RV Sites
Tent Sites
Laura D
VerifiedJune 19, 2021 Stayed at: 026, Loop: LKSD
We had site 26 which had a wonderful view and easy lake access. Campground hosts for 2021 were PHENOMENAL.
Helpful
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 sitesSeasonal 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
Fire Pit
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- Fire Pit
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
🚐
007, Loop: HORS
RV
Pet Friendly · 58 × 20 ft · Gravel
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008, Loop: HORS
RV
Pet Friendly · 39 × 16 ft · Gravel
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009, Loop: HORS
RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 24 ft · Gravel
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010, Loop: HORS
RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 18 ft · Gravel
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011, Loop: HORS
RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 12 ft · Gravel
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012, Loop: HORS
RV
Pet Friendly · 46 × 14 ft · Gravel
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013, Loop: HORS
RV
Pet Friendly · 48 × 15 ft · Gravel
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014, Loop: HORS
RV
Pet Friendly · 45 × 14 ft · Gravel
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015, Loop: LKSD
RV
Pet Friendly · 49 × 14 ft · Gravel
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016, Loop: LKSD
RV
Pet Friendly · 59 × 15 ft · Gravel
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017, Loop: LKSD
RV
Pet Friendly · 48 × 17 ft · Gravel
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018, Loop: LKSD
RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 20 ft · Gravel
⛺
023, Loop: LKSD
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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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
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
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Site Details
Select a site to view details
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
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews
516 reviews
Summary
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
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
Verified Only
Sort by: Oldest First
Laura D
VerifiedJune 19, 2021 Stayed at: 026, Loop: LKSD
We had site 26 which had a wonderful view and easy lake access. Campground hosts for 2021 were PHENOMENAL.
Helpful
Judy K
VerifiedJune 20, 2021 Stayed at: 018, Loop: LKSD
It was a beautiful campground and the lake was great! The camp hosts were very friendly and helpful! They were trying their best to keep the pit toilets clean and fly free but there still were a lot of flies.
Helpful
Thomas M
VerifiedJune 20, 2021 Stayed at: 028, Loop: LKSD
Great place to stay. We were down by the lake and it was peaceful. The only issue was the campsite was not as clean as it could have been. Someone had a dog before us and they did not cleanup after the dog. Other than that, it was a great wonderful.
Helpful
Judy K
VerifiedJune 20, 2021 Stayed at: 018, Loop: LKSD
It was a beautiful campground and the lake was great! The camp hosts were very friendly and helpful! They were trying their best to keep the pit toilets clean and fly free but there still were a lot of flies.
Helpful
Thomas M
VerifiedJune 20, 2021 Stayed at: 028, Loop: LKSD
Great place to stay. We were down by the lake and it was peaceful. The only issue was the campsite was not as clean as it could have been. Someone had a dog before us and they did not cleanup after the dog. Other than that, it was a great wonderful.
Helpful
Nick B
VerifiedJune 22, 2021 Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD
These are great secluded sites in the woods, and only a couple miles from Mt Rushmore. We loved our time there.
Helpful
Nick B
VerifiedJune 22, 2021 Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD
These are great secluded sites in the woods, and only a couple miles from Mt Rushmore. We loved our time there.
Helpful
Kimball L
VerifiedJune 23, 2021 Stayed at: 011, Loop: HORS
Beautiful location, 5 minutes from Mt Rushmore. Lake was good for fishing and swimming, very refreshing to take a swim after a day of exploring. Nice trail around lake, and can walk from sites to main trailhead. Nice that tent camping and campers were separate areas. Hosts were very pleasant and available, checked on sites throughout the day.
Helpful
Kimball L
VerifiedJune 23, 2021 Stayed at: 011, Loop: HORS
Beautiful location, 5 minutes from Mt Rushmore. Lake was good for fishing and swimming, very refreshing to take a swim after a day of exploring. Nice trail around lake, and can walk from sites to main trailhead. Nice that tent camping and campers were separate areas. Hosts were very pleasant and available, checked on sites throughout the day.
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.
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.
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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
Hill City, SD
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From our Travel Guides
Managed by the USDA Forest Service