Tall pines shade a small loop off Iron Mountain Road, where Grizzly Creek runs close enough to several sites that campers can cool off in the water on a hot July afternoon. The campground has roughly 20 sites, though a portion are designated day-use only, and the mix of reservable and first-come, first-served spots means availability can shift quickly during summer weekends. Sites near the entrance tend to be wider and flatter, while those on the southeast side of the loop sit on slopes that can make tent setup awkward. Campers who want the most space and privacy consistently point to site 19.
Noise is the most consistent trade-off here. Iron Mountain Road carries steady motorcycle traffic from midday into the evening, and Mount Rushmore helicopter tours run roughly from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Both stop after dark, so nights are noticeably quieter. Cynthia W. puts it directly: "don't camp here if you want some peace and quiet." Most reviewers who stayed here used the campground as a base for day trips, which softens the daytime noise issue considerably. The vault toilets have drawn repeated complaints about odor, particularly in summer heat.
Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. The host sells firewood on-site, potable water is available, and cell service reaches the grounds. A trail across the main road leads uphill to views of Mount Rushmore. Horsethief Lake, a few miles past Rushmore, allows non-motorized watercraft including paddleboards and kayaks, and fishing is permitted there as well. Campers looking for pet-friendly camping near Black Hills National Forest will find that Grizzly Creek allows dogs.
The campground sits about a mile from Keystone, which has showers available in town. Reservations are accepted and worth making for summer weekends, when FCFS sites can fill by mid-morning on weekdays. The season runs mid-May through late August, and those who arrive in late May or early June often find more site availability and cooler temperatures before peak traffic picks up.
Description
Overview
This campground lies beneath a canopy of oak and Ponderosa pine on the banks of Grizzly Creek. The site has retained much of its original Civilian Conservation Corps character, and offers visitors recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. Located along the Iron Mountain Road, it is between Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Custer State Park.A pavillion built by the Civilian Conservation Corps still stands and is available for use by campers.
Recreation
Black Hills National Forest offers visitors a multitude of recreational opportunites throughout all seasons. Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles are popular in summer and early autumn. The winter landscape is ideal for snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling. From a nearby trailhead, visitors can access the Centennial Trail and parts of the Black Elk Wilderness and Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. Trails weave through the wilderness for a primitive, non-motorized recreation experience. For those seeking higher elevations, a day-long trek to the summit of nearby Black Elk Peak is worth the effort. Black Elk Peak is the highest natural point in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Most of the summit is bare granite and offers expansive views of the surrounding area. An old stone tower (Harney Lookout Tower) at the top, once used as a fire lookout, is still open to hikers.
Facilities
Due to tight, sharp turns, towing vehicles is prohibited in this campground. This includes vehicles pulling trailers and fifth-wheels, motorhomes pulling vehicles, and vehicles pulling pop-up campers. Vehicles up to 24 feet maximum are allowed. No overflow parking available._The campground has picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water. Electrical hook-ups are not available. Firewood is available for a fee.
Natural Features
Located in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, Black Hills National Forest encompasses nearly 1.25 million acres of rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and unique caves. Derived from the Lakota language, the words "Paha Sapa," meaning "hills that are black," honor the dark, pine-covered hills rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie. This campground is located in the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve and is close to the Black Elk Wilderness, South Dakota's only designated wilderness area. This area encompasses the Harney Range, an area long held sacred by American Indians. Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate mountainous terrain, while elk, deer and pronghorn gather in forests and prairies. Bald eagles, hawks, osprey, peregrine falcon, and hundreds of other bird species can be found in the forest, especially along streams, lakes and rivers.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.
Nearby Attractions
A short 2 miles away is the fabulous Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which hosts almost 3 million visitors a year. This campground is located on the scenic Iron Mountain Rd. with its famous CCC built Pigtail Bridges and tunnels for breathtaking views of Mt. Rushmore. Possible day trips include Custer State Park with its many buffalo and other wildlife, Crazy Horse Monument and Wind Cave National Park as well as Jewel Cave which is the second longest cave in the world at 159.29 miles. It features sparkling calcite crystals and other rare formations, as well as some of the largest concentrations of passageways in the world.
Charges & Cancellations
No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Stage 2 fire restrictions are currently in effect that prohibit all fires. Generators and fires or stoves that use liquid petroleum (LPG) fuels are permitted, but must follow specific rules.
Please Note: One RV with tow vehicle per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicles will be charged a per night fee that is collected at the campground.
Map & DirectionsGrizzly Creek Primitive is located in South Dakota near Keystone
Public CampgroundDirections
From Keystone, South Dakota, take Route 16A west 1.9 miles to campground on the right.
Coordinates
43.8844444 N
103.4352778 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 9/15/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 9/15/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 13 usersLast on 9/15/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 9/15/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 9/15/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 13 usersLast on 9/15/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 25 min from Rapid City, SD
- 3 hrs 35 min from Casper, WY
- 4 hrs 21 min from Cheyenne, WY
- 5 hrs 6 min from Bismarck, ND
