Are you planning a trip to Mount Rushmore and trying to figure out where to camp? You won’t find any camping options within Mount Rushmore National Memorial, but there are some fantastic options nearby that will make a great base camp for exploring the area.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I love camping in the Black Hills, so today, I want to share my favorite places to camp near Mount Rushmore. Let’s talk about your options!
What You Need to Know About Camping at Mount Rushmore
- Camping is not available within the boundaries of Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- You cannot park overnight anywhere within the memorial
- There are plenty of camping options within a 30-minute drive of Mount Rushmore. You’ll find many different types of campgrounds in Custer State Park, Black Hills National Forest, and the towns of Keystone or Hill City.
This article covers my favorite frontcountry campgrounds (sites you can drive to) that are perfectly situated for exploring Mount Rushmore and the many other sites in the area! These are campgrounds that my family frequently stays in during our trips to South Dakota.
How to Find a Campsite Near Mount Rushmore
To camp close to Mount Rushmore, I suggest focusing your search on the northern part of Custer State Park, the Central Hills or the Southern Hills section of the Black Hills National Forest, or in the towns of Keystone or Hill City.
My favorite website to use to see which campgrounds are in a desirable location and have the amenities I need is Campendium.
This article highlights my top choices for camping in the Mount Rushmore area: Horsethief Lake, Oreville, Sylvan Lake, Center Lake, and Rafter J Ranch.
Horsethief Lake Campground
The Horsethief Lake Campground is located in the Black Hills National Forest, just minutes away from Mount Rushmore. If you’re looking for a great campground tucked into the trees and next to a lake, this is a fabulous option!
In addition to being only 2 miles from Mount Rushmore, you’re also only a short drive from Custer State Park, Rapid City, and Crazy Horse. This campground is my #1 choice for staying in a traditional campground in the trees near Mount Rushmore.
Most sites in the Horsethief Lake Campground must be reserved in advance, but there are a few sites that are first-come, first-served. This is also a great campground to stay in if you love to fish!
Open Season: End of May through September
Max RV Length: 40 feet
Generators: Allowed from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Reservations Required: Yes, most sites require a reservation 6 months in advance here. Some sites are first-come, first-served.
Hookups: No
Dump Station: No
Fee: $36 per night
Number of Sites: 36
Pets Allowed: Yes, but they must be leashed and require an extra $2/night fee.
Restrooms: Vault toilets and running water.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Planning a trip to South Dakota can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the area? How do you keep everyone in your group excited and engaged?
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from working as a park ranger.
If you’re hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people, check out this South Dakota National Parks Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Oreville Campground
The Oreville Campground is great if you’re hoping to be tucked into the Black Hills while still being close to Mount Rushmore. From here, it’s about 20 minutes to Mount Rushmore. But you’re also located about 5 minutes from the Needles Highway into Custer State Park and 10 minutes from the Crazy Horse Memorial.
You can camp in an RV or tent at Oreville. You will be tucked into the trees, but you are also right on the highway so the road noise can be loud (which is pretty typical of many campgrounds and RV parks in the Black Hills).
Open Season: End of May through September
Max RV Length: 60 feet
Generators: Allowed from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Reservations Required: Yes, most sites require a reservation 6 months in advance here. Some sites are first-come, first-served.
Hookups: No
Dump Station: No
Fee: $24 per night
Number of Sites: 24
Pets Allowed: Yes, but they must be leashed and require an extra $2/night fee.
Restrooms: Vault toilets and running water.
Wheelchair Accessibility: No
Sylvan Lake Campground
The Sylvan Lake Campground is located along the shores of Sylvan Lake, one of the most beautiful areas of Custer State Park.
This campground is found along the popular Needles Highway in the northern part of the state park — it takes about 30 minutes to drive to Mount Rushmore from here along this scenic highway.
In addition to visiting Mount Rushmore, you can also canoe, paddleboard, swim in the lake, and go hiking! The Sylvan Lake Campground also isn’t far from a lodge, restaurant, showers, and great fishing spots.
Open Season: Mid-May through September
Max RV Length: 27 feet
Generators: Electrical hookup sites required for RVs
Reservations Required: Yes, sites require a reservation 1 year in advance here.
Hookups: Yes, electrical only
Dump Station: No, but there is one in the park near the Game Lodge Campground
Fee: $30 per night
Number of Sites: 39
Pets Allowed: Yes
Restrooms: Flush toilets and running water
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Center Lake
The Center Lake Campground is a beautiful rustic campground in Custer State Park. You can boat, swim, fish, and hike right from the campground.
You’ll find this campground close to the famous Iron Mountain Road, which has awesome tunnels that frame Mount Rushmore in the distance. It takes about 30 minutes to get to Mount Rushmore from here.
The Center Lake Campground is unique because it takes same-day reservations only — you’ll want to try to get a reservation on the day you’re hoping to camp there.
Open Season: Mid-May through September
Max RV Length: 35 feet
Generators: Allowed from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Reservations Required: Yes, sites require a reservation on the day you want to camp. Find more info here.
Hookups: No
Dump Station: No, but there is one in the park near the Game Lodge Campground
Fee: $26 per night
Number of Sites: 71
Pets Allowed: Yes
Restrooms: Vault toilets and running water. Showers are available.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
Rafter J Bar Ranch
Rafter J Ranch is my favorite place to camp near Mount Rushmore if I’m looking for full hookups and fantastic amenities. We’ve stayed in many different RV parks around the Black Hills, but this one is our preferred place to be if we want to be in an RV park!
Rafter J has everything from tent sites to full hookups to resort-like cabins. You’ll also find a pool and hot tub, playgrounds, volleyball courts, and basketball courts.
What I like most about Rafter J is that the location is fantastic. From here, you’re 15 minutes from Mount Rushmore, 2 minutes from the Needles Highway/Custer State Park, and 5 minutes from Hill City. Rafter J is not paying me to recommend them haha…this place is just better than any other RV parks I have stayed in while visiting the Black Hills.
Open Season: Year-round
Max RV Length: Can accommodate almost any RV length
Generators: Sites without hookups allow generators, but most sites for RVs have electrical hookups.
Reservations Required: Yes, you can find out more here.
Hookups: Yes
Dump Station: Yes
Fee: $60 – $110 per night
Pets Allowed: Yes, but they must be leashed and may require an extra $3/night fee.
Restrooms: Flush toilets and running water.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes
I hope you enjoy camping in the beautiful Black Hills near Mount Rushmore!
More Mount Rushmore Trip Planning Information
South Dakota Parks Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to Mount Rushmore — the best airports and roads in the area.
How Many Days Should I Spend at Mount Rushmore? — itinerary ideas.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
5 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit — the top 5 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
The Best Things to Do — activities for every adventurer.
The Ultimate Mount Rushmore Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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