Horsethief Lake Campground
Black Hills National Forest
Write a Review Horse Thief Lake Road Keystone, SD 57751 605-673-4853 605-673-9200 Reservations: 877-444-6777 Official WebsiteGPS: 43.8965, -103.4854
Overview of Horsethief Lake Campground
Last Price Paid: $28
Reported by Andrea on 9/18/2024
Longest RV Reported: 40 feet (Class A)
Reported by Cheryl & Howard on 10/5/2020
Number of Sites 36
Reservations yes
Open Seasonally Yes
Elevation 4,986 ft / 1,519 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Horsethief Lake Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 605.673.4853
Rocky asked on 2/3/2022
Is there a dump station at Horsethief Lake Campground? Thanks!
Stacy N. asked on 3/11/2020
Can anyone tell me if the tent sites (not walk up sites) have parking for your vehicle?
Reviews of Horsethief Lake Campground 23 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 8/21/2023
Confirmed by 2 Users
Last reported 7/21/2021
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 8/21/2023
“Great Stay!”
Reviewed 9/18/2024
| Nightly rate: | $28 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 4 |
Overall Rating
The campground is very close to Mount Rushmore. The stay costs $28 a night, take cash. It’s pretty quiet overnight and also dark, take a flashlight in case you need to walk to the restroom. There is also water available at the spigot right outside the restrooms. There are spaces specifically for tent sets up, if using tent spikes, thes... more
The campground is very close to Mount Rushmore. The stay costs $28 a night, take cash. It’s pretty quiet overnight and also dark, take a flashlight in case you need to walk to the restroom. There is also water available at the spigot right outside the restrooms. There are spaces specifically for tent sets up, if using tent spikes, these will not pierce the ground. So be sure you’re choosing the right site for tent pitching. Other sites are also big enough for campers and such. I had no phone signal at all.
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AT&T
Andrea would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Good location ”
Reviewed 8/21/2023
| Nightly rate: | $28 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 12 |
| Site Number: | 22 |
Overall Rating
Close to Rushmore rock climbing. Closest CG to Needles rock climbing that's not on the highway. We were here during bike week, so Oreville CG was just too loud. It got pretty quiet here after the closing ceremony at Rushmore let out. A tiny bit of cell on the hill or over by the tent camping. The vault toilet was clean but very strong ... more
Close to Rushmore rock climbing. Closest CG to Needles rock climbing that's not on the highway. We were here during bike week, so Oreville CG was just too loud. It got pretty quiet here after the closing ceremony at Rushmore let out. A tiny bit of cell on the hill or over by the tent camping. The vault toilet was clean but very strong ammonia smell. We arrived on a Tuesday and had no trouble getting a FCFS site. It got busy on the weekends but was pretty empty after bike week was over. We dumped and got water at the KOA after we left. We also drove to Rapid City to bike the Memorial trails. Decent grocery store in Hill City, not Keystone.
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Verizon 4G
T-Mobile 4G
KampKnupp would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Very close to Mount Rushmore”
Reviewed 7/3/2023
| Nightly rate: | $14 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 14 |
Overall Rating
We stayed at Horsethief Lake Campground in early June in site 14. We paid $14 with our Lifetime Pass, otherwise the rate per night is $28.00. This campsite was spacious with ample shade trees and a picnic table. The lake is a short walk from the campsite, restroom, trash, and water were also nearby. We received 0-bars with Verizon.... more
We stayed at Horsethief Lake Campground in early June in site 14. We paid $14 with our Lifetime Pass, otherwise the rate per night is $28.00. This campsite was spacious with ample shade trees and a picnic table. The lake is a short walk from the campsite, restroom, trash, and water were also nearby. We received 0-bars with Verizon. The campground is located approximately 4 miles from Mount Rushmore.
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Verizon
Richard n Mary would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful area”
Reviewed 5/25/2023
| Days stayed: | 1 |
|---|---|
| Site Number: | 14 |
Overall Rating
The campground was nice. The site we were on, 14, had a steeper passenger side slope and we had a difficult time getting level. It was 3 sites away from a lake. Our site was medium sized. Our trailer fit fine but if we wanted to put up our Clam screen house, it would probably not have fit. As we looked at other sites, they were woo... more
The campground was nice. The site we were on, 14, had a steeper passenger side slope and we had a difficult time getting level. It was 3 sites away from a lake. Our site was medium sized. Our trailer fit fine but if we wanted to put up our Clam screen house, it would probably not have fit. As we looked at other sites, they were wooded and not too close together. The location was good, a short car ride to Crazy Horse. Be aware that you need to put the correct Horsethief (1 word) campground into your navigation or you may end up in the wrong place…that happened to us. We would stay here again but carefully choose a site not quite so sloped.
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Verizon
Mpolys would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Friendly Hosts, Great Spot”
Reviewed 9/10/2022
| Nightly rate: | $22 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 4 |
| RV Length: | 27' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Loved this spot, great swimming, stars visible, no cell or internet, fairly quiet
ccclimb would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Friendly Hosts Great Site”
Reviewed 9/10/2022
| Days stayed: | 4 |
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| Site Number: | 0000 |
| RV Length: | 27' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Great site, awesome swim hole. No internet or phone. Loved it!
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Peaceful and Beautiful ”
Reviewed 7/29/2022
| Nightly rate: | $38 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 07 |
| RV Length: | 23' (Class C) |
Overall Rating
The campgrounds are nice and clean. The campsite had a level concrete parking pad, fire ring, and picnic table. Hosts was friendly and quickly guided us to our campsite. The camp grounds had a vault toilet and fresh water was available.
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AT&T
Thunder Gray would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Wonderful park close to Mt. Rushmore”
Reviewed 9/27/2021
| Nightly rate: | $38 |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
Overall Rating
This campground is a gem - enough so that I hate stating it publicly, knowing it may make it harder to get in here the next time we are in the area. I don't recall the site number we were in, but it was in the first loop heading toward the lake and had a gravel, not concrete, pad. We arrived here without a reservation and weren't sure ... more
This campground is a gem - enough so that I hate stating it publicly, knowing it may make it harder to get in here the next time we are in the area. I don't recall the site number we were in, but it was in the first loop heading toward the lake and had a gravel, not concrete, pad. We arrived here without a reservation and weren't sure how long we would stay, but we liked the campground so much that we stayed three nights. The location is perfect to visit the Rushmore memorial, but is also conveniently located to visit the local towns, Custer State park and Wind Cave NP. The lake is very scenic and has a trail to visit the water's edge or walk around to take in the views. The only negative, as mentioned by others, is the noise from the helicopters flying overhead occasionally while giving tours. We stayed here in the last week the CG was open, and I imagine the helicopters are even more frequent and annoying during peak tourist season. Still, a wonderful campground.
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T-Mobile
ElliottM would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A Few Miles from Mount Rushmore”
Reviewed 9/12/2021
| RV Length: | 36' (Fifth Wheel) |
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Overall Rating
Horsethief Lake Campground is located within the Black Hills National Forest just several miles from the Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. Horsethief Lake Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in the Black Hills National Forest. In this video, I give you a walking tour of the campground and show you the best campsites. The... more
Horsethief Lake Campground is located within the Black Hills National Forest just several miles from the Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. Horsethief Lake Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in the Black Hills National Forest. In this video, I give you a walking tour of the campground and show you the best campsites. There was no cellular service at this location for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. There are no flush toilets or showers at the Horsethief Lake Campground.
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AT&T
Verizon
T-Mobile
LivingOurDreamNow would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Good campground.”
Reviewed 7/21/2021
| Nightly rate: | $26 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 21 |
| RV Length: | 31' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
We were looking for a 1st-come 1st-serve site., and this was the first place we checked when we entered Black Hill NF. Some campsites are paved, but the 1st-come sites are not. That didn't bother us. Horse Thief Lake is a great little lake for swimming, fishing and kayaking. We spent most of our time on the lake. The negative. ... more
We were looking for a 1st-come 1st-serve site., and this was the first place we checked when we entered Black Hill NF. Some campsites are paved, but the 1st-come sites are not. That didn't bother us. Horse Thief Lake is a great little lake for swimming, fishing and kayaking. We spent most of our time on the lake.
The negative.
1)The campground host is a misogynistic a-hole, who questioned why I was letting my wife back the trailer. Then had stated that he hoped she followed directions well. Not friendly at all.
2)The constant droning of helicopters overhead, from 8am to dusk. The NP in Black Hills, has allowed commercial helicopter tours of the park, and there is one flying overhead every 10 minutes.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon
Shawn McC would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Page 1 of 3
5 reviews
noted 5/10/2023
This campsite is still closed for the season as of May 9, 2023
373 reviews
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- fishing
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- restrooms: vault
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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