) Problem solved!! I ordered the sandals on July 1st and they were delivered on my doorstep on July 5th. Talk about FAST shipping for a holiday week to boot!!

      When I took the sandals out of the package I was very impressed with the shape and styling of the shoe. I put them on and know that this was no ordinary pair of slip on sandals!! The arch support immediately took pressure off the ball of my foot, and the cushion put a springy bounce in every single step I took. I couldn't wait to take them on our 10 day family vacation to see how they performed!!

      Day #1 we hiked the Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak). It is the highest summit in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. After our 7 mile hike, I couldn't wait to put my OOFOS sandals on and let the recovery begin!! I wore them while showering and walking back to the campsite. My feet did not slip or slide in them, and they were dry within minutes!! The next day we headed to The Bad Lands, and I wore them all day long. They kept my feet comfortable and energized while putting on another 7 miles of walking!! After returning home from our vacation I have worn my OOFOS gardening, fishing, and even washing my SUV. I am 100% hooked on OOFOS!!

    • Tammy B.
      Oct. 6, 2023

      Fort Welikit Family Campground and RV Park

      Best campground in the Black Hills SD

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      4.6

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      Tammy B

      Local Guide·293 reviews·337 photos

      an hour ago

      NEW

      We were camphosts for the 2023 season.I can't say enough on how Kelly, Steve and his entire family makes sure your well taken care of..they added a second dog park for the little pups, renovated 5 site to give a better camping experience in … More

      Amy Kinzler Illg

      4 reviews

      a month ago

      Vacation | Family

      Stayed two nights here and overall a very good experience. Nicely equipped campground with a little shop for necessities. We stayed in a tent site with no electricity. Was a very pretty campground with deer, turkeys, a little play area for … More

      Travis Trussell

      Local Guide·74 reviews·256 photos

      a month ago

      Vacation | Family

      I can't say enough good things about this campground after staying for 6 nights. The spots are spacious and the hookups are located in a perfect spot to make things easy. Bathrooms and showers are very nice and clean. They have a nice dog … More

      1

      Houston & Carolynn

      Local Guide·168 reviews·289 photos

      a month ago

      A very quiet campground. The staff are friendly and I love the showers for they are private little rooms. They have a playground, laundry and these cute little kegs you can stay overnight in. I would recommend this place. The site are very nice. Houston enjoyed the shade and met another friend. … More

      

      

      

      RV LIFE Campground Reviews

      https://campgrounds.rvlife.com › fo...

      Fort Welikit Family Campground - Custer, South Dakota

      Ft. Welikit was lovely and well-maintained. The owners are onsite and very helpful. If you are traveling with small children, this is your place! They ...

      9/10(135) · $$$

      

      Campendium

      https://www.campendium.com › for...

      Fort Welikit Family Campground Reviews updated 2023

      Oct 29, 2013 — This is a really cute family-owned campground. The staff is friendly and helpful. They shared a lot of good information about the area with us.

      4.0(11) · 50

      

      Fort Welikit Family Campground

      https://www.blackhillsrv.com

      Fort Welikit Family Campground: Black HIlls Campgrounds

      ​ · ​ · ​ · OPEN MAY 1st to OCTOBER 15th · ​ · Located on the scenic Norbeck Byway away from the aeras busy highways yet just one mile North · of the ...

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      Fort Welikit Family Campground - Custer, SD

      Aug 30, 2016 — It is a very nice place to spend your evenings. Deer and turkeys in the campground everyday. Has a fenced dog park and a small playground for ...

      

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      Fort Welikit Family Campground and RV Park Camping

      Absolutely loved our stay here!! Our check in was easy and the staff super pleasant. This is a family oriented campground with a great play area for the kiddos.

      

      4.4(20) · $

      

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      Fort Welikit Family Campground | Custer SD

      Fort Welikit Family Campground · Page · Campground · (605) 673-3600 · blackhillsrv.com · Rating · 4.4 (388 Reviews).

      

      4.4(133)

      

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      Fort Welikit Family Campground site? - Airstream Forums

      Feb 20, 2019 — We are planning a visit to Mt. Rushmore in May and are thinking of staying at Fort Welikit Family Campground. They have some good reviews but

      

      Good Sam

      https://www.goodsam.com › details

      Fort Welikit Family Campground

      It was very quiet and peaceful even though we were there during a peak summer period. The campground is well maintained, family owned and well run. The ...

      

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      Tammy B

      Local Guide·293 reviews·337 photos

      an hour ago

      NEW

      We were camphosts for the 2023 season.I can't say enough on how Kelly, Steve and his entire family makes sure your well taken care of..they added a second dog park for the little pups, renovated 5 site to give a better camping experience in those sites. If you need something they are on it..they have the best options for camping.. cabins, teepees, barrel kegs, tent, electric tent, w/e 30 amp, 30 amp full h/hu, 50 amp f/hu, and big rig sites..they have worked endlessly to supply you with the best experience. The campground is not your typical parking lot camping..each site is individually unique..it was made around hills, tons of shade trees,and rock formations. Each site is as level as possible. Restroom are individual with shower sink and toilet.. they are very clean. There is a fort playground for the kids that's fantastic. There is a pavilion that can be used for family gatherings. Several reunions are hosted every year..You will have local wildlife visit daily including deer and turkeys. In the spring the new fawns and chick turkeys are born and are adorable. They are centralized to all attractions..perfect location to everything. The several clients that have been repeat customers for years..staying for 6 to 8 weeks..that speaks for it self..everybody loves it. It's very quiet, the store has everything you need. Michelson trail is approximately 1 mile away which can be walked or ride bikes the 114 miles through the mountains. The hospital is 1 mile away. If your in the area, and you need an excellent place to stay..at the best price.. this is where you want to be.. It's very family friendly including your dogs and cats.

    • Jen S.
      Aug. 18, 2023

      Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch

      Amenities!

      More expensive than we usually pay per night but a TON of amenities. Two pools and live entertainment. Restaurants/bars/coffee/ice cream shops. Downside is it’s a crowded and our site had the dog park behind it.

    • R
      Jun. 4, 2023

      Heartland RV Park

      Large RV park with restaurant

      Large park with lots of sites. Level spots. Fenced in dog park. Restaurant and bar on site with live music. Friendly and helpful staff. Clean restrooms and laundry facilities.  Close to Custer State Park, Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore.

    • Heather M.
      Sep. 22, 2021

      Fort Welikit Family Campground and RV Park

      Camping with a view

      stunning tall pines with lots of deer and wild turkeys walking thru the campsites. full hookups, covered wagons for rent if you don’t have a camper or tent. large playground and a dog park. laundry facilities and very nice bathrooms.

    • Brandi M.
      Oct. 22, 2020

      Beaver Lake Campground

      Beautiful campground and friendly staff

      Wish we could have stayed here longer but South Dakota weather was saying otherwise. We will definitely come back again! Many things for kids of all ages to do and we loved the campground dog, Shimmer!!!

    • Crystal W.
      Sep. 13, 2022

      Sleepy Hollow Campground

      Right in Wall Drug

      Awesome pull through full hookup sites. Small shop in office. Laundry and showers. Clean bathrooms. Friendly staff. Two minute walk to Wall Drug which also hosts a grocery store, gas station and Ace Hardware. Fenced in dog park was a major bonus.

    Guide to Hermosa

    Pet friendly camping near Hermosa, South Dakota provides access to the Black Hills region at elevations between 3,200-7,200 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, with occasional thunderstorms in July and August. Most dispersed camping sites in Black Hills National Forest require campers to follow a 14-day maximum stay limit between May and October.

    What to do

    Trail hiking with dogs: Center Lake Campground offers access to trails around the lake and along creek areas. Jennifer S. mentioned, "There are great trails around the lake and along the creek. You might even catch some trout if you decide to drop a line in. Watch out for poison ivy along the creek though."

    Wildlife viewing with pets: At Game Lodge Campground, you can observe wildlife from your campsite. One camper noted, "You could access the wildlife loop road just outside the entrance to the campground" while another mentioned, "During the day you can be eating lunch and watch the buffalo grazing on the hill."

    Horseback riding: Near Spokane Creek Cabins, equestrian facilities allow visitors to explore the hills on horseback. Christy C. describes, "We also took a guided ride to a valley for a chuck-wagon supper. Along the way, our host played the guitar and we sung western songs and got to know everyone in the wagon. We saw lots of wildlife including, deer, pronghorn and prairie dogs."

    What campers like

    Secluded pet-friendly spots: Horsethief Lake Campground offers a quiet environment despite being near Mount Rushmore. Lydia W. shared, "The site was quiet and the restrooms were very clean. There was also a water pump available." Another camper mentioned it was "surprisingly peaceful and serene though it is close to Mount Rushmore."

    Budget-friendly options: RD 356 Dispersed Site in Black Hills National Forest provides free camping with pet access. Connor M. noted, "My Son and I stayed here while visiting Mount Rushmore and the surrounding area's other attractions. This is a pack in and pack out site with no facilities; no running water, no bathrooms, nothing. Make sure you bring what you need with you."

    Well-maintained facilities: Campgrounds like Blue Bell maintain clean bathrooms and showers despite allowing pets. One visitor commented, "The bathrooms with showers were open. They were very clean and had warm water. The site was nice and clean. While we were there they put down new rock around the fire pit."

    What you should know

    Road conditions: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. About Spokane Creek Cabins & Campground, a visitor advised, "Not really the fault of the campground, but even the 'best' route to get to the campground (via Playhouse Road) is a bit nerve-wracking. Very narrow & winding roads, as is common in the Black Hills."

    Seasonal changes: Many pet-friendly campgrounds have limited availability during off-season. Joie V. noted about Game Lodge Campground, "Bathrooms and water was warm and clean. Found a couple of girls in the bathroom that were completely unprepared for winter camping. They didn't even have a hat. So if you do go winter camping bring the right gear."

    Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some locations. One review of Heartland RV Park mentioned, "It is very close to the highway, so there is a lot of road noise. Other than that our stay here has been excellent."

    Tips for camping with families

    Swimming options: Sheridan Lake offers family-friendly water recreation for pets and children. A visitor mentioned, "Fishing & swimming beaches. Lower elevation usually means warmer temps," while another noted, "Had a fun time at the south shore campground of Lake Sheridan. Beach for the kids, quiet and peaceful."

    Entertainment amenities: Some campgrounds offer additional activities beyond hiking. Bryan R. described Spokane Creek, saying, "The playground is great for the kids. They also have mini golf and basketball," while Christy C. noted another location had "a pool, mini golf, a creek to play in, cabins, tent sites, full hook-up RV sites and a cafe."

    Junior Ranger programs: Locations near national parks offer educational opportunities. One camper at Blue Bell stated, "The boys worked on their second junior ranger badge while we were there. They had to search high and low for answers in the test booklet. A ranger quizzed them to make sure they knew what a ranger's duties were."

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection: At Mount Rushmore KOA, choose sites carefully for space. A reviewer advised, "We had a nice back in site on the edge of a hill with plenty of privacy. However most the full hookup sites were really tight and had no shade."

    Generator restrictions: Check campground rules about generator use. One camper at Horsethief Lake mentioned, "Put toilets are well placed throughout the site and toilet paper is included. The tent sites are fairly small and exposed to each other, and there were patches of poison ivy between sites. Also, generators are permitted."

    Levelness concerns: Many Black Hills sites require leveling equipment. A visitor to Sylvan Lake Campground noted, "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."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Hermosa, SD?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Hermosa, SD is Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch with a 4.2-star rating from 55 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Hermosa, SD?

    TheDyrt.com has all 199 dog-friendly camping locations near Hermosa, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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