Camping

Although there are no campgrounds within the boundaries of Mount Rushmore National Memorial or Jewel Cave National Monument, there are several campgrounds in Custer State Park and another campground in Wind Cave National Park, plus those in the Black Hills National Forest and privately operated campgrounds. Many commercial campgrounds offer free shuttle services, nightly entertainment, pools, convenience stores, and horseback riding. Reservations are recommended. Choice spots are often filled by midmorning, so arriving at popular campgrounds early in the day is advised.

For more information on camping opportunities, contact South Dakota Tourism. For information on National Forest Service campgrounds, contact the Forest Supervisor, Black Hills National Forest, RR2, P.O. Box 200, Custer, SD 57730 (tel. 605/673-9200; www.fs.fed.us/bhnf).

You can make National Forest camping reservations by calling tel. 877/444-6777 or online at www.reserveusa.com. A reservation fee of $8.65 is charged for single-site camping.

Horsethief Lake Campground, only a mile west of Mount Rushmore, offers scenic sites adjacent to picturesque Horsethief Lake. At a 5,000-foot elevation, 28 sites are for tents, travel trailers, and RVs, while eight sites are for tents only. Sites not reserved (50% can be reserved) fill quickly, so you need to claim yours early in the day.

Roubaix Lake Campground, off U.S. 385 on FDR 255, is nestled in a ponderosa pine forest next to scenic Roubaix Lake, which offers great fishing and swimming at a 5,500-foot elevation. Spaces fill fast; some can be reserved.

Commercial Campgrounds--A variety of privately operated campgrounds provide all the usual RV hookups and other services.

American Presidents Cabins & Camp, 1 mile east of Custer on Hwy. 16A, P.O. Box 446, Custer, SD 57730 (tel. 605/673-3373; www.presidentsresort.com), is a perfect home base for touring the southern Black Hills. The campground's 40-by-60-foot heated pool is popular, as are its free miniature golf and horseshoes. The campground also has a store and fishing nearby. A 10% discount is offered on reservations made before May 15. Also available are 45 full-service cabins, some with kitchens, that sleep from 2 to 12 people (call for rates).

Berry Patch Campground, 1860 E. North St. (I-90 at Exit 60), Rapid City, SD 57701 (tel. 800/658-4566 or 605/341-5588; berrypat@rapidnet.com), is the easiest campground to reach on and off I-90; it's also clean and friendly. Full hookups and drive-throughs complement its heated pool, store, nightly movie, and game room.

Big Pine Campground, R.R. 1, P.O. Box 52, Custer, SD 57730 (tel. 800/235-3981 for reservations, or 605/673-4054), secluded from traffic noises, offers level, naturally shaded sites; fireplaces and wood; and a store, game room, playground, hiking, and horseshoes.

Miners RV Park, P.O. Box 157, Keystone, SD 57751 (tel. 800/727-2421 or 605/666-4638; www.blackhills.com/minersresort), in the heart of the former mining town of Keystone, is close to numerous attractions and only a stone's throw from Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The campground and its adjacent motel offer cool shade and a gurgling brook, as well as a store, gas, ice, gifts, restaurant, heated pool, and hot tub. Take a fun walk down Keystone's Main Street while you're here.

Mount Rushmore KOA, P.O. Box 295, Hill City, SD 57745 (tel. 800/562-8503; www.mtrushmorekoa.com), part of the Palmer Gulch Resort, is among the best campgrounds in the region. With 500 sites and 55 Kamping Kabins, two pools and spas, water slide, American Indian dancers, movies, miniature golf, fishing, hayrides, a restaurant, tours, and car rentals, this is what many commercial campgrounds want to be when they grow up.

Rapid City KOA, P.O. Box 2592, Rapid City, SD 57709 (tel. 800/KOA-8504 or 605/348-2111; RPDCityKOA@aol.com), is conveniently located on Rapid City's eastern flank. This large KOA offers a free pancake breakfast and a grand pool and spa. Bus tours and car rentals are available, and great shopping, sightseeing, and Rushmore Plaza Civic Center are nearby.

Whistler Gulch Campground, 235 Cliff St., Hwy. 85 S., Deadwood, SD 57732 (tel. 800/704-7139 or 605/578-2094; www.deadwood.com/whistler), is nestled in one of Deadwood's famous mining gulches. The campground offers both full-service RV sites and secluded tent sites. Facilities include a heated swimming pool, sport court, and small store. The town trolley takes visitors to Deadwood's casinos and historic sites.