RV Sites
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Nicol M
VerifiedSeptember 1, 2021 Stayed at: 009, Loop: HORS
Spacious camp area with lots of trees. Primitive toilet but thankfully not too stinky.
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
🚐
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
⛺
025, Loop: LKSD
Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
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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
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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 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
Breck T
VerifiedSeptember 1, 2021 Stayed at: 012, Loop: HORS
nice clean campground. Friendly campground host
Helpful
Nicol M
VerifiedSeptember 1, 2021 Stayed at: 009, Loop: HORS
Spacious camp area with lots of trees. Primitive toilet but thankfully not too stinky.
Helpful
Breck T
VerifiedSeptember 1, 2021 Stayed at: 012, Loop: HORS
nice clean campground. Friendly campground host
Helpful
Victoria R
VerifiedAugust 31, 2021 Stayed at: 017, Loop: LKSD
The campsite was spectacularly perfection.
Of all the campgrounds I have ever used, of which there are many, the bathroom was the single most disgusting thing I have ever experienced.
I used it once and vowed never, ever, to step foot in it again.
I understand port a potties are not 'perfect' but this was horrific.
It is a shame since we loved our site so much.
Helpful
Victoria R
VerifiedAugust 31, 2021 Stayed at: 017, Loop: LKSD
The campsite was spectacularly perfection.
Of all the campgrounds I have ever used, of which there are many, the bathroom was the single most disgusting thing I have ever experienced.
I used it once and vowed never, ever, to step foot in it again.
I understand port a potties are not 'perfect' but this was horrific.
It is a shame since we loved our site so much.
Helpful
Mark D
VerifiedAugust 28, 2021 Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
Beautiful location. Helpful camp hosts.
Helpful
Mark D
VerifiedAugust 28, 2021 Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
Beautiful location. Helpful camp hosts.
Helpful
Erika S
VerifiedAugust 17, 2021 Stayed at: 032, Loop: WALK
The campground is loud, compared to the many I’ve stayed at.
My bloodhound, I was told by the hosts that she was not allowed to bark although many other dogs barked throughout the day and night. Along with very loud folks and kids screaming. She is a very good camper and I feel she was singled out due to her size and breed.
The campground is beautiful. Very clean, but if you’re looking for quiet I would not recommend this one. I had a negative and not friendly experience and will not return to this particular campground.
Campground is close to trailheads which was nice and just a hop skip and a jump to Mt. Rushmore.
Helpful
Erika S
VerifiedAugust 17, 2021 Stayed at: 032, Loop: WALK
The campground is loud, compared to the many I’ve stayed at.
My bloodhound, I was told by the hosts that she was not allowed to bark although many other dogs barked throughout the day and night. Along with very loud folks and kids screaming. She is a very good camper and I feel she was singled out due to her size and breed.
The campground is beautiful. Very clean, but if you’re looking for quiet I would not recommend this one. I had a negative and not friendly experience and will not return to this particular campground.
Campground is close to trailheads which was nice and just a hop skip and a jump to Mt. Rushmore.
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.
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
Hill City, SD
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Managed by the USDA Forest Service