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Black Hills/Sheridan Lake South Shore
Overview
Nestled within the expansive beauty of the Black Hills National Forest, Sheridan Lake South Shore provides a classic outdoor experience for travelers. This Forest Service destination serves as a peaceful retreat for those who appreciate the quiet rustle of ponderosa pines and immediate access to one of the region’s largest bodies of water. This location provides a rugged and rewarding way to experience the South Dakota wilderness, focusing on a traditional camping atmosphere where the natural landscape remains the primary draw for every visitor.
Location & Surroundings
The campground is situated along the southern banks of Sheridan Lake, roughly 20 miles southwest of Rapid City, South Dakota. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and dense evergreen forests, offering plenty of shade and a sense of seclusion from the city. Its proximity to the historic Flume Trail makes it a prime spot for hikers who want to explore the remnants of the mining era while enjoying panoramic views of the water and surrounding granite peaks.
Amenities & Park Features
As a National Forest site, the amenities here are designed for self-contained RVs and those seeking a rustic stay. The park features specific layouts to enhance your forest experience:
- Paved parking pads designed to accommodate various rig lengths.
- Centralized vault toilets and potable water stations throughout the loops.
- Individual fire rings and heavy-duty picnic tables at every site.
- Convenient boat launch and fishing pier access for water enthusiasts.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Water recreation is the highlight of this location, with the lake providing excellent opportunities for trout and perch fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. For those looking to explore the broader region, the park is a short drive from iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Families often enjoy the nearby swimming beach on the north shore, while the surrounding forest service roads offer miles of exploration for mountain bikers.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for boondocking enthusiasts and RVers who prefer natural beauty over modern luxury resorts. It is a fantastic choice for families who enjoy water sports and hikers looking for a quiet basecamp near the region's best trails. If you travel in a self-contained rig and want to wake up to the sounds of nature rather than highway traffic, this tranquil lakeside setting will perfectly suit your travel style.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Lisa Nold
Loved this campground. Very clean and staff helpful and informative. Quiet. My only wish is that they would further limit hours that generators are allowed.
Laura Moore
Boondockers only! No generators at night! No showers houses or water hookups or dump station! No signal! That being said the scenery is beautiful and the hosts are very kind. Site we were initially booked on our rv couldn’t even level on. We won’t return as we prefer at least some access to water sewer and electrical and our 47 foot rig was far to big for these small slanted spots…
Nick Mills
Even though it was a rainy trip, Sheridan lake was beautiful and quiet! Just note- camp host are volunteers and are very nice but also still learning their ways too….so it can be a little slower at first. Close to Rapid City and Mount Rushmore…I would totally go back again!
Jonathan Scott Turner
This is Noah B from ND. He caught his first bass. I told him I'd post his picture. I hope you find it Noah. Nice fish and God bless!
Hayley Peerless
Only complaint was the condition of the outhouses, otherwise beautiful campsite
Tyler Folger
Says it has fresh water at the site, but does not allow RVs to hook up and fill up. Roads are super tight. But overall a nice campground with access to the lake
Daniela Ochoa Gonzalez
Clean, easy access all camping neighbors we encountered were super kind. Wood sold on sight. Conveniently close to Rushmore and Crazy Horse! 👍
Parker Alsteens
I've road-tripped to this campground numerous times from Wisconsin and there's a reason why I keep coming back. It's a very quiet and clean campground. You will not find the typical obnoxious tourist who comes here, is loud the whole time, then leaves their campsite a mess when they leave. The facilities are clean and the lake (along with the surrounding area) are beautiful! Plus, there is plenty to do in the nearby town of Hill City, SD. I will continue to road trip here!
Erica Rude
We had site 32, which was nice and shaded. My main issue was the fact that even though there was water available on site, all handles were taken off so you had to go to a campground a few miles down the highway to fill up. We had to pay $5. This also applied to dumping, which cost $15. There was full hook up sites yet no dump station according to the staff, which didn't add up to us. The vaulted toilets were fly infested and barely usable. I would not recommend staying here more than a night if that.
Ashley White
The water was like glass when we arrived around 8. We saw cranes, turtles, minnows, goose and goslings. The absolute highlight as far as wildlife goes is that we saw a bald eagle swoop down, catch a fish and fly back to its nest. Phenomenal. We rented kayaks, which were Old Town Vapor Anglers. The kayaks were tippy and didn’t track well, but we would rent them again. As of 5/17 park admission is $7 for a day pass. The road to north shore was under construction and appeared closed but was definitely open for you to get to the boat rentals.