Willow Creek Horse Camp
This horse camp is nestled at the confluence of Willow Creek and Palmer Creek near the Black Elk Wilderness area of the Black Hills National Forest. From this campground, hikers and horseback riders can access a network of trails into the backcountry. The campground is within the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. Recently renovated by Forest Service and our Partners, Backcountry Horsemen of America, Willow Creek Campground is a good choice for horse campers. - All campsites 1-9 are horse sites with corrals.
More like this: reservable in South Dakota · big rigs in South Dakota · pets allowed in South Dakota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Equestrian | 9 |
Site guide
9 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 1 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 2 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 3 | Pull-through | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 4 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 5 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 6 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 7 | Back-in | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 8 | Back-in | Gravel | No / No | 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.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 60 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | There are no discounts at this facility. We do not honor the Senior or Access passes. |
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: $30/night --- See Off-Season Information |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Hill City, South Dakota, take US 16/385 south for 7 miles. Go east on State Hwy 244. The campground is located across from the Mt. Rushmore KOA.
| Coordinates | 43.9031° N, 103.5350° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | High Mountain Outfitters ↗ | 10 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 13 mi |
| RV sales & service | Jack's Campers ↗ | 25.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Named for South Dakota's former governor and U.S. Senator, the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway offers 70 miles of outstanding sights including Mount Rushmore, which is only 6 miles from the camp, The Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road and Custer State Park. The Norbeck Overlook provides views of Black Elk Peak and Mount Rushmore.
- 0.4 miWillow Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 1.5 mi
- 3.2 miBreezy Point Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 5.1 miSheridan South Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 11.4 miPactola South Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 12.5 miVeterans Point Fishing Pier ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miWillow Creek #82.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miLost Cabin #2 ↗5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miHarney # 9 North4.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miWillow Creek Rushmore #51.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.3 miKoa 221.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.4 miKoa 210.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.4 miWillow Creek Trailhead ↗Black Hills National Forest
- 1.5 miPalmer Creek Trailhead (Lost Cabin #2) ↗Black Hills National Forest
- 2.5 miBig Pine Trailhead (Centennial #89) ↗Black Hills National Forest
- 2.8 miHorsethief Lake 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
- 1.2 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
On the National Register nearby
- Golden Summit Mine Foreman's CabinBuilding · Hill City · 1.1 mi
- Dam Harney Peak Lookout Tower Pumphouse and StairwaySite · Custer · 2.6 mi
- Harney Peak Tin Mining Company BuildingsBuilding · Hill City · 2.7 mi
Natural features
The Black Hills in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming feature a varied landscape of rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams and deep blue lakes. The Black Elk Wilderness is its only wilderness area, and it sits in the center of Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. Norbeck is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep and mountain goats. Its most prominent landmark is Black Elk Peak, which, at 7,242 feet, is the highest point in the country east of the Rockies.
Recreation
Hikers and horseback riders can access the trailhead for the Willow Creek Loop, which provides scenic views of the Black Elk Wilderness. There is also easy access to the Lost Cabin Trail, which offers many views of Black Elk Peak on its descent. Willow Creek Horse Camp provides a good starting point for a day-long hike or horseback ride to Black Elk Peak and Harney Lookout Tower. Both the Willow Creek Loop and the Lost Cabin Trail connect with the Black Elk Peak Trail.
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 Willow Creek Horse Camp?
Sites at Willow Creek Horse Camp 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 Willow Creek Horse Camp?
There are no discounts at this facility. We do not honor the Senior or Access passes.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Willow Creek Horse Camp?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Willow Creek Horse Camp open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Willow Creek Horse Camp have?
9 sites, including 9 equestrian sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Willow Creek Horse Camp?
The longest site here provides 60 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 Willow Creek Horse Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Willow Creek Horse Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Willow Creek Horse Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Willow Creek Horse Camp?
Hikers and horseback riders can access the trailhead for the Willow Creek Loop, which provides scenic views of the Black Elk Wilderness. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Willow Creek Horse Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Horsethief Lake Campground (2.6 mi), Oreville Campground (4.4 mi), and Grizzly Bear Campground (5.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby