Reservations are available and fill fast at Horsethief Lake Campground, a Forest Service site that sits roughly two miles from Mount Rushmore in Black Hills National Forest. At $30 a night, the campground runs two loops: a lower loop oriented toward RVs and a tent-focused upper loop, though reviewers note tents do appear on both. Walk-up sites occasionally open on weekdays, but arriving without a reservation on a summer weekend is a gamble. No cell service is available in the campground itself, though a short drive toward Rushmore restores a signal.
Sites are forested with good shade, and most include a level pad, wooden picnic table, and fire ring. The campground sits directly on Horsethief Lake, and sites near the water are the most sought-after. Karl F. describes his site as having "a beautiful view of the lake," with chipmunks active around camp. Vault toilets are on-site and reviewers consistently describe them as clean, though flies near the restrooms in the afternoon are a recurring observation. Camp hosts sell firewood and ice. No showers are available.
The lake is the main draw for fishing, and a trailhead for the Horsethief Lake Trail, a roughly three-mile loop, starts at the campground and connects to the longer Centennial Trail. An ADA-accessible path leads to the lake. Deer have been spotted near the entrance in the evenings, and the area has no documented bear activity according to camp hosts.
Access to the campground includes some rough stretches, and one reviewer noted flooding near the lake-side sites during heavy rain. The road to Rushmore runs close enough that some road noise reaches camp, particularly on the lower loop. Campers who have stayed here report that the camp hosts can be brusque at check-in, and multiple reviewers advise stopping at the entrance booth even if it appears unmanned. Tonya Y. notes the hosts "kept the campground immaculate," so the tradeoff seems to be a well-maintained site with a firm check-in process.
For those using the campground as a base, camping near Keystone gives access to Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, and the Black Elk Wilderness trailhead nearby. Bring long pants if you plan to use the stairs down to the lake, as poison ivy has been noted along that path.
Description
Overview
Located 10 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota, Horsethief Lake Campground is a delightful setting for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. This campground is 2 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. Sites are tucked into a forest of towering ponderosa and lodgepole pine.
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. Winter landscapes are ideal for snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling. Hundreds of miles of trails and roads offer a variety of terrain for mountain bikers. Hikers and bikers can access the nearby George S. Mickelson Trail, which traverses over 100 miles through the heart of the Black Hills. The majority of the trail follows an abandoned railroad branch line and includes 4 tunnels, over 100 converted railroad bridges, and 15 established trailheads. The trail surface is packed gravel, traversing mountain, meadow, and forest terrain. The trail is named in honor of the former South Dakota governor who crusaded for the trail. 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 at the top(Harney Lookout Tower), once used as a fire lookout, is still open to hikers.
Facilities
Horsethief Lake Campground has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. There are several tent-only and walk-to tent-only sites. The campground is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water. Electrical hook-ups are not available. Roads in the campground are paved.
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. 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
Explore Mount Rushmore National Memorial, host to almost 3 million visitors a year from across the country and around the world. Visitors may want to inquire about any Independence Day Celebrations taking place on the Mountain. 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 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 & DirectionsHorsethief Lake Campground is located in South Dakota near Keystone
Directions
From Hill City, take U.S. Rt. 16/385 south 3 miles to State Rt. 244. Turn left onto Rt. 244. Travel 5.9 miles to campground sign. Turn right at sign into campground.
Coordinates
43.8951028 N
103.4842333 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 7/30/26- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 7/30/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 7/30/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 7/30/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 33 min from Rapid City, SD
- 3 hrs 42 min from Casper, WY
- 4 hrs 28 min from Cheyenne, WY
- 5 hrs 14 min from Bismarck, ND
