Horsethief Lake Campground

Forest Recreation Management, Inc, Hill City, South Dakota, United States
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Horsethief Lake
Rock with hole in it
Toilet
Lake Overview
Info Kiosk

Featured amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Fire Pit Fire Pit
View all amenities

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
RV Sites 12 sites Check Availability Tent Sites 10 sites Check Availability

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

Verified Only
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Emily T

Verified

December 17, 2019 Stayed at: 026, Loop: LKSD

This location was my favorite campsite I have ever stayed at. Despite thunderstorms overnight, we had an amazing time and would absolutely come back. Waking up next to the lake was absolute perfection. Our neighbors were great, the hosts were easily accessible and helpful. The location was absolutely beautiful and a short drive to many other attractions in the area. This site would be good for a variety of groups. There was a wide range when we visited- families, couples, young adults. Highly recommend!

Helpful

Emily T

Verified

December 17, 2019 Stayed at: 026, Loop: LKSD

This location was my favorite campsite I have ever stayed at. Despite thunderstorms overnight, we had an amazing time and would absolutely come back. Waking up next to the lake was absolute perfection. Our neighbors were great, the hosts were easily accessible and helpful. The location was absolutely beautiful and a short drive to many other attractions in the area. This site would be good for a variety of groups. There was a wide range when we visited- families, couples, young adults. Highly recommend!

Helpful

Jayme N

Verified

December 18, 2019 Stayed at: 010, Loop: HORS

Beautiful area. Campground was in great shape. Restrooms and camp sites were clean. Camp host was phenomenal! We received lots of great info. She definitely was doing a good job of managing tht campground. Loved our visit to Horsethief Lake Campground!

Helpful

Jayme N

Verified

December 18, 2019 Stayed at: 010, Loop: HORS

Beautiful area. Campground was in great shape. Restrooms and camp sites were clean. Camp host was phenomenal! We received lots of great info. She definitely was doing a good job of managing tht campground. Loved our visit to Horsethief Lake Campground!

Helpful

Aaron R

Verified

January 10, 2020 Stayed at: 032, Loop: WALK

Friendly staff, great site overlooking a lake. Well protected and bathrooms close at hand. I would highly recommend this campground to anyone!

Helpful

Sherry H

Verified

January 10, 2020 Stayed at: 011, Loop: HORS

The campground hosts were quick to help, but the lady was unfriendly. The campground was clean.

Helpful

Joe S

Verified

January 10, 2020 Stayed at: 023, Loop: LKSD

This was an AMAZING experience for my family. we had the most perfect campsite. The campground caretakers were so wonderful too. What a beautiful spot in this world. Thank you.

Helpful

Aaron R

Verified

January 10, 2020 Stayed at: 032, Loop: WALK

Friendly staff, great site overlooking a lake. Well protected and bathrooms close at hand. I would highly recommend this campground to anyone!

Helpful

Sherry H

Verified

January 10, 2020 Stayed at: 011, Loop: HORS

The campground hosts were quick to help, but the lady was unfriendly. The campground was clean.

Helpful

Joe S

Verified

January 10, 2020 Stayed at: 023, Loop: LKSD

This was an AMAZING experience for my family. we had the most perfect campsite. The campground caretakers were so wonderful too. What a beautiful spot in this world. Thank you.

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.

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Mount Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch
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Nearby destinations

Explore destination

Keystone

3 mi away

Day trip
Explore destination

Hill City

5 mi away

City
Explore destination

Custer

11 mi away

City

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

Learn more about Hill City

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service