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516 reviews
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
Based on 516 reviews
Showing 516 reviews
July 28, 2023 Stayed at: 014, Loop: HORS
We loved the campground! It was beautiful, quiet, and very centrally located to everything we wanted to see and do in South Dakota. The lake was very close & the trail around it was beautiful snd well-kept.
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July 28, 2023 Stayed at: 014, Loop: HORS
We loved the campground! It was beautiful, quiet, and very centrally located to everything we wanted to see and do in South Dakota. The lake was very close & the trail around it was beautiful snd well-kept.
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July 29, 2023 Stayed at: 015, Loop: LKSD
Conveniently located near Mt. Rushmore. We only stayed one short night.
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July 29, 2023 Stayed at: 015, Loop: LKSD
Conveniently located near Mt. Rushmore. We only stayed one short night.
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August 6, 2023 Stayed at: 023, Loop: LKSD
Beautiful place!
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August 6, 2023 Stayed at: 023, Loop: LKSD
Beautiful place!
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August 7, 2023 Stayed at: 029, Loop: WALK
We love camping at Horsethief lake. The location is absolutely beautiful and each site has a wonderful tree canopy. The toilets were standard vault toilets. Well cleaned but can get smelly if fellow campers don’t shut the lid. Only thing that would make this spot better is a place to shower off.
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August 7, 2023 Stayed at: 029, Loop: WALK
We love camping at Horsethief lake. The location is absolutely beautiful and each site has a wonderful tree canopy. The toilets were standard vault toilets. Well cleaned but can get smelly if fellow campers don’t shut the lid. Only thing that would make this spot better is a place to shower off.
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August 11, 2023 Stayed at: 013, Loop: HORS
Beautiful campground!
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August 11, 2023 Stayed at: 013, Loop: HORS
Beautiful campground!
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Forest Recreation Management, Inc, Hill City, SD 57745 United States
Elevation: 1,509 ft
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.
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.
Last updated: October 24, 2026
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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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