Black Hills area campgrounds

[amabee]

We are planning a trip next summer to the Black Hills area, just looking for any input on campgrounds as there are a lot of them it seems. About the only requirements are a pool and laundry facilities. WIFI would be nice also. TIA

[Whitehawkmn]

We intend to go to the Black Hills area this summer as well. We are going with one other family and I've been doing a little looking at campsites. I've heard god things about Rafter J and KOA Hill city. I will be interesting watching the other people on the forum comment.

[OurJayco]

My wife and I went to Black Hills about 3 years ago and stayed at Rafter J for 5 nights. I could not have been happier with Rafter J.
I HIGHLY recommend Rafter J.
They have several different sites that offer full hook-ups with all shade to water/electric sites with no shade.
They can even refill LP tanks if needed.

[Itching2go]

x2 (or 3) on Rafter J Bar. Stayed there for five nights this past July on the home-bound leg of our 3-week trip through the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and the Black Hills. One of the best, if not THE best full hookup campgrounds we'd ever stayed at. As mentioned above, there are several different camping areas within this large property. We preferred the Ranch area as it is sited within a forested area with very large sites. The only downside might be that it's also the furthest away from the pool, which isn't a big deal for us, but may be for you. Their location just north of Hill City is great, as it's central to the Black Hills area. You can go north to Deadwood, or South to Custer, the Needles Highway, and/or Iron Mountain Road.

[amabee]

Sounds like Rafter J may be the one I did check out their website, does look like a nice campground.

[pawpaw]

Here's another vote for Rafter J. My wife and I were up there last summer. Very nice campground. It's well kept and convenient to all the things you want to see and do while you're in the Black Hills.

[Ela1948]

Originally Posted by amabee

We are planning a trip next summer to the Black Hills area, just looking for any input on campgrounds as there are a lot of them it seems. About the only requirements are a pool and laundry facilities. WIFI would be nice also. TIA

We were in Custer Crazy Horse campground two years ago. It was obviously an old KOA at some point. We would suggest you steer clear of this one. The lots were tight and ours was too close to a busy road. The biggest issue was a low voltage issue. I monitor our voltage constantly. We were there in July and in the middle of the day our voltage dropped to 102 volts. You're courting disaster when you're that low. We complained and moved to a different spot in the campground and it was marginally better voltage wise. It was still an old campground that really needed to be updated badly. Owners were nice enough but certainly not a place that I'd reccommend.

[puestads]

We have a deal with the Midwest Outdoor Resorts outside Rapid City in which we get 4 nights free but have to listen to 90 min presentation.
Has anybody stayed at this RV park?

Thanks

[Whitehawkmn]

We just booked for Rafter J in June. Everyone was very helpful with their stories of Rafter J. Thanks

[slabat]

I have been to the KOA in Hill City, this place is by far the best campground I have been in. They have an all you can eat pancake breakfast every day to star the day. A great staff to help with your every need, a great pool area, water park, jumping pillow, life size chess game, mini golf etc...plus they have a wine making shop, fudge shop, pizza shack ice cream parlor and a sports bar on site, in addition to a hotel. This place is amazing I would love to go back....oh yeah and I forgot about the horse stables.

[Jeeper]

The KOA between crazy horse and Mount Rushmore is by far the best one we stayed at so far when we went years ago they have everything you could need and they will shuttle you to and from crazy horse and Mount Rushmore

[Whitehawkmn]

Just an update about Rafter J. We were out there the first week in June and it couldn't have been a nicer place to stay. Clean and quiet. The campsites have lots of trees and you don't feel like they stack you in tight. When we go back to South Dakota, we will definitely stay there again.

[Camping Couple]

Has anyone been to Custer's Gulch RV Park?

[sailor]

We are currently at the Rafter J Bar Ranch campground. We chose this campground based on recommendations from this forum/thread. All of the good reports about it are true.....quiet, clean, spacious, and friendly staff. We are talking about extending our stay by a day or so.

[SBL9A]

Originally Posted by Camping Couple

Has anyone been to Custer's Gulch RV Park?

We stayed at Custers Gulch in 2006. (tent) Very nice then with super clean showers. It changed hands since then. I don't have any recent information. We stay near Deadwood now.

[TEBechtold]

We prefer Hart Ranch Resort. Close to Mt Rushmore and numerous attractions less then 10 miles away.

[Bobx2]

We stayed at Custers Gulch for nearly a week in July. Very nice, clean, quiet location. Huge sites with lots of room between them. I would definitely stay there again if we were to head back up that way.

[Flapper]

Oh how time flies...the Hill City KOA used to be know as the Palmer Gulch Ranch. "Spin and Marty" type dude ranch. Went there as a kid with my parents, stayed in funky cabins and went on trail rides every day. Roped cattle. Campfire sing-a-longs. The whole '50's dude ranch experience.

[ZooSax]

Another vote for Rafter J Bar. We camped there this past May with the grandkids. Great campground and staff. Plan on going back in 2015.

2014 Jayco 264BH (Traded)
2015 Jayco 26BHS
2010 Toyota Tundra SR5, 5.7L

[dennis b]

can you provide more details on your trip to Yellowstone and tetons please?
We are planning for next summer.
thanks