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Best Campgrounds near Keystone, SD

1,528 Reviews

Keystone, South Dakota provides convenient access to several campgrounds situated near Mount Rushmore and throughout the Black Hills region. The area includes established options like Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch and Spokane Creek Cabins & Campground, which offer cabin accommodations alongside traditional tent and RV sites. Custer State Park maintains several campgrounds in the vicinity, including Sylvan Lake, Center Lake, and Game Lodge campgrounds, providing a mix of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. For those seeking more rustic experiences, RD 356 Dispersed Site in Black Hills National Forest offers free tent camping with minimal amenities approximately 2 miles from Keystone.

Most developed campgrounds in the Keystone area operate seasonally, typically from May through September or early October. Weather conditions in the Black Hills can change rapidly, with cooler temperatures in higher elevations even during summer months. Reservation requirements vary by location, with most established campgrounds requiring advance booking, particularly during the busy summer season when Mount Rushmore visitation peaks. Campgrounds like Horsethief Lake and those within Custer State Park provide improved amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings, while dispersed sites require visitors to be self-sufficient with water and waste management. A camper noted, "This park is central to the surrounding area, and about 1.25 miles from downtown Keystone. Reasonable price for the area. Great hiking from right at the park."

The proximity to Mount Rushmore represents a significant draw for campers visiting the Keystone area. Several visitors highlight the convenience of accessing major attractions while enjoying natural surroundings. A recent review mentioned, "This location is worth repeating. For very large rigs with tows, it may be a bit tight in spots." Campgrounds like Kemp's Kamp receive praise for their strategic location, with one visitor noting it's "only like a mile to downtown Keystone and 5 miles to Mount Rushmore." Most established campgrounds in the region offer clean facilities and moderate site spacing, though several reviews indicate that RV sites can feel somewhat crowded during peak season. Wildlife viewing opportunities and hiking access directly from campgrounds enhance the camping experience in this historically and naturally significant region.

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Best Camping Sites Near Keystone, South Dakota (251)

    1. Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch

    55 Reviews
    Hill City, SD
    5 miles
    Website

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

    "UTV rentals with State Park trails adjacent to the campground were a lot of fun (and reasonably priced). "

    2. Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park

    42 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 255-4515

    "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."

    3. RD 356 Dispersed Site Black Hills National Forest

    33 Reviews
    Hill City, SD
    5 miles
    Website

    "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."

    4. Horsethief Lake Campground

    31 Reviews
    Keystone, SD
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    $30 / night

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

    "We spent one night in one of the walk-in sites here. We were able to find an open site at 10 am with no reservation, although the drive-up sites looked all full."

    5. Center Lake Campground — Custer State Park

    30 Reviews
    Keystone, SD
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 255-4515

    $20 / night

    "We stayed in the upper loop site 52 which was super spacious and had the potable water spigot nearby. Only major drawback was not having cell service but mostly bc we still had to work on our trip."

    "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."

    6. Sheridan Lake South Shore Campground

    31 Reviews
    Hill City, SD
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-9200

    $28 / night

    "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."

    7. Wrinkled Rock

    25 Reviews
    Keystone, SD
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 673-4853

    "Wrinkled Rock, near Keystone, South Dakota, is a hidden gem for outdoor lovers seeking tranquility and stunning views.🏕️ Just minutes from Mount Rushmore, this spot offers excellent tent camping with"

    "Wrinkled Rock, near Keystone, South Dakota, is a hidden gem for outdoor lovers seeking tranquility and stunning views.🏕️ Just minutes from Mount Rushmore, this spot offers excellent tent camping with"

    8. Stockade North Campground — Custer State Park

    28 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 255-4515

    $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."

    9. Blue Bell Campground — Custer State Park

    36 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 255-4515

    "Blue Bell Campground truly captures the essence of a classic camping experience, with its beautiful surroundings and well-maintained facilities."

    "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."

    10. Spokane Creek Cabins & Campground

    22 Reviews
    Keystone, SD
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 261-9331

    "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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Recent Reviews near Keystone, SD

1528 Reviews of 251 Keystone Campgrounds

  • Bill T.
    Dec. 31, 2025

    Rafter J Bar Ranch

    Base Camp For The Black Hills

    Rafter J Bar Ranch had large wooded sites that reminded me more of a State Park! All amenities plus a friendly staff. Mt Rushmore, Custer SP, Needles Highway, Crazy Horse Monument, Wind Cave NP & Badlands NP all within a short drive!

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 29, 2025

    Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins

    One of Our Favs

    Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort is easy to find near I-90, but it sits far enough off the highway that road noise isn’t too bad. This is a very nice campground (CG) with exceptional customer service. The morning of our arrival, the office called to ask whether we wanted to switch sites so we wouldn’t have to move after extending our stay by two days. They recommended Site 71, an end-cap site, and we gladly accepted. We also completed the online pre-check-in, which made arrival quick and simple. We proceeded to pull-through Site 71 with FHUs; the long pad had multiple sewer connection options, which was super convenient, and the utilities were located near the middle of the pad. There’s a nice cement patio and picnic table, and the site was plenty long enough for our 40' toy hauler with the back patio down while still leaving room to park our F450. Campground WiFi was okay at 13.5 Mbps. We had 2 bars of Verizon 5G and 1 bar on T-Mobile, which wasn’t strong enough to support our T-Mobile Home Internet, so we put Starlink on the roof and, with few mature trees near our site, had a clear sky shot and excellent performance. The CG has nice showers, laundry, a dog park, and good walking areas. Overall, this is one of the best private campgrounds we’ve stayed.

  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 11, 2025

    Balsar Gulch Dispersed Camping

    Not for family

    Old tents, trash, 9mm casings, pretty pine trees that have been shot up, good pine trees cut down for fire wood. Remnants of old deer carcasses, bones , hair, but the trees are pretty and it was quiet will I was here during the week.

  • Susan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2025

    Bogus Jim Creek Campsite

    Beautiful area

    Gorgeous black hills, a little bit of rocks to get over to get into the site right off of Bogus Jim Creek Rd that is 7 mins of dirt road up to the site from the paved road. I have Jeep Renegade TrailHawk and had no problems even with going further into the area down a more rugged road. The only reason I didn’t set up camp and stay overnight is because I needed to use my Verizon mobile internet router to do some work online. But I had ZERO cell service anywhere within 10 min drive from here. The app specifies “some” Verizon service but if that was the case, I’d be able to work because my extra mobile internet box gives me plenty of strength even with just one bar. So please know you will not get any service with Verizon. There’s room for group camping. No amenities or facilities. Very quiet. Farms in the area with horses. Dirt bike/ motor crossing roads are further down the 4x4 trail but none were in the area while I was there. If I didn’t need just one bar of cell service, I would rate with 5 stars.

  • Ben E.
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Sunrise Ridge Campground

    Friendly and welcoming

    Very friendly, and cozy atmosphere. Nestled right next to town, yet secluded enough to feel in the hills with nice views. Service is excellent on Verizon network and WiFi is provided. Correct placement on sewer hookup and spigot make dumps and water management super easy. Highly recommend, and reasonably priced!

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park

    Beautiful Views, Great Location, Great Price

    We loved everything about this place. Price was best of our month long vacation. Sites nice and level. Beautiful lake and trail across the street. Other than electric your on your own so bring water containers and empty tanks. Camp host was super nice. Really great location to explore the entire area. Custer is as good as any national park.

  • Cable A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Ellsworth AFB FamCamp.

    Good resupply and laundry point

    Typical RV park. This is not camping. Spots are on top of each other and in a neighborhood. All amenities available including WiFi and laundry. Overpriced.

  • Cable A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Fort Meade Recreation Area

    Overpriced and full of rattlesnakes.

    Campground is subpar. Very close spots, has a water fountain but no spigot. There is trash and vault toilets. Full of prairie rattlesnakes. Lots of trails for walking. Sits between a creek, a dusty road and the interstate.

Guide to Keystone

Camping sites near Keystone, South Dakota range in elevation from 4,300 to 6,000 feet, creating varying temperatures and weather conditions between campgrounds. The region experiences significant temperature drops after sunset, with evening temperatures often 20-30 degrees cooler than daytime highs, even during summer months. Most dispersed camping options in the Black Hills National Forest require visitors to pack out all waste and bring sufficient water supplies.

What to do

Hike to panoramic viewpoints: Wrinkled Rock Climbers Trailhead offers access to excellent hiking trails with unique views. According to one visitor, "There's dispersed camping here with quite a few pad options. It's a quiet place with a lot of very cool hiking trails off of the camp site."

Swimming and cliff jumping: Horsethief Lake Campground provides water recreation options during summer months. A camper noted, "The lake has fish, crayfish, and plenty of other wildlife for everyone to observe and enjoy."

Fishing for trout: Stocked lakes throughout the Black Hills region offer fishing opportunities. A visitor at Sheridan Lake South Shore Campground shared, "Had private lake access from our site. Well kept primitive camp ground."

What campers like

Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds feature secluded tent areas. At Sylvan Lake Campground, a camper reported, "What a fantastic campsite within walking distance of picturesque Sylvan Lake. Site had a level tent pad and tons of privacy on the corner loop."

Wildlife viewing from campsites: Multiple campgrounds offer direct animal observation. According to a visitor at Game Lodge Campground, "Because we were right on road we woke up to elk, Buffalo, deer and sheep right in our 'backyard'. My kids loved it."

Clean bathroom facilities: Despite rustic settings, many campgrounds maintain quality facilities. A camper at Stockade Lake North Campground mentioned, "The bathroom/shower building is older, but very well maintained and clean. Sites for Custer start booking a year in advance, so snag one early."

What you should know

Road access challenges: Several campgrounds feature narrow approach roads. One reviewer at Spokane Creek Cabins & Campground warned, "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."

Weather variability: The Black Hills region experiences rapid weather changes. A camper at Wrinkled Rock reported, "We definitely had an intense hail/thunderstorm so ended up sleeping half the night in the car."

Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have limited connectivity. A visitor at Sheridan Lake South Shore noted, "No cell service in the campground. Found one area where I could get cell service while walking the dogs and that was on the main road overlooking the beach area."

Tips for camping with families

Playgrounds and activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated recreation areas. A visitor at Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch shared, "This campground is very clean, well kept, and VERY Large! There are UTVs that you can rent to go out on the trails, there's a fun zone for the kids that has bouncy houses, the pools, Mini Golf and more!"

Creek exploration: Water features provide natural entertainment. A camper at Game Lodge Campground mentioned, "We were at Game Lodge campground site 36, which was right next to a little creek. At night, we could hear the water running and it was so calming."

Elevation effects: Higher elevation campgrounds may affect children. A visitor at RD 356 Dispersed Site advised, "Make sure you bring what you need with you" and noted "Weather was great, very mild. Air was fresh and crisp."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling requirements: Many sites require adjustment for RVs. A camper at Sylvan Lake mentioned, "I only gave this a four star because they were replacing the roads while we were here with no notice. Electric only at our site, very unlevel, hard to get into. Recommend a smaller rig than us, we were at 25 ft with two slides."

Generator restrictions: Check specific campground rules regarding generators. At Sheridan Lake, one camper noted, "Quiet time for generators was observed by all."

Alternative route planning: Large rigs should research access routes carefully. A visitor at Spokane Creek noted, "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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Keystone Campground located in South Dakota?

Keystone camping options are located in the Black Hills region of western South Dakota, with several campgrounds in close proximity to the town of Keystone. Grizzly Creek Primitive is situated just one mile from Keystone, making it an ideal base for visiting Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park. For those looking for alternatives near Keystone, Beaver Creek offers a secluded spot that's accessible via partially paved and gravel roads from the Keystone area.

What amenities are available at Keystone Campground?

Campgrounds near Keystone offer varying amenities to suit different camping preferences. Kemp's Kamp provides a lush setting with a clean swimming pool and helpful staff, though sites are somewhat close together and situated near a road. Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch offers more extensive facilities for campers visiting the area, making it a convenient alternative to higher-priced hotels. Most campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities like toilets and water access, with more developed sites offering shower facilities, while primitive options like Grizzly Creek are more minimal.

What are the best times of year to camp in Keystone, SD?

The prime camping season in Keystone, SD runs from May through September when most campgrounds are fully operational. Pactola Reservoir Campground typically operates from May to September, which reflects the general season for the region. Weather can change quickly in the Black Hills, as noted by visitors to Sylvan Lake Campground, so late spring through early fall offers the most reliable conditions. Summer months provide ideal temperatures but expect more crowds around Mount Rushmore. Some campgrounds like Game Lodge in Custer State Park remain open year-round for those prepared for variable conditions.

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