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Best Campgrounds near Keystone, SD

1,494 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 (250)

    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. 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."

    8. 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."

    9. Wrinkled Rock

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

    "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."

    "It is a great location to the surrounding Black Hills trails, lakes, and Keystone"

    10. Game Lodge Campground — Custer State Park

    27 Reviews
    Keystone, SD
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 255-4515

    $26 - $55 / night

    "This campground is open year round and is located in Custer State Park, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Features cabin, camper, and tent sites."

    "The second morning we woke up to bison all along the fence next to the campground!"

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Recent Camping Photos near Keystone, SD

619 Photos of 250 Keystone Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Keystone, SD

1494 Reviews of 250 Keystone Campgrounds

  • Therese S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Bear Butte State Park Campground

    Nice Quiet Spot

    Nice, quiet spot on the water. Potable water spigot near the vault restrooms. Level sites with picnic tables.

  • TF The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Custer Trail

    Established Campground

    Smallest campground on the lake from what I saw. There are 4-5 RV sites and a handful of walk-in tent sites. Trailhead is marked no camping. Staying in mid September, there was no camping/fee signage so I stayed for free. Was the only one there. Super duper quiet, and right on the water for a quick morning paddle.

  • Lindsey R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Bear Butte State Park Campground

    Great spot. Gorgeous setting

    We were lucky to find this state park pristine. Perhaps a few of the campers were there long term but everyone's site was neat and tidy. The only other folks we saw were there to enjoy the beautiful peaceful lake fishing. Very quiet. Bathrooms were very clean though door locks didn't seem to work. We camped at main site. Entrance a little way past main entrance to Bear Butte on opposite side of road. There is actually another entrance almost immediately across from The Bear Butte entrance that offers horse and trailer camping with a corral as well as at least 2 pull off sites just above the lake. There is even a bathroom on this more "dispersed" side of lake. Highly recommend fir RVs or tents! Beautiful walking/hiking trail across earthen dam for the lake from main campground that wraps around and crosses road to the trail up Butte! Highly reccomend. Excellent Cell Service too!!

  • Karen V.
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Days End Campground

    Great campground, friendly staff, easy check-in and out

    Reserved a site by text, showed up 3 hours prior to check in time and Ronda still accommodated us. Place is pretty empty a month after the rally. Woke up to deer munching on acorns right outside our rig. Not too many full timers. There was road construction taking place a few yards away so it was pretty noisy, but not unbearable. Nights are peaceful.

  • Tom D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Fort Welikit Family Campground and RV Park

    Great Centrally Located Campground

    Fort Welikit (We- Lik-It) is very centrally located to many of the memorials, caves, and drives within the park and surrounding area. Our site was not the best for a 45’ class A, but with the help of one of the camp hosts supplying a portable step our visit was enjoyable. The owners have kept the tall pines in the campground. Our site #6 was almost always shaded. The sound of the wind in the trees truly put you to sleep. Fort Welikit allows Amazon deliveries. A nice touch.
    We had a few nights of rain and the owner was out every morning dragging the gravel back in place to keep the interior roads smooth.

  • Kara S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Dispersed Camping near Calumet Road

    Serene and peaceful

    Calm ur road itself is gravel but then you can diverge on one of the forest service roads. We went down a few of them until we found our spot. It had a fire ring and was fairly open for starlink access. Very quiet and peaceful. Found a few spots with no one near it for a bit.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Rod & Gun Campground

    Nice quiet little campground

    Nice quiet little campground. There is a small creek running next to some campsites. The campground is very open with very little privacy between campsites.

  • Tom D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Stockade North Campground — Custer State Park

    Nice Wooded Sites Centrally Located

    We stayed here two nights because of the five stars. It does not have a dump station nor sewer and water sites. So I edited the amenities. In the future I will verify dump stations on the host site. Electric and some non-electric sites and with two campground spigots accessible from the road only. We arrived after 6 nights of boondocking and were disappointed with the inaccuracy of the amenities. Over all it is a nice campground with a good amount of room between most sites and quiet. Close to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Jewel Cave, and Wind Cave. Plus some great drives.

Guide to Keystone

Camping near Keystone, South Dakota, offers a mix of stunning scenery and fun activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Explore Mount Rushmore: Just a short drive from many campgrounds, this iconic landmark is a must-see. Campers often mention how close they are to the site, making it easy to visit. One camper noted, “The location is about 1/2 hour from 90 but close to Mount Rushmore.”
  • Hiking and Nature Walks: The area is filled with trails for all skill levels. Many campers enjoy the nearby hiking options, with one stating, “Great little lake, nearby hiking, and vault toilets had new odor controller.”
  • Fishing and Boating: Campgrounds like Pactola Reservoir Campground are perfect for fishing enthusiasts. A reviewer shared, “The reservoir is huge, and many consider it to be one of the best fishing 'holes' in the state.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One visitor at Game Lodge Campground mentioned, “The restrooms (including the pit toilets at the far end of the loop) are all extremely clean and nice.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites, which is a big plus for families. A camper at Stockade North Campground said, “There is SO much space between sites.”
  • Friendly Hosts: Campground hosts often receive praise for their helpfulness. A reviewer at Elk Mountain Campground noted, “Camp hosts were great... they came through to warn us on tents that a huge thunderstorm was heading our way.”

What you should know

  • Crowded Campgrounds: Some popular spots can get busy, especially during peak season. A camper at Sylvan Lake Campground mentioned, “It’s busy and loud here... not much privacy.”
  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. One visitor at Horsethief Lake Campground said, “I got no cell reception here between Xfinity, Verizon, and T-Mobile.”
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular campgrounds fill up quickly. A camper at Blue Bell Campground advised, “Reservations for this campground open at 6 AM mountain time.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. A reviewer at Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch mentioned, “Playgrounds for the kids (big kids also).”
  • Safety Precautions: Always check the weather and prepare for storms. One camper at Elk Mountain Campground appreciated the camp hosts for warning them about an incoming storm.
  • Pack Essentials: Bring along games and activities for downtime. A visitor at Pactola Reservoir Campground suggested, “You MUST try their broasted chicken.”

Tips from RVers

  • Big Rig Friendly: Many campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. A reviewer at Horsethief Lake Campground noted, “Big rig friendly.”
  • Check Hookups: Some campgrounds may not have electric hookups. A camper at Sheridan Lake South Shore Campground mentioned, “No electric hookups, but plenty of space.”
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the nearest dump stations are located. A visitor at Stockade North Campground shared, “There are two dump station locations... could be problematic because the bison were standing on the dump station.”

Camping near Keystone, South Dakota, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're in an RV or tent camping, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

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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