USDA Forest Service · South Dakota
Willow Creek Horse Camp
USDA Forest Service · South Dakota, United States
- Sites
- 9
- Hookups
- 9 with water, 9 no hookups
- Season
- May 15 to September 30
- Cost
- There are no discounts at this facility. We do not honor the Senior or Access passes.
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 4,980 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · AT&T good · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- WILLOW CREEK CAMP GROUND ROAD (NFSR 355) · crushed aggregate or gravel · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Black Hills National Forest
- Phone
- 605-673-9200
- Activities
- Camping, Hiking, Horseback Riding
8 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
This horse camp is nestled at the confluence of Willow Creek and Palmer Creek near the Black Elk Wilderness area of the Black Hills National Forest. From this campground, hikers and horseback riders can access a network of trails into the backcountry. The campground is within the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. Recently renovated by Forest Service and our Partners, Backcountry Horsemen of America, Willow Creek Campground is a good choice for horse campers.
All campsites 1-9 are horse sites with corrals.
Recreation
Hikers and horseback riders can access the trailhead for the Willow Creek Loop, which provides scenic views of the Black Elk Wilderness. There is also easy access to the Lost Cabin Trail, which offers many views of Black Elk Peak on its descent.
Willow Creek Horse Camp provides a good starting point for a day-long hike or horseback ride to Black Elk Peak and Harney Lookout Tower. Both the Willow Creek Loop and the Lost Cabin Trail connect with the Black Elk Peak Trail.
Natural Features
The Black Hills in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming feature a varied landscape of rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams and deep blue lakes. The Black Elk Wilderness is its only wilderness area, and it sits in the center of Norbeck Wildlife Preserve.
Norbeck is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep and mountain goats. Its most prominent landmark is Black Elk Peak, which, at 7,242 feet, is the highest
point in the country east of the Rockies.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.
Nearby Attractions
Named for South Dakota's former governor and U.S. Senator, the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway offers 70 miles of outstanding sights including Mount Rushmore, which is
only 6 miles from the camp, The Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road and Custer State Park. The Norbeck Overlook provides views of Black Elk Peak and Mount Rushmore.
Charges & Cancellations
No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36° | 19° | -16° | 55° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 37° | 15° | -22° | 61° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 44° | 26° | 1° | 69° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 50° | 30° | 8° | 74° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 61° | 42° | 29° | 82° | 3 of 11 |
| June | 74° | 54° | 43° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 81° | 60° | 48° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 58° | 50° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 75° | 53° | 20° | 86° | 1 of 11 |
| October | 57° | 38° | 16° | 76° | 6 of 10 |
| November | 48° | 32° | 4° | 64° | 8 of 10 |
| December | 37° | 24° | 1° | 57° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Horsethief Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 42 sites
- Oreville Campground · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 26 sites
- Grizzly Bear Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 20 sites
- Sheridan Southside Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi
- Sheridan Lake · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 111 sites
All public campgrounds in South Dakota · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-06-16. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.