Rod & Gun Campground
Tucked away near the heart of Spearfish Canyon, the Rod & Gun Campground offers more than just a place to pitch a tent - it offers are front-row seat to the rugged elegance of the Black Hills National Forest. Whether you're an avid angler, dedicated hiker, passionate OHV rider or someone who simply finds tranquility in the presence of mountain streams, Rod & Gun offers a beautiful basecamp for your next trip to the northern Black Hills.
More like this: reservable in South Dakota · big rigs in South Dakota · pets allowed in South Dakota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 7 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 44 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
7 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 2 | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 3 | Back-in | 42 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 4 | Back-in | 44 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 5 | Back-in | 42 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 6 | Back-in | 42 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 7 | Back-in | 42 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
6 campsite locations mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The site numbers are theirs and may not match the posts at the campground. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 44 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | $24.00 / night |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Black Hills National Forest |
| Fees | Regular Season: $24/night --- See Off-Season Information |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Spearfish. Take Highway 14A south through Spearfish Canyon for approximately 13.1 miles. At Savoy (Spearfish Canyon Lodge) take a right onto Roughlock Falls Rd. Take Roughlock Falls road for approximately 3 miles. Rod & Gun campground will be on your right.
| Coordinates | 44.3385° N, 103.9630° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Northern Hills Homes and RV's ↗ | 18.5 mi |
| Dump station | Visitor Center Dump Station ↗ | 23.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | The Rooster ↗ | 39.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Spearfish Canyon Spearfish Falls / Roughlock Falls
- 1.4 miRed Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 1.5 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miRimrock Spur B0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miSnow-4a2.7 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.9 miRed Lake 511.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.9 miRimrock ↗5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.9 miLittle Spearfish ↗5.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miRed Lake 521.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.4 miRed Lake Trailhead ↗Black Hills National Forest
- 1.5 miLittle Spearfish Trailhead (Trail #80) ↗Black Hills National Forest
- 1.5 miRimrock Trailhead (Trail #79) ↗Black Hills National Forest
- 1.8 mi'76 Trailhead ↗Black Hills National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Black Hills National Forest.
- inBlack Hills National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,537,116 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Homestake Mining Company Hydroelectric Plant No. 2Building · Spearfish · 5.2 mi
- Homestake TheaterBuilding · Lead · 9.7 mi
- Old Finnish Lutheran ChurchBuilding · Lead · 9.9 mi
Recreation
Trails Little Spearfish Trail: This 7 mile loop begins right next to the campground. It winds through Ponderosa Pines and Birch thickets, offering an off-the-beaten-path experience while still being close to the activities of Spearfish Canyon. Rim Rock Trail: This trail is made up of two loops that originate at and just west of Rod & Gun Campground. These two loops ascend the steep Limestone canyons adjacent to Spearfish Canyon and descend next to the tranquil Little Spearfish Creek. This trail displays paths that meander through everything from dense vegetation near the canyon floor to dispersed Ponderosa Pines near the canyon rim. Roughlock Falls / Spearfish Falls Trails: These two trails, maintained by the State of South Dakota, offer stunning views of Roughlock and Spearfish Falls. Roughlock Falls trail meanders for approximately 1.8 miles along Little Spearfish Creek, offering spectacular views of Spearfish Canyon and the surrounding Black Hills National Forest. Meanwhile, Spearfish Falls Trail is an approximately 0.7 mile out and back trail that meanders down through the hillside foliage of the canyon as it descends to the base of Spearfish Waterfall.
Guidebooks for South Dakota and camping across the country
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Rod & Gun Campground?
Sites at Rod & Gun Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Rod & Gun Campground?
$24.00 / night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Rod & Gun Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Rod & Gun Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Rod & Gun Campground have?
7 sites, including 7 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Rod & Gun Campground?
The longest site here provides 44 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Rod & Gun Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Rod & Gun Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Rod & Gun Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Rod & Gun Campground?
Trails Little Spearfish Trail: This 7 mile loop begins right next to the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Rod & Gun Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Timon Campground (1.4 mi), Hanna Campground (7.1 mi), and Black Fox Campground (14.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby