Willow Creek Horse Camp

Star4.47
57 reviews
Forest Recreation Management, Inc, P.O. Box 1168, Hill City, SD, 57745, USA

Quick Facts

7,242 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

9 campsites

Season

Open from May 21 to ...

Cell

No Service

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
Willow Creek Horse Camp
$30.00 - $30.00 / night
Campsite Fees
The nightly fee for standard nonelectric campsites is $30. There are no discounts for Senior or Access passes. Fees vary by season and may include...
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Standard Site Fee$30.00
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

4.47

Recommended

Based on 57 reviews

21 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulcleansites

"User reviews for Willow Creek Horse Camp are generally positive, with an average sentiment of 4.31. While horse campers appreciate the excellent trail access and sturdy corrals, some issues like manure disposal logistics and mosquito prevalence are noted."

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Campground Map

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

Willow Creek Horse Camp

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

Driving directionsFrom Hill City, South Dakota, take US 16/385 south for 7 miles. Go east on State Hwy 244. The campground is located across from the Mt. Rushmore KOA.
The campground is accessible via paved roads. Users recommend navigating to Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch instead of directly to the campground due to challenging navigation instructions.
Nearby places
Hill City (7 miles), Mount Rushmore (6 miles), Custer State Park (approx. 10 miles)
Nearby supplies
Firewood and other supplies can be purchased at Horsethief Lake campground (approx. 3 miles away). The nearest town with full-service supplies is Hill City, 7 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at Willow Creek Horse Camp

The Black Hills' mountain climate brings delightful surprises throughout the camping season. While summer days are generally warm and inviting, late June visitors should come prepared for nature's tiny welcoming committee of mosquitoes. The region's unpredictable personality can even deliver September snowstorms, transforming the landscape into an unexpected winter wonderland—a reminder to pack layers no matter the season.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Warm days and peak season access; mosquito prevalence noted in late spring/summer.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 3% in SD

Fall reviews emphasize a beautiful, quiet atmosphere; season rated very favorable.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Opens May 21; pleasant but late-spring mosquitoes and variable weather reported.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside May 21–Sept 28 reservation window; winter camping not regular.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 21, 2025 - September 7, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open from May 21 to September 28 for reservations. Peak season spans May 21 to September 7; non-peak season begins September 8.
  • Current Alerts: No current alerts listed.

About Willow Creek Horse Camp

Nestled in the heart of the Black Hills National Forest, Willow Creek Horse Camp beckons equestrian enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike. This thoughtfully renovated campground serves as your gateway to the pristine Black Elk Wilderness, where miles of scenic trails await both hikers and horseback riders. Select campsites feature convenient corrals, making this an ideal basecamp for those traveling with their four-legged companions.
Willow Creek Horse Camp is designed primarily for equestrian camping but also accommodates non-horse camping. Sites 1 through 3 are designated for non-horse campers, while sites 4 through 9 are equipped with corrals for equestrians.
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Reserving a campsite

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Check-in time not explicitly stated.
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Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Willow Creek Horse Camp provides abundant recreational opportunities, primarily for equestrian and hiking enthusiasts. The campground serves as a trailhead for the Willow Creek Loop and Lost Cabin Trail, offering access to scenic views and connections to the Black Elk Peak Trail. Horseback riding is a major activity here, with reviewers frequently praising the availability of trails: "Tremendous riding right from camp."
HikingHiking is a key activity, with access to trails such as the Willow Creek Loop and Lost Cabin Trail, which offer scenic views and connect to the Black Elk Peak Trail. One user noted, "Across the creek, there is access to the Willow Creek horse and hiking trail (#8), which conveniently connects to the north approach to Black Elk (Harney) Peak (#9)."
Wildlife viewingThe campground is within the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve, home to elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats. "We loved waking up to the views," noted one reviewer, referring to the natural setting.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes and flies are noted as problematic near the creek during warmer months. Navigating trailers into some sites is reportedly difficult due to steep approaches.
Active AlertsNo current alerts listed.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Willow Creek Horse Camp

Reviews

4.5
57 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Willow Creek Horse Camp is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Willow Creek Horse Camp are generally positive, with an average sentiment of 4.31. While horse campers appreciate the excellent trail access and sturdy corrals, some issues like manure disposal logistics and mosquito prevalence are noted.
Review Summaries
Based on 57 reviews

What Campers Love

Users consistently praise the "clean and tidy" sites, "beautiful trails," and "peaceful" environment. The horse facilities, including the corrals, are also highly regarded.
Based on 57 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the inconvenient placement of manure dumpsters, difficulty parking trailers at certain sites, and the presence of mosquitoes and flies during warmer months.
Based on 57 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Prepare for mosquitoes near the creek, especially at site 1. For horse campers, ensure compliance with the certified weed-free feed requirement. Tent campers are advised to choose a site away from...
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Based on 57 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews highlight mosquito issues during late spring and summer, while fall reviews focus on the beautiful, quiet atmosphere. One user described a magical snowstorm experience in September.
Based on 57 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The trails there are also phenomenal and waking up to the views that are there, is very hard to beat!" - Mckenna S.; "We loved waking up to the views," - Hannah F.
Based on 57 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 1: Mosquito-heavy due to creek proximity; Site 3: Close to vault toilets, no horses; Site 7: Spacious, good for horse trailers but access road needs improvement.
Based on 57 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews address accessibility features directly. However, the campground does include accessible vault toilets and campsites.
Based on 57 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific pet-related reviews are provided.
Based on 57 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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