$30
Bismarck Lake
Total sites: 21
Available Today: 8 FF*
Available this Weekend: 4 FF*
Booking Window: 6 months
Available Today: 8 FF*
Available this Weekend: 4 FF*
Booking Window: 6 months
5,220 ft
70°F
53°F
53°F
weak
Black Hills National Forest › Hell Canyon Ranger District › South Dakota
› Custer County
› Custer
› Bismarck Lake Campground
Bismarck Lake Campground, SD - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map
Bismarck Lake Campground is located in the Hell Canyon Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest (1 hr southwest of Rapid City, SD) with an elevation of 5,220 feet. There are a total of 21 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. 19 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 74 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)
Campsite Reviews (125)
4.7 out of 5
| 5 star | 77% | |
| 4 star | 13% | |
| 3 star | 3% | |
| 2 star | 2% | |
| 1 star | 2% |
@TROYB6297396 · Camped on Sep 1, 2025 at Campsite #3
The camp hosts were extremely helpful in getting us an alternative site because of our setup. Thank you!
@MargaretKE20CD · Camped on Aug 31, 2025 at Campsite #3
This is a beautiful setting in a great location for Custer State Park. The camp host was great.
@ADDB6550556B14 · Camped on Aug 25, 2025 at Campsite #2
Outstanding scenery and quiet surroundings !
@GuyH5532872 · Camped on Aug 25, 2025 at Campsite #14
I stayed in a tent in number 14 which was great. The only site on a small butte with several different levels - probably very exciting for a family with 2 decent spots for pitching a tent. I thought it was cool and I'm in my early 50s! The vault toilets were clean and odour free and are sufficiently far away that it wasn't distracting. I would definitely stay again. Host was very friendly.
@stevenb5011158 · Camped on Aug 24, 2025 at Campsite #3
Our favorite place in the world for many years now! Its a short drive to climb Harney Peak, canoe onSylvan Lake, frisbee golf in Custer, or swim at Evans plunge in Hot Springs!
@DeniseV4773F5C · Camped on Aug 22, 2025 at Campsite #9
Beautiful lake! We enjoyed our time there. Loved the campground hosts as well!
@RobertP6375002 · Camped on Aug 17, 2025 at Campsite #11
Ruth is a great person. Helpful, happy and full of energy.
@ReneeHF273C8AD · Camped on Aug 12, 2025 at Campsite #6
This was a 1 night stop on our way across the country. As we drove past the KOA to reach in, pulling in late with hungry kids, I wondered why I hadn't just made my reservation over there, but we found water next to our site, got the spot right next to the bathroom (perfect for us!), and the site itself provided adventure, with it's trail and stairway. The picnic table was plenty big enough. In the morning, the view of the lake was absolutely stunning! We stayed an hour longer than we planned to just to enjoy the nature trails and scenery. I liked that it wasn't super crowded. It was also quiet. It would've been the perfect night to do some star-gazing! When we have the chance to go back to the area, this will be my first campsite to check for reservations in.
@DylanSD33E8CF2 · Camped on Aug 10, 2025 at Campsite #3
Site 3 had quite a bit of a hill and stairs that led down to the site. Was kinda far from bathrooms. Had the most privacy as youre down below the road. Loved the site.
@DavidK6336379 · Camped on Aug 3, 2025 at Campsite #13
Beautiful camping as always - site was clean as were the bathrooms. Sites are nicely spaced.
@RichardS712869 · Camped on Jul 27, 2025 at Campsite #16
Helpful hosts, more and more ATVs in the campground. All paved, couldn't get TV reception. Great views.
@CaroleD2939191 · Camped on Jul 20, 2025 at Campsite #15
This is campground is set in a beautiful area. The campground is surrounded by rocky hills and pine trees. There is a lovely lake to walk to. No Motorboats. It is scented by the pine trees. The campsites are spaced far apart. We try to stay here when we camp across the USA.
@JamesC5011896 · Camped on Jul 18, 2025 at Campsite #5
Always a great time here, fishing was great in my usual spot, the only issue this visit was there were sites that had way more people and vehicles than allowed causing issues, sites 6 and 7 had so many cars and oversized units in them causing access issues, site 6 had a way too big camper in it with the slide literally into the roadway.
@RodneyB5766346 · Camped on Jul 14, 2025 at Campsite #15
Beautiful quiet park. Many nearby activities as part of Custer State Park and Black Hills National Park/Forest. Bring your own water for RV and expect only vault toilet. Hosts were wonderful & maintained facility.
@TimS7118881 · Camped on Jul 7, 2025 at Campsite #4
Bismark is a wonderful setting, sites are well dispersed and quiet. The camp hosts were attentive and helpful. We really liked how convenient the location is to town, trailheads and sights around Custer SP, without being in the busy crush of the larger sites like Sylvan Lake.
@TimothyL290617 · Camped on Jul 5, 2025 at Campsite #8
Such a beautiful place! Convenient for visiting all of the points of interest in the central Black Hills area. Great campsites in a lovely forest and with cool rock formations. The lake is in a beautiful setting below the campground but is easily accessible for all sorts of water based enjoyment. The vault toilets were kept super clean and the campsites maintained well including mowing. The camp host couple were extremely helpful and friendly. Our stay at Bismark Lake has been one of our favorite locations and most enjoyable times if our trip to the Black Hills. We will definitely be back!
@LarryS9195164 · Camped on Jul 4, 2025 at Campsite #16
Our go-to place for camping and kayaking.
@SusanP4870118 · Camped on Jul 2, 2025 at Campsite #8
Dump station and water fill station are about a half hour away. Id plan accordingly, depending on the direction youre coming into Custer State Park.
@christina2E0DE · Camped on Jul 2, 2025 at Campsite #7
Site 7 is perfect for tent camping. We were able to fit 2 6-person tents on this site. There's great lake access near all sites for fishing and paddleboarding, and our kids loved climbing all the huge boulders here. This site is a little close to site 6, especially considering how spread out most of the others are, but it didn't bother us. The camp host was wonderful and super friendly. The location is right in the middle of all the fun stuff to do in the Black Hills. My favorite campsite ever!
@TheresaL772438 · Camped on Jun 30, 2025 at Campsite #14
Nice campground with plenty of shade in most sites. Right next to Custer State Park & only 4 miles from the town of Custer for groceries, etc. The pit toilets werent bad at all, they didnt smell much & were kept clean. No showers, but we used showers at other lakes/beaches in the State Park. The hosts were very friendly & helpful. We enjoyed our time there.
@SteveB4787856 · Camped on Jun 29, 2025 at Campsite #15
What a beautiful park. The only thing that could have made it better would be electricity. Fortunately, the weather was nice and we could boondock. We enjoyed kayaking on the lake, seeing the osprey nest and blue heron pair. Stunning. Our camp host, Tim, was spectacular.
@RobertKDE01CAB · Camped on Jun 29, 2025 at Campsite #5
Great campsite, awesome lake, very quiet, campsites are not on top of each other. Host and hostess were awesome .But people drive thru to fast ! They need to put speed signs back up .
@PatriciaG56300 · Camped on Jun 27, 2025 at Campsite #16
Our Site 16 was a great site, near level, shaded, with good of space between the sites. The Hosts, Jim & Missie, made our stay perfect! They daily care for the park's condition, mowing, grooming campsites and maintaining the restrooms. But they go the extra mile to make your visit better by providing notice of changing weather conditions and infomation on local activities.
@DavidM1864120 · Camped on Jun 23, 2025 at Campsite #4
This is one of our favorite lakes and campgrounds in the Hills. The hosts were fantastic. They were friendly, conscientious, and kept everything in shipshape. What a beautiful place.
@JaniceVC6741ED · Camped on Jun 19, 2025 at Campsite #16
Bathrooms were cleaned regularly and well. Jim and Missy were welcoming hosts and friendly.
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