Looking for the best horse camping near Rapid City? Equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. With our help, you'll find the best South Dakota equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
Sage Creek Campground is a primitive campground. There is no charge to stay here and camping is available on a first come first serve basis. The campground rarely fills to capacity.
Anyone who has camped at Sylvan Lake campground in South Dakota’s Custer State Park knows that Black Hills camping doesn’t get much better than this. Sylvan Lake Campground is one of eight designated campgrounds in Custer State Park, and one of the best public land destinations for camping in the Black Hills of southwest South Dakota. The region’s expanse of dense forests, rolling prairies and granite mountain peaks (the very same peaks that were used to form Mount Rushmore) offer photo-snapping tourists and laced-up explorers alike a chance to dive into the ecology of the American West. For campers looking for a comfortable and convenient basecamp for diving into the region’s scenery and activities, Sylvan Lake campground is the place to be for many reasons. First, the 40-site campground offers access to the popular swimming spot of Sylvan Lake, where campers might feel inclined to spend their entire stay on the rocky beach of this scenic body of water. There’s also access to multiple hiking trails, suitable for all skill levels, including a trail that takes you to the curious and beautiful Black Elk Peak, the highest summit-able point east of the Rocky Mountains. Both a family-friendly spot and a hardcore adventurer’s playground, Sylvan Lake is Black Hills camping for everyone.
Located on the scenic Norbeck Byway away from the areas busy highways yet just one mile North of the historic city of Custer as you enter the heart of the Black Hills. Your adventure begins the minute you leave our gates. Just minutes from Crazy Horse, Sylvan Lake, The Needles, Jewel Cave, and Custer State Park. Easy access to Mt. Rushmore, Deadwood, Sturgis, and all the Black Hills Area attractions. 100 unique sites situated in the tall, cool pines that make camping in the Black Hills an experience not soon forgotten. Sites range from full service to rustic and from private to group and family friendly, so that everyone can have the camping or RV experience they desire. All the amenities with the cozy feeling of camping in a National Forest campground.
You should see the Hills from here! Custer/Mt. Rushmore KOA is your central location for visiting all of the Black Hills. We are in the center of all five major Black Hills attractions: Mt. Rushmore National Monument, Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, and Custer State Park, within 6 to 23 miles of the campground. You can arrange tours with a local tour company that picks you up at your site. After a day of sightseeing, unwind at our tranquil campground among the ponderosa pines, just 3 miles west of Custer. Eat breakfast or dinner at the Buffalo Cafe, located inside the store.The kids will love our jumping pillow and playground. Seasonal activities (Memorial Day to Labor Day) include a heated pool (weather permitting). We offer 1 and 2-room camping cabins (No Air Conditioning), a Fully equipped deluxe cabin, 30 & 50-amp pull-thru and back-in sites, deluxe patio sites, and several types of tent sites, from primitive to upgraded. Free Wi-Fi, clean restrooms, an on-site store, laundry ($), dump station, firewood ($), picnic tables, and propane ($) are available. Rates are higher on June 30-July 7 and August 6-15 (Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Custer Cruisin' dates). No television service is provided; some sites can receive satellite reception.
$60 - $100 / night
Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed on most of the Forest for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period. However, around developed reservoirs and campgrounds, camping is allowed only in designated areas. Check with the closest Forest Service office for specific information.
General rules: Camp 100 feet away from any creek or stream and 1/2 mile away from developed recreation sites, including campgrounds and picnic areas. Motorized vehicles allowed 300 feet off of roads as shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (dots) for dispersed camping on the Black Hills National Forest. Around developed reservoirs and campgrounds, camping is allowed only in designated campsites. Can camp for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period. No open campfires in South Dakota portions of the national forest. Open campfires are permitted in Wyoming portions of the national forest, unless a special order prohibiting such is in effect. Check with the closest Forest Service office for more specific information about dispersed camping.
Broken Arrow Horse Camp is a full service campground that accommodates our guest's horses in safe covered stalls. Our campground is surrounded by the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota and all the activities it has to offer. Visit our website and plan that long awaited getaway. We look forward to seeing you! Happy Trails!
Guide
Spent one night here after exploring the park. less than a third full in early november. vault toilets clean-ish. wide open spaces, not really any privacy here. pretty sunrise.
Scout
Blue Bell Campground truly captures the essence of a classic camping experience, with its beautiful surroundings and well-maintained facilities. The campground offers easy access to scenic trails, wildlife viewing, and nearby attractions like Sylvan Lake and Needles Highway, making it perfect for both relaxation and adventure. Plus, amenities like clean restrooms, picnic tables, and fire pits add convenience without taking away from the rustic charm. Whether you're there to hike, uno online spot wildlife, or just unwind by the campfire, it’s a wonderful spot to connect with nature in Custer State Park.
Scout
Beautiful scenery with loads to do. The drive from Mt Rushmore to the campsite was incredible
play uno online there with my friends too.
Traveler
Lots of cool spots if you can get to them. Once you leave the gravel the roads are hit and miss. You’re not taking a trailer down most of them if any.
Scout
Several spots along the Bob Marshall camp road to pull off and camp. We went a bit more off the path by turning right, going up past a water treatment plant and parking near the end of the road. It was secluded and pretty. Lots of coyotes in the area. No camp fires when we were there due to dry conditions. The road after the turn off was in rough shape. I wouldn’t take a trailer up it, but we were in a large SUV and it was just fine. A great place to disperse camp in the state park. We stayed two nights.
GuideMy boy Palo and I camped in my Outback for a night. It was a great experience. They have the cleans best smelling bathrooms I have venture into.
GuideThis was a free site in the Badlands. It's a dirt road to get there, washboards, but OK.
The cg is in a prairie dog town so we kept the dog close.
It was full on a Saturday night in September, but we got one of the last sites. Very basic campground with a few trails to hike. Views were OK, but nothing great.
Buffalo wandered through camp at dinner time. We basically camped on the road that circles the campground.
Some picnic tables had a shade covering. Pit toilets were clean.
TravelerGreat location to set out to explore the Badlands? Low reception with Verizon in the valley bye still have good contact. Great reception, small hike to the top of the hill.
TravelerFree dispersed camping, with clean vault toilets. no water or power you will have to bring your own. Quiet and tranquil location, Surrounded by prairie dogs as you sit in the valley with low rolling hills around you.
TravelerHowever, there is a spot on outlaw ranch rd you see before outlaw ranch road the gps takes you to that is nice and enough back for more privacy. Others know of it too, and 2 more cars tried to pull in after dark. I turned on a light and they were cool about backing out. Sorry to be unable to be more specific, want to say this spot really nice.
ScoutI really liked this site, they had tables with shade, out house, flat ground, and compared to the dispersed camping wayyy less windy. We did not see bison today but there were prairie dogs
Guide
Stayed 7-30-24
If you like KOAs, you will love this place. Big, super clean and nice, all you can eat pancakes for $3.50 and play grounds for the kids (big kids also)
If you don't like KOAs because you want to camp by a quiet lake back 20 miles back on a dirt road, that's great but you don't want to stay here.
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TravelerDispersed Camping off the main road thru Custer State Park that is National Forest. Turn on the road that marks the Bob Marshall Camp. You pass a water treatment area and go thru the gate. It is open to vehicles in the summer and equestrian and hike in during the winter. Road is rough but was passable in our truck. We towed in a small teardrop but I wouldn't recommend a large rig. There are several areas to set up camp but pack in and pack out! No water sources spotted so bring enough in with you (didn't even see any water for filtering). Saw a preexisting stone fire pit from past campers too. Super quiet and near all the great things of Custer. We did experience biting flies. Coordinates: 43.7851324, -103.5041771
Scout
We reserved a spot and paid online. When we got here the place was literally deserted. Other than a couple of cars at the trailhead just before the campsite we haven’t seen anyone.
TravelerThe ruts become somewhat steep once the entrance road terminates. There are plenty of spots to set up beforehand, but you might be able to drive around them. Only one other camper on the main road, so it's really peaceful. Great day hikes and exploration opportunities abound on this undulating landscape.
Legend
Very nice KOA. Great staff. Nice sites under pine trees. Pool, cafe, and laundry facilities are well maintained. Will stay here again.
RangerVery 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.
GuideAt first we didn’t love it. It’s hot. No shade. No fires. Some picnic tables have a shade but they were all taken. I guess about 20 sights here I found trails to the creek. Win for me. Up early and holy WOW, buffalo start roaming through camp! 2 came right on through the middle of the campers loop scratching on posts and rolling in dirt behind our tent. Unbelievable. A handful more were roaming around on the other side of the creek. Me may have gotten bitten by prairie dog fleas though and they have a plague. I read the sign in the morning AFTER and we were leaving. I think we will survive. Worth every bite. The toilet house is nice with trash and hand sanitizer. No signal or water or electricity here. Lots of stars at night.
Ranger
Friendly staff. Very clean bathrooms and showers. Sites well maintained. Lots of amenities. Only complaint are sites a little close.
GuideWhat a sweet little spot! This is a 22 site, first come first served campground - no reservations & a 14 day limit. We visited in June & it was BUSY. The sites were all full by 4pm - but there is room to squeeze in extra tents/cars! There are no fires allowed here but there are two bathroom, and plenty of trash cans. The best part though is I can almost promise you’ll get up close & personal with some buffalo. Be respectful!!!
GuideTo me with our RV this is a luxury camping for us! Anything you can imagine, right here and if not there is something close by! The pools, activities, all around people.... Great place highly recommend! The showers are great and hot however they all need new curtains and a 1 store stool and hooks on the wall would be great
RangerCampground is basic. Only 2 (very clean) vault toilets, no water or electricity. I got there a little before 3pm on mother's day; it was full by 8. Only a handful of sites have sun covers over the picnic tables. You will be very close to other campers. Most are respectful. I would just recommend getting there before dark to keep from disturbing everyone. Prairie dogs galore in the center and on the periphery of the campground. My dog was fascinated by them. As noted by others, you will most likely be serenaded by coyotes and have morning visits from the bison. I also heard wild turkeys off in the woods.
GuideSorry I forgot to get pictures. We stayed here for two days. The campsite allows pets has two toilets at both ends. No running water or electricity. The vibe at the site was great with the other campers. Weather was a bit extreme but we got unlucky picking a week when a huge storm column was coming across the US. The buffalo were all over the campsite. Really recommend if you enjoy camping a little more off grid but still having others to hangout with
GuideIt is a area about the size of a city block that you camp in the middle of and park around. It is popular so try not to show up late. Plenty of tent camping inside the loop. Parking can be and issue. By 9.pm some small RVs came and couldn't find space left to park. Vault toilets, trails, some picnic tables, scenery. Woke up to a buffalo 30 yards from my tent. Other people said they walk right thru camp. Prairie dogs everywhere, so watch your step for holes. I got yelled at by a prairie dog on my hike up the hill lol. Our stay was short but enjoyable.
ScoutI 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.
GuideWe were in a camper van and the road wasn’t bad, we didn’t need 4WD. There were a few other cars that went by that were camping too, but it was very quiet and peaceful other than that. There were a lot of places to pull off that were flat for a tent or camper, I’d definitely recommend!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Rapid City, SD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Rapid City, SD is Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch with a 4.2-star rating from 54 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Rapid City, SD?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 equestrian camping locations near Rapid City, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
