Beulah, Wyoming sits at approximately 3,510 feet elevation at the northeastern edge of the Black Hills. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows frequently dipping below freezing. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter accessibility on forest service roads after snowfall.
What to do
Hiking Spearfish Canyon: Access popular trails from Timon Campground, located about 4 miles down a dirt road. "There is a breathtaking trail not too far past the site," notes Ryan, who appreciated the "spring creek rushing through next to our site."
Stargazing opportunities: Devils Tower KOA offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "The trade off is the wide open skies and STARS. Bathrooms and Showers are Awesome!" shares Nickolas A. about nearby Reuter Campground.
Fishing access: Rocky Point Recreation Area provides shoreline fishing along the reservoir. "Most sites are on the water, with sweeping views of the sunset. Our site had a little path so you could put your feet in the lake and watch fish and birds enjoy the water," writes Ben E.
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: Spearfish KOA serves as a convenient base for regional exploration. "East driving distance to multiple parks and attractions near the Mount Rushmore area," notes Christopher H., who stayed three nights.
Swimming options: Chris' Campground offers multiple pool facilities. "2 separate pools depending on if you want to listen to a bunch of screaming kids or not," explains Steve D., who has stayed there multiple times.
Wildlife viewing: Cattle sometimes wander near campsites at Rocky Point Recreation Area. Nancy B. describes her experience: "We had some visitors the morning we were packing to leave 🐄🐄🐄🐄."
What you should know
Seasonal campground operations: Most campgrounds near Beulah close for winter. Reuter Campground operates May 18 to September 8, with limited off-season accessibility. "No running water because it's technically the off season...but no complaints from us!" reports Nickolas A.
Cell service variability: Connection strength varies significantly between campgrounds. At Spearfish KOA, "We got two bars on Verizon," while Timon Campground has "absolutely no phone service!" according to Hannah P.
Reservation systems: Some campgrounds switch from reservation to first-come-first-served late in the season. Nancy B. notes: "It's $10/night mid September til May and no reservations taken" at Rocky Point.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Rocky Point Recreation Area features a playground and dog park near the reservoir. Kylee M. appreciates the layout: "It's spacious and scenic. The reservoir is pretty and close to all of the sites."
Educational opportunities: Spearfish City Campground provides access to the fish hatchery. "The hatchery was great as well. We spent a lot of time exploring Spearfish Canyon/Roughlock Falls/Lead/etc but spent one day just to relax at the campground/hatchery/Park," shares Megan R.
Kid-friendly yurt camping: Yurt camping near Beulah, Wyoming provides families shelter without needing to pack tents. The Spearfish area offers several yurt options for families seeking a balance between comfort and outdoor experience.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Iron Creek Lake Campground requires careful site selection for larger rigs. "I have a 25' camper and the site they put me in was pretty tight and on a hill as most are here. Took all my blocks and a couple big stumps but we got it figured out," advises Hannah P.
Dump station logistics: Pay attention to dump station positioning when selecting campgrounds. Aaron S. warns about Iron Creek Lake: "We didn't even use the dumpstation as the way it is positioned I couldn't get the tanks dumped."
Water hookup considerations: Water access varies significantly between campgrounds. At Wyatt's Hideaway Campground, Miguel E. notes: "The water spigots stick up 2' above the ground and you're told if you don't want it to freeze you'll need to heat trace and insulate it at your own expense."
