Mt Rushmore

Rafter J is a very nice campground, a bit higher in price than some others, but very nicely laid out and with a pool and wifi. Very centrally located. Easy access off a main road but set far back away from traffic noise.

The Palmer Gulch KOA is the one previous posters are referring to, it's very close to Mt. Rushmore and centrally located, but it's located down a curvy mountain road (same road to Mt. Rushmore) so that will add some drive time every day. It's also priced a bit higher than other cg's in the area, but many activities for kids. The downside is it's a KOA and packed closely together, and super busy as KOA's are known to be.

We like to base camp in Custer as it's centrally located to our favorite things. We've stayed at two cg's there. Beaver Lake Campground is just west of town, very nice people working there. Some sites are close but many are spaced nicely. There is wifi and cable and a small pool, along with a waterslide (at an extra charge).

The other Custer cg we've stayed at is The Roost Resort, it's a very small cg but a beautiful location, spaced out nicely, and the owners are very nice people. It's in a great location of between the town of Custer and Custer State Park.

Another vote for Rafter J. By far the best. :)

I really enjoyed Big Pine Campground when I was at Rushmore last summer.

Great campground, very woodsy and secluded, and the staff was friendly and accommodating.

Rafter J is the nicest. But the KOA has more for kids to do.

X3 to Rafter J. We will be staying there at the end of July. Campground seems pretty nice to me. Many choices were to park your RV.within the campground Chenck their website.

I agree about the KOA--it's close to Mt Rushmore and there's a lot for the children to do...pool, horseback riding, etc. Also, they have a restaurant, a snack area--pizza, ice cream, etc. and they serve an inexpensive pancake breakfast in a huge tent.

Just to mention--the whole family might enjoy Bear Country USA a few miles away...a drive through park with lots of bears and wolves and other wild animals. It ends with a zoo of baby animals.

X2 on Rafter J based on experience, but each of these others have their fans and good reviews. Don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

The Rushmore KOA has lots to do for kids as well as adults and is on the same road as Mt.
Rushmore. Right in the heart of the Black Hills.

Last year we stayed at Rafter J Bar. Check out their webb site. It is a nice place and rig size is not a problem. Nice pool and a lot of open common areas. It is in south Hill City right at the intersection going to Mt Rushmore. It is like a 10-15 minute drive.