RV Sites
Tent Sites
Dillan L
VerifiedJune 16, 2022 Stayed at: 032, Loop: WALK
Fantastic walk-sites very close to the lake. Would definitely come back and stay here!
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
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Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
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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.
No available sites
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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
AnnaRose Z
VerifiedJune 16, 2022 Stayed at: 025, Loop: LKSD
We only stayed for two nights but it was a perfect campground. Had everything we needed for a couple of days - ‘bathroom’, water, could buy ice and firewood. No service, but as to be expected. It is not far from the highway, so you can hear cars. Try to get a lakeside view if you can! Great views in the morning and evenings.
Helpful
Loren S
VerifiedJune 8, 2022 Stayed at: 013, Loop: HORS
Camp host was great! Very close to Mount Rushmore, Keystone, Hill city, and needles highway. Went for a hike around the lake and saw a Bald Eagle snatch up a fish.
No showers, pit toilets all well maintained.
Would love to stay there again.
Helpful
Aaron C
VerifiedJune 8, 2022 Stayed at: 027, Loop: LKSD
Camp hosts were excellent. Extremely polite, helpful, and are doing a great job keeping the facility clean and managing the guests. Campground is also excellent.
Helpful
Loren S
VerifiedJune 8, 2022 Stayed at: 013, Loop: HORS
Camp host was great! Very close to Mount Rushmore, Keystone, Hill city, and needles highway. Went for a hike around the lake and saw a Bald Eagle snatch up a fish.
No showers, pit toilets all well maintained.
Would love to stay there again.
Helpful
Aaron C
VerifiedJune 8, 2022 Stayed at: 027, Loop: LKSD
Camp hosts were excellent. Extremely polite, helpful, and are doing a great job keeping the facility clean and managing the guests. Campground is also excellent.
Helpful
Alice S
VerifiedMay 31, 2022 Stayed at: 008, Loop: HORS
This is a very scenic campground only 2 mi from Mt Rushmore. It has put toilets, trash cans and water from a spigot but no other amenities. Generators are allowed except during quiet hours at night. The campground is adjacent to the Horsethief Lake and there is an easy paved path from the campground around the lake. More strenuous hiking is also available. We thoroughly enjoyed staying here and visiting the Black Hills sites.
Helpful
Alice S
VerifiedMay 31, 2022 Stayed at: 008, Loop: HORS
This is a very scenic campground only 2 mi from Mt Rushmore. It has put toilets, trash cans and water from a spigot but no other amenities. Generators are allowed except during quiet hours at night. The campground is adjacent to the Horsethief Lake and there is an easy paved path from the campground around the lake. More strenuous hiking is also available. We thoroughly enjoyed staying here and visiting the Black Hills sites.
Helpful
Linda H
VerifiedMay 27, 2022 Stayed at: 009, Loop: HORS
It’s a perfect place of hiking, kayaking & fishing. Enjoy it there.
Helpful
Linda H
VerifiedMay 27, 2022 Stayed at: 009, Loop: HORS
It’s a perfect place of hiking, kayaking & fishing. Enjoy it there.
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