Noteworthy Horsethief Lake campground, Black Hills NF (SD)
We consider Horsethief Lake campground to be a notable Forest Service campground in the Black Hills National Forest (NF). The Black Hills NF, located in western South Dakota, has some great campgrounds but how do you pick one?
There are several things we look for when selecting a noteworthy national forest campground. It should have basic amenities like fire grilles, picnic tables, etc. Considered a use is flush toilets or, if no RV dump at the campground, one nearby. A huge bonus is if the campsites are arranged so RV campers are not on top of tent campers. And any campground we spend time at should have hiking trails, the more the better. This campground has it all and is only two miles from Mt Rushmore National Monument!
Back in 1997, when we first discovered Horsethief Lake campground, the maximum length of stay was 5 days but now the stay limit is two weeks. Back than we had to go back to the Ranger District office for a trail map. Today, before you leave home, you can download trail maps for up to 30 differerent routes, including Horsethief Lake and Centennial trails, both out of Horsethief Lake campground, at the Black Hills NF’s Trails page. Somethings have changed but not the delights of Horsethief Lake campground.
Lakeside campsite
