All campsites have Is Equipment Mandatory

Campsite 7

Site 7 parking area

Overview of site

Campsite 9

Campsite 10

Campsite 12

Campsite 13

Campsite 14

Campsite 15

Campsite 16

Campsite 17

Campsite 18

View from site 23

Campsite 23

Campsite 24

Campsite 25

Site with lake view

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Campsite 32

Horsethief Lake

Lake View

Bridge leading from Day Use area to Campground

Boardwalk and Fishing Pier

Fishing pier overlooking lake with benches

Toilet

Retaining Wall overlooking lake near tent site area

Recreation Site Sign

Accessible Fishing Pier

Lake Access

Info Kiosk

Lake View with bridge in background

Rock with hole in it

Steps leading down to fishing pier

Steps leading to a unique rock formation

unique rock formation

Lake Overview

Horsethief Lake Campground

<h2>Overview</h2>
Located 10 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota, Horsethief Lake Campground is a delightful setting for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest.   

This campground is 2 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. Sites are tucked into a forest of towering ponderosa and lodgepole pine. 
<h2>Recreation</h2>
Black Hills National Forest offers visitors a multitude of recreational opportunites throughout all seasons.  Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles are popular in summer and early autumn.  Winter landscapes are ideal for snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling.  

Hundreds of miles of trails and roads offer a variety of terrain for mountain bikers.  

Hikers and bikers can access the nearby George S. Mickelson Trail, which traverses over 100 miles through the heart of the Black Hills. The majority of the trail follows an abandoned railroad branch line and includes 4 tunnels, over 100 converted railroad bridges, and 15 established trailheads. The trail surface is packed gravel, traversing mountain, meadow, and forest terrain. The trail is named in honor of the former South Dakota governor who crusaded for the trail.  

For those seeking higher elevations, a day-long trek to the summit of nearby Black Elk Peak is worth the effort. Black Elk Peak is the highest natural point in the United 
States east of the Rocky Mountains. Most of the summit is bare granite and offers expansive views of the surrounding area. An old stone tower at the top(Harney Lookout Tower), once used as a fire lookout, is still open to hikers.<h2>Facilities</h2>
Horsethief Lake Campground has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs.  There are several tent-only and walk-to tent-only sites.<br/><br/>

The campground is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water. Electrical hook-ups are not available.<br/><br/>

Roads in the campground are paved.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
Located in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, Black Hills National Forest encompasses nearly 1.25 million acres of rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and unique caves.<br/><br/>
 
Derived from the Lakota language, the words "Paha Sapa," meaning "hills that are black," honor the dark, pine-covered hills rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie.<br/><br/>


Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate mountainous terrain, while elk, deer and pronghorn gather in forests and prairies.  Bald eagles, hawks, osprey, peregrine falcon, and hundreds of other bird species can be found in the forest, especially along streams, lakes and rivers.
<h2>contact_info</h2>
For facility specific information, please call (605) 574-4402.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p>Explore Mount Rushmore National Memorial, host to almost 3 million visitors a year from across the country and around the world. Visitors may want to inquire about any Independence Day Celebrations taking place on the Mountain. <br><br>Possible day trips include Custer State Park with its many Buffalo and other wildlife, Crazy Horse Monument and Wind Cave National Park as well as Jewel Cave which is the second longest cave in the world at 159.29 miles. It features sparkling calcite crystals and other rare formations, as well as some of the largest concentrations of passageways in the world..</p>
<h2>Charges &amp; Cancellations</h2>
<p>No refunds will be given for weather related events.</p>

Located 10 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota, Horsethief Lake Campground is a delightful setting for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest.   

This campground is 2 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. Sites are tucked into a forest of towering ponderosa and lodgepole pine.

WALK - 030

Great Facilities and Amenities

campfire allowed

checkin time

checkout time

max num of people

max num of vehicles

pets allowed

shade

Permitted Equipment

tent-0ft

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