The best camping near Black Hills National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Black Hills National Forest adventure.

98% (49 reviews)

Beyond Mount Rushmore, explore 1.2 million acres of forested mountains.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Black Hills National Forest

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Black Hills National Forest

Sundance Campground

10 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

Dutchman Campground

33 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

Whitetail Campground

12 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

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Ditch Creek Campground

13 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

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Pactola Reservoir Campground

56 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

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Hanna Campground

13 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

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Roubaix Lake Campground

30 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

Timon Campground

7 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

Bismarck Lake Campground

20 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

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Grizzly Creek Primitive Campground

16 sites In Black Hills National Forest

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Black Fox Campground

9 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

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Beaver Creek Campground

8 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

Castle Peak Campground

9 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

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Custer Trail Campground

16 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

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Sheridan Lake Campground

5 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

Boxelder Forks Campground

13 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

Dalton Lake Campground

10 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

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Rod And Gun Campground

7 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

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Oreville Campground

15 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

Reuter Campground

12 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

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Redbank Spring Campground

4 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

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Comanche Park Campground

19 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

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Horsethief Lake Campground

22 sites · RVs, Tents In Black Hills National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Black Hills National Forest

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Bear Den Cabins & Camp

8 sites · Lodging, Tents2 acres · Hermosa, SD

Bear Den is a small camp with 3 Glamping Tents, 2 cabins and shower house. Outdoor spaces for relaxing. We are located approximately 5 miles from Custer State Park, 11 miles from Keystone the Gateway to Mt. Rushmore in the beautiful southern Black Hills. Cabins have electricity, our tents do not have electricity. Cabins and showers are heated and open year round! All sites including 'bring your own tent' sites have access to the shower house and outdoor grilling areas. Pick a spot to pitch your own tent, one tent per space. If you have 2 tents please book 2 sites. We have 3 spots cleared. Hang your hammock in trees around the property. This option includes all access to the shower house and outdoor grilling areas!

96%

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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. *****NOTE: HWY 385 Road Construction***** South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) began Highway 385 road construction , which is the main highway that runs through the Black Hills, from Deadwood through Custer, in the fall of 2023. They recently just started construction along the section next to Horse Creek (fall of 2024), which will continue through summer of 2025. Please use the following link for any updates: us-385 dot com

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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 prior to your stay. *****NOTE: HWY 385 Road Construction***** South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) began Highway 385 road construction , which is the main highway that runs through the Black Hills, from Deadwood through Custer, in the fall of 2023. They recently just started construction along the section next to Horse Creek (fall of 2024), which will continue through summer of 2025. Please use the following link for any updates: us-385 dot com

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Tent camping near a pine forest

17 sites · RVs, Tents16 acres · Custer, SD

These tent sites are located in a campground, bordered by the Black Hills National Forest. While staying here you have access to free hot showers, flush toilets, a dish washing station, a charging stations for electronics, a game room and a laundry room.

94%

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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, 9 clearly marked tent and car-camping sites, and several water hydrants fed by our well, providing great quality drinking water. 2 pets maximum per campsite, no pets allowed when booking a cabin.

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Custer's Last Chance Rv Park

32 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Custer, SD

Custer's Last Chance RV Park & Campground Is about us and our dream come true. We spent 3 years putting a plan together so we could make the move to South Dakota. Finding the right piece of land wasn't easy and came with a few setbacks. We were lucky to find land in Custer with the French Creek running through the property. The creek features a couple of wide pools. The rest of the creek is fairly narrow with slow moving water. The kids will have a great time exploring the lower acreage. 2024 we added Full hookups to some of our sites, we still offer a few dry camping spots as well. Without you this dream wouldn't be possible. We hope you enjoy your stay!

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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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(10)

Bearlodge Mountain Resort

28 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Sundance, WY

The Bearlodge Mountain Resort can be a quiet getaway from a hectic lifestyle, a base camp for hunting, an adventure-packed vacation, or a great spot to stay while you tour area attractions. Where "networking" is two pickups parked in the middle of the road so that their drivers can visit. Where we go grocery shopping in the woods during the fall. Where "neighbors" might live two hours away or just down the road. Where directions are given in "north and south" instead of "right and left". Life's a little slower, people a little more sincere and a handshake still means something! PLEASE READ: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR TENT CAMPING: I don't have any shower or bathroom facilities. The closest place I know of is the Conoco a mile north of my place on Cleveland St. They have a truck stop and I'm told the shower is nice. There is a chance I won't be on site to greet you, but so far everyone has been incredibly respectful and found some great places to put up a tent. I trust you!

Booked 6 times

HTR Black Hills

105 sites · Lodging, RVs10 acres · Rapid City, SD

Explore the beauty of HTR Black Hills (formerly American Buffalo Campground). This unique destination is home to Mount Rushmore as well as numerous national and state parks, local attractions, and iconic events like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. So, stay awhile when you tour all the mountains, canyons, caves, and rock formations with the spectacular backdrop of South Dakota. Nestled under tall pine trees, in the heart of the wonderful Black Hills, our on-site recreational facilities include a heated swimming pool & hot tub (open Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather permitting), mini golf, a playground area for children, basketball court, horseshoe pits, and wooded walking trails offer something for everyone!

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Highland Meadows Resort

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · Hot Springs, SD

Highland Meadows Resort sits on 12.5 acres atop a private mesa in Hot Springs, South Dakota. The resort features four private cabins, two glamping tipis, and an earth home on the upper mesa — and a campground on the lower mesa. Tipis are equipped with a king-size bed, sleeper sofa, and basic kitchenette. There's a shared wood fire pit, laundry facilities, horseshoe pit, and a private bath w/ shower for each tipi. Tipis also come with a pack and play for one extra infant/toddler. Kitchenettes come with a microwave, mini-fridge, coffee maker, and some basic place settings. The campground has several tent and RV sites, each with their own fire pit, picnic table, and power. The campground has a common area for larger gatherings and flush toilets with sinks. There are several water spigots in the campground as well: two near the restrooms and one at each RV site. Highland Meadows Resort is located near The Mammoth Site, Wind Cave, Cold Brook Reservoir, and local hot springs. It's a short drive from Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore.

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Pine Haven Lodging

34 sites · Lodging, RVs19 acres · Rapid City, SD

Pine Haven Lodging is situated right in the center of the Black Hills of South Dakota. We're located on 19 acres of Black Hills National Forest at the base of Storm Mountain, 15 minutes from Mount Rushmore and 10 minutes from food and shopping hub Rapid City. We offer full hook-up RV sites and single-family cabins.

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Black Hawk Creek RV Park & Cabins

12 sites · RVs30 acres · Rapid City, SD

Our new campground is opened year round and offers 110 NEW large full hook-up sites and 9 fully furnished cozy cabins. We also offer Long Term options to qualified applicants. Conveniently located a few minutes from both Rapid City and I-90 you will feel like you are out in the country surrounded by all the beautiful views, nature, & wildlife. Interstate 90, Black Hills Harley Davidson, RV Supply stores, a horse boarding facility, and quick and convenient access to all of the treasures the Black Hills have to offer is conveniently near. So whether you are kicking your feet up for the weekend or base camping out of Black Hawk Creek RV Park & Cabins to explore the beautiful Black Hills, you will find our tranquil, quite, and beautiful setting relaxing, convenient, and enjoyable. Additionally, If you are a full time RVer and in the market for professional RV Skirting we also host the #1 RV Skirting company in the nation, Custom Skirting. Unhitch and check out their No Snap, No Gap channel system and Therma-Slide slideout wraps over in the big barn near the entrance.

The best camping near Black Hills National Forest guide

Overview

About

Watched over by the four presidents of Mount Rushmore, Black Hills National Forest is South Dakota’s adventure playground. Explore 353 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails, leading through pine-clad hills and jagged canyons, or fish along 1,300 miles of mountain streams. Once you’ve visited the Crazy Horse Memorial, seen Jewel Cave, and marveled at the Cathedral Spires, take your pick of 30 primitive campgrounds or venture into the backcountry to pitch your tent beneath the stars. Better yet, join a summer moon walk to experience the forest on a night hike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is camping allowed in Black Hills National Forest?

Yes, camping is allowed in Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota. The forest offers a variety of camping opportunities, including developed campgrounds, dispersed camping, and group camping areas. Some popular campgrounds within the forest include Hill City, Sturgis, and Hot Springs. Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles and be aware of any fire restrictions or other regulations when camping in the area.