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516 reviews
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
Based on 516 reviews
Showing 516 reviews
June 11, 2026 Stayed at: 024, Loop: LKSD
Campsite was fantastic! Great access to the lake, nice big site with trees and shade, great parking. Campground host was very nice and accommodating. Only complaint was the touring helicopters flying around in the morning. Road noise was a thing, too, but was tolerable. Overall a great place to camp for seeing all of the sites in the area.
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June 8, 2026 Stayed at: 007, Loop: HORS
We got in late but easily found our site info. Bathrooms/toilets were great and actually smelled good. The host was friendly and helpful but not many people in the area know the backpacking info as it seems not many people do it. Would rec this campsite!
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June 7, 2026 Stayed at: 025, Loop: LKSD
I had a great time! The campground was beautiful and clean and the host was very polite and helpful.
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June 7, 2026 Stayed at: 013, Loop: HORS
Beautiful peaceful campsites
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June 4, 2026 Stayed at: 009, Loop: HORS
Lovely location with walking trails and a lake nearby. Not far from Rushmore, and in the heart of the Black Hills.
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May 31, 2026 Stayed at: 027, Loop: LKSD
Fun little campground
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December 23, 2025 Stayed at: 008, Loop: HORS
This is a small campground close to Mount Rushmore. The sites are clean and easy to get in and out of. The only distraction was the helicopter tours during the day.
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December 23, 2025 Stayed at: 024, Loop: LKSD
The camp host was amazing. We got our favorite site and it was so relaxing to camp here. Horsethief is definitely our favorite place to camp in all the Black Hills.
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December 23, 2025 Stayed at: 008, Loop: HORS
This is a small campground close to Mount Rushmore. The sites are clean and easy to get in and out of. The only distraction was the helicopter tours during the day.
Helpful
December 23, 2025 Stayed at: 024, Loop: LKSD
The camp host was amazing. We got our favorite site and it was so relaxing to camp here. Horsethief is definitely our favorite place to camp in all the Black Hills.
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Forest Recreation Management, Inc, Hill City, SD 57745 United States
Elevation: 1,509 ft
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.
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.
Last updated: October 24, 2026
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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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