The Black Hills of South Dakota are an extremely popular vacation destination and offer numerous different camping possibilities. At the one end of the scale is tent camping, and at the other is camping in luxurious lodges. Whichever your choice, you can be sure of a vacation second to none in surroundings of outstanding natural beauty. The Black Hills National Forest offers you plenty of opportunities for enjoying healthy outdoor activities such as hiking, boating and fishing.
RV Camping
RV camping is well catered for in the Black Hills. One of the joys of RV camping is that you get to travel with many of your favorite possessions. You also get to meet some interesting people and frequently end up with new friends for life. Not everyone has the same taste--some campers prefer big campgrounds with lots of amenities, while others prefer smaller and more intimate camps. For a big campground, try the Lodge at Palmer Gulch, with 500 RV spaces and lots of amenities. If you prefer to be closer to city life, try the Lazy J RV Park & Campground in Rapid City.
Tent Camping
You'll find more than 30 tent camping sites scattered throughout the Black Hills National Forest. Many of the sites are close to features such as waterfalls or lakes, but don't expect a plethora of amenities. When you camp here, you'll be roughing it; you won't find showers or hookups, but you should find toilets and potable water. You don't have to camp at a recognized campground; subject to certain restrictions, you can camp almost anywhere in the forest. Just check out the regulations at a ranger station before you set off.
Horse Camping
Horse lovers can spend days on horse trails that are scattered in the forest--a great way to witness the wildlife and natural beauty of the Black Hills. You'll find several horse camps that you can use as a base for operations. Try out the Elk Haven Horse Camp in Keystone or one of the seven Horse Camps in Custer State Park. The Broken Arrow Campground in Custer has cabins, showers and covered corrals for your horses, and you're right in the center of the forest.
Log Cabins
One of the traditional ways of camping enjoyed in the Black Hills National Forest is by renting a log cabin. This type of housing is the traditional dwelling used by generations of Americans as the country expanded westward. Most of the campgrounds in the forest have cabins that can be rented, and this may well be your preference. There is a wide selection to choose from, and many of the cabins can be rented throughout the year, making an excellent winter base for snowmobiling or cross-country skiing.
Activities
You'll find almost 300 miles of foot, horse or mountain bike-designed trails that are maintained by the Forest Service and that provide a delightful way to experience the Black Hills. If hiking, biking or horseback riding are not your forte, try rock climbing, or you can collect small rocks or mineral specimens lying on the ground for personal use without a permit. Gold panning is permitted in some areas; you'll just need to check first at a ranger station for the regulations. Fishermen will find brown and rainbow trout in many of the forest's lakes and streams.
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