Looking at Rafter J Bar Ranch and Horse Thief Campground and RV Resort. Which would you recommend?Thanks, Clint

Hi Clint,Actually there is a KOA very near Rushmore that rents cars. I think it is the 2nd largest KOA in the USA. Definitely not a resort--but I was there for Rushmore and Crazy Horse.Both of those are better seen early in the morning before the crowds pour in.

The KOA is Palmers Gulch, a very nice campground. Rafter J Bar Ranch is also very nice. Palmers Gulch would be full of activities and Rafter J will be the quieter option. Not familiar with Horse Thief.

We loved the Rafter J. It would be our choice.

We just got back from the Black Hills.Stayed this year at the KOA, they were already shutting down ops as their help was going back to school. Big park with restaurants and lots of things for kids.We stayed last time at Rafter J and loved it, I would stay there again if we did not have the grandkids with usHorse Theif is not in the same league as the unknowingly my GPS took me down 87 and I had to unhook the car and turn around at this campground so I got a good look at it.

Rafter J. Stayed there a year or so back. Great place. We checked out all the other local campgrounds while we were there and Rafter J was by far the nicest.Didn't like Horse Thief - to tight and cramped around the entrance roads for us.

Camping near Mount Rushmore | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

minn_camping_fa
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
dodge guy wrote:
minn camping family wrote:
You asked for an opinion between Rafter J and Horsethief. Of those I would choose Rafter J. Much more convenient to use as a homebase.

Horsethief is just down the road to the east of Rafter J. Same area.

Rafter J is right off the main highway (Hwy. 16). Horsethief is a couple of miles off of Hwy 16 down a curvy mountain road (Hwy. 87- which is the start of the Needles Highway scenic drive). Of the two Rafter J would be the easier to access.
Itching2go
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2013
If it's between Rafter J and Horsethief, I'd take Rafter J any day. Were there in July and thought it was one of the best FHU campgrounds we'd ever stayed at. A previous post observed that it was a 'big field'. Not true. Rafter J is made up of several camping areas, and only one is out in the open. We chose the Upper Ranch area as it was wooded with very large sites. Was as far away as you can get, though, from the pool and camp store. Didn't bother us, but...
KarenS144
Explorer
Sep 04, 2013
We just got back a week ago from a month long trip that included a 3 night stay at Grace Coolidge in Custer State Park. No water but electric. Beautiful campground with it's own bison bull that strolls through in the mornings.
mister_d
Explorer
Sep 04, 2013
The area has so much to offer that you probably won't spend much time at the CG.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Sep 01, 2013
minn camping family wrote:
You asked for an opinion between Rafter J and Horsethief. Of those I would choose Rafter J. Much more convenient to use as a homebase.

Horsethief is just down the road to the east of Rafter J. Same area.
minn_camping_fa
Explorer
Sep 01, 2013
You asked for an opinion between Rafter J and Horsethief. Of those I would choose Rafter J. Much more convenient to use as a homebase.
CT_WANDERER
Explorer
Aug 31, 2013
We stayed in Custer SP at Game Lodge CG. It has electric and a dump station. We made our runs from there to Rushmore & Crazyhorse
nohurry
Explorer
Aug 30, 2013
Are the sites in Custer SP full hook up?
RGar974417
Explorer
Aug 30, 2013
We stayed at Rafter J and liked it.But if I did it again,I would definately stay in Custer State Park.Location,location,location.
Drippin
Explorer
Aug 30, 2013
We really liked Grace Coolidge in Custer SP. Power/Water sites. Dump station down the road at Game Lodge.