Top 10 Campgrounds and RV Parks Mount Rushmore
South Dakota doesn’t exactly have the reputation that more popular travel destinations like California and Colorado do, but it’s actually full of gems and natural beauty. In fact, when you take a look at all the fantastic RV road trips in South Dakota you’ll see that it’s easily one of the most underrated destinations for RV campers in the country.
Even though it does get overlooked as a state, South Dakota is home to one of America’s favorite attractions and memorials: Mount Rushmore. Located in the town of Keystone, South Dakota, Mount Rushmore is visited by over 2 million tourists every single year.
Established in 1925, this great memorial depicts the faces of four of America’s most beloved presidents carved into the side of a magnificent granite mountain. The memorial features historic markers and informative tours as well as fun and festive events. Independence Day is a particularly festive day for visiting the site.
There’s plenty more to see in this area of South Dakota. Mount Rushmore sits within the Black Hills National Forest, which offers beautiful scenic drives and great hiking through ponderosa pine forests. The Crazy Horse Memorial is not far from here, which is a monument in the Black Hills that is being carved to depict Crazy Horse, or Oglala Lakota, a Lakota Sioux warrior. When complete, the Crazy Horse Memorial will be the largest mountain carving in the world. Finally, the nearby Custer State Park is also a great place to take the whole family, offering access to both the Black Hills and the Badlands, as well as a beautiful lake, great hiking trails, and other opportunities for outdoor recreation.
If you’re looking to rent an RV near Keystone, SD there are plenty of options. There are also dozens of campgrounds near Mount Rushmore with everything from basic amenities to full-blown family fun centers. Whatever you’re looking for, you’re guaranteed to find it in this area. We’ve put together a list of the best campgrounds and RV parks in the area, and all of them are within 30 minutes of Mount Rushmore. Keep reading to find the best campground or RV park near Mount Rushmore for you and your family.
Rushmore Shadows RV Resort
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If you’re looking for proximity, the Rushmore Shadows RV Resort is only 20 minutes from the Mount Rushmore National Park entrance. The campground is right off of US-16, right down the street from the small town of Rockerville, where you’ll find a bar and restaurant as well as the Coon Hollow Trailhead. Just a couple minutes down the road in the other direction, there’s a great reptile garden and mini golf center.
Why You’ll Love Rushmore Shadows RV Resort
For family fun and a trip to Mount Rushmore, Rushmore Shadows RV Resort is right down the street and offers plenty of amenities and activities at a great price. Whether the kids prefer to hang out by the pool or play a game of mini golf, they’ll easily stay entertained. The RV resort also organizes bus tours of Mount Rushmore, and the staff is friendly and helpful.
Grizzly Creek Campground
Just minutes down the street from the visitor’s center for Mount Rushmore tiol Park, the Grizzly Creek Campground is one of the closest campgrounds to Mount Rushmore. In the small town of Hill City, you’re next to a few convenient amenities, including a museum, a market, a cafe, and a diner. Major Lake and Spring Creek are great places to spend a sunny day.
Why You’ll Love Grizzly Creek Campground
Grizzly Creek Campground is rustic and basic but beautifully scenic and convenient to Mount Rushmore. Just one mile southeast of Mount Rushmore tiol Park on Highway 16, this campground is as close to Mount Rushmore as you can get. The surrounding area offers great hiking and biking trails as well fantastic viewpoints.
Kemp’s Kamp
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Just 10 minutes north of Mount Rushmore on Highway 16, Kemp’s Kamp is extremely close to nearby attractions and very conveniently located. The town of Keystone is only 5 minutes away, and you’ll find any major amenities you could need. The area is lovely and wooded and right next to Battle Creek, offering great scenery around your campsite.
Why You’ll Love Kemp’s Kamp
Nestled in Battle Creek Canyon and surrounded by majestic ponderosa pines, the area around Kemp’s Kamp is not only convenient to Mount Rushmore but also stunning. It’s also a great jumping off point for exploring the greater Black Hills tiol Forest, and the camp hosts are welcoming and willing to offer plenty of hiking and activity information. Rapid City is just a short drive away, and The Badlands, another favorite South Dakota attraction, isn’t much farther.
Mystery Mountain Resort
You’ll find Mystery Mountain Resort only 20 minutes northeast of Mount Rushmore National Park on the way to Rapid City. It’s right off of Highway 16, making it convenient to access. If you drive 10 minutes farther, you’ll reach Rapid City, which is filled with things to do, places to eat, and shopping. Mystery Mountain Resort is also right down the road from mini-golf and a reptile garden.
Why You’ll Love Mystery Mountain Resort
This well-shaded RV resort surrounded by lovely pine forests is peaceful and scenic while still offering easy access to both Mount Rushmore and Rapid City. Visitors rave about the staff, stating in reviews that they’re incredibly friendly and helpful. The amenities are also great, especially for the price. Wi-fi is fast and reliable, mini-golf and the pool area are fun for the whole family, and the campground even offers a pancake breakfast for guests.
Elk Haven Horse Camp
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This campground is only 25 minutes from Mount Rushmore, but they also offer the unique option of getting to Mount Rushmore on horseback on a 4-hour horseback tour. It’s also right on the edge of the Black Hills National Forest as well, giving you immediate access to open wilderness and excellent hiking trails.
Why You’ll Love Elk Haven Horse Camp
Elk Haven Horse Camp has been around since 1941, offering a beautiful place to camp amidst the Black Hills forests and scenic horseback rides to Mount Rushmore. This is a brilliant and authentic way to discover South Dakota. The campground itself is home to ample horse trails for RVers with an equine in tow, and they offer great, clean facilities and ample amenities considering the cost. Custer State Park is also right next door to Elk Haven Horse Camp, so you could easily spend several days here exploring the outdoors.
Battle Creek Campground
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About 10 minutes up US-244 you’ll find the Mount Rushmore KOA, tucked away into the Black Hills yet easy to access. The area does offer Palmer Creek and horse stables, but there’s not much else in the immediate vicinity. That being said, it makes for a peaceful stay surrounded by nature. Hill City is only 10 minutes away, and you’ll find everything you need there.
Why You’ll Love Battle Creek Campground
This KOA is a paradise for hikers and people who love the great outdoors. It’s right next to three beautiful peaks – St. Elmo Peak, Black Elk Peak, and Sylvan Peak. The sites are surrounded by ponderosa pines of South Dakota’s black hills, and Mount Rushmore is just down the road. On top of the natural beauty, the campground itself offers great family-friendly amenities such as guided horseback rides, a splash pad, crafts, pancake breakfasts, and live entertainment. You’ll keep the whole family entertained for days here.
Lake Park Campground
Just outside of Rapid City, Lake Park Campground is about 35 minutes from Mount Rushmore and 10 minutes from downtown Rapid City. It’s part of Canyon Lake Park, and the campground offers waterfront campsites. It’s also only 30 minutes from Custer State Park, and it’s under an hour from the Crazy Horse Monument, Historic Deadwood, and the Sturgis Rally and Races.
Why You’ll Love Lake Park Campground
Situated in a picturesque park along a lake, just 4 miles from the charming downtown area of Rapid City, Lake Park Campground is a great getaway in South Dakota. Because it’s also only 30 minutes from Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, and Custer State Park, there’s plenty to do and see nearby. The campground offers ample amenities, including miles of walking and biking trails and great wifi.
Horsethief Lake Campground
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This popular state-run campground is only two miles from Mount Rushmore, making it one of the closest campgrounds in the area. It’s right along the popular Horsethief Lake, which offers great views and recreational activities. You’re also near the Needles Scenic Road and Custer State Park, so there’s no shortage of things to see. The aerial adventure park down the street is a great option for adventurous kids.
Why You’ll Love Horsethief Lake Campground
This beautiful campground sits right along the shores of Horsethief Lake, offering scenic waterfront campsites just a couple miles down the road from one of America’s greatest treasures, Mount Rushmore. While the campground is simple, it’s filled with great trails and outdoor recreational opportunities. It’s one of the closest campgrounds to Mount Rushmore and also one of the most picturesque.
3 Forks Campground
Twenty minutes north of Mount Rushmore on Highway 385, you’ll encounter 3 Forks Campground in Hill City, South Dakota. This is a great option for people also exploring the Black Hills, as 3 Forks Campground is nestled right in the middle of them. You’ve got Hill City, with some dining and shopping, just a few minutes in one direction and the lovely Sheridan Lake a few minutes in the other direction.
Why You’ll Love 3 Forks Campground
This is a basic but well-liked campground very close to Mount Rushmore. But the views here are absolutely incredible, and it’s what brings in visitor after visitor. There are plenty of campsites on offer and they are private, clean, and well shaded. Facilities are well maintained, and the wi-fi is fast and reliable. Plus, the scenery in this area is hard to beat.
Lake Park Campground
Just outside of Rapid City, Lake Park Campground is about 35 minutes from Mount Rushmore and 10 minutes from downtown Rapid City. It’s part of Canyon Lake Park, and the campground offers waterfront campsites. It’s also only 30 minutes from Custer State Park, and it’s under an hour from the Crazy Horse Monument, Historic Deadwood, and the Sturgis Rally and Races.
Why You’ll Love Lake Park Campground
Situated in a picturesque park along a lake, just 4 miles from the charming downtown area of Rapid City, Lake Park Campground is a great getaway in South Dakota. Because it’s also only 30 minutes from Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, and Custer State Park, there’s plenty to do and see nearby. The campground offers ample amenities, including miles of walking and biking trails and great wifi.
In Summary
Mount Rushmore National Park is one of the most famous attractions in the United States, and it’s surrounded by accommodations for RV campers. Whether you prefer to go basic and stay in a dry park just outside of the entrance to Mount Rushmore or you’d like to stay in a KOA with full-blown amenities and family fun activities, there are options for everyone.
Explore other Campgrounds & RV Parks near Mount Rushmore
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to camp in Mount Rushmore?
How much does it cost to camp in Mount Rushmore?
The top 10 campgrounds we selected all show daily, weekly and monthly rates for you. Pricing will vary.
How much does it cost to RV park in Mount Rushmore?
Pricing will vary. The top 10 RV Parks we selected all display daily, weekly and monthly rates for you.
How long can you stay at an RV Park in Mount Rushmore?
Staying at an RV Park for a long period of time will vary on the campground & RV Park you choose. View our post for more information.
Are there pet friendly RV Parks & Campgrounds in Mount Rushmore?
Yes. The majority of campgrounds we selected in this blog allow pets.