Sitting alongside the Crazy Horse Memorial Highway in Black Hills National Forest, Oreville Campground puts campers within a short drive of Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave, and Wind Cave, making it a practical base for working through the region's major attractions. The highway location is the first thing to understand: road noise is audible from some sites, particularly those closest to the pavement. Sites toward the back of the campground, including site 12, get more distance from traffic. Site 8 draws repeat mentions from reviewers for its position adjacent to a roughly 35-foot rock wall that can be climbed with some effort.
The 16 sites are gravel-surfaced, fairly level, and each includes a picnic table and fire ring. No hookups are available. Water comes from a shared spigot near the vault toilets rather than individual site connections, and tank fills are not possible here. Bathrooms are cleaned daily, though there are no showers on site. Firewood sells for $7 per bundle. Generator use runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The campground hosts receive consistent praise across reviews for keeping the grounds clean and providing detailed local knowledge. "Spacious, fairly level gravel sites with picnic tables, and fire rings," notes Paula C., who also points out that the area has "very dark skies...beautiful star gazing."
Cell coverage is unreliable at the sites themselves. Several campers report that Verizon reception is poor, and that a hotspot, antenna, or Starlink is the more dependable option. Connectivity improves about a mile up the road and in both Hill City and Custer. The campground sits on the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway corridor, and the Needles Highway is accessible nearby. A bike trail crosses the highway from the campground. Pets are welcome, and campers traveling with dogs should note a reported $2 per night per dog fee. Those looking for pet-friendly campgrounds around Black Hills National Forest have a range of options across the forest.
Reservations are available and recommended for weekends, though half the sites are first-come, first-served. The season runs May 18 through September 8, and the $26 nightly fee drops to half price with a senior pass. RVs up to 99 feet are technically accommodated, and the hosts have helped larger rigs navigate the internal roads. The access road carries a rough-road warning, so low-clearance vehicles should approach with care. Campers wanting full hookups or shower facilities nearby might consider Horse Thief Campground and RV Resort or Rafter J Bar Ranch as alternatives with expanded amenities.
Description
Overview
Located 4 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota, Oreville Campground is a delightful setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. The sites are nestled on a hillside among aspen groves, towering ponderosa pines, and grassy areas. Many of the campsites are spacious, offering guests a sense of privacy. The campground is centrally located along Highway 16/385 just north of Crazy Horse Monument with easy access to most Black Hills attractions.
Recreation
The forest offers recreation opportunities for all ages and abilities. Guests can take advantage of opportunities for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on moderate terrain. 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
Oreville Campground has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. The campground has picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water. Electrical hook-ups are not available.
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
Nearby Jewel Cave 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. Other possible day trips include Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Monument and Wind Cave National Park.
Charges & Cancellations
No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
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 & DirectionsOreville Campground is located in South Dakota near Hill City
Directions
In Hill City, SD, at intersection of East Main St. (US Rt. 16) and Deerfield Rd. (County Rt. 308), take US Rt. 16 south 5.2 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign into campground.
Coordinates
43.8747222 N
103.6144444 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 14 usersLast on 7/21/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/21/26- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/21/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 14 usersLast on 7/21/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/21/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/21/26
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)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 37 min from Rapid City, SD
- 3 hrs 10 min from Casper, WY
- 3 hrs 56 min from Cheyenne, WY
- 4 hrs 31 min from Fort Collins, CO
