Best Equestrian Camping near Hill City, SD

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Hill City, SD

277 Reviews of 24 Hill City Campgrounds

• J

  John L.

  Guide

  Aug. 1, 2022

  Rafter J Bar Ranch

  Lives up to its reputation

  This was a wonderful campsite. It’s situated right in between Mt. Rushmore and The Crazy Horse Memorial. Plus it’s 5 minutes down the road from Hill City, SD with the normal amenities (grocery, fuel, restaurants, etc) plus wineries and breweries.

  The property is absolutely massive with great views all around. We were in the Lower Ranch Camp which we enjoyed. The site was gravel and deep with 50/30/20 amp electric, water and sewer and lots of space. There are laundry facilities in the bathhouses scattered around the property. The pool is heated with a hot tub and there was a small general store.

  This was a historic ranch and a stop for the stagecoaches.

  We will definitely stay here again the next time we pass through the Black Hills.

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• 

  Leasa W.

  Guide

  Jul. 30, 2016

  Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch

  Excellent tenting option for vacationing near Mt. Rushmore

  So you're going to Mount Rushmore.... I discovered during my trip to the area June 2015 that hotel rates in the area are very high for what you get & hard to find availability. The solution is to camp! Make the most of your South Dakota vacation by spending it camping. My group tented and had a great time. Keep in mind though for those coming from other areas of the country, South Dakota does experience rain and thunderstorms. Pack and camp accordingly. This campground is nearby many SD attractions, within easy driving distance and minutes of Hill City, Custer, Keystone, Rapid City, Mount Rushmore. There are many options at the campground such as purchasing firewood to renting bikes. Check out KOA's campground map for campground layout. RV hookups, tent sites, heated pools, splash pad, and much more to keep everyone entertained. Remember that this area of South Dakota hosts high volumes of tourists each season, especially summer and during Sturgis Motorcyle Rally. I highly recommend making reservations far in advance!

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• 

  Angie A.

  Ranger

  Jul. 13, 2024

  Dispersed Camping near Calumet Road

  Great find

  Very close to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Rapid City and Hill City. Lake Sheridan was a great place to go cool off. Very dispersed camping. Pack in Pack out. No cell service. At first we didn’t think there was a spot to pull off and then found a perfect circular area for us in our travel trailer and our friends car camping. No fires allowed when we were there. We stayed 2 nights and planned to sight see so left our stuff and was never bothered.

• 

  Joe C.

  Guide

  Jun. 20, 2025

  Sheps Canyon Recreation Area

  Spacious Sites

  Nice 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.

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• C

  Cynthia I.

  Scout

  May. 26, 2020

  Rafter J Bar Ranch

  Beautiful, Great Location!

  Stayed in one of the cabins over the weekend, while family stayed in their camper at the Ranch site. Wow, the cabin exceeded my expectations! It was one of the larger cabins with a separate bedroom. It was so clean, I thought it was newly built. Large patio overlooking streams, great views, quiet. Outdoor grill, kitchen with fridge and coffee maker. Comfy beds and tv with satellite. Clean, spacious bathroom. Must bring your own towels, linens, toiletries, etc. Plenty of space throughout the camp. Within minutes of Mr Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Sylvan Lake, Hill City, and Custer.

• 

  Billy B.

  Guide

  Aug. 30, 2016

  Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park

  Best campground in Custer State park

  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. Some of the hikes are pretty steep and South Dakota in notorious for fast changing weather. The lake itself can be pretty busy, especially during the weekend. Lot of people swimming and kayaking. Needles highway is a must if your in the area

• 

  Greg H.

  Traveler

  Jul. 8, 2025

  Mt. Rushmore Resort & Lodge at Palmer Gulch

  Great Location for Families

  It's a huge campground with over 300 campsites. Has campsites for most any camping needs. With the exception of hike in or boat in campsites. Located in Hill City along Palmer Creek. They have a fishing pond I wasn't able to list with it's amenities. Would have given them 5 stars if they hadn't changed my reserved site from a pull thru site to a back in site. That change forced me to be farther away from their general store, restaurant and main office as well as many other amenities. I must change the number of campsites they have available to in excess of 600 campsites. As well as the amenities they have available I missed checking the boxes. Including pickle ball, movies, jumping pillow, sand volleyball, and several others. It has too many amenities to list. Or that I'm taking the time to list anyway. Lol sorry just being as honest as possible.

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• 

  Hope H.

  Traveler

  May. 30, 2018

  Black Fox Campground

  Quaint and Cozy Campground!

  Nestled up in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, Black Fox is our 'go to' campground because of how small it is. 8-10 sites that are spread out so you're not right beside other campers. Black Fox has 1 vaulted toilet and every camp site has its own fire pit and picnic table. There is a small creek that runs right behind many of the camp sites so if you feel like doing a little rainbow trout fishing, you can. If your not into fishing, just hop on to your ATV and go explore the many trails that are situated right around the campground. Not only will you be able to enjoy nature, but you will see elk, deer, turkey and if your lucky, a mountain lion!

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• E

  Elizabeth M.

  Scout

  Oct. 21, 2023

  Blue Bell Campground — Custer State Park

  Solo female kicked out in the middle of the night

  I am a solo, female, camping alone. The site-hosts came banging on my car & yelling, and kicked me out in the middle of the night, stating that I canceled my reservation. I did NOT cancel my reservation. I have a credit card receipt for payment of my reservation. The host refused to look at any of my proving evidence that I paid for a site. 15E. They just kept yelling for me to “Get out!” And kicked me out at 9:30 PM, and leaving me stranded/homeless in South Dakota. I do not live in the state and had no idea what to do. They have endangered my safety. Do not stay here! They can kick you out whenever they want.

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