Horsethief Lake
Rock with hole in it
Toilet
Lake Overview
Info Kiosk

Featured amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Fire Pit Fire Pit

About Horsethief Lake Campground

Located 10 mi south of Hill City, South Dakota, Horsethief Lake Campground is a delightful setting for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. This campground is 2 mi from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. Sites are tucked into a forest of towering ponderosa and lodgepole pine.

Available sites

22 total sites

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Oct 1 to Nov 1

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • Fire Pit
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

22 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 007, Loop: HORS RV
Pet Friendly · 58 × 20 ft · Gravel
🚐 008, Loop: HORS RV
Pet Friendly · 39 × 16 ft · Gravel
🚐 009, Loop: HORS RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 24 ft · Gravel
🚐 010, Loop: HORS RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 18 ft · Gravel
🚐 011, Loop: HORS RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐 012, Loop: HORS RV
Pet Friendly · 46 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐 013, Loop: HORS RV
Pet Friendly · 48 × 15 ft · Gravel
🚐 014, Loop: HORS RV
Pet Friendly · 45 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐 015, Loop: LKSD RV
Pet Friendly · 49 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐 016, Loop: LKSD RV
Pet Friendly · 59 × 15 ft · Gravel
🚐 017, Loop: LKSD RV
Pet Friendly · 48 × 17 ft · Gravel
🚐 018, Loop: LKSD RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 20 ft · Gravel
⛺ 023, Loop: LKSD Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 024, Loop: LKSD Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 025, Loop: LKSD Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 026, Loop: LKSD Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 027, Loop: LKSD Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 028, Loop: LKSD Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 029, Loop: WALK Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 030, Loop: WALK Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 031, Loop: WALK Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 032, Loop: WALK Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews

516 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Horsethief Lake Campground offers a beautiful and peaceful setting, with clean facilities and friendly hosts, making it an excellent choice for camping near attractions like Mount Rushmore. Guests appreciate the proximity to nature trails, a lovely lake, and the surrounding Black Hills. Although some campers noted issues like lack of potable water and occasional noise from nearby highways or helicopter tours, the overall experience remains highly positive, with many expressing a desire to return.

Based on guest feedback

4.5

Overall rating

Based on 516 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 69.2% (357)
4 stars 18.8% (97)
3 stars 8.3% (43)
2 stars 3.3% (17)
1 star 0.4% (2)

Showing 516 reviews

Neal S

Verified

October 6, 2026 Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD

This is a small campground very close to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. It's situated on a hillside but most of the campsites have a pretty level spot for parking an RV, trailer or tent. It's densely wooded which is nice and affords some privacy. The campsite next to the lake is probably the best one in the whole campground (I can't remember the number) and we were in the campsite right next to it. By the way, while we were there, the squirrels (chipmunks?) were chewing the pine cones off the Ponderosa pines and letting them fall to the ground but some of them were hitting our trailer with a very loud report. The were falling so hard I was worried about one of them hitting our solar panel.

Helpful

Raymond B

Verified

October 5, 2026 Stayed at: 010, Loop: HORS

The camp host was exceptionally pleasant and friendly, she was the best at keeping the camp and restrooms clean-was out everyday checking all camp spots that opened and cleaning them for next occupants.
She was helpful with directions to places that we needed supplies and information on hiking trails in the area.
SHE WAS THE BEST HOST WE EVER EXPERIENCED
Thank You Cindy Bird for a wonderful experience

Helpful

Eric N

Verified

October 4, 2026 Stayed at: 011, Loop: HORS

Great campsite right in the lake. Host was accommodating as I was able to switch to a larger site very easily. We stayed 6 nights as the location is convenient to many attractions.

Helpful

John T

Verified

October 4, 2026 Stayed at: 017, Loop: LKSD

We enjoyed our overnight. The campground host was friendly and the campground was well maintained.

Helpful

Lynda L

Verified

October 3, 2026 Stayed at: 029, Loop: WALK

Horsethief Lake Campground is a really pretty and quiet spot. I had a walk-in site and was happy that's the one I picked. The drive-up sites were a little closer to one another than I prefer. The camp host was extremely friendly and helpful. The bathrooms were exceptionally clean for pit toilets. There is a pretty walk around the lake which is accessible from the campground. The campground is just 10 minutes or less from Mt. Rushmore, about 15 minutes from Crazy Horse Memorial (highly recommend!), 20 minutes from the town of Custer, and 25 minutes from Custer State Park. I did the loop from the campground, to Custer, to Custer State Park, through the square tunnels that frame Mt. Rushmore, and back to Mt. Rushmore for the lighting at 8pm. This loop took about 3 hours but could take all day if you want because there is so much to see. I highly recommend Horse Thief Lake Campground. The camp host said she will be back next year so you will be in good hands :)

Helpful

Fusako L

Verified

September 29, 2026 Stayed at: 011, Loop: HORS

The campground was clean and quiet, and we enjoyed our stay there.

Helpful

Doug H

Verified

September 29, 2026 Stayed at: 014, Loop: HORS

This park is a hidden gem! Tucked in just off the main road, but quiet and comfortably small, we were simply delighted with this location. Close to the entrance for Rushmore, we stayed several days and took in all that the Black Hills has to offer. Cindy, the camp host, was readily available to answer our questions, provide tips for 'navigating' the area, and in general...just chat about the park and its history. She was a very hard worker as well. We noticed how clean the park, sites, and facilities were kept!

Helpful

James C

Verified

September 29, 2026 Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS

Host was excellent. Camp ground was nice but water had to be shut off again

Helpful

Rosemary B

Verified

September 27, 2026 Stayed at: 015, Loop: LKSD

Beautiful lake and wooded campsites. Good directions and easy to find specific site. Adequate space between sites. Clean restrooms, good access to water and waste containers. Quiet even though close to the highway. Very convenient to Mount Rushmore and nearby attractions

Helpful

Nissanka G

Verified

September 25, 2026 Stayed at: 011, Loop: HORS

We found the campground rustic, well kept nice. The toilet was clean.
We checked into this campground because it was close to Mount Rushmore.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Horsethief Lake Campground

Forest Recreation Management, Inc, Hill City, SD 57745 United States

Elevation: 1,509 ft

Getting There

From Hill City, take U.S. Rt. 16/385 south 3 mi to State Rt. 244. Turn left onto Rt. 244. Travel 5.9 mi to campground sign. Turn right at sign into campground.

Nearest town

Hill City, SD - 9.5 mi

About 16 min to downtown

Highway access

Horsethief Lake Campground is accessible via U.S. Route 16/385 and State Route 244, with the closest major road being U.S. Route 16/385 located about 3 miles north in Hill City.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 24, 2026

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Explore Hill City, SD

Population: 834

Nearby city: Rapid City, SD

Approx. 18 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 4,980 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service