Tent camping here is comfortable for three practical reasons: the tent sites sit on their own, not wedged between motorhomes; the shower houses are individual lockable rooms rather than an open communal bay; and the Mickelson Trail runs straight through the property, so you can walk into Hill City for a meal instead of cooking every night. There are nine of them, set near Spring Creek, which is about as close to the water and the trail as Black Hills tent camping gets.
Are the tent sites mixed in with the RVs?
No. We keep them apart from the full hookup RV sites, so you are not pitching a tent next to a generator or a slide-out. That matters more than people expect. A tent has canvas walls, and every sound from the next site comes through them. Having the rigs parked elsewhere on the property is the single biggest comfort difference between our Hill City SD campground and a gravel lot where everything shares one row.
What are the showers actually like?
Each shower is behind a door you lock yourself. You get your own space to change, hang a towel, and keep your dry clothes off a wet floor. The buildings get cleaned on a schedule, and there is hot water, which becomes the main event after a day on the ATV trails or a long stretch of the Mickelson. Tent campers have the same access as everyone in the cabins and RV rows.
How much shade will I get?
The Black Hills are ponderosa pine country, and shade varies site to site. Pine shade is high and dappled rather than solid, so plan for both: morning sun is pleasant at 5,000 feet, but a July afternoon at this elevation gets warm in direct light. Bring a pop-up canopy or a tarp and some line if you want a guaranteed cool spot to sit at midday. Most people set the canopy over the picnic table and leave the tent under whatever tree cover their site offers.
Any advice on setting up the site?
Pitch with the door away from the prevailing wind, which usually comes down the valley. Stake everything, including the canopy, because afternoon thunderstorms roll through fast in June and July and then move on. A ground tarp under the tent is worth the space it takes in the car. Nights cool off here even in midsummer, so a 30-degree bag or an extra blanket is not overkill in May, September, or October. If you are coming in the shoulder season for the leaf color along the creek, pack for frost.
Can I get a hot meal without cooking?
You can. It is a short stroll up the trail into the middle of town, where the restaurants, coffee, shops, and grocery runs are. The 1880 Train depot is four blocks away. We also have upgraded Wi-Fi covering the grounds, so you can check a forecast or book a tour without driving anywhere.
What is nearby if I am basing here?
This is a working basecamp for camping near Mount Rushmore, which is about 10 miles off. The evening Lighting Ceremony is an easy drive back in the dark. Crazy Horse Memorial, Needles Highway, Custer State Park, Sheridan Lake, and Pactola are all within a short run. Spring Creek holds brown and rainbow trout, with the odd brook trout, so a rod belongs in the car. E-bike rental in Hill City is available right here if you would rather ride the old rail grade than pedal it uphill.
If a night or two of rain is in the forecast and you would rather not ride it out under nylon, our cabins sleep four to five with full bathrooms and kitchenettes, and the Mickelson Trail Suite holds eight. Tent campers sometimes book one for the last night of a trip and call it a warm finish.