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."
"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."
$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."
$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."
GuideNice spacious 50 amp campsites. We camped about 50 feet from the bathhouse which had four separate toilet/shower rooms which were very spacious and very clean. We were able to make the trek further down the reservoir and discovered the off grid sites. These off grid sites were very spacious and waterfront. Further down were equestrian sites with large gravel sites and private horse stalls. There was water available to fill our fifth wheel at the front of the camp where we entered along with a dump site that is not supposed to use this freshwater. We were one minute from the boat ramps. Just be aware that there is an additional fee for state parks in South Dakota. We paid $60 for a nonresident one year pass otherwise it would have been $15 per day park entry fee.
RangerWe wanted to spend a couple of days in the Black Hills and also needed full hookups and laundry after about a week of boondocking - Elk Horn Ridge gave us that and more. 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 with modern full hookup connections, beautifully landscaped grounds overlooking the Frawley Ranch, and a wonderful pool, a pool-side bar, dog park, basketball and pickleball courts, coffee bar and laundry. Our rig was a dirty mess from the boondocking and 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!Loved our time here and special kudos to Ellee and Jordan for their welcome at check in and drinks after dinner!
TravelerWe camped at this site based on location and wanting a dispersed site. Easy access and other sites available. We were the only ones there and it was so relaxing. Did some hikes around Lake Sheridan and Custer State Park. Really enjoyed it.
ScoutMy family camped at a walk in site. It was about .15 miles uphill to the site. A bit of work to get everything up the hill but it was worth it. The views and seclusion were amazing. There are huge rocks my kids enjoyed scrambling up. They said it was the best camp site they’d ever stayed at - and I agree.
GuideThe campground is located in a beautiful and scenic area. The road to get there is an adventure in itself but well worth it. Our site had full hook ups, a fire ring and a picnic table. We were a little close to our neighbors but it worked out ok. We were in site 55. The campground was quiet at night. The campground staff was incredibly nice and helpful. The bathrooms were sparkling clean and the water pressure was great! The shower rooms were spacious and had a private toilet. There is an awesome short hike up the hill to the flagpole that is well worth the effort. There were a couple of "rough" spots but the scenery at the top is awesome. You can see Mt. Rushmore from the flagpole! Just beware of the ticks that you may pick up on your hike. We came into the campground from the East and left the campground on the West side through Custer State Park. I prefer the West side. There are lots of tight curves and narrow road but plenty of very large campers manage to get to the campground just fine. I would recommend this campground to anyone. It is very kid friendly and dog friendly. Just all around friendly. Lots of activities to do in the campground and the area around it. Great location. Great gift shop, Great cafe. Great staff.
GuideBeaver Creek Campground is an idyllic out of the way spot located in South Dakota near the Wyoming boarder. There is a water spigot but no trash bins, you have to pack your trash out. I drove in from the Keystone area on half paved and half gravel roads. I would give it 5 stars if there was garbage container.
TravelerStayed the week before official Sturgis week so it was getting to be super busy with bikers and travelers. Once you pull off the highway and on the road the chaos of Sturgus goes away. Road had some ruts and a steep hill that turns but once we traversed that we were alone and secluded.
RangerOwners are working on improving sites. They are pretty level. Currently, sites are close together and they are in the process of merging 2 into 1. Location is quiet. There is a place to walk dogs. Deadwood trolley comes right to the CG to transport you downtown.
ScoutWhether you're pulling in with a 40-foot rig or just pitching a tent, you’ll find the grounds well-kept and the layout thoughtfully planned. Many awesome tanks sites are surrounded by woods, giving a peaceful, back-to-nature feel—even though you’re only a mile from Custer City.
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 242 campgrounds and RV parks near Hill City, SD and 34 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 34 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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