Picnic Table
Fire Pit
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Horsethief Lake Campground.
No sites found matching your criteria.
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.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
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.
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
January 15, 2020 Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD
We stayed at the camp in August on our way to Yellowstone. The camp was beautiful and very close to Mount Rushmore. We enjoyed early morning hike around the lake. It was very peaceful and views of the lake and mountains were gorgeous. Our site 16 was leveled and had a lake view. Amenities (bathrooms) could have been better. Overall, I would stay their again.
Helpful
January 15, 2020 Stayed at: 030, Loop: WALK
Really nice place, except for the campground host who gave us a kind of glacial reception. No smile or kind word. All business.
So 4* instead of 5.
No shower or hot water around.
Helpful
January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
Very scenic, clean, camp host was friendly and helpful
Helpful
January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
Very clean beautiful area! Very close to Mt,Rushmore and Crazy Horse.
Helpful
January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
Very scenic, clean, camp host was friendly and helpful
Helpful
January 16, 2020 Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
Very clean beautiful area! Very close to Mt,Rushmore and Crazy Horse.
Helpful
January 17, 2020 Stayed at: 017, Loop: LKSD
We arrived later in the day and the camp host was not there. We proceeded to setup and then I went back to check in and they were still out. We had a rude knock on the camper door at 7am and the camp host outside saying with a raised voice "Camp Host, would you please come out" I think he can keep a little bit better hours for waking people up. We made 2 attempts at normal check in times without him being there. Given this is late in the season, and earlier that year we had a great time.
Helpful
January 17, 2020 Stayed at: 017, Loop: LKSD
We arrived later in the day and the camp host was not there. We proceeded to setup and then I went back to check in and they were still out. We had a rude knock on the camper door at 7am and the camp host outside saying with a raised voice "Camp Host, would you please come out" I think he can keep a little bit better hours for waking people up. We made 2 attempts at normal check in times without him being there. Given this is late in the season, and earlier that year we had a great time.
Helpful
January 19, 2020 Stayed at: 023, Loop: LKSD
Gorgeous view of the black hills and nice walking path around the pond.
Helpful
January 19, 2020 Stayed at: 023, Loop: LKSD
Gorgeous view of the black hills and nice walking path around the pond.
Helpful
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
Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.
Replies within minutes
Population: 834
Nearby city: Rapid City, SD
Approx. 18 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 4,980 ft
Hill City, SD
RV Sites
Tent Sites
