About Horsethief Lake Campground
Number of accommodations: 22
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Rates, Sites & Availability
22 Sites Available
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22 Sites Available
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Reviews (434)
What Guests Are Saying
Horsethief Lake Campground is a small, clean, and peaceful site located near Mount Rushmore with beautiful lake views and trails. Campers appreciate the friendly and helpful camp host, Tina, who enhances the overall experience. While some sites may lack leveling and vault toilets can be a bit smelly, the campground’s serene atmosphere and convenient location make it a favorite among visitors.
What Guests Are Saying
Horsethief Lake Campground is a small, clean, and peaceful site located near Mount Rushmore with beautiful lake views and trails. Campers appreciate the friendly and helpful camp host, Tina, who enhances the overall experience. While some sites may lack leveling and vault toilets can be a bit smelly, the campground’s serene atmosphere and convenient location make it a favorite among visitors.
Review Summary
Zoey O
VerifiedJune 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: LKSD
This is the best camping site by far.
Zoey O
VerifiedJune 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: LKSD
This is the best camping site by far.
Dana R
VerifiedJune 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: LKSD
Beautiful setting next to the lake with lots of hiking trails nearby. Camp hosts were super friendly and helpful.
Dave C
VerifiedJune 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
We were not able to fill our trailer with water there and from the website we thought we should have been able to do that. Fortunately we called ahead and figured out we could do it at the KOA 4 miles away with a fee.
Brian K
VerifiedJune 4, 2025 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: HORS
Great location and a great little park. Make sure to bring along your fishing rod and tackle as there is a great little fishery here.
Park is very well kept by the Managers
Be aware - no cell service here, but still worth the peace and solitude.
Brian K
VerifiedJune 4, 2025 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: HORS
Great location and a great little park. Make sure to bring along your fishing rod and tackle as there is a great little fishery here.
Park is very well kept by the Managers
Be aware - no cell service here, but still worth the peace and solitude.
David M
VerifiedJune 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: HORS
The campground host was extremely friendly and helpful. The facilities were immaculate and the sites were beautiful. We couldn’t have had a better experience!
David M
VerifiedJune 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: HORS
The campground host was extremely friendly and helpful. The facilities were immaculate and the sites were beautiful. We couldn’t have had a better experience!
Benton R
VerifiedJune 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: HORS
Sites were pretty close together, we had to pay extra to have dogs ($2/night/per dog), there was no dump station and the drinking water valve didn’t connect to a hose.
Hosts were nice.
The lake was nice with good fishing. You can hear traffic from the site.
It’s very close to Rushmore but that was the least enjoyable part of the trip for us so in retrospect I may have booked elsewhere.
I would consider staying in clusters next time.
Benton R
VerifiedJune 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: HORS
Sites were pretty close together, we had to pay extra to have dogs ($2/night/per dog), there was no dump station and the drinking water valve didn’t connect to a hose.
Hosts were nice.
The lake was nice with good fishing. You can hear traffic from the site.
It’s very close to Rushmore but that was the least enjoyable part of the trip for us so in retrospect I may have booked elsewhere.
I would consider staying in clusters next time.
Location Horsethief Lake Campground
Address:
Forest Recreation Management, Inc
Hill City, SD, 57745
United States
From Hill City, take U.S. Rt. 16/385 south 3 miles to State Rt. 244. Turn left onto Rt. 244. Travel 5.9 miles to campground sign. Turn right at sign into campground.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 43.8951 / -103.484
Elevation: 1509 feet
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Last updated: June 5, 2026
