Horsethief Lake Campground, SD - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map

Horsethief Lake Campground is located in the Hell Canyon Ranger District, 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 including 10 tent-only sites. 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. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.

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Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (143)

4.5 out of 5

5 star		68%
4 star		19%
3 star		7%
2 star		3%
1 star		1%

@RodneyB5766346 · Camped on Jul 9, 2025 at Campsite #7

Great campground close to all the action of the Black Hills.

@garym1363889 · Camped on Jun 28, 2025 at Campsite #16

Beautiful campground! Plenty of space for our 33' motorhome. Stayed in site #16 near the lake. Camp hosts are great. Clean bathrooms. Hiked our way to Mt. Rushmore, just under 3 miles. Only drawbacks, poor cell coverage and no dump station. Watch for the turn into the campground, comes up on you pretty quickly.

@MiguelA6C57A9D · Camped on Jun 28, 2025 at Campsite #23

Great Site, Horsethief lake is beautiful and it has a great location to visit Rushmore, Needles Hwy etc.

@LindaH1671742 · Camped on Jun 27, 2025 at Campsite #15

Always enjoy our stay at HorseTheif Lake.

@ShylaB31C5ABEC · Camped on Jun 26, 2025 at Campsite #13

This is a wonderful campground. Spacious sites and quiet. The lake has a great walking path and the hosts were fantastic.

@TrentonB404410 · Camped on Jun 25, 2025 at Campsite #17

Nice little campground just down the road from Mt. Rushmore. Campground hosts were wonderful.

@KelseyJB6CA106 · Camped on Jun 24, 2025 at Campsite #16

Smack dab in the middle of the black hills. Busy campground but everyone was respectful of quiet times. Cute lake within walking distance.

@JohnW4841416 · Camped on Jun 22, 2025 at Campsite #24

The campground hosts are very nice and very helpful. The campground is well-maintained and very clean. Clean bathrooms!The location on the lake is great and there are hiking trails nearby and some right from the campground.

@JoyceW321ACE05 · Camped on Jun 16, 2025 at Campsite #12

Beautiful location, helpful host, would definitely stay here again.

@LisaV4731295 · Camped on Jun 15, 2025 at Campsite #7

Very nice, private campsite

@AaronE9637830 · Camped on Jun 13, 2025 at Campsite #31

Great campground! Hosts were very attentive. Clean!

@WendyNEED92869 · Camped on Jun 12, 2025 at Campsite #32

Clean and quiet

@JoeyWB68AB8B68 · Camped on Jun 10, 2025 at Campsite #10

So close to Mt. Rushmore, in a beautiful little nook in the black hills! Horesthief Campground has a private side of a public fishing area stocked with trout. The lots are small, but very nice and well-kept. Traditionally, this is a quiet little campground with a very helpful and kind host. Unfortunately, as time goes on, other campers are getting louder and more obnoxious. If you are tent camping, you are bound to encounter late night laughing and hollering, as well as loud trucks hooking up RV campers at 5:30 in the morning. Beautiful place. Campers are loud.

@PaulC8096585 · Camped on Jun 10, 2025 at Campsite #11

Great campground host!

@WilliamK482864 · Camped on Jun 4, 2025 at Campsite #16

Camp host was very nice! She sold firewood for a very reasonable price and other small things. Cleanly kept bathroom and sites.

@JohnS6889697 · Camped on Jun 2, 2025 at Campsite #7

Cheerful host lady. Sites were maintained. Pit toilets could use some air freshener

@DougP9829816 · Camped on May 31, 2025 at Campsite #8

Lovely campground, excellent host!

@ZoeyO3179AC3EA · Camped on May 30, 2025 at Campsite #24

This is the best camping site by far.

@DavidM1864120 · Camped on May 26, 2025 at Campsite #14

The campground host was extremely friendly and helpful. The facilities were immaculate and the sites were beautiful. We couldnt have had a better experience!

@DaveC9955006 · Camped on May 26, 2025 at Campsite #7

We were not able to fill our trailer with water there and from the website we thought we should have been able to do that. Fortunately we called ahead and figured out we could do it at the KOA 4 miles away with a fee.

@BentonR99F223B · Camped on May 23, 2025 at Campsite #13

Sites were pretty close together, we had to pay extra to have dogs ($2/night/per dog), there was no dump station and the drinking water valve didnt connect to a hose.Hosts were nice.The lake was nice with good fishing. You can hear traffic from the site.Its very close to Rushmore but that was the least enjoyable part of the trip for us so in retrospect I may have booked elsewhere.I would consider staying in clusters next time.

@BrianK7953567 · Camped on May 22, 2025 at Campsite #12

Great location and a great little park. Make sure to bring along your fishing rod and tackle as there is a great little fishery here.Park is very well kept by the ManagersBe aware - no cell service here, but still worth the peace and solitude.

@DanaR596880882 · Camped on May 21, 2025 at Campsite #18

Beautiful setting next to the lake with lots of hiking trails nearby. Camp hosts were super friendly and helpful.

@KathleenD99988 · Camped on Sep 24, 2024 at Campsite #15

It was gorgeous and the campground hosts were wonderful and friendly. Driving down the road to get to the campground I drove, to my amazement, right by Mount Rushmore!

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

This place rocks. (Has rocks)

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Horsethief Lake Campground, SD - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map

Horsethief Lake

Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (143)

4.5 out of 5

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