Dutchman

Star4.35
205 reviews
Forest Recreation Management, Inc, P.O. Box 1168, Hill City, SD, 57745, USA
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

5,000 ft

Price

$26 - $52/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

44 campsites

Season

Peak season runs fro...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Forest Recreation Management, Inc site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Dutchman
$26.00 - $52.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard non-electric sites range from $26 to $52 per night during peak season. Fees do not include discounts, taxes, or incremental charges....
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Standard Site Fee$26.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
605-673-9200
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What Campers Say

4.35

Recommended

Based on 205 reviews

45 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsspaciousfriendlysites

Some mention

dusty

"User reviews for Dutchman Campground are overwhelmingly positive, with an average sentiment of 4.51. Common praises include the spaciousness of sites, natural beauty, and cleanliness of facilities. Some criticisms focus on the lack of level sites for RVs, the need for better road maintenance, and limited cell service."

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Campground Map

Forest Recreation Management, Inc, P.O. Box 1168, Hill City, SD, 57745, USA

Dutchman

Forest Recreation Management, Inc, P.O. Box 1168, Hill City, SD, 57745, USA

Driving directionsTake Forest Highway 17 (Deerfield Road) for 16 miles northwest of Hill City, South Dakota.
Accessible via Forest Highway 17 (Deerfield Road), 16 miles northwest of Hill City. Road conditions include gravel roads with washboards and potholes as noted by multiple user reviews. Seasonal closures may apply.
Nearby places
Hill City (16 miles, approximately 25 minutes drive)
Nearby supplies
Supplies can be obtained in Hill City, 16 miles away, which includes groceries, camping supplies, fuel, and other essentials.

Best Time to Camp at Dutchman

Summer brings crisp mountain mornings and sun-dappled afternoons perfect for outdoor adventures, with comfortable temperatures that make this high-elevation escape a refreshing retreat from prairie heat. As one seasoned visitor, David M, notes, 'End of season camping is the best,' when autumn paints the landscape in golden hues and crowds thin out. Winter transforms the campground into a snow-dusted wonderland, though visitors should prepare for freezing temperatures and potential snowfall during the colder months.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.5 / 5

Peak season May–Sep; reviews indicate summer is best with comfortable high-elevation temps.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Likely excellent shoulder-season camping with fall colors and cooler temps; less discussed in reviews.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring is a shoulder season with variable weather; many amenities return by late spring.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Peak season ends in Sept; cold winters and few winter activity notes suggest limited winter appeal.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 21, 2025 - September 7, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Peak season runs from May 21, 2025, to September 7, 2025. Reservations can be made on a 6-month rolling basis.
  • Current Alerts: No current alerts mentioned.

About Dutchman

Nestled within a tranquil canopy of towering Ponderosa pines at 5,000 feet elevation, Dutchman Campground offers a perfect blend of mountain serenity and lakeside adventure in the heart of Black Hills National Forest. Thoughtfully designed with spacious, well-separated sites, this haven provides both privacy and stunning glimpses of Deerfield Reservoir through the forest. As the most RV-accessible campground in the Deerfield Recreation Area, it welcomes travelers of all camping styles to experience the magic of the Black Hills.
Dutchman Campground accommodates a variety of camping styles, including tent camping, RV camping, and primitive camping options. There are no group sites or luxury accommodations.
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Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in time is not explicitly listed.
Check-out
Check-out time is not explicitly listed.
Stay Limit
Maximum consecutive stay: 14 nights during peak season.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a variety of recreational activities including hiking, fishing, boating, biking, and wildlife viewing. Nearby trails like the Deerfield Lake Loop Trail provide opportunities for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. The lake supports activities such as fishing for rainbow and brown trout and is a no-wake zone, making it ideal for kayaking and canoeing.
HikingMultiple trails are accessible, including the 10-mile Deerfield Lake Loop Trail and the historic Deerfield Trail. User reviews highlight these trails' appeal: "Great hiking trail that runs from Dutchman that has few other hikers" and "Hiked about 9 miles around the lake."
FishingFishing opportunities are abundant at Deerfield Lake, which is stocked with rainbow and native brown trout. A user reported, "Super close to Deerfield Lake to do some bank fishing."
BikingTrails are suitable for mountain biking, with moderate terrain. No specific biking-only trails are mentioned.
BoatingDeerfield Lake is a no-wake lake, ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and other small boating activities. Users appreciated the serene boating environment: "The lake is nice for kayaking."
Wildlife viewingWildlife such as deer and birds is frequently observed. One user noted, "We saw deer from our spots almost daily and could see the lake."
Winter Activities
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include uneven campsite terrain as noted by reviews, road dust, and wildlife presence like coyotes and deer.
Active AlertsNo current alerts mentioned.

Weather at Dutchman

Reviews

4.4
205 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Dutchman is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Dutchman Campground are overwhelmingly positive, with an average sentiment of 4.51. Common praises include the spaciousness of sites, natural beauty, and cleanliness of facilities. Some criticisms focus on the lack of level sites for RVs, the need for better road maintenance, and limited cell service.
Review Summaries
Based on 205 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviews often praise the campground's spacious and well-separated sites, serene atmosphere, and beautiful surroundings. Many users also highlight the friendly and helpful camp hosts.
Based on 205 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent complaints include uneven terrain for RVs, dusty roads leading into the campground, and flies in bathrooms.
Based on 205 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring bug spray for flies, and be prepared for limited cell service. Users recommend visiting nearby attractions and using this as a base for Black Hills exploration.
Based on 205 reviews

Seasonal Insights

User experiences suggest summer is the best season due to pleasant weather and access to all amenities. Issues like dusty roads and flies were frequently mentioned during peak season.
Based on 205 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Larger sites with plenty of room between them," "The camp host was superb," "Bathroom locations on the map were incorrect," "The lake is beautiful and a very serene atmosphere," and "Sites need...
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Based on 205 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Campsites 037 and 036 are frequently praised for their lake views; sites 009 and 041 are noted for their spaciousness and quietness. Some RV users criticized site 033 as being too steep.
Based on 205 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features were not frequently reviewed, but some noted it was easy to navigate and had accessible vault toilets.
Based on 205 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, and users found the campground pet-friendly. A review noted, "Almost everyone had their pups with them."
Based on 205 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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