Choose from a selection of campgrounds located all over the Black Hills. An especially rugged and scenic region, the hills are loaded with hiking trails, caves, fishing spots and bike byways. Research this area of the state to find lesser known gems like Roughlock Falls. Set aside a few hours to visit Mount Rushmore. Linger in western South Dakota enjoying the natural attractions, then return home refreshed.
Black Hills National Forest Campgrounds
Black Hills National Forest has many campgrounds. Grizzly Bear is the one closest to Mount Rushmore National Monument. Set in the heavily wooded Black Hills, this primitive campground has potable water and vault toilets. Explore the area while camping in this centrally located site or choose from many other similar campgrounds. On the west side of the forest, camp in shady sites among ponderosa pines at Roubaix Lake. Services here include comfort station, tables, water, ranger station. Explore the nearby legendary towns of Deadwood, Lead and Silver City. Spend one day at Roughlock Falls Nature Area in diverse Spearfish Canyon. Look for the rare American Dipper, an unusual bird that walks and swims underwater. The forest officially extends further west into northeastern Wyoming.
National Park Service
Mount Rushmore sits on the eastern edge of the Black Hills. It is a day use park; there is no overnight camping. The park service offers camping at nearby Badlands National Park located 90 minutes east of Rapid City, the largest city in the Black Hills region. Plan a daytime to visit Jewel Cave and Wind Cave, other NPS parks in the area.
South Dakota State Park Camping
Three state parks dot the Black Hills offering camping in different settings. Custer State Park is the largest with 10 campgrounds. Choose from lakeside, pine forest or mountain stream campsites. This park is centrally located to other Black Hills attractions like Mount Rushmore and Wind Cave. Prowl along French Creek where Custer’s expedition discovered gold in 1874. Bear Butte State Park is set on the northern edge of the Black Hills near Sturgis. Both Cheyenne and Lakota honor this area as sacred. Learn about the Northern Plains Indians at the park education center. The small campground accommodates 15 tent or trailer campers. Angostura Recreation Area is on the southern fringes of the forest near Hot Springs with four campgrounds and a large reservoir for water sports.
Private Campgrounds
Locate private campgrounds throughout the region. Some are intimate, small family operations, while others are large such as Palmer Gulch KOA Resort at Hill City. Palmer Gulch contains 500 campsites, plus 50 deluxe recreational vehicle sites.
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
The region stays busy with summer tourists and campers visiting the area, but things really heat up each August when the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally occurs. This is a time to avoid the Black Hills unless you will be attending the rally. It is a popular event drawing over 400,000 each year. Many local accommodations, including private campgrounds, not only fill up early but charge a premium rate during this time. This is not a family oriented event, so steer clear unless this is the party you are aiming to attend.
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