About Horsethief Lake Campground
Number of accommodations: 22
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Rates, Sites & Availability
22 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
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.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
22 Sites Available
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 (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
Chris I
VerifiedJune 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD
The host was fantastic! They really went the extra mile, thank you Dean for taking great care of us and making sure we had a perfect stay!
Mario A
VerifiedJune 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: LKSD
Superbe endroit. À proximité du Mont Rushmore. Le camphost est formidable.
Chris I
VerifiedJune 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD
The host was fantastic! They really went the extra mile, thank you Dean for taking great care of us and making sure we had a perfect stay!
Mario A
VerifiedJune 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: LKSD
Superbe endroit. À proximité du Mont Rushmore. Le camphost est formidable.
Carrie R
VerifiedJanuary 25, 2024 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD
Would camp here again!
Carrie R
VerifiedJanuary 25, 2024 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD
Would camp here again!
Cynthia N
VerifiedNovember 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: LKSD
Sweet forest spot very close to the lake, with pretty view through trees.
It is up on a small knoll, and you do feel super exposed to the campers in site 24, as well as people coming and going on the trail around the lake. (The site is right next to the trail entrance/exit.) It is, however, MUCH more private than some nearby sites, and some strategic positioning of car and tent can help.
Rocky and not very level. I couldn't get tent stakes into the ground.
The vault toilet down the hill on one day smelled so vile I literally ran out wretching. The worst thing I've ever smelled in my entire life. It was better the next day.
The camp host is great; friendly and accommodating.
You do see and hear traffic across the lake, but not terrible. I slept in my car and it felt quiet and very safe at night.
Trees aren't positioned right for hammocks; they are mostly on a slope.
Extremely close of course to the monument, as well as to Keystone, Hill City, and numerous scenic drives and trails. Gorgeous area.
Bugs in late summer/very early fall were no problem. Saw only a mosquito or two.
Cynthia N
VerifiedNovember 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: LKSD
Sweet forest spot very close to the lake, with pretty view through trees.
It is up on a small knoll, and you do feel super exposed to the campers in site 24, as well as people coming and going on the trail around the lake. (The site is right next to the trail entrance/exit.) It is, however, MUCH more private than some nearby sites, and some strategic positioning of car and tent can help.
Rocky and not very level. I couldn't get tent stakes into the ground.
The vault toilet down the hill on one day smelled so vile I literally ran out wretching. The worst thing I've ever smelled in my entire life. It was better the next day.
The camp host is great; friendly and accommodating.
You do see and hear traffic across the lake, but not terrible. I slept in my car and it felt quiet and very safe at night.
Trees aren't positioned right for hammocks; they are mostly on a slope.
Extremely close of course to the monument, as well as to Keystone, Hill City, and numerous scenic drives and trails. Gorgeous area.
Bugs in late summer/very early fall were no problem. Saw only a mosquito or two.
Morris E
VerifiedOctober 25, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: HORS
Nice quiet site and great campground host.
Morris E
VerifiedOctober 25, 2023 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
Nice quiet campground and great campground host.
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
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 5, 2026
