Horsethief Lake Campground, Custer, SD

Horsethief Lake Campground is located in the Hell Canyon Ranger District of the Black Hills National Forest (37 min southwest of Rapid City, SD) with an elevation of 4,950 feet. There are a total of 22 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. 12 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 28 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. There is a fee of $28.00 per night.

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Campsite Reviews (118)

4.5 out of 5

5 star		65%
4 star		20%
3 star		8%
2 star		4%
1 star		1%

@hanktB2D2101B1 · Camped on Sep 20, 2024 at Campsite #30

This place rocks. (Has rocks)

@DeborahD818F8A · Camped on Sep 10, 2024 at Campsite #15

Beautiful campground and lake.

@MarkT6244236 · Camped on Sep 8, 2024 at Campsite #7

Camp host were fantastic andArea very clean. We had a great time just wished we could have stayed there longer to see more sites.

@DavidB5075483 · Camped on Aug 12, 2024 at Campsite #12

Beautiful location and very quiet for those seeking to rest and recharge!

@MaureenF834497 · Camped on Aug 12, 2024 at Campsite #7

The campsites were exactly like the pictures. Facility was extremely clean, and the hosts were the nicest people ever!There are bathrooms, and drinking water.No RV dump though.Only 2 miles from Mt Rushmore

@ScotL7097798 · Camped on Jul 13, 2024 at Campsite #18

It was a great time thanks

@KRISTENM447078 · Camped on Jul 10, 2024 at Campsite #26

The campground requires improved signage at the entrance and around campsites 24-28 to clearly indicate that lake access is restricted to registered campers. My extended family and I have been camping here for the past four years and have consistently faced issues with individuals driving into the campground, parking, and trespassing through our campsites to reach the lake. This problem is exacerbated by people frequently parking near the outhouse near these campsites, often without any reservations. The lack of adequate signage and control measures is a significant oversight, allowing unauthorized individuals to access the lake. Immediate action is needed to implement effective signage and enforce access restrictions to ensure that only registered campers can reach the lake, thereby preserving the integrity and enjoyment of the campground for its intended users.

@JocelynBE12A74 · Camped on Jun 25, 2024 at Campsite #24

The campground management was great. Kind people with great advice!

@LawrenceL59644 · Camped on Jun 23, 2024 at Campsite #11

Great Campground. Host was very helpful.

@DanM7848405 · Camped on Jun 18, 2024 at Campsite #30

Very good experience. Although the campground didn't offer much in the way of privacy, it was surprisingly quiet.

@Murielp069B7DC · Camped on Jun 16, 2024 at Campsite #31

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.

@DeniseP3039167 · Camped on Jun 6, 2024 at Campsite #16

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!

@JohnM1144946 · Camped on Jun 4, 2024 at Campsite #26

Great campsite, which we could've spent more time here. Lots of wildlife. Great camp hosts!

@SallyC1699807 · Camped on May 30, 2024 at Campsite #15

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

@ChrisI8341443 · Camped on May 28, 2024 at Campsite #16

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!

@MarioA2290959 · Camped on May 27, 2024 at Campsite #18

Superbe endroit. proximit du Mont Rushmore. Le camphost est formidable.

@RickB1041029 · Camped on Sep 22, 2023 at Campsite #7

Nice campground just 4 miles from Mt Rushmore Monument. Also very close to Needles Highway/Custer Park. Definitely worth grabbing a site if you can when in the area.

@CynthiaN913610 · Camped on Sep 21, 2023 at Campsite #23

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.

@MaryS3622227 · Camped on Sep 20, 2023 at Campsite #10

I love Horsethief Camground, but the bathrooms were quite smelly this year! Love the camping area and the great hiking trail.

@MorrisE284AA83 · Camped on Sep 15, 2023 at Campsite #7

Nice quiet campground and great campground host.

@MorrisE284AA83 · Camped on Sep 12, 2023 at Campsite #9

Nice quiet site and great campground host.

@ClarkO4873FF71 · Camped on Sep 7, 2023 at Campsite #17

Beautiful sites. Sites are very close to one another.

@StaceVC65C424D · Camped on Aug 29, 2023 at Campsite #8

We stayed at site #8. The location of the campsite was one of the best things about the campground, close to Mount Rushmore and not too far from the Crazy Horse Monument. The campgrounds are very busy but still beautiful. My favorite thing about the campgrounds was the trail around the lake. There are spots to fish or to just sit and enjoy nature. The tent pad was perfect for our 10' X 11' tent, perfectly flat and easy to set up. Site #8 is very close to the restroom, which is great for accessibility, but we could smell the restroom. I hope to come back in a few years and would love to stay in sites #23 - 28, which are further back near the lake. Even the walk-in sites on that side of the lake look very inviting as they overlook the lake too.

@RobertC4745893 · Camped on Aug 21, 2023 at Campsite #18

Great site, great hiking from campground and a pretty lake all close to Mount Rushmore.

@RobertH1222975 · Camped on Aug 11, 2023 at Campsite #29

Beautiful and large campsites. Noise from the road echoed across the lake, especially motorcycles.

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