Days of 76 Campground offers equestrian camping options in Deadwood, South Dakota. Located in a valley with some sites on gentle slopes, this facility provides specialized amenities for riders exploring the Black Hills region. Sites are primarily gravel-based with limited shade throughout the campground.
What to do
Trail riding access: Several equestrian trails connect directly to Iron Creek Lake Campground, offering riders varied terrain through forested areas. "Wildlife all around. Great Trout, and even some Bass fishing... Also good hiking trails," notes camper Russ N.
Visit historic sites: From Whistler Gulch Campground, access Deadwood's historic attractions via the trolley service. "You can trolley from the campground into town Deadwood it's $1.00 each way. Some trolley drivers are so funny they seem to have a good time," reports camper B M.
Fishing opportunities: Horse campgrounds near Beulah, Wyoming provide access to fishing spots within riding distance. "Beautiful Mountain Lake. Wildlife all around. Great Trout, and even some Bass fishing," writes a visitor to Iron Creek Lake Campground.
What campers like
Quiet surroundings: Black Hills equestrian facilities often provide peaceful settings away from crowded areas. "The rapids made music that is peaceful and inviting," writes Art S. about Black Fox Campground, noting that "off road trails are the closest draw."
Convenient town access: Many horse-friendly campgrounds offer easy access to local attractions after a day of riding. "It's a short and safe walk into downtown Deadwood, if you'd like to do some drinking and walk home... which is exactly what we did," reports Jenifer K. about Days of 76 Campground.
Swimming options: After trail riding, campers appreciate cooling off in natural water features. "The pool which was clean & refreshing and quiet," mentions a Whistler Gulch visitor, while Iron Creek Lake campers note the lake is "very pretty" with "nice little trails all around."
What you should know
Site limitations: Many horse campgrounds near Beulah have specific constraints. "The whole park is gravel, with some muddy potholes," notes a camper about Days of 76 Campground, while another mentions at Elk Creek RV Park that "there's absolutely zero data connection or internet connection."
Seasonal considerations: Most equestrian facilities in this region operate on limited schedules. Whistler Gulch runs from "May 1 - Sep 30" according to their information, while Days of 76 operates "May to Oct 15."
Terrain challenges: Sites at horse-friendly campgrounds can present leveling difficulties. "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," reports Hannah P. about Iron Creek Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities: Children enjoy water features near equestrian camping areas. At Iron Creek Lake, "The trail around the lake is easy to walk and there is some beach area for frog catching and splashing around with little kids," notes Aaron S., adding "This is a great lake to have a water toy like a kayak."
Proximity to attractions: High Country Guest Ranch offers a "lovely family friendly ranch, close to all the activities in the Black Hills, but still away from the noise and busyness of the towns!" according to Rea M.
Wildlife viewing: Many equestrian facilities provide opportunities to observe animals. At Black Fox Campground, campers report seeing "elk, deer, turkey and if your lucky, a mountain lion" while exploring the surrounding trails.
Tips from RVers
Dump station access: RVers at equestrian facilities should check dump station positioning. "We didn't even use the dumpstation as the way it is positioned I couldn't get the tanks dumped, so that was a bummer," reports an Iron Creek Lake visitor who instead used facilities in Spearfish.
Site selection: Choose RV sites carefully at horse campgrounds near Beulah. "They are pretty level. Currently, sites are close together and they are in the process of merging 2 into 1," notes Leslie B. about Whistler Gulch Campground.
Utility connections: Most equestrian campgrounds provide basic hookups, but quality varies. At Days of 76, "We stayed overnight in a PT W/E site for $38. The whole park is gravel, with some muddy potholes," reports a visitor, while another notes "We had a dry campground ($28) close to the office."
