About Horsethief Lake Campground
Number of accommodations: 22
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
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22 Sites Available
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Reviews (217)
What Guests Are Saying
Horsethief Lake Campground is a charming and well-maintained site near Mount Rushmore, praised for its clean facilities, beautiful lake views, and helpful camp host. Campers enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, hiking trails, and the opportunity to see wildlife, making it a favorite spot in the Black Hills. While some sites may be close together and noise from other campers can be an issue, the overall experience remains positive with many expressing a desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Horsethief Lake Campground is a charming and well-maintained site near Mount Rushmore, praised for its clean facilities, beautiful lake views, and helpful camp host. Campers enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, hiking trails, and the opportunity to see wildlife, making it a favorite spot in the Black Hills. While some sites may be close together and noise from other campers can be an issue, the overall experience remains positive with many expressing a desire to return.
Review Summary
Lawrence L
VerifiedJuly 16, 2024 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: HORS
Great Campground. Host was very helpful.
Dan M
VerifiedJuly 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.
Muriel p
VerifiedJuly 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.
Sally C
VerifiedJuly 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
denise p
VerifiedJuly 11, 2024 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD
Campsite was right by the lake- it was a fabulous and shady site! Camp hosts were super nice and friendly. We were able to paddle board practically every day and explore the lake. Toilet was clean, and the campground was a perfect location for all the things to do and sites to see! Would definitely stay here again!
Chris I
VerifiedJune 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD
The host was fantastic! They really went the extra mile, thank you Dean for taking great care of us and making sure we had a perfect stay!
Mario A
VerifiedJune 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: LKSD
Superbe endroit. À proximité du Mont Rushmore. Le camphost est formidable.
Carrie R
VerifiedJanuary 25, 2024 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: LKSD
Would camp here again!
Cynthia N
VerifiedNovember 3, 2023 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: LKSD
Sweet forest spot very close to the lake, with pretty view through trees.
It is up on a small knoll, and you do feel super exposed to the campers in site 24, as well as people coming and going on the trail around the lake. (The site is right next to the trail entrance/exit.) It is, however, MUCH more private than some nearby sites, and some strategic positioning of car and tent can help.
Rocky and not very level. I couldn't get tent stakes into the ground.
The vault toilet down the hill on one day smelled so vile I literally ran out wretching. The worst thing I've ever smelled in my entire life. It was better the next day.
The camp host is great; friendly and accommodating.
You do see and hear traffic across the lake, but not terrible. I slept in my car and it felt quiet and very safe at night.
Trees aren't positioned right for hammocks; they are mostly on a slope.
Extremely close of course to the monument, as well as to Keystone, Hill City, and numerous scenic drives and trails. Gorgeous area.
Bugs in late summer/very early fall were no problem. Saw only a mosquito or two.
Morris E
VerifiedOctober 25, 2023 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
Nice quiet campground and great campground host.
Location Horsethief Lake Campground
Address:
Forest Recreation Management, Inc
Hill City, SD, 57745
United States
From Hill City, take U.S. Rt. 16/385 south 3 miles to State Rt. 244. Turn left onto Rt. 244. Travel 5.9 miles to campground sign. Turn right at sign into campground.
Latitude & Longitude: 43.8951 / -103.484
Elevation: 1509 feet
