A Deadwood SD Campground With Room to Breathe

Why campers pick us over camping in town

Most people searching for Deadwood SD campgrounds want two things at once: easy access to Deadwood, and a campsite that actually feels like the Black Hills. Custer Crossing Family Campground sits on Hwy 385 between Deadwood and Pactola Reservoir, about 15 miles (roughly 25 minutes) from downtown. That's close enough to head in for the history, the shops, and dinner on Main Street, and far enough out that your night ends around a campfire instead of next to traffic.

Because we sit in the middle of the northern and central Hills, the same site that works for a Deadwood weekend also works for a full week. Sturgis is about 40 minutes away, Rapid City about 45, and Mount Rushmore about 55. You can do Deadwood one day and the faces the next without packing up camp.

What is at camp

• About 20 full-hookup RV sites, about 11 camping cabins, and tent sites
• Custer's Last Meal, our on-site restaurant (see the menu page)
• Camp store, fuel, and propane right at the entrance
• UTV rentals on site
• Wi-Fi across the whole park
• Dogs welcome (dog-friendly camping details)

Choose whatever fits your crew: hook up the RV, book a cabin if you'd rather skip the setup, or pitch a tent. Every stay is booked online, and the booking page shows live availability and exact pricing for your dates.

Things to do in and around Deadwood

Deadwood started as a gold camp in 1876, and the whole town is a National Historic Landmark. A few stops campers keep coming back for:

• Main Street Deadwood: restored brick buildings, museums, saloons, and gaming halls in a walkable downtown.
• Mount Moriah Cemetery: the hillside resting place of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, with views over town.
• Lead: Deadwood's neighbor, home of the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center overlooking the old Homestake Mine's open cut.
• The Mickelson Trail: its northern end is in Deadwood. See our Mickelson Trail camping guide.
• Pactola Reservoir: about 20 minutes south of camp, the largest and deepest reservoir in the Black Hills National Forest.

Drive times from camp

• Deadwood and Lead: about 15 miles, roughly 25 minutes
• Pactola Reservoir: about 13 miles, roughly 20 minutes
• Sturgis: about 29 miles, roughly 40 minutes
• Rapid City: about 28 miles, roughly 45 minutes
• Hill City: roughly 40 minutes; Keystone: roughly 45 minutes
• Mount Rushmore: about 33 miles, roughly 55 minutes
• Crazy Horse Memorial: about 38 miles, roughly 1 hour 5 minutes
• Spearfish: roughly 45 minutes
• Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP): roughly 1 hour 5 minutes

These are typical summer drive times. Hwy 385 is a winding mountain road, so give yourself extra time after dark and watch for deer.

Planning tips for a Deadwood camping trip

Summer weekends and the weeks around the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally fill up first, so book early if your dates are fixed. If you're coming for the rally, read our Sturgis Rally camping page.

Do your grocery and supply run in Rapid City or Spearfish if you have a big list. For the basics, firewood questions, fuel, and propane, the camp store has you covered. After a day in town, Custer's Last Meal saves you from cooking.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

More answers on our campground FAQ.