Mount Rushmore (best campgrounds)

We liked Rafter J. Larger RVs usually in the large meadow. Smaller RVs parked around the edge near or in the trees.

We stayed at Beaver Lake outside Custer this summer. Really liked it. Would go back.

WyoTraveler wrote:
We liked Rafter J. Larger RVs usually in the large meadow. Smaller RVs parked around the edge near or in the trees.

X2 excellent! Just nine miles from Rushmore.

If you have kids stay at the KOA. Lots of thinks to do for the kids.

Here's the scoop on the Mt. Rushmore KOA. I've stayed there. The KOA and Rafter J are on the same road. I've not been inside Rafter J.
I see by your blog that you have kids. There's lots of things for kids to do at the KOA. Also a restaurant on site and a shuttle bus to Rushmore. There's a fee for the bus, but the parking garage charges as well.
Rafter J is 10 miles from Rushmore and the KOA is 6 miles. Big difference. :)
You'll be so close to Custer SP that you have to go while in the area. Its a state park, so NP passes don't work, but its not expensive. Your kids will get a kick out of the wild burros. They have quite a scam going. One stands in the middle of the road and the others go from car to car, begging for treats. They'll eat almost anything, but carrots are longer and the burros don't have very good eyesight. Hold on to the green part. I assume they take turns blocking the road.

We stayed at Horse Thief Campground. We really enjoyed it there. Nice and secluded and beautiful views of the surrounding hills!

We have stayed at Rafter J with kids and we loved it. Great place and nice folks

Stayed at Rafter J., went there for the advertised discount with a certain membership card. When we got their they did not honor the discount. When we asked for the deposit back they refused and said we would forfeit our week deposit. We didn't get the type of site we reserved. There free pancake breakfast was also a scam, one person making pancakes 5 others selling things like milk, drinks, scrambled eggs. The "free" part was just to draw you in. Next time we will stay someplace else. Too many other choices.

We really enjoyed Rafter J although did get a surprise one night when the water was turned off while I was in the shower in our camper. It was end of Sept and they were afraid temp would drop and pipes freeze, We later learned a notification had been posted in the office or store. We just had not been in there, so got a quick surprise. Beautiful campground and convenient.

Take the day bus tour of the Rushmore area. No reason to spend more than a couple of hours at the monument. Tour also includes Crazy Horse and a lunch.