RV Sites
Tent Sites
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
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
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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
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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
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028, Loop: LKSD
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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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
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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
Mario A
VerifiedJune 5, 2024 Stayed at: 018, Loop: LKSD
Superbe endroit. À proximité du Mont Rushmore. Le camphost est formidable.
Helpful
Carrie R
VerifiedJanuary 25, 2024 Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD
Would camp here again!
Helpful
Carrie R
VerifiedJanuary 25, 2024 Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD
Would camp here again!
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
Morris E
VerifiedOctober 25, 2023 Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
Nice quiet campground and great campground host.
Helpful
Morris E
VerifiedOctober 25, 2023 Stayed at: 009, Loop: HORS
Nice quiet site and great campground host.
Helpful
Morris E
VerifiedOctober 25, 2023 Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
Nice quiet campground and great campground host.
Helpful
Morris E
VerifiedOctober 25, 2023 Stayed at: 009, Loop: HORS
Nice quiet site and great campground host.
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
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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Managed by the USDA Forest Service