RV Sites
Tent Sites
Dan M
VerifiedJuly 15, 2024 Stayed at: 030, Loop: WALK
Very good experience. Although the campground didn't offer much in the way of privacy, it was surprisingly quiet.
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
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Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
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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
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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
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025, Loop: LKSD
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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026, Loop: LKSD
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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027, Loop: LKSD
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺
028, Loop: LKSD
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺
029, Loop: WALK
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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030, Loop: WALK
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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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: Newest First
Muriel p
VerifiedJuly 15, 2024 Stayed at: 031, Loop: WALK
We are tent campers and had a nice site near the lake. The sites are not very private but our camp neighbors were respectful of the quiet hours and the campground was well-maintained. We booked out initial night online and were able to stay another night at a different site in the same campground for an additional night. The camp hosts were very helpful and friendly.
Helpful
Dan M
VerifiedJuly 15, 2024 Stayed at: 030, Loop: WALK
Very good experience. Although the campground didn't offer much in the way of privacy, it was surprisingly quiet.
Helpful
Muriel p
VerifiedJuly 15, 2024 Stayed at: 031, Loop: WALK
We are tent campers and had a nice site near the lake. The sites are not very private but our camp neighbors were respectful of the quiet hours and the campground was well-maintained. We booked out initial night online and were able to stay another night at a different site in the same campground for an additional night. The camp hosts were very helpful and friendly.
Helpful
Sally C
VerifiedJuly 13, 2024 Stayed at: 015, Loop: LKSD
ghtsNice campground, close to everything, No amenities, but thats okay! We stayed for 5 nights. saw all the attractions, two great towns nearby. Meet two wonderful ladies and enjoyed their company. We got a S70 discount for Seniors or Disability Pass not sure which one. Total cost was $78.
You can go down the road to the KOA and Pay for showers, and dump $10 and their was a laundry Mat there no fees except for washing and drying
Helpful
Sally C
VerifiedJuly 13, 2024 Stayed at: 015, Loop: LKSD
ghtsNice campground, close to everything, No amenities, but thats okay! We stayed for 5 nights. saw all the attractions, two great towns nearby. Meet two wonderful ladies and enjoyed their company. We got a S70 discount for Seniors or Disability Pass not sure which one. Total cost was $78.
You can go down the road to the KOA and Pay for showers, and dump $10 and their was a laundry Mat there no fees except for washing and drying
Helpful
denise p
VerifiedJuly 11, 2024 Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD
Campsite was right by the lake- it was a fabulous and shady site! Camp hosts were super nice and friendly. We were able to paddle board practically every day and explore the lake. Toilet was clean, and the campground was a perfect location for all the things to do and sites to see! Would definitely stay here again!
Helpful
denise p
VerifiedJuly 11, 2024 Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD
Campsite was right by the lake- it was a fabulous and shady site! Camp hosts were super nice and friendly. We were able to paddle board practically every day and explore the lake. Toilet was clean, and the campground was a perfect location for all the things to do and sites to see! Would definitely stay here again!
Helpful
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!
Helpful
Mario A
VerifiedJune 5, 2024 Stayed at: 018, Loop: LKSD
Superbe endroit. À proximité du Mont Rushmore. Le camphost est formidable.
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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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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Managed by the USDA Forest Service