About Horsethief Lake Campground
Number of accommodations: 22
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Rates, Sites & Availability
22 Sites Available
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Site Details
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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
Robert C
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: LKSD
Great site, great hiking from campground and a pretty lake all close to Mount Rushmore.
Clark O
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: LKSD
Beautiful sites. Sites are very close to one another.
Stace V
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: HORS
We stayed at site #8. The location of the campsite was one of the best things about the campground, close to Mount Rushmore and not too far from the Crazy Horse Monument. The campgrounds are very busy but still beautiful. My favorite thing about the campgrounds was the trail around the lake. There are spots to fish or to just sit and enjoy nature. The tent pad was perfect for our 10' X 11' tent, perfectly flat and easy to set up. Site #8 is very close to the restroom, which is great for accessibility, but we could smell the restroom. I hope to come back in a few years and would love to stay in sites #23 - 28, which are further back near the lake. Even the walk-in sites on that side of the lake look very inviting as they overlook the lake too.
Stace V
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: HORS
We stayed at site #8. The location of the campsite was one of the best things about the campground, close to Mount Rushmore and not too far from the Crazy Horse Monument. The campgrounds are very busy but still beautiful. My favorite thing about the campgrounds was the trail around the lake. There are spots to fish or to just sit and enjoy nature. The tent pad was perfect for our 10' X 11' tent, perfectly flat and easy to set up. Site #8 is very close to the restroom, which is great for accessibility, but we could smell the restroom. I hope to come back in a few years and would love to stay in sites #23 - 28, which are further back near the lake. Even the walk-in sites on that side of the lake look very inviting as they overlook the lake too.
Kathleen P
VerifiedAugust 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: LKSD
Very nice campground hosts. Toilet was clean and well stocked. Campground looked great!
Kathleen P
VerifiedAugust 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: LKSD
Very nice campground hosts. Toilet was clean and well stocked. Campground looked great!
Robert H
VerifiedAugust 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: WALK
Beautiful and large campsites. Noise from the road echoed across the lake, especially motorcycles.
Robert H
VerifiedAugust 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: WALK
Beautiful and large campsites. Noise from the road echoed across the lake, especially motorcycles.
Sara W
VerifiedAugust 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: HORS
Beautiful campground!
Sara W
VerifiedAugust 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: HORS
Beautiful campground!
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
