Rafter J Bar Ranch
RV Park
Write a Review 12325 Rafter J Rd. Hill City, SD 57745 605-574-2527 Reservations: 888-723-8375 Official WebsiteGPS: 43.8916, -103.5925
Overview of Rafter J Bar Ranch
Last Price Paid: $80
Reported by littlej1086 on 9/15/2023
Longest RV Reported: 45 feet (Class A)
Reported by ImagineWhere on 10/18/2018
Number of Sites 190
Reservations yes
Open Seasonally Yes
Elevation 5,216 ft / 1,589 m
Tent Camping Yes
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To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 605-574-2527
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Reviews of Rafter J Bar Ranch 29 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 15 Users
Last reported 5/30/2022
Confirmed by 12 Users
Last reported 8/29/2023
Confirmed by 3 Users
Last reported 9/15/2023
“What a great place to stay!”
Reviewed 9/15/2023
| Nightly rate: | $80 |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 194 |
| RV Length: | 34' (Toy Hauler Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
This park is HUGE, very well maintained, clean, quiet and had great views. The location is perfect, central to all the main attractions. There was a bit of highway noise, but to be expected at any of these parks in the area. Used the showers and laundry while there too, both very clean. Highly reccomend.
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T-Mobile 5G
littlej1086 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Professionally Managed”
Reviewed 8/29/2023
| Days stayed: | 8 |
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| Site Number: | 14 |
| RV Length: | 17' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Located on the midst of the beautiful Black Hills, this place has it all. It is a well-maintained resort. We stayed in the upper Ranch Camp section. It has clean restrooms, showers, and laundry nearby. The location is ideal for visiting Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and Crazy Horse. Hill City is very close for shopping, fuel, and ... more
Located on the midst of the beautiful Black Hills, this place has it all. It is a well-maintained resort. We stayed in the upper Ranch Camp section. It has clean restrooms, showers, and laundry nearby. The location is ideal for visiting Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and Crazy Horse. Hill City is very close for shopping, fuel, and restaurants. It’s ideal.
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AT&T 4G
Dirmfe would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Big Open Space”
Reviewed 5/29/2023
| RV Length: | 26' (Travel Trailer) |
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Overall Rating
Lovely campground. Big open space, spacious sites with plenty of space between sites. Clean and tidy. Close to Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Jewel Cave
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AT&T 5G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Very Well Managed Facility. Lots Of Site Options. Easy Access To Black Hills Activities”
Reviewed 9/27/2022
| Nightly rate: | $80 |
|---|---|
| Site Number: | 10 |
Overall Rating
We stayed three nights to do the Mickelson Trail and meet up with friends in Custer. Facilities were nice and clean. Only downside was noise from main Highway—trucks downshifting to go up or down the grade. Would choose site other than the section close to the road. Interesting old buildings—former stage coach stop.
Jamie would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful, Spacious & Great Location”
Reviewed 9/27/2022
| Nightly rate: | $76 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 5 |
Overall Rating
Large private gravel lots, Laundry facilities and bathrooms were cleaned and excellent. We very much enjoyed our stay here. My only negative is the customer service was lacking. The men working were not very friendly and it was off season so not like they were too busy. A lot is said for a friendly smile after a long day on the roa... more
Large private gravel lots, Laundry facilities and bathrooms were cleaned and excellent. We very much enjoyed our stay here. My only negative is the customer service was lacking. The men working were not very friendly and it was off season so not like they were too busy. A lot is said for a friendly smile after a long day on the road. But with that said we loved this campground and would for sure stay here again.
KChomp would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Couldn’t Have Asked For Better”
Reviewed 7/30/2022
| Nightly rate: | $95 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 6 |
| Site Number: | 152 |
Overall Rating
Check in was smooth and effortless! Views were wonderful. Campground was very well maintained and manicured. Pad was a pull through in Ranch Camp Loop and decently level. Camp grounds are well situated for Custer, Hill City, Rushmore, Needles Hwy and Iron Mountain Road. Lots to do and see! Would return back here for sure!
camper-725919 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Highly Recommended ”
Reviewed 5/30/2022
| Nightly rate: | $70 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 8 |
| Site Number: | 242 |
Overall Rating
Excellent location. Easy drive from Rapid City and I-90. Short drives to major attractions like Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park. The staff was extremely helpful and accommodating. Very pleased with the customer service. They will receive FedEx and UPS packages and helped us change sites when we asked to. Everything w... more
Excellent location. Easy drive from Rapid City and I-90. Short drives to major attractions like Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park.
The staff was extremely helpful and accommodating. Very pleased with the customer service. They will receive FedEx and UPS packages and helped us change sites when we asked to.
Everything was well maintained. It’s a beautiful park. Sites are a pretty good size overall. Normally, we don’t stay at parks this expensive, but we felt our money was well spent.
Several places to do laundry on site. But the laundry room in the Main camp area was the largest. You can change dollars for quarters at the office.
Hill City is a short drive (less than 10 minutes) if you need gas or food. But we would recommend Custer (15 minutes away) - more options, larger grocery store, things stay open later.
Cell service varies throughout the park. We would recommend the Island (50 mbps down) or the Ranch (30 mbps down). However, we noticed some issues / slow downs as we got into the holiday weekend and the area became more crowded - the staff warned us that there just aren’t enough towers in the area during the busy season. We had similar experiences with both Verizon and AT&T.
There is just a tiny bit of highway noise. Not enough to bother us, but you don’t feel like you are in the middle of no where. If you are trying to get away from that, The Ranch is a bit further from the road.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
Katie would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“One Of The Best”
Reviewed 10/18/2021
| Nightly rate: | $71 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 168 |
| RV Length: | 30' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
This is truly one of the best campgrounds, period. There are a number of areas within the campground, all with their own feel. We stayed in Ranch Camp which we liked as it felt a bit remote but it was a quick bike ride to the playground, pool and camp store. The pool is nice and big with views of the mountains. The sites are clean,... more
This is truly one of the best campgrounds, period. There are a number of areas within the campground, all with their own feel. We stayed in Ranch Camp which we liked as it felt a bit remote but it was a quick bike ride to the playground, pool and camp store. The pool is nice and big with views of the mountains. The sites are clean, well laid out and there is some privacy (although not much). The location cannot be beat as you are about 15-30 minutes from basically everything within the Black Hills. We would absolutely stay here again if we can find a site.
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AT&T 4G
Travels With Luna would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nicest place we've ever been to.”
Reviewed 7/22/2021
| Nightly rate: | $75 |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 175 |
| RV Length: | 28' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
I've read multiple reviews of this place being one of the top ten campgrounds in the country, and this place absolutely deserves it's reputation. You'll need to reserve early, their reservations open in November, and from what I hear they mostly fill up for the season within a couple of days. Check-in was easy, facilities were very ni... more
I've read multiple reviews of this place being one of the top ten campgrounds in the country, and this place absolutely deserves it's reputation. You'll need to reserve early, their reservations open in November, and from what I hear they mostly fill up for the season within a couple of days. Check-in was easy, facilities were very nice. Pool is awesome. Sites are very spacious, you have plenty of room between you and your neighbors. I was struck by the amount of green space here... they could easily triple or quadruple the number of campsites. Our view from the front of our campsite was acres of green grass and the mountains. We loved staying in the Lower Ranch Camp area, although really any of their areas are super nice. It's about a ten minute drive to Crazy Horse and about 20 minute windy road to Mt. Rushmore. Custer State Park is equally close and is amazing. We'll be back and will plan to stay longer next time. RV Atlas podcast has a great description of this place that fits it to a T, it is well worth a listen.
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Verizon 4G
T-Mobile 4G
Jeff Wigal would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Most amazing park, one of the best I've stayed....”
Reviewed 7/22/2021
| Nightly rate: | $87 |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 208 |
| RV Length: | 35' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
Gorgeous place up in the Black Hills. Spacious and expansive with great views. I can't say enough about it. Close to both Mr. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument, and restaurants in Hill City. Will absolutely be back!
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AT&T 4G
T-Mobile 4G
Dave would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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32 reviews
The Black Hills of South Dakota – Custer, Hill City, and Spearfish
We spent the month of June in the Black Hills area of South Dakota: Two weeks at Beaver Lake Campground in Custer; one week at Game Lodge Campground in Custer State Park; and we split the fourth...
35 reviews
Rafter J Bar Ranch
While exploring Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, the Rafter J Bar Ranch served as a great base camp. The campground is good sized with over 150 sites and several cabins. ...
14 reviews
Campground Review: Rafter J Bar Ranch in South Dakota | Travels with Birdy
Campground Review: Rafter J Bar Ranch in South Dakota As I stood beneath the towering ponderosa pines of Rafter J Bar Ranch, I was tempted to cancel the rest of our trip and stay here for...
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Amenities
Hookups
- 50 Amp
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- water
- sewer
- Full Hookups
Connectivity
- wifi: yes
Recreation
- hot tub
- playground
- recreation trail
- swimming pool: heated
Site Amenities
- big rig
- fire ring
- picnic table
- pull thru
Facilities
- cabins
- dump station
- general store
- hot tub
- laundry
- propane
- restrooms: flush
- security
- showers
- swimming pool: heated
- trash
- water available
Discount Clubs
- Good Sam
Pets
- pets
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