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Nature

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Established Camping

Rod & Gun Campground

6 Reviews

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Rod & Gun Campground, near Lead, South Dakota, is a cozy spot that offers a peaceful escape for those looking to connect with nature. With a handful of sites tucked away in a serene setting, it’s perfect for tent camping or RVs, especially if you enjoy a bit of privacy.

This campground is all about simplicity and tranquility. Visitors have raved about the clean facilities, including well-maintained toilets, and the drinking water is reported to be quite palatable. You’ll find a lovely creek nearby, complete with a small waterfall that adds to the ambiance and helps drown out any noise from passing UTVs. As one camper noted, “There was a small waterfall that helped drown out some of the noise.”

For outdoor enthusiasts, the area is a dream. You can hike along beautiful trails, bike ride, or take a quick drive to explore multiple full-size waterfalls. The lack of light pollution makes for stunning stargazing at night, so don’t forget to look up after dark.

While the campground doesn’t offer many amenities—no showers or trash services, for instance—this is part of its charm. It’s a great spot for those who appreciate a more primitive camping experience. Campers have mentioned the quiet atmosphere and the chance to unwind in nature, making Rod & Gun Campground a solid choice for your next adventure.

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Location

Rod & Gun Campground is located in South Dakota

Directions

From US Highway 14 A at Savoy take Forest Service Road 222 or Roughlock Falls road to the east. Campground is approximately 2.5 miles.

Coordinates

44.33854755 N
103.9629634 W

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile
No Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Wickiup Village Cabins

8 min away

Spearfish Quarry

32 min away

Drive Time

Presented by

1 hr 5 min from Rapid City
3 hrs 16 min from Casper
4 hrs 8 min from Cheyenne
4 hrs 49 min from Bismarck

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile
No Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Picnic Table
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

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Jason S.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 12, 2025

Nice quiet little campground

Nice quiet little campground. There is a small creek running next to some campsites. The campground is very open with very little privacy between campsites.

Month of VisitAugust

Audrey F.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 4, 2025

Well maintained campground along Spearfish Canyon

As a first come first serve campground, there were plenty of sites on a Wednesday. It’s on the Roughlock Falls road which is rutty gravel in spots & rough on a regular travel trailer. Moderate road noise from UTVs & a popular pit stop for them. This is why I rated 3 stars. Plenty of sunshine on all the sites for solar camping. The creek is in the ditch way with limited access by the driveway. Pets are additional a night. Limited cell service, if any.

Site5

Month of VisitJuly

Seth J.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 24, 2022

Small and secluded

If you are tent camping and want to stay near spearfish canyon this is a great option. There’s only a few sites and it’s first come first served but we managed to get a site at the end next to the creek after pulling in on a Saturday afternoon. There was a small waterfall that helped drown out some of the noise of UTVs driving by. Very little light pollution which provided for excellent star gazing in the evening!

Site7

Month of VisitJune

Leslie B.

Ranger

Reviewed May. 17, 2022

Nice campground

Opened for the season a couple of days ago. Clean toilet and recently pumped. Looks like they cleared out a bunch of timber. Trees just started to leaf so not much shade except under a couple of pines. Quiet, primitive, no cell service.

Site4

Month of VisitMay

Rachel O.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 3, 2020

Camping Beside a Mini Waterfall

Serene campsite with the perfect mix of tall trees and a large bluff. Drinking water was palatable. I personally think campsite 7 was the best. Path down to the creek and there was a small waterfall right there. Rod & Gun is a great location in Spearfish Canyon. Great for hiking and a quick drive to multiple full-size waterfalls.

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Linette G.

Guide

Reviewed May. 21, 2018

Nice & secluded

Spent almost 2 weeks here in the off season. Was busy, but the sites are far enough apart for privacy/quiet. Beautiful trail along the creak (nice bike riding) and yes, did stop at the "Dance with Wolves" film site. (oh yea, it did snow on us)

Not too far town or the climbing areas (always important to us) Would definitely recommend this place and stay here again.

Month of VisitOctober

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Rod and Gun Campground?

Rod and Gun Campground offers basic, primitive amenities perfect for tent campers seeking a natural experience. The campground provides drinking water that's generally described as palatable, clean toilets, and access to a scenic creek with a small waterfall adjacent to some sites. There are no hookups or advanced facilities, making it ideal for those who prefer a more rustic camping experience. The sites are spaced far enough apart to provide reasonable privacy and quiet despite the open layout of the campground. There's no cell service available, so visitors should plan accordingly for a true disconnect from technology.

Where is Rod and Gun Campground located in the Black Hills?

Rod and Gun Campground is nestled in Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It's situated along Roughlock Falls road, which is a gravel road that can be rutty in spots. The campground's location provides convenient access to nearby attractions including hiking trails, climbing areas, and the Dances with Wolves film site. Its position along a creek with a surrounding large bluff and tall trees creates a serene natural setting. The canyon location makes it a strategic base for exploring the northern Black Hills while enjoying the tranquility of a forested mountain setting.

Are there photos available of Rod and Gun Campground?

Yes, photos of Rod and Gun Campground are available online through various camping platforms and official forest service websites. These images typically showcase the campground's natural features including the creek with small waterfalls, surrounding tall trees, and the distinctive large bluff that borders the area. Photos often highlight specific campsites (with site #7 being particularly picturesque), the open layout of the grounds, and seasonal variations in foliage. To view the most current images, check The Dyrt or the Black Hills National Forest official website.

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