The best camping near Custer State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Custer State Park adventure.

88% (27 reviews)
88% (27 reviews)

Granite peaks, rolling prairie, and herds of wildlife roam free at this massive South Dakota park.  

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Community favorites near Custer State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Custer State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Custer State Park

96%
(168)

Horse Creek Resort RV Sites

17 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents18 acres · Rapid City, SD
theHCresort.com Centrally-located on 18 acres between two of the Hills’ largest and most beautiful lakes, and less than 15 miles from Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, Horse Creek Resort is the perfect creekside oasis for your next adventure. The resort is located off Highway 385, the main thoroughfare through the Black Hills National Forest, yet is peacefully nestled in a quiet valley, completely surrounded by national forestland with a tranquil year-round creek meandering throughout the property. Rock outcroppings, hiking trails and offroad trails are within footsteps of every cabin. The serene space is an outdoor sanctuary centrally-located within 20 miles of Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Needles Eye Tunnel / Highway, and Black Elk Peak. Your adventure will also take you near Hill City, Keystone, Custer, and Historic Deadwood. Drive a little further, and end up in Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Sturgis, or Devils Tower National Monument. There are 8 open creek side RV sites (Sites 1 -8). You will receive site assignment the day proir to your stay.
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from 
$40
 / night
100%
(18)

Naked Acres WY

4 sites · Lodging, RVs20 acres · Newcastle, WY
Naked Acres WY welcomes you with 20 private acres located in the heart of the Wyoming Black Hills! With a private pond fed by a natural cold water spring, cool off with a swim or paddle board, sit on the dock and watch the wildlife, or enjoy the prettiest sunset this side of Mount Rushmore! The property is bordered by 200 acres of Forest Service land that you get access to, perfect for our biking and hiking friends! We are located close enough to some beautiful tourist attractions, without being too close! 54 miles to Devils Tower for all of your climbing needs. 1 hour 20 minutes to Mount Rushmore. 1 hour to Hill City, SD 36 miles to Deadwood, SD 45 miles to Spearfish Canyon, SD Naked Acres WY also boasts some amazing wildlife year round including Wild Turkey's, Gosling Hawks, Deer, Elk, Mountain Lions, and tons of different butterfly, bird, and dragonfly species. A nature lovers dream! We can't wait to welcome you with our weekly community fire social around the fire pit!
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$33.25
 / night
83%
(3)

Battle Creek Camping Resort

8 sites · Lodging40 acres · Hermosa, SD
Located outside of Hermosa, South Dakota, Battle Creek Camping Resort is open year-round. We provide fully stocked unique camping options with Domes and glamping tents to pick from. Currently, all of our RV sites are boondocks option only, while under construction. Pull-through and backup sites are 100 ft pads. We have fun and unique bathhouses with full showers and restrooms. *PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NO WIFI SERVICE AVAILABLE* The Camping Resort Nestled on 80 acres in the Hermosa Foot Hills, Battle Creek Camping Resort provides a serene experience surrounded by wildlife and minutes to the Black Hills. Check-In: Check-in time is 4:00-8:00 pm MST. *Please call if planning to arrive later than 9 pm MST. Quiet hours are from 9 pm-7 am MST every day. Check Out: Please do not leave us, but if you must go, please check out by 11:00 am MST. Amenities include: - Locally Owned Restaurants Nearby - Bike Trails All Throughout the Black Hills - Clean heated Restrooms - Hot Showers
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$160
 / night
95%
(30)

Black Hills Station

54 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Piedmont, SD
Located in Piedmont, South Dakota, our campground is surrounded by the Black Hills! Whether you’re in South Dakota for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, visiting Mount Rushmore, or looking to reconnect with nature, we’re the perfect place to stay! We are home to the 46 Bar & Casino, and offer tent camping, RV camping, and have cabins all throughout our campground. Our RV spaces feature amenities such as full hookups (30- and 50-AMP), plus water, electricity, and sewer. Some of our on-site amenities are game machines and Wi-Fi. Located right off Interstate 90, there are many outdoor activities and nearby attractions for the whole family to enjoy – bicycling, hiking, and fishing to name a few! Or you can enjoy Rapid City and other nearby towns where there are many delicious restaurants, art galleries, national parks, and museums. We look forward to seeing you all soon!
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$29
 / night
94%
(242)

Plenty Star Ranch Retreat

35 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Custer, SD
Property description Our property is nestled between Hwy 385, the Mickelson Trail, and the National Forest. We are located between Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park along Hwy 385 and the Mickelson Trail; about 30 minutes from Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Mountain. The nearest towns with restaurants are Pringle, (2 miles S); Hot Springs, (24 miles S), Custer, (9.5 miles N).; Hill City, (24 miles N), and Rapid City, (50 miles N). The blacktop driveway grants easy access for every type of vehicle. A couple of ponds, creeks, and dispersed willow, pine, and aspen trees enhance the diversity and beauty of the landscape. It is peaceful here and we enjoy sharing it with our guests during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Plenty Star Ranch Retreat has our home, a big pole barn (RV storage), a garage/wood workshop with an attached restroom for all guests, a regular hot water shower cabin, a solar shower building, 2 small home-built camping log cabins, 7 RV sites, 8 clearly marked tent and car-camping sites, and several water hydrants fed by our well, providing great quality drinking water.
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from 
$40
 / night
96%
(111)

Horse Creek Resort

28 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents18 acres · Rapid City, SD
theHCresort.com Centrally-located on 18 acres between two of the Hills’ largest and most beautiful lakes, and less than 15 miles from Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, Horse Creek Resort is the perfect creekside oasis for your next adventure. The resort is located off Highway 385, the main thoroughfare through the Black Hills National Forest, yet is peacefully nestled in a quiet valley, completely surrounded by national forestland with a tranquil year-round creek meandering throughout the property. Rock outcroppings, hiking trails and offroad trails are within footsteps of every cabin. The serene space is an outdoor sanctuary centrally-located within 20 miles of Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Needles Eye Tunnel / Highway, and Black Elk Peak. Your adventure will also take you near Hill City, Keystone, Custer, and Historic Deadwood. Drive a little further, and end up in Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Sturgis, or Devils Tower National Monument.
Pets
Potable water
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from 
$40
 / night

The best camping near Custer State Park guide

Overview

About

Nestled in the Black Hills, Custer State Park is a top destination for wildlife viewing. Herds of bison, “begging” burros, elk, antelope, and bighorn sheep freely roam the 71,000 acres that make up the park. Spot them from the many trails around the park, or get up close on a buffalo safari jeep tour. Don’t miss the iconic Needles Highway, one of several scenic drives. Active visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and water play at several lakes and streams. With nine campgrounds offering RV and tent camping, historic lodges, and camping cabins, it’s easy to spend a few days here and explore all the park has to offer.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for viewing wildlife: Lots of wildlife can be found near Game Lodge Campground, which offers sites with RV hookups and a dump station, plus easy access to the State Game Lodge.
  • Best for exploring park and area highlights: Located near the Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake Campground is also closest to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial.
  • Best for a taste of the Old West: Go horseback riding and enjoy a hayride and chuckwagon roast near Blue Bell Campground.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. Plan ahead. Most campsites at the park can be reserved up to one year in advance. Book online or by phone as soon as you know your travel dates. Sites for summer weekends tend to fill up almost immediately.
  2. If you can’t book anything ahead of time, try for a spot at the Center Lake Campground, which offers same-day reservations only, starting at 6am. 
  3. If your plans are flexible, try going in the off-season. Game Lodge Campground and French Creek Horse Campground are open year-round, though facilities will be limited in the wintertime.

When to go

Summer is the most popular season at Custer State Park, though the weather can be extreme, with afternoon thunderstorms that can bring lightning, high winds, heavy rain, and hail. A popular event is the annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival held in late September. In the summer and fall, enjoy a wide range of naturalist and interpretive programs. The park is open year round, but many campgrounds, lodges, visitor centers, and even the Needles Highway, are closed over the winter. 

Know before you go

  • Several lodges inside the park offer restaurants, convenience stores, and gift shops. For additional supplies, the towns of Custer, Keystone, and Hill City are nearby.
  • The Blue Bell, Sylvan Lake, Game Lodge, and Grace Coolidge campgrounds offer wheelchair-accessible sites and restrooms.
  • Cell reception in the park can be very spotty, but wifi can be found in the lodges.
  • Do not drink from any of the lakes, rivers, or streams in the park.

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