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Camping and Cabins

The Forest offers 30 campgrounds with various sites scattered throughout the Black Hills of western South Dakota and Bearlodge Mountains of eastern Wyoming. This includes nearly 700 individual campsites. During the peak season of May through late September, a Forest Concessionaire manages and operates the sites under permit with the Black Hills National Forest. Several campgrounds have on-site hosts, while others have host teams that monitor the sites on a daily basis. During the off-season of October through early May, some campgrounds remain open for winter visitors. The off-season sites are managed and operated by the Forest.

Please be advised that electrical and water hookups, sewer, and showers are not available. Flush toilets are also not available; vault toilets are located in each campground. Most campgrounds have potable water during the peak season, and individual site amenities are listed below for easy reference. 

NOTE: Off-season information is normally updated and made available by mid-September of each year. Please view the attached publicity flyer for added guidance: off-season campground information.

Campground Reservations

Flag - Off Season Camping

Campground reservations may be made through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 . Due to high demand, reservations are recommended.

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Dispersed Camping

Dispersed Camping

Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is allowed on most of the Forest for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period. However, around developed reservoirs, lakes, and campgrounds, camping is allowed only in designated areas. 

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Showing: 1 - 10 of 33 results

Bear Gulch (Group Site)
Site Open
Picnicking
This private access group campsite is isolated among the forested Black Hills of South Dakota, overlooking a private bay on the Pactola Reservoir. Great for group events with up to 40 people, there…

Bearlodge Campground
Site Open
Bearlodge Campground near Devils Tower offers eight sites and reduced fees during the off-season. First-come, first-served.

Beaver Creek Campground
Site Open
Beaver Creek Campground has 8 campsites (1 accessible), 1 vault toilet, and is remote and quiet. The campground is on the Wyoming/South Dakota border NW of Hill City, SD. Beaver Creek runs…

Bismark Lake Campground
Site Open
Outdoor Science and Learning Hiking Fishing Water Activities
Peaceful camping at Bismark Lake in the Black Hills. Reserve your site and enjoy lake views, privacy, and easy access through Custer State Park.

Black Fox Campground
Site Open
The Black Fox Campground has nine camp sites.  Restroom facilities are available. The campground is in a remote location within a spruce forest on South Fork Rapid Creek.  The Black Fox Botanical…

Boxelder Forks Campground
Site Open
Boxelder Forks Campground has 14 sites, fishing nearby, and trail access to Centennial Trail. First-come, first-served—no reservations.

Castle Peak Campground
Site Open
Castle Peak Campground offers nine first-come sites in a quiet canyon along Castle Creek. No reservations.

Comanche Park Campground
Site Open
Comanche Park Campground near Custer offers spacious, shaded sites and is the closest campground to Jewel Cave National Monument.

Cook Lake Recreation Area
Site Open
Water Activities Fishing Hiking Picnicking Biking
Cook Lake offers camping, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and picnics in a quiet Black Hills setting. Reserve campsites at Recreation.gov.

Custer Trail Campground
Site Open
Hiking Fishing Water Activities
The Custer Trail Campground is located on the north side of Deerfield Lake. It offers multiple tent sites, as well as more established sites for RVs, popup campers, and small vehicle units.  The…
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