Your trip to Mount Rushmore National Memorial will be the highlight of your South Dakota RV camping vacation–but you also want to explore the Black Hills National Forest and visit the Crazy Horse Monument.
So, you’re looking for RV parks near Mount Rushmore that also offer the scenic allure of South Dakota’s Black Hills. You can’t help it. You want to see everything from Rapid City to Deadwood.
To make that happen, here are the top RV parks offering easy access to Mount Rushmore and the surrounding historical and natural monuments.
The Best RV Parks Near Mount Rushmore: Overall Top Picks
The strategic location of these parks ensures easy access to Mount Rushmore and nearby attractions in the Black Hills.
Be aware that the RV parks near Mount Rushmore vary from serene and majestic to buzzing and family-friendly.
The Custer State Park Campgrounds
Distance to Mount Rushmore: 22 miles (Approximately a 45-minute drive)
Rates: $19-$30/night (with electric)
Special Amenities: ADA Compliant, Boating, Buffalo Safari Rides, Full Service Restaurant
The real allure of Custer State Park Campgrounds is access to 27 trails, from easy walks to challenging hikes, which appeal to hikers of all skill levels. Whether you’re up for a challenging hike on the Black Elk Peak Loop or a scenic walk on the Sylvan Lake Shore Trail, this park promises Black Hills beauty at its finest.
Custer State Park Campgrounds is a veritable paradise for RV campers. In fact, there are nine different campgrounds in Custer State Park. Some are primitive camping for backpackers, others are best for small RVs, and some can accommodate any RV. So be sure to confirm you’re in the best campground for your RV size and needs.
Horse Thief Lake Campground
Distance to Mount Rushmore: 3 miles (less than a 10-minute drive)
Rates: $53-$68/night for 2 visitors and $4/person for parties larger than 2.
Special Amenities: Gemstone Mining, Hiking in Black Hills National Forest
Situated just 3.5 miles from Mount Rushmore, Horse Thief Lake Campground is a tranquil retreat offering campers a picturesque view in a serene environment.
Horse Thief Lake Campground provides picnic tables and fire rings for the quintessential camping experience. Located on historical grounds, Horse Thief offers on-site gemstone mining that sheds light on mining that brought a gold rush to the hills.
Big Pine Campground
Distance to Mount Rushmore: 31 miles (Approximately a 41-minute drive)
Rates: $51-$57/night (with electric)
Special Amenities: Game room, horseshoes, and volleyball
Nestled in the Black Hills National Forest, the Big Pine Campground is a haven for RV campers. The campground is lined with spacious (and shaded) RV sites–available with both 50 and 30-amp electrical.
With direct access to a variety of hiking and biking trails from the campground, a stay at the Big Pine Campground is an opportunity for explorers to challenge themselves physically and renew themselves mentally.
The Best Family-Friendly RV Campground Near Mount Rushmore
Family vacations are all about teaching our children and creating unforgettable memories.
Mount Rushmore KOA always provides a family-friendly atmosphere, but here’s another family-owned RV park. It caters to families’ needs with amenities such as playgrounds, swimming pools, and a variety of recreational activities. Whether it’s a fun-filled pancake breakfast or yard games and live music, these parks ensure a memorable time for the whole family.
For a vacation your kids will never forget, make sure you book a campsite that fits your RV and family camping style by confirming your campsite with the office. Amenities like bathrooms, laundry services, and playgrounds are especially important for children. With that in mind, let’s delve into some of the family-friendly RV campgrounds near Mount Rushmore.
Beaver Lake Campground
Distance to Mount Rushmore: 32 miles (Approximately a 45-minute drive)
Rates: $48-$82/night (depending on what hookups you require – if any)
Special Amenities: Pet-friendly, pool, playground, onsite RV tech
Situated south of Mount Rushmore, Beaver Lake Campground is a family-friendly destination offering full-service RV sites. At Beaver Lake, there’s a pool and playground for the days when you’re staying in, and an onsite RV technician for when those unfortunate RV troubles hit.
So, whether you want to take a refreshing swim or enjoy a family picnic, Beaver Lake Campground ensures a memorable stay.
The Best Boondocking Option Near Mount Rushmore
When it comes to traveling on a budget, you can’t beat free. So for those who don’t mind a more primitive camping experience, boondocking near Mount Rushmore is an excellent choice.
BLM (Bureau of Land Management) lands have limited amenities, and for a successful experience, campers must be well-prepared and follow area regulations.
Parking is first come first serve, so arrive early in the day. Finding free boondocking sites is easier outside the busy summer months, and it offers access to hiking, fishing, and a robust tourist infrastructure for additional activities.
Nomad View Dispersed (BLM Land)
Distance to Mount Rushmore: 77 miles, 1 hour 10 minute drive
Rates: Free
Special Amenities: Is pet-friendly and has great views
Gaze out over the same grasslands that the Sioux hold to be the hunting ground of the Great Spirit. Hear the same breeze through the tall buffalo grass. Feel the same gratitude for what this land has given us. Reflect in Nomad View Dispersed Camping in Buffalo Gap National Grassland.
Situated 77 miles from Mount Rushmore, this boondocking location offers a unique camping experience away from noisy amenities and nosey neighbors. Enjoy the peace of solitude.
Dirt roads access Nomad View Dispersed and the terrain is rugged, so be sure your RV can handle it before heading out.
Rules for Boondocking on BLM Land
There are some general rules for boondocking on BLM land, including the following:
- Always camp 100 feet away from water sources and a half mile away from developed recreation sites, including local picnic areas or parks.
- Motorized vehicles can drive 300 feet off of roads, as shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (dots) for dispersed camping in the Black Hills National Forest.
- If there are designated campsites, you must honor them.
- You can only camp for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period.
- No open campfires are allowed in the South Dakota portions of the national forest.
- Wyoming permits open campfires unless a special order prohibiting such is in effect.
Those are the official rules, but there are a few other guidelines you should abide by to make sure everyone can enjoy boondocking for generations to come.
- If you pack it in, pack it out: Many BLM-dispersed camping areas don’t have trash cans, dump stations, water, or electricity. So be prepared to drive to a dump station and pack your trash out.
- Having a good time should not affect your neighbor’s ability to have a good time: There’s no one in dispersed areas to enforce curfew or quiet hours. So, you’ll need to be mindful of those who share the land with you. And for goodness sake, leave that loud music at home. Enjoy the peace and quiet.
- Check your water tanks before you park. There are no water hookups. You might have the good fortune to park near running water, but it’s better to be prepared and fill your tanks before you park.
Now that you’ve had a boondocking crash course, here’s the best boondocking near Mount Rushmore.
Summary
After an epic tour through Rapid City, the historic Black Hills, and Mount Rushmore, it’s time to store your RV for its next grand adventure.
If you want your rig to be ready and not riddled with maintenance issues the next time you pull it out, then store it properly. That means in a sheltered area away from the elements.
So, where can you find covered or enclosed RV storage in your area?
That’s where Neighbor can help.
With Neighbor, you can find RV storage options in all 50 states – some even in your very own neighborhood. Neighbor is a peer-to-peer RV storage marketplace that offers RV storage up to 50% cheaper than traditional storage options.
