Black Hills · South Dakota

Beaver Lake Campground

Beaver Lake Campground is a private, family-oriented campground three miles from Custer, South Dakota, in the southern Black Hills. It is a 19-acre pine-shaded park with around 110 sites spread across full-hookup, water/electric and electric-only inventory, plus cabins. In our Black Hills guide it is the quieter, well-located mid-size alternative to the big Rushmore-area resorts, and it suits families and couples who want a calm base near Custer State Park and the caves without a lot of resort noise.

Beaver Lake Campground at a glance

Hookups Full and partial (water/electric, electric-only) available
Sites ~110 across hookup types, plus cabins
Max RV length Varies by site; call for big rigs
Cost Approx. $45–70/night (approximate)
Reservations Direct
Best for A quieter, well-located base near Custer and the caves

Why RVers stay here

Beaver Lake Campground is a private, family-oriented campground three miles from Custer, South Dakota, in the southern Black Hills. It is a 19-acre pine-shaded park with around 110 sites spread across full-hookup, water/electric and electric-only inventory, plus cabins. In our Black Hills guide it is the quieter, well-located mid-size alternative to the big Rushmore-area resorts, and it suits families and couples who want a calm base near Custer State Park and the caves without a lot of resort noise.

Hookup mix means you can choose full service or save with electric-only; rates run approximately $45 to $70 per night, and reservations are direct with the campground. Big rigs should call, because rig fit varies by site and our guide does not publish a maximum. Location is the selling point: roughly 9 miles to Jewel Cave, 9 to Crazy Horse and 10 to Custer State Park's Needles and Sylvan Lake. Summer is peak in the Black Hills, so book ahead. The trade-off is that it is a mid-size family park rather than a full amenity resort, and exact hookups depend on the site you land.

  • Quiet, pine-shaded setting only three miles from Custer
  • Roughly 9 miles to Jewel Cave and Crazy Horse, 10 to the Needles and Sylvan Lake
  • Choice of full, water/electric or electric-only sites, plus cabins for mixed groups
  • Family-oriented mid-size park at approximately $45-$70 per night
  • !Rig fit varies by site; big rigs should call before booking
  • !Rates in our guide are approximate; confirm current pricing
  • !Not a full amenity resort if that is what you are after

What our guides say about Beaver Lake Campground

Excerpts from the RV Parks Guide articles that cover this campground. Each links to the full guide.

Regional guide

Black Hills RV Parks: Where to Camp Near Mount Rushmore

A 19-acre pine-shaded park just three miles from Custer, with around 110 sites — full-hookup, water/electric, and electric-only — plus cabins. Roughly 9 miles from Jewel Cave, 9 from Crazy Horse, and 10 from Custer State Park's Needles and Sylvan Lake. A friendly, family-oriented mid-size option in a quieter setting than the big resorts.

Renting an RV for this trip? Compare rigs, prices, and pickup locations on RVshare and Outdoorsy — both let you filter by rig size, dates, and location.

Read the guide →

Our verdict

Book Beaver Lake if you want a quieter, well-placed family campground near Custer with a choice of hookup levels. Skip it if you want a big amenity-heavy resort or need guaranteed big-rig space without a phone call.

Beaver Lake Campground: frequently asked questions

Does Beaver Lake Campground have full hookups?

Yes, full-hookup sites are available alongside water/electric and electric-only sites. Specify which you need when reserving.

How much does Beaver Lake Campground cost per night?

Approximately $45-$70 per night depending on hookup type. Confirm current rates directly with the campground.

What is the max RV length at Beaver Lake Campground?

It varies by site and our guide does not list a maximum. Call with your full length if you run a big rig.

How far is Beaver Lake Campground from Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore?

About 10 miles to Custer State Park's Needles and Sylvan Lake, 9 to Crazy Horse and 9 to Jewel Cave; the campground is three miles from Custer. Our guide does not publish the Mount Rushmore drive time.

Do you need reservations at Beaver Lake Campground?

Reservations are direct with the campground, and Black Hills summers are busy, so book ahead.

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