Hill City is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Hill City camping trip.
"Make the most of your South Dakota vacation by spending it camping. My group tented and had a great time."
"The location is amazing and so beautiful. There are tons of amenities and fun activities. The staff are very nice and very helpful."
"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."
$30 / night
"Quiet, beautiful and close to Rushmore, Hill City and Custer! The sites were nice with new concrete pads and fire pits. Pit toilets, didn’t see any showers."
"If you're touring the Black Hills, and hitting all of the outdoor attractions, Horsethief Lake is perfectly placed to access it all."
$28 / night
"It is not far from Hill City but is still quiet. Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Needles Highway, Jewel Cave and other attractions are just a short drive away."
"We definitely took advantage of the east access to the lake and close proximity to Hill City. Had a tornado warning out first night here."
"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."
$28 / night
"Visited during a trip to the Black Hills when I wanted to get off the beaten path a bit from the normal Black Hills area (ie -Custer, Hill City, etc."
"A tent-only area, which I appreciate- those tend to be quieter than the RV spots, and the tent area was close to the reservoir. Standard campsite amenities- tables, fire pits, bathrooms."
$20 / night
"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."
"Not much to do if you’re not a climber, but luckily that’s all we came to South Dakota to do. Walking distance to nearby climbing and nice views from the huge boulder in the vicinity."
"Scenic campgrounds with 100s of climbing routes within walking distance. There is no water or electricity and only one latrine."
$30 / night
"Campground Review:
The Stockade Lake North Campground is located just inside the west entrance to Custer State Park in Custer, South Dakota."
"There is a nice walking path that drops down to the lake from the south part of the campground. I literally walked across the road from SN33E and stepped on the trail to walk my dogs."
"Like the location… it is in the middle of all the attractions…. Needle HWY, Hill city, Rushmore/crazy horse, Custer,etc."
"It is bordered by the Black Hills Natl. Forest. It has site for tent camper, pop-ups and bigger RV's and cabins. Due to the topography you will have to do some leveling."
TravelerCurrently updating pads and infrastructure. Everything gravel. No shade. Cl
TravelerWe enjoyed this place. Nice wide spots and drive through for easy setup.
Vicky is an excellent host. Thanks.
GuideHad to make this update - they do have showers inside the restroom areas, which do not require cash. NOBODY HAS INFORMED ME OF THIS DURING MY CHECK IN !!! Toilets are clean but the some stalls don’t have a lock???
Pictures online seemed good but once I stepped into the office, I quickly realized this camp ground is primarily used by more conservative/Trump supporters. The office inside is decorated with pro Trump everything. The door outside will greet you with “F*** Biden and if you voted for Biden - F*** you too “…
The lady who received me was friendly, no complains there. She also made sure I’d get a spot where it’ll be a bit more quiet and close enough to the restrooms. The showers and laundry are both operated only by quarters, which in my opinion is not the greatest. Especially when you travel with smaller kids. There was so trash scattered on the sites. The tables/benches are outdated/partially intact. Overall I’d say this is OK for a nights stay but if you value your peace of mind, this may not be it for you.
TravelerNice scenery. Lots of UTV noise during day. I was in desperate need of a sun view for my solar and got some here when the weather cleared. The road in is very rough on steep. High clearance and four wheel drive recommended but I have seen compact cars make it in and out
GuideNot only is this state campground cheaper than other RV parks in the area, it is just a nice park. Bathrooms and showers are clean. Camp hosts are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
GuideOverall this would be a nice place to stay for a couple days if it’s not turned into a ginormous mud puddle after some rain. There’s dog poop left on sites, the showers are filthy due to ventilation not working properly and the “cells”, as I like to call them now, are not being kept with an open door between people showering, to let the tiny room vent. The walls, bench and ceilings are vet, dripping down on you while you get undressed/dressed. There’s mold in every crevice and the bench, which I’m assuming is there for you to place your items, is soaked so you’ll end up having to either get your stuff wet or dry with whatever you can find before placing your items down. The door is dripping wet also, so if you think of hanging up your towels… they’ll be pre soaked before you dry off. Some sites aren’t covered in gravel much, so you’ll be stepping in lots of mud puddles, trying to get in and out your rig. They’re doing some construction right now, not sure if they’ll fix the shower situation.
GuideMaybe 3 spots.. one has hard slant.. no campfire signs all over.. not far to Roosevelt tower.. beautiful views..
GuideVery convenient if you are traveling between Teddy Roosevelt National Park and Mt. Rushmore. We pulled in after dark and left as the sun rose. Right outside Deadwood.
GuideRoad follows a creek with plenty of easily accessible spots.
Camping near Hill City, South Dakota, offers a mix of stunning scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Hill City, South Dakota, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With a variety of campgrounds and activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Hill City, SD offers a wide range of camping options, with 240 campgrounds and RV parks near Hill City, SD and 32 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hill City, SD is Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch with a 4.2-star rating from 53 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 free dispersed camping spots near Hill City, SD.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Hill City, SD that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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