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Custer/Blue Bell
Overview
Located within the iconic Custer State Park, Custer/Blue Bell offers travelers a serene escape among majestic ponderosa pines. This destination is well-regarded for its peaceful atmosphere and its ability to provide an authentic Black Hills experience. Unlike more commercialized resorts, this park focuses on the natural beauty of South Dakota, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the forest while remaining close to modern conveniences.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in the southern portion of the state park near the town of Custer, SD, the campground sits at an elevation that keeps it cool and refreshing. The surrounding landscape is defined by rolling hills and granite outcrops, providing a stunning backdrop for every campsite. It is conveniently positioned near the Wildlife Loop Road, where visitors often spot bison, burros, and pronghorn wandering through the grasslands just minutes from their RV door.
Amenities & Park Features
Custer/Blue Bell provides a comfortable balance between rustic camping and necessary modern amenities. Key features include:
- Electric hookups available at many sites for RV convenience.
- Access to modern shower facilities and drinking water stations.
- Proximity to the Blue Bell Lodge for dining and basic supplies.
Each site is equipped with a fire ring and picnic table, encouraging guests to enjoy the outdoors. The park is designed to maintain a spacious feel between sites to preserve guest privacy.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The campground serves as an ideal basecamp for exploring the Black Hills. You can easily access the Needles Highway for a scenic drive through narrow tunnels and spire-like rock formations. For those interested in history and monumental art, both Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial are within a short driving distance. On-site, visitors can enjoy guided horseback trail rides departing directly from the nearby stables, offering a unique perspective of the rugged terrain.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for nature enthusiasts and families who prioritize scenic views and wildlife sightings over commercial resort features. It is perfect for RVers seeking a quiet, forest-integrated stay where the evening entertainment consists of a crackling fire and stargazing. Travelers who enjoy hiking, photography, or horseback riding will find this location particularly rewarding due to its direct access to some of the state's best trail systems and natural wonders.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Rentals
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Nikki Rohde (OutThisDoor)
Love this park! This visit we stayed at the Blue Bell Campground just for the night before they closed for the season. This campground is very forested and shady. Roads among the campsites are tight but we did fine in our 27 ft 5th wheel. Pads are pack dirt/gravel, back in and we had plenty of room. Site are not private and it's a bit packed in. Even at the end of the season there were quite a few campers. Restrooms and shower house was open and warm and clean. Lots of wildlife, deer especially. In addition to a range of camp site types there are also several cabins to rent which look like bunk houses inside with table and grill outside. Dump station and trash service. Horseback ride concessioner at this campground along with restaurant, gas, store, lodge and more during the season but there were closed by end of October. Dogs are welcome, on a leash. We took them to the Blue Bell Picnic area to run off leash within voice command (making sure there were no wildlife for them to chase, especially bison!). The picnic area has a large pull-through lot, covered picnic area, creek, footbridge, and trash service.
Ashley Rowe
Wonderful campground. Very safe for two female tent campers. Bathrooms were sparkling! With free showers. The surrounding park is beautiful. Highly recommend!!! Dog friendly was a plus!
Dawn J
Blue Bell Campground is located near Blue Bell Lodge in Custer State Park off Highway 87. This is a smaller campground with electric hookups. There are also some tent sites with no electric. Water is available via handpumps. A dump station is near the entrance. There is a very nice and clean bath house central to the campground. The campground also has small, one-room cabins for rent. Sites are spacious and mostly level. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. The trees provide plenty of shade. The camp hosts greeted us upon arrival and answered all our questions about the campground and area. There is a small general store at the road. A small laundry with washers and dryers is hidden in a room behind the general store. There are other campgrounds more centrally located in Custer off of Highway 16A. Although we had a little bit more of a drive to some of the points of interest in the park. We were less than 5 minutes from the end of the Wildlife Loop and in a less busy area of the park.
Haley Meinke
We absolutely LOVED our stay here! We stayed in Cabins 15&16 and I would 100% stay in them again. The mattresses were a lot more comfortable than we anticipated, they were so clean and perfect for what we needed. The AC unit and lights were a huge plus! The staff was so friendly, the bathrooms were very clean and they even had hot water in the showers.
Aimlame
Really great cabin camping experience. Perfect for the cold weather I had one of the days of my visit. The campsites are spaced out really well, it provided a lot of privacy and space to do your thing. The cabins were well built and stayed super warm during the visit. The site was quiet and peaceful, lots of trees and grass space. Bathrooms, trash dump, and playground all within quick walk/drive. Everything seemed well kept. Would definitely stay again! Also pet friendly which is awesome. My boys definitely loved the cabin as well and it was nice to have a place to keep them safe while I went off to hike and explore some!