Willow Creek Horse Camp

This campground is a cheap, quiet location, away from the main road traffic, close to Mount Rushmore area, less than 5 miles, plus it’s close to other touristy places. . Even though it is designated as a horse camp with only 3 sites, sites #1-3, for non-horse campers. However, the ranger did tell me that starting in 2023 non-horse campers can also reserve the horse sites , sites #6-9. We stayed in site #1 which sits right next to Willow Creek that makes for lovely sleeping. Our trailer is 24 foot which it probably the max for sites #1-3. These sites seem popular with test or pop ups. If you have a bigger rig, you probably would need to reserve a horse site. I would recommend sites #8 or 9. They seem to be the least used by horse rider’s because of their location is farther from the muck dumpster, water, and trail heads. The Willow Creek trail is easy and beautiful with lots of small bridge crossings over the creek. While there is potable water here, you can’t hook up a hose to do any tank filling. This campground is right across the road from the KOA campground which allows for dumping and water fill. They also offer other amenities like horseback riding for a cost. Our only complaint was the families that stayed in sites#2-3 allowed their kids to play wolf howling at the moon until 11 pm; first night was cute but on the 3 night we were done and looked for a dispersed camping spot in the Black Hills, which we found to be absolutely amazing. So amazing I’m not sure I’ll share a review since we plan on coming back to the area ;)

We added this free campsite after a last minute decision to add Mount Rushmore NM to our road trip, it’s on the same road about 10 minutes which allowed us to get there early (avoid the crowds) and walk the Presidential Trail (clockwise as suggested)
This campground has 3 non-horse sites, quiet (we were the only ones there and backed in as we have a camper van) and each has a table and fire ring. Alongside a small stream. There is a bathroom, toilet only. Easy access dirt road .7 mile off paved.