How much does camping cost at Willow Creek Horse Camp?

Camping fees at Willow Creek Horse Camp are $30/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Willow Creek Horse Camp first-come first-served or reservation?

Willow Creek Horse Camp accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Willow Creek Horse Camp before I book?

Yes! Willow Creek Horse Camp has 11 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Willow Creek Horse Camp?

Willow Creek Horse Camp is open April 15 to September 30. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Willow Creek Horse Camp?

Willow Creek Horse Camp does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Willow Creek Horse Camp?

Fire policies at Willow Creek Horse Camp: Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Willow Creek Horse Camp have?

Willow Creek Horse Camp has 9 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Willow Creek Horse Camp?

Yes, pets are allowed at Willow Creek Horse Camp. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Willow Creek Horse Camp?

Willow Creek Horse Camp offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Willow Creek Horse Camp?

Popular activities at Willow Creek Horse Camp include Hiking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Willow Creek Horse Camp

4.15

57 reviews

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

Top 14%Fall

B-Report Card

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds South Dakota Camping Near Wind Cave National Park Pet-Friendly Campgrounds South Dakota +5 more

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

Book on Forest Recreation Management, Inc Official Website

Get Directions

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

Book on Forest Recreation Management, Inc Official Website

Get Directions

Willow Creek Horse Camp

$30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC - Site 1: $30.00; GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC- Site 2: $30.00; GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC- Site 7: $30.00; GROUP STANDARD...

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Provider

605-673-9200

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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

Nearby places

Hill City (7 miles), Mount Rushmore (6 miles), Custer State Park (approx. 10 miles)

Weather at Willow Creek Horse Camp

Current alerts(5)

Certified Weed-Free Feed is required for livestock in Willow Creek Horse Camp
Click here for more information about Black Hills National Forest
Please be aware that Willow Creek Horse Camp sites 1-3 will now accommodate horses and has corrals for each site!
Sites one - three are now horse sites with corrals! There are no discounts at this facility. We do not honor the Senior or Access passes.

Best Time to Camp at Willow Creek Horse Camp

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of cool, stable weather and spectacular color on the high-elevation ridges — daytime highs are typically 50–65°F with chilly nights dropping to 20–35°F at 7,242 ft. Trails are usually dry and firm, bugs are minimal, and views of the granite spires and aspen/cottonwood stands are at their peak for hiking and horseback riding. Crowds fall off after the official peak season (Sept 8 onward), so you’ll have quieter campsites and trails while still having the camp open Peak months: September, June, August, July Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 14% in US

Listed as best season: cool stable weather, spectacular high-elevation color and quiet atmosphere.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 15 to September 30. 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.

About Willow Creek Horse Camp

Willow Creek Horse Camp sits at 7,242 feet in the Black Hills National Forest near Hill City, designed specifically for equestrians exploring high-elevation alpine trails. Forest Recreation Management, Inc operates this very small facility with corrals and staging areas for riders and their stock. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping, with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables at each site.

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.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of cool, stable weather and spectacular color on the high-elevation ridges — daytime highs are typically 50–65°F with chilly nights dropping to 20–35°F at 7,242 ft. Trails are usually dry and firm, bugs are minimal, and views of the granite spires and aspen/cottonwood stands are at their peak for hiking and horseback riding. Crowds fall off after the official peak season (Sept 8 onward), so you’ll have quieter campsites and trails while still having the camp open Peak months: September, June, August, July Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation7242 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryAncient granite spires and rock formations surround the campground, where mountain streams have carved deep canyons and gulches over millions of years. The landscape sits between the Black Elk Wilderness and Norbeck Wildlife Preserve, with views reaching Black Elk Peak. Elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats move through the area. The high-elevation terrain mixes meadowed grasslands with stands of aspen and cottonwood that turn color in fall.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodges are available at Willow Creek Horse Camp. Camping accommodations are limited to campsites.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned for Willow Creek Horse Camp.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Not specified
sites designed for a mix of equestrian and non-equestrian camping.

Groups

Group camping specifics are not provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityThe campground offers accessible campsites, grills, and vault toilets, making it possible for individuals with disabilities to enjoy the facilities.

Site SizeThe campsites are described as spacious, with specific mention of their ability to accommodate horse trailers.

PrivacyThe sites offer varying levels of privacy, with some described as "quiet and secluded," while others are more open, as noted by a user who stated their site had "no shade.

Total Campsites9 campsites

Recommended SitesFor privacy, choose sites #5 and #3. Avoid site #1 if mosquito activity is high.

Best CampsitesSites 4-9 have large, heavy-duty corrals and sit closer to trailheads. Tent campers should stick to sites 1-3 to avoid horse noise and manure smells. Site 1 sits near the creek where mosquitoes concentrate in early summer.

Need help booking Willow Creek Horse Camp?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

These campsites are non-electric sites. Generators may run from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. only. Certified Weed-Free Feed is required for livestock in Willow Creek Horse Camp Sites one - three are now horse sites with corrals!

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Willow Creek Horse Camp

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."

Hiking4.0/5

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Located between Black Elk Wilderness and Norbeck Wildlife Preserve; elk, deer, bighorn sheep noted.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Granite spires, canyons, wildlife and fall colors noted — many scenic photo opportunities.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; only vault toilets are provided at this campground.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

57 reviews

Satisfactory

Willow Creek Horse Camp is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% 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

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

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...

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

Accessibility Features

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

Based on 57 reviews

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Willow Creek Horse Camp

$30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC - Site 1: $30.00; GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC- Site 2: $30.00; GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC- Site 7: $30.00; GROUP STANDARD...

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

605-673-9200

Go if

You're traveling with horses and want a quiet, well-maintained base camp for riding granite-spire country in fall.

Skip if

You don't have horses or need easy trailer maneuvering and dedicated manure disposal facilities.

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Horsethief Lake Campground

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

Horsethief Lake Campground sits in the Black Hills National Forest near Hill City, South Dakota, offering tent, RV, and primitive sites beside a small mountain lake. Operated by Forest Recreation Management, Inc., the campground serves as a base for exploring Mount Rushmore and surrounding trails. Visitors fish, swim, hike, and bike from a mid-elevation forest setting with vault toilets, potable water, and an on-site camp store.

Willow Creek Horse Camp

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About Willow Creek Horse Camp

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Amenities available

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Current alerts(5)

Best Time to Camp at Willow Creek Horse Camp

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Amenities available

Things to do at Willow Creek Horse Camp

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Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews