Legion Lake Campground, near Custer, South Dakota, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying some modern conveniences. With sites that offer electric hookups and clean facilities, it’s a comfortable base for your outdoor adventures.

The campground is known for its friendly atmosphere and well-kept grounds, making it a favorite among visitors. Many campers rave about the clean bathrooms and hot showers, which are a welcome treat after a day of exploring. One happy camper noted, “Great, clean bathrooms and campground hosts are so friendly.” 

You’ll find plenty to do nearby, with Custer State Park right at your doorstep. The campground is just a stone's throw from scenic drives like the Wildlife Loop, where you can spot bison and prairie dogs. Plus, attractions like Mount Rushmore and Sylvan Lake are only a short drive away, making it easy to fill your days with adventure.

While some sites are close to the road, the peaceful wooded areas further back provide a nice escape. Whether you’re camping in a tent, RV, or cabin, Legion Lake Campground offers a welcoming environment for families and solo adventurers alike.

Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park

Custer is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Custer campgrounds just for you. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your South Dakota camping adventure.

Custer

The Best Camping Near Custer, South Dakota

We stayed at a Legion Lake cabin in Custer State Park. The cabin was fantastic - comfey beds, kitchenette and private bathroom. But the area around the cabins and along the lake shore is recovering from construction, so you may want to give the grass some time to grow. It's pretty brown around the cabins currently. The lake is still lovely though, and Custer State Park is full of views and wildlife as always. One of my favorite places.

Give the grass some time to grow

We had a wonderful time at this campground! It's located across the street from Legion Lake and the Legion Lake Lodge and Cabins. About 20ish sites with electric hook-up. Level Concrete pads for RVs, Campers and Vehicles. Clean Drinking water easily available but not at each site. The farther back in the campground you go the more wooded it is (sites 8-15). Bathrooms were very clean, the showers were warm-hot, even during peak bathing times. The hills up from the sites gave the kids a "natural playground" to spend their free time on. Also close to all the scenic drives Custer State Park has to offer, 15 min from Custer, SD (which has some very tasty restaurants) and about 45 min from Mount Rushmore. Campground was full of everything from huge RVs to small 2 man tents, empty-nesters to families with young kids.

Quite camping area across the street from Legion Lake

First, the hosts were great. They came down and chatted with us about our Teardrop and then also shared their story of their campers. They suggested a couple places to visit. This is a campground that is made for 5th wheels and big RVs so they made us feel comfortable with our TD. The location can't be beat. We did Rushmore, CrazyHorse, Custer Park, Black Elk Peak, Wind Cave National park and some just piddling. It is right across the street from the lake. There may be better places, but this was perfectly located.

Hosts were amazing! 

This is one of my favorite state parks... ever! We stayed 3 nights ($87) for an electric back in site. The site was a concrete pad with a fire pit, picnic table and a little bit of grass that my dog enjoyed. The bathrooms were clean and the campground was nice to walk around. From there, we went to Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, Hot Springs, Mount Rushmore, Sylvan Lake (must see) and took in a play at the Black Hills Playhouse. There's a gift shop, small restaurant, and firewood across the street.

Perfect getaway!

Great wooded campsite. Quiet and campground, so I couldn't ask for more! We were told there might be wildlife walking through, but unfortunately we didn't see anything. 

  

VERY close to all the wonderful natural attractions the park (and surrounding area) has to offer. This was the ideal location to travel the wildlife loop- such an awesome drive! We went in the morning to ensure less traffic with the hope of seeing more animals and we were happy with that decision :) LOTS of animals and few tourists!  

  

Sylvan Lake nearby  is a gem- I recommend the short hike around it :)

great location

Great campground just across the lake from legion lake. Hot free showers and beautiful sites. Only 45 minutes from Mount Rushmore. Take the scenic roads and view the Buffalo. Amazing experience. 

Legion Lake Great time

Located across the road from the Legion Lake Lodge. Lake area, trailheads, store, restaurant, and west entrance near campground. Campsites can be reserved through Custer State Park. 25 paved sites that may have issued with roadside noise! 

Great location for a Custer State Park Adventure 

This is the ONLY campground in Custer State Park that has GREAT connectivity with ALL wireless carriers.  It's a small campground all paved and spaces are big enough for just about any size rig. The 2 sites in the back, back up to trails that take you into the back country.  Beware, that wildlife can and will enter the campground. Deer and Buffalo are very common.   

The best campground in Custer State Park

We love this place! Will definitely be back. Great, clean bathrooms and campground hosts are so friendly. 

Love this campground! 

Great place to stay and see the area. From Mt-Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Needles Highway, Cathedral Spires to the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park to see the Bison, Prairie Dogs and any other animal that inhabits the area.

The park is well kept and sites are clean and pretty level. All have electric but no water but there is a spigot up next to the bathroom. Dump station, about 6 miles way, is near the "Game Lodge Campground" on the Wildlife Loop Road just past the Visitor Center. (Google Maps has it located via Satellite View)

The town of Custer is about 7 miles to the West. If you want a GREAT buffalo burger, give Black Hills Burger and Bun a try. There is a wait to get in, so go early or get on the Join List via Google Maps.

Great little campground!

Since I was a child we have stayed here. There have been many changes through the years, but it always remains our very favorite place to camp. Easy to see the Ocean or play/walk on the beach. Great for kids.

Love the Oregon coast

Clean small campground. Probably really busy state park in summer months. End of loop only trails and wildlife behind us.

Close encounters of the buffalo kind

Beautiful park with stunning mountain and lake views. We saw sheep, bison, and tons of deer while touring the state park via vehicle. We stayed at site 12E in the end of March. Our site was very private and on a colder at the end of the loop; though further from the bathhouse than some of the other sites. Our camp host was very knowledgeable of the area, and gave us wonderful advice about local scenic areas. This campground is about an hour away from Mount Rushmore. 

Beautiful Park

Fabulous camp area near the lake. Restroom and showers are very nice. Overall, a great place to stop while seeing Mt. Rushmore and Sturgis. 

Custer State Park

We loved everything about this place. Price was best of our month long vacation. Sites nice and level. Beautiful lake and trail across the street. Other than electric your on your own so bring water containers and empty tanks.  Camp host was super nice. Really great location to explore the entire area. Custer is as good as any national park.

Photos of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park

Real photos from real campers