Comanche Park
Situated in an open Ponderosa pine forest 6.5 miles west of Custer, South Dakota, Comanche Park Campground is a campground for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in the southern Black Hills National Forest. The campsites are spacious. Towering pine trees provide shade. This is the closest campground to Jewel Cave National Monument.
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 | 20 |
| Host/management | 15 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
20 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 007 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 011 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 012 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 017 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 019 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 020 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 021 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | 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.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 71 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Comanche Park Campground has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. The campground is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, and vault toilets; however, electrical hook-ups are not available.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Forest | Black Hills National Forest |
| Fees | Regular Season: $26/night --- See Off-Season Information |
Weather by month
Getting there
In Custer, SD, at the intersection of Mt. Rushmore Rd (State Rt.89/US Rt.16 and 5th St (State Rt. 89/US Rt. 385), take Rt.16 west 5.8 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign into campground.
| Coordinates | 43.7364° N, 103.7022° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | High Mountain Outfitters ↗ | 5.5 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 16.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Jack's Campers ↗ | 39.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Comanche Park - Black Hills National Forest, SD
Worth a stop
Possible day trips include Custer State Park with its many buffalo and other wildlife, Crazy Horse Monument and Wind Cave National Park as well as Jewel Cave which is the second longest cave in the world at 159.29 miles. It features sparkling calcite crystals and other rare formations, as well as some of the largest concentrations of passageways in the world.
- 6.4 miJewel Cave National Monument - Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
- 6.7 miHawkwright Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 7.2 miHell Canyon Trailhead ↗Trailhead
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
- 10.8 miBlack Elk Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 13,534 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
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Fourmile School No. 21Building · Custer · 1.4 mi
- Maria Bauer Homestead RanchHistoric district · Custer · 4.2 mi
- Newton Seymour Tubbs HouseBuilding · Custer · 4.8 mi
Natural features
Located in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, Black Hills National Forest encompasses nearly 1.25 million acres of rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and unique caves. Derived from the Lakota language, the words "Paha Sapa," meaning "hills that are black," honor the dark, pine-covered hills rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie. Nearby Jewel Cave is the second longest cave in the world at 159.29 miles. It features sparkling calcite crystals and other rare formations, as well as some of the largest concentrations of passageways in the world. Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate mountainous terrain, while elk, deer and pronghorn gather in forests and prairies. Bald eagles, hawks, osprey, peregrine falcon, and hundreds of other bird species can be found in the forest, especially along streams, lakes and rivers.
Recreation
The forest offers highly accessible recreation for all ages. Visitors can take advantage of opportunities for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on moderate terrain. For those seeking higher elevations, a trek to the summit of nearby Black Elk Peak is worth the effort. Black Elk Peak is the highest natural point in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Most of the summit is bare granite and offers expansive views of the surrounding area. An old stone tower at the top, once used as a fire lookout, is still open to hikers.
Guidebooks for South Dakota and camping across the country
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Comanche Park?
Sites at Comanche Park 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 Comanche Park?
Regular Season: $26/night --- See Off-Season Information
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Comanche Park?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Comanche Park have?
35 sites, including 20 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Comanche Park?
The longest site here provides 71 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 Comanche Park?
Yes, pets are allowed at Comanche Park. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Comanche Park?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Comanche Park?
The forest offers highly accessible recreation for all ages. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Comanche Park is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bismark Lake (9.8 mi), Oreville Campground (10.5 mi), and Iron Creek Horse Camp (12.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby