Horsethief Lake
Rock with hole in it
Toilet
Lake Overview
Info Kiosk

Featured amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Fire Pit Fire Pit

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 sites

Seasonal 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 Picnic Table
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • Fire Pit
Water Access

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

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

Reviews

516 reviews

Summary

AI generated

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

Write a review
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

Sally C

Verified

July 13, 2024 Stayed at: 015, Loop: LKSD

ghtsNice campground, close to everything, No amenities, but thats okay! We stayed for 5 nights. saw all the attractions, two great towns nearby. Meet two wonderful ladies and enjoyed their company. We got a S70 discount for Seniors or Disability Pass not sure which one. Total cost was $78.
You can go down the road to the KOA and Pay for showers, and dump $10 and their was a laundry Mat there no fees except for washing and drying

Helpful

Sally C

Verified

July 13, 2024 Stayed at: 015, Loop: LKSD

ghtsNice campground, close to everything, No amenities, but thats okay! We stayed for 5 nights. saw all the attractions, two great towns nearby. Meet two wonderful ladies and enjoyed their company. We got a S70 discount for Seniors or Disability Pass not sure which one. Total cost was $78.
You can go down the road to the KOA and Pay for showers, and dump $10 and their was a laundry Mat there no fees except for washing and drying

Helpful

Muriel p

Verified

July 15, 2024 Stayed at: 031, Loop: WALK

We are tent campers and had a nice site near the lake. The sites are not very private but our camp neighbors were respectful of the quiet hours and the campground was well-maintained. We booked out initial night online and were able to stay another night at a different site in the same campground for an additional night. The camp hosts were very helpful and friendly.

Helpful

Dan M

Verified

July 15, 2024 Stayed at: 030, Loop: WALK

Very good experience. Although the campground didn't offer much in the way of privacy, it was surprisingly quiet.

Helpful

Muriel p

Verified

July 15, 2024 Stayed at: 031, Loop: WALK

We are tent campers and had a nice site near the lake. The sites are not very private but our camp neighbors were respectful of the quiet hours and the campground was well-maintained. We booked out initial night online and were able to stay another night at a different site in the same campground for an additional night. The camp hosts were very helpful and friendly.

Helpful

Dan M

Verified

July 15, 2024 Stayed at: 030, Loop: WALK

Very good experience. Although the campground didn't offer much in the way of privacy, it was surprisingly quiet.

Helpful

Lawrence L

Verified

July 16, 2024 Stayed at: 011, Loop: HORS

Great Campground. Host was very helpful.

Helpful

Lawrence L

Verified

July 16, 2024 Stayed at: 011, Loop: HORS

Great Campground. Host was very helpful.

Helpful

Kristen M

Verified

July 27, 2024 Stayed at: 026, Loop: LKSD

The campground requires improved signage at the entrance and around campsites 24-28 to clearly indicate that lake access is restricted to registered campers. My extended family and I have been camping here for the past four years and have consistently faced issues with individuals driving into the campground, parking, and trespassing through our campsites to reach the lake. This problem is exacerbated by people frequently parking near the outhouse near these campsites, often without any reservations. The lack of adequate signage and control measures is a significant oversight, allowing unauthorized individuals to access the lake. Immediate action is needed to implement effective signage and enforce access restrictions to ensure that only registered campers can reach the lake, thereby preserving the integrity and enjoyment of the campground for its intended users.

Helpful

Kristen M

Verified

July 27, 2024 Stayed at: 026, Loop: LKSD

The campground requires improved signage at the entrance and around campsites 24-28 to clearly indicate that lake access is restricted to registered campers. My extended family and I have been camping here for the past four years and have consistently faced issues with individuals driving into the campground, parking, and trespassing through our campsites to reach the lake. This problem is exacerbated by people frequently parking near the outhouse near these campsites, often without any reservations. The lack of adequate signage and control measures is a significant oversight, allowing unauthorized individuals to access the lake. Immediate action is needed to implement effective signage and enforce access restrictions to ensure that only registered campers can reach the lake, thereby preserving the integrity and enjoyment of the campground for its intended users.

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.

Nearest town

Hill City, SD - 9.5 mi

About 16 min to downtown

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

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service