RV Sites
Tent Sites
Michael C
VerifiedAugust 10, 2022 Stayed at: 008, Loop: HORS
Great campground, walk to the lake , swim fish boat.
it is pit toilets and no running water so be aware.
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
⛺
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.
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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
Michael C
VerifiedAugust 10, 2022 Stayed at: 008, Loop: HORS
Great campground, walk to the lake , swim fish boat.
it is pit toilets and no running water so be aware.
Helpful
Karen L
VerifiedAugust 9, 2022 Stayed at: 010, Loop: HORS
Quiet campground. The lake was lovely to swim and fish
Helpful
Karen L
VerifiedAugust 9, 2022 Stayed at: 010, Loop: HORS
Quiet campground. The lake was lovely to swim and fish
Helpful
Brad M
VerifiedJuly 27, 2022 Stayed at: 015, Loop: LKSD
Great location to be able to visit Rushmore during the day and again in the evening the same day. Also was able to drive to Windcave NP via 16A through Custer State Park. Then back up on the Needles Hwy.
Helpful
Brad M
VerifiedJuly 27, 2022 Stayed at: 015, Loop: LKSD
Great location to be able to visit Rushmore during the day and again in the evening the same day. Also was able to drive to Windcave NP via 16A through Custer State Park. Then back up on the Needles Hwy.
Helpful
Nicole B
VerifiedJuly 23, 2022 Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
A great little campground if you are going to Mt. Rushmore. It is only a 3 min drive. You are also close to a couple of cute towns. Everything that surrounds Rushmore is pretty tourist trapish, but Rushmore itself is fantastic. Definitely go see the evening program if you visit.
The campground has pit toilets only, which are pretty clean. Fresh water is available near the pit toilets. Ice and firewood is available to purchase at the camp host.
The lake is small and very fun for everyone. Kids and Dogs especially.
The sites are spaced out well with lots of shade and most have nice tent pads. Some trailer sites are awkward, the front of your trailer may face what seems backward but this seems like a one or two-day camping spot so it's no big deal.
Fires were allowed when we were there which is nice.
I would definitely stay there again.
Helpful
Nicole B
VerifiedJuly 23, 2022 Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
A great little campground if you are going to Mt. Rushmore. It is only a 3 min drive. You are also close to a couple of cute towns. Everything that surrounds Rushmore is pretty tourist trapish, but Rushmore itself is fantastic. Definitely go see the evening program if you visit.
The campground has pit toilets only, which are pretty clean. Fresh water is available near the pit toilets. Ice and firewood is available to purchase at the camp host.
The lake is small and very fun for everyone. Kids and Dogs especially.
The sites are spaced out well with lots of shade and most have nice tent pads. Some trailer sites are awkward, the front of your trailer may face what seems backward but this seems like a one or two-day camping spot so it's no big deal.
Fires were allowed when we were there which is nice.
I would definitely stay there again.
Helpful
Robert A
VerifiedJuly 20, 2022 Stayed at: 010, Loop: HORS
The gentleman who checked me in was a real grump. He acted like he was doing me a favor for him doing his job. I was a inconvenience for him.
The rest rooms were not. The cleaniest.
Helpful
Tim T
VerifiedJuly 20, 2022 Stayed at: 025, Loop: LKSD
Great campground! Excellent lake to swim/kayak/paddle board.
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