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Best Equestrian Camping near Spearfish, SD

178 Reviews

Ft. Meade Horse Camp provides horse corrals for overnight camping in the Black Hills National Forest. Located 15 miles east of Spearfish, the primitive campground offers vault toilets, trash receptacles, and multiple campsites for trailers and tents. The corrals accommodate horses of all sizes with ample space between sites for privacy and proper distancing between animals. Recent improvements include designated parking areas for horse trailers and accessible mounting areas. While the campground lacks drinking water, electric hookups, and showers, the natural setting appeals to riders seeking a basic camping experience with their horses. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Spearfish, South Dakota.

Trail access from Ft. Meade connects directly to the extensive Black Hills National Forest trail system, offering rides through pine forests, open meadows, and scenic mountain terrain. Water crossings and stream access points provide natural watering opportunities for horses along the trails. The campground's location allows for day rides to several connecting trail networks without needing to trailer horses between destinations. Seasonal considerations include limited accessibility during winter months and occasional trail closures due to weather conditions. The price has increased from free off-season camping to $30 per site daily, reflecting improved maintenance of the equestrian facilities. Group equestrian camping is possible by reserving adjacent sites, though the primitive nature of the facilities requires self-sufficiency for extended stays.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Spearfish, South Dakota (16)

    1. Whistler Gulch Campground & RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Deadwood, SD
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 578-2092

    "Location is quiet. There is a place to walk dogs. Deadwood trolley comes right to the CG to transport you downtown."

    "They are really close to town, so it’s really convenient. We have a larger side by side, so when I called they made sure that we would have a spot to fit that too."

    2. Iron Creek Lake Campground

    6 Reviews
    Lead, SD
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 642-5851

    $30 - $38 / night

    "We camped at Iron Creek Lake after the rally, at the end of August.  It was wonderful, not crowded.  The cafe/diner has things like burgers and ice cream, and the fishing in the lake is great.  "

    "Tucked away in the beautiful Black Hills, this is a favorite to many locals. Hiking, fishing, and great views."

    3. Days of 76 Campground

    3 Reviews
    Deadwood, SD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 578-2872

    "They have several horse camping sites too and a few guests were using the stables."

    "Small campground close to the street. We had a dry campground ($28) close to the office, but Wifi was not working good. Clean and spacious showers and restrooms."

    4. Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch

    55 Reviews
    Hill City, SD
    44 miles
    Website

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

    "It’s basically a small town with two pools, a village of shops and restaurants, tons of activities, and a large horse stable with trail rides."

    5. Besler's Cadillac Ranch

    Be the first to review!
    Belle Fourche, SD
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 391-6791

    6. Ft. Meade Horse Camp

    1 Review
    Sturgis, SD
    19 miles
    +1 (605) 892-7000

    $30 / night

    7. Black Fox Campground

    4 Reviews
    Silver City, SD
    25 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "The drive to Black Fox is along quite a few ranches and follows a river. The drive is enjoyable and not very difficult to handle. The campground is right along the river."

    8. Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park

    42 Reviews
    Custer, SD
    47 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."

    "Pricey (entrance fee plus campground fee) but worth it. Beautiful lake with great access to hiking trails, and just a short drive to Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse."

    9. Rapid City KOA

    25 Reviews
    Rapid City, SD
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 348-2111

    "Close to Mount Rushmore and crazy horse! Pirates cove mini golf is a short drive away! Great facility with standard KOA amenities."

    "My parents were able to rent a deluxe cabin right next to our campsite. My parents don’t “camp,” so this was perfect for a family vacation."

    10. Rafter J Bar Ranch

    20 Reviews
    Hill City, SD
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 574-2527

    "Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Devil’s Tower. We had a beautiful campsite in the “Ranch” section that had lots of trees and was a fair distance away from our neighbors."

    "Centrally located! Just across the street from access to Mt. Rushmore and the Needles Highway and down the road from Crazy Horse. Beautiful view of the hills."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Spearfish, SD

11 Photos of 16 Spearfish Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Spearfish, SD

178 Reviews of 16 Spearfish Campgrounds

  • Billy B.
    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

  • Leasa W.
    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!

  • Hope H.
    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!

  • Aaron S.
    Dec. 2, 2021

    Iron Creek Lake Campground

    Beautiful Family Campground

    We camped at Iron Creek Lake after the rally, at the end of August.  It was wonderful, not crowded.  The cafe/diner has things like burgers and ice cream, and the fishing in the lake is great.  The trail around the lake is easy to walk and there is some beach area for frog catching and splashing around with little kids.  This is a great lake to have a water toy like a kayak, and there are rentals available too.  We have a 30' TT and didn't have any problem at the far end of the lake setting up flat and level camping.  Power was there as well.  There are many sites here on a hill, so depending on what you get, you may be in for a tricky parking situation with a longer trailer.  We didn't even use the dumpstation as the way it is positioned I couldn't get the tanks dumped, so that was a bummer.  We went into Spearfish campground owned by the city and dumped there.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2016

    Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park

    Sylvan Lake- Custer State Park

    Pricey (entrance fee plus campground fee) but worth it. Beautiful lake with great access to hiking trails, and just a short drive to Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Nice campground, trailer lots seemed more level than tent sites. Some, not all, had tent pads. Nice clean shower house. Great starting point to hike Harney Peak and Cathedral Spires.

  • G
    May. 28, 2022

    Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park

    A top 10 campground

    This campground is one of the best . We snagged an awesome site that was large , wooded , secluded , and quiet . The area was beautiful with the Needles and the wildlife drives that were spectacular with buffalo , pronghorn ,and deer in your face. Very close to major attentions such as Mt Rushmore , Crazy Horse Monument , Wind Caves National Park , and the Badlands . The lake is a jewel with a great hike and granite spires bordering the end of the lake - postcard perfect . I also hooked 5 wild rainbows !! We will return

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Black Fox Campground

    Close enough to town and yet remote camping

    The drive to Black Fox is along quite a few ranches and follows a river. The drive is enjoyable and not very difficult to handle. The campground is right along the river. The rapids made music that is peaceful and inviting. 

    A large group of ATVs drove in to picnic. Along with one other family, the campground was pretty empty. 

    What better camp than right along a bubbling river? Off road trails are the closest draw. The Michelson trail has an access point a few miles down the road. Pay the access fee and enjoy the trail with hikers, bikers, and horses. 

    Although some of the sites had a bit too much water and were muddy, the bulk of the 9 sites were perfect.

  • Amy T.
    Jul. 27, 2018

    Rafter J Bar Ranch

    Great location in the Black Hills!

    This campground was absolutely gorgeous and a great place to stay while visiting the Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Devil’s Tower. We had a beautiful campsite in the “Ranch” section that had lots of trees and was a fair distance away from our neighbors. Showers/restrooms were clean and the laundry facilities and camp store were handy. Kids loved the pool, hot tub, basketball, and volleyball court. I loved the wide open feel of the campground and would definitely recommend to others visiting the area.

  • Zach H.
    Jul. 22, 2019

    Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch

    Huge KOA with tons of activities

    One of the largest KOAs in the US. It’s basically a small town with two pools, a village of shops and restaurants, tons of activities, and a large horse stable with trail rides. We had a nice back in site on the edge of a hill with plenty of privacy. However most the full hookup sites were really tight and had no shade.

    Very close to Mount Rushmore and within about 30 minutes of most of the Black Hills attractions. If you want the resort RV experience it will be tough to find somewhere better.

Guide to Spearfish

Horse camping in South Dakota offers a unique blend of scenic landscapes and equestrian-friendly facilities, making it an ideal destination for riders and their horses.

Tips for equestrian camping near Spearfish, South Dakota

  • The Iron Creek Lake Campground provides easy access to trails and a beautiful lake, perfect for a refreshing dip after a day of riding.
  • High Country Guest Ranch is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and proximity to various Black Hills activities, ensuring a fun-filled experience for all.
  • At Willow Creek Horse Camp, you can enjoy a peaceful environment with minimal crowds, ideal for a relaxing getaway with your horse.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

Equestrian campgrounds include various activities

  • At Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park, you can explore numerous hiking trails and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
  • Elk Creek RV Park Lodge & Resort offers a range of outdoor activities, including fishing and hiking, making it a great spot for equestrian enthusiasts.
  • The Rapid City KOA is conveniently located near attractions like Mount Rushmore, providing plenty of opportunities for sightseeing after a day of riding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Spearfish, SD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Spearfish, SD is Whistler Gulch Campground & RV Park with a 2.9-star rating from 10 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Spearfish, SD?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 equestrian camping locations near Spearfish, SD, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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