Best Campgrounds near Keystone, SD

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."