Iron Creek Horse Camp
Located 13 miles outside Custer, South Dakota, Iron Creek Horse Camp offers a peaceful setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in Southeastern South Dakota's Black Hills National Forest. The camp is adjacent to Iron Creek and surrounded by Ponderosa pine forests. Horse enthusiasts will find this setting ideal for exploring wilderness areas and historical sites.
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 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
9 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 002 | Pull-through | Gravel | 4 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Pull-through | Gravel | 4 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | Pull-through | Gravel | 4 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | Pull-through | Gravel | 4 / 1 | |
| 006 | Pull-through | Gravel | 4 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | Pull-through | Gravel | 4 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | Pull-through | Gravel | 4 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Pull-through | Gravel | 4 / 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 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | There is no discount for this campground. We do not honor the Senior or Access passes. |
This campground has 9 equestrian sites and corrals that can accommodate to 2-3 horses. Sites have picnic tables, campfire rings with grills, vault toilets and parking areas. Drinking water and electricity are not available. Water tanks specifically for horses are available. Access roads to Iron Creek Horse Camp are curvy and the sites can accommodate rigs up to 50 feet in length. For larger rigs, please use Willow Creek Horse Camp.
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
To access the Iron Creek Horse Camp from Custer, travel east on US Highway 16A for approximately 9 miles. Turn left, or north, onto State Highway 87 and travel approximately 6 miles to FSR 345. Turn right, or north, onto FSR 345. Turn left into the campground.
| Coordinates | 43.8183° N, 103.4739° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 6.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | High Mountain Outfitters ↗ | 7.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Jack's Campers ↗ | 31 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Iron Creek Campground review
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. Nearby riding trails treat users to beautiful views throughout their many miles.
- 1.4 mi
- 2.5 mi
- 4.3 miLakota Lake Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 4.9 miBreezy Point Picnic Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.5 miCentennial on Hell ↗10.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miGrizzly #7 ↗6.3 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2 miCentennial Bypass 89B1.7 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2 miNorbeck #3 ↗5.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.3 miIron Mtn #161.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.6 miIron Creek #152.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.4 miGrizzly Bear Creek Trailhead (Trail #7) ↗Black Hills National Forest
- 2.5 miIron Creek West Trailhead (Trail #15) ↗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
- 0.3 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
- Peter Norbeck Summer HouseBuilding · Custer · 1.6 mi
- Badger HoleBuilding · Custer · 4.3 mi
- Galena Creek Schoolhouse (Additional Documentation)Building · Custer · 4.4 mi
Natural features
Stretching across northeastern Wyoming and western South Dakota, 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 Black Elk Wilderness lies in the center of the Black Hills National Forest in western South Dakota. The wilderness encompasses the Harney Range, an area long held sacred by American Indians. The wilderness is named after Black Elk, a Oglala Lakota holy man, and is the only wilderness in the Black Hills. 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
Black Hills National Forest offers visitors a multitude of recreational opportunites throughout all seasons. Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles are popular in summer and early autumn. Winter landscapes are ideal for snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling. From this campground, visitors can access the Centennial Trail, and parts of the Black Elk Wilderness and Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. Trails weave through the wilderness offering primitive, non-motorized recreational experiences.
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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 Iron Creek Horse Camp?
Sites at Iron 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 Iron Creek Horse Camp?
There is no discount for this campground. We do not honor the Senior or Access passes.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Iron Creek Horse Camp?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Iron Creek Horse Camp open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Iron Creek Horse Camp have?
10 sites, including 9 equestrian sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Iron Creek Horse Camp?
The longest site here provides 50 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 Iron Creek Horse Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Iron Creek Horse Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Iron Creek Horse Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Iron Creek Horse Camp?
Black Hills National Forest offers visitors a multitude of recreational opportunites throughout all seasons. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Iron Creek Horse Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bismark Lake (3.3 mi), Grizzly Bear Campground (5 mi), and Horsethief Lake Campground (5.3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby