About Horsethief Lake Campground
Number of accommodations: 22
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Rates, Sites & Availability
22 Sites Available
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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
Jessica B
VerifiedJuly 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
The campground and lake are beautiful. The sites are spacious with wonderful shade trees. The fishing was great! The park ranger was very kind and helpful. The only negative was that the camp hosts were rather overbearing and kept looking for things to harass us and fellow campers about. It is definitely a place I would like to stay again but hopefully with a different camp host.
Heather V
VerifiedJuly 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: HORS
Beautiful campground and beautiful lake. So private and serene. Will definitely go back. Loved it and the camp hosts were wonderful!
Jessica B
VerifiedJuly 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
The campground and lake are beautiful. The sites are spacious with wonderful shade trees. The fishing was great! The park ranger was very kind and helpful. The only negative was that the camp hosts were rather overbearing and kept looking for things to harass us and fellow campers about. It is definitely a place I would like to stay again but hopefully with a different camp host.
Heather V
VerifiedJuly 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: HORS
Beautiful campground and beautiful lake. So private and serene. Will definitely go back. Loved it and the camp hosts were wonderful!
Karen B
VerifiedJune 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: WALK
I have been camping at Horse Thief Lake personally and with groups of students on mission trips since 1994. Just finished a six day run in the Hills at Horse Thief Lake campground with 16 students and three chaperones. I cannot imagine a more beautiful place to rest my head in these magical Black Hills. Lee and Helen, the campground hosts are amazing. The camp ground is beautifully maintained, they can answer every question, they are very vigilant and consider protocol, behavior, and safety among all campers a priority. When I am in the Black Hills, I cannot imagine any other place that I would rather stay personally or with my family or with groups. Highly recommended!
Karen B
VerifiedJune 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: WALK
I have been camping at Horse Thief Lake personally and with groups of students on mission trips since 1994. Just finished a six day run in the Hills at Horse Thief Lake campground with 16 students and three chaperones. I cannot imagine a more beautiful place to rest my head in these magical Black Hills. Lee and Helen, the campground hosts are amazing. The camp ground is beautifully maintained, they can answer every question, they are very vigilant and consider protocol, behavior, and safety among all campers a priority. When I am in the Black Hills, I cannot imagine any other place that I would rather stay personally or with my family or with groups. Highly recommended!
Deborah M
VerifiedJune 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: HORS
This is a beautiful campground and a nice lake. However the website is misleading about how big your site is. Be aware that the size of your RV and your vehicle need to be measured to fit into the site. . Our site we reserved was too Small but the Camp host did find a site to accommodate us in a first come first serve site. There were too many dogs that were not leashed. The bathrooms were dirty and at times ran out of toilet paper.
Deborah M
VerifiedJune 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: HORS
This is a beautiful campground and a nice lake. However the website is misleading about how big your site is. Be aware that the size of your RV and your vehicle need to be measured to fit into the site. . Our site we reserved was too Small but the Camp host did find a site to accommodate us in a first come first serve site. There were too many dogs that were not leashed. The bathrooms were dirty and at times ran out of toilet paper.
Adrianus t
VerifiedJune 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: LKSD
we had spot 18 and had a great view at the lake. We even saw an eagle.
Adrianus t
VerifiedJune 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: LKSD
we had spot 18 and had a great view at the lake. We even saw an eagle.
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
