Mount Rushmore KOA Holiday Review
Campground Overview
Premier KOA Holiday campground just 13 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Full hookups, deluxe patio sites, heated pool, and modern amenities make this the perfect Black Hills basecamp.
📝 TL;DR - Quick Summary
Best For: Families and couples wanting resort amenities near Mount Rushmore
Top Features: Spacious 70-ft pull-throughs with patios, heated pool, fiber WiFi, 13 miles to Mount Rushmore
Price Range: $69-109/night depending on site type and season
Book Ahead: 2-3 months for summer, 6 months for July 4th week
Pro Tip: Request sites in the 200s for Mount Rushmore views through the trees
Bottom Line: Premium KOA worth the price - excellent facilities, friendly staff, perfect Black Hills basecamp
RV Sites & Pricing
Deluxe Patio Pull-Through
Up to 70 feet, 50/30 amp, water, sewer, cable TV, patio with furniture
Book This Site TypePremium Pull-Through
Up to 70 feet, 50/30 amp, water, sewer, cable TV
Book This Site TypeStandard Full Hookup Back-In
Up to 45 feet, 50/30 amp, water, sewer
Book This Site Type💡 Pricing Tips:
- Rates vary by season - June through August is peak season with highest rates
- Weekly rates (7+ nights) save approximately 10% off nightly rate
- Monthly rates offer up to 30% savings (May-September only)
- Good Sam members save 10%, AAA and military discounts honored
- Book 2-3 months in advance for summer, 3-6 months for July 4th week
- Shoulder season (May, September) offers 15-20% lower rates with great weather
Amenities & Features
Nearby Attractions
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Iconic carved presidents - visit at sunrise to beat crowds and see incredible lighting on the monument.
Crazy Horse Memorial
Massive ongoing mountain carving, museum, and cultural center celebrating Lakota leader Crazy Horse.
Custer State Park
71,000-acre park with bison herds, Wildlife Loop Road, and stunning Needles Highway scenic drive.
Needles Highway
Dramatic granite spires and narrow tunnels - NOT for large RVs, but stunning drive in a smaller vehicle.
Hill City
Charming small town with shops, restaurants, 1880 Train rides, and grocery stores for stocking up.
🏙️ Planning Your Black Hills Trip?
Check out our complete Black Hills RV Rental Guide for tips on the best rental companies, driving routes, and 20+ FAQs about RV travel in South Dakota. We also have detailed guides to camping in Custer State Park and Badlands National Park if you're planning a longer trip.
Don't Have an RV Yet?
Rent a quality RV near this campground and start your adventure fully equipped!
🚐 Browse RV Rentals in Hill CityExpert Review
Bottom Line: Mount Rushmore KOA Holiday is hands-down the best full-service campground in the Black Hills region. After staying in all three major campgrounds in the area, this one wins for families and anyone who wants resort amenities after long days exploring. The combination of premium sites, excellent location, and genuinely helpful staff makes it worth the $20-30/night premium over state park camping.
The Sites - Seriously Impressive: We stayed in a deluxe patio site (#247) and were blown away by the space. These 70-foot pull-throughs are what every RV park should aspire to - level concrete pads, 50-amp service, full hookups, and the patio furniture was the game-changer. After hiking all day, sitting outside with a cold drink watching the sunset while the kids played on the grass between sites became our nightly ritual. One funny moment: Our neighbor's awning came loose during a windstorm, and within 10 minutes the KOA maintenance guy was there with tools helping them secure it. That's the kind of service you don't get everywhere.
Pool, Hot Tub & Amenities: The heated pool was spotless and open until 10 PM - perfect for late afternoon swims after morning Mount Rushmore visits. The jumping pillow was a huge hit with kids (and honestly, some adults - guilty as charged). Hot tub fits maybe 8 people comfortably and we never had to wait for a spot, even on busy weekends. The bathrooms were cleaner than some hotels I've stayed in, which says a lot. One small gripe: The showers have coin-op timers ($0.25 for 5 minutes) which feels a bit nickel-and-dimey for a premium campground, but at least they're hot and high-pressure.
WiFi That Actually Works: Here's something rare - the WiFi is genuinely good. Fiber connection upgraded in 2024, and I was able to take Zoom calls from the picnic table (worked from the road one day). Downloaded a movie for the kids with no buffering. Cell service is also excellent (Verizon and AT&T both strong), so you're never disconnected if you need to be online.
Location & Convenience: The 13-mile drive to Mount Rushmore is easy and RV-friendly (no low bridges or tight turns). We did sunrise at the monument (left camp at 5:45 AM, arrived before gates opened at 6 AM) and had the place practically to ourselves. Hill City is 3 miles away for groceries at Lynn's Dakota Mart - we stocked up there instead of paying KOA store prices ($6 for a bundle of firewood vs $8.50 at the store). The 1880 Train depot is also in Hill City - kids loved the two-hour steam train ride.
The Characters We Met: Campground host Dave was a wealth of knowledge - he told us about a "locals only" fishing spot on Sheridan Lake (20 minutes away) where we caught our limit of trout. The couple in site #203 had been coming to this KOA for 15 years straight every July - that kind of loyalty tells you something. One evening there was an impromptu s'mores gathering at the fire pit area where we met full-timers from Texas, retirees from Oregon, and a young couple from Germany on a two-month RV adventure.
Minor Downsides: Sites are closer together than state park camping (maybe 15-20 feet between RVs), so you'll hear your neighbors. During peak season it can feel a bit crowded. The KOA store markup is real - save money by shopping in Hill City or Rapid City first. And if you're looking for a wilderness experience with total solitude, this isn't it - it's more of a resort vibe. But that's exactly what many people want after driving all day.
Pro Tips From Our Stay: Sites 200-250 have partial Mount Rushmore views through the trees (not dramatic but nice for photos). Avoid sites near the entrance (1-50) if you want quiet - there's road noise from US-16. Book deluxe patio sites if you can - the furniture and extra space are worth $10-15/night upcharge. The dump station can get backed up Sunday mornings (everyone checking out), so dump Saturday night or wait until after 11 AM.
Who It's Perfect For: Families with kids who want activities on-site (pool, playground, jumping pillow), couples wanting comfort and convenience over rustic camping, larger RVs needing spacious pull-through sites, and anyone working remotely who needs reliable internet. If you're on a tight budget or want primitive wilderness camping, look at Custer State Park instead - great camping at half the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sites in the 200s cost $10-15/night more for 'Mount Rushmore views' - can you actually see the monument or just trees?
Partial views through trees - you'll see glimpses of the monument between pine branches, not dramatic postcard shots. Sites 247, 251, and 263 have the clearest sightlines (about 30% visible), especially in winter when trees are less dense. Honestly, the premium isn't worth it just for views - you're 13 miles away so it's tiny in the distance. Better reason to book the 200s: They're newer, more level, and farther from highway noise. If you want monument photos, drive there for sunrise. Save the $10/night and book standard sites 300-350.
They claim 'fiber WiFi throughout' - does it actually work from site 350 or only near the office?
WiFi works legitimately well across the entire campground - they upgraded to fiber in 2024 and installed proper repeaters. We got 42 Mbps from site 338 (farthest from office) and 78 Mbps near the pool. Enough for Zoom calls and Netflix streaming simultaneously. HOWEVER: Between 7-10 PM when everyone's online, speeds drop to 15-20 Mbps (still usable but slower). Pro tip: Do video calls before 6 PM or after 10 PM. Verizon cell service is excellent (5 bars) if WiFi gets slow.
The $109/night deluxe patio site vs $79/night standard - is the furniture and extra space actually worth $30 more?
For a weekend, yes. For a week, probably not. The deluxe patio sites (#200-250) include outdoor furniture (table, 4 chairs, glider), concrete patio, and you get 10 feet more space. We stayed in both - the patio furniture was surprisingly comfortable and got used every evening. BUT the standard sites (#300-350) are equally level, have the same hookups, and you can bring your own chairs. If you're on a budget, book standard and spend that $150-210/week savings on Mount Rushmore souvenirs or dinners in Hill City.
They say 'pull-throughs fit 45-foot rigs' - did your 42-footer actually maneuver in comfortably or scrape bottom?
Our 42-foot Class A with tow vehicle fit with 6 feet to spare on the 70-foot pull-throughs (sites 200s-300s). Sites are VERY level - didn't need leveling blocks. Only tight spot: Entering from the main road requires a sharp right turn where low-hanging branches might scrape taller Class As (12+ feet). Ask staff to trim branches if needed. The back-in sites (100s) are tighter - anything over 38 feet will struggle with tree positioning. Pro tip: Request pull-through sites 320-340 for easiest in/out access.
When our AC failed at 9 PM on a Friday, did staff actually respond or were we stuck until Monday?
Camp host responded in 15 minutes with a portable fan and breaker box check. Turned out our 30-amp hookup couldn't handle two ACs - he upgraded us to an empty 50-amp site (no charge) at 9:30 PM. This level of after-hours service is RARE. Office staff also gave us the number for local RV repair (open Saturdays). They genuinely care about solving problems fast. Only downside: No on-site RV repair, so major issues require calling mobile techs.
The pool opens 'Memorial Day to Labor Day' - but is it actually heated in early June or freezing?
Pool is heated to 82°F consistently - we swam comfortably in late May when air temps were only 65°F. Hot tub stays at 102°F year-round. HOWEVER: Pool hours are 8 AM-10 PM, and they WILL kick you out at 10 PM sharp (quiet hours). Jumping pillow is only open noon-8 PM with staff supervision. Mid-August the pool gets crowded 2-5 PM when afternoon thunderstorms clear - go morning or evening for fewer kids.
Sites 100-150 are $15/night cheaper because they're 'near amenities' - is the noise from kids/playground actually a problem?
If you have kids, these sites (#100-150) are perfect - playground, jumping pillow, and pool within 100 feet. Kids can walk there independently (ages 8+). If you DON'T have kids or want quiet, AVOID these sites. We heard playground noise until 8 PM, pool sounds until 10 PM, and kids running between sites until quiet hours. Sites 130-140 get the most foot traffic (path to bathhouse). For peaceful evenings, pay the extra $15/night for sites 300-350 at the back.
The KOA store charges $8.50/bundle for firewood - is there anywhere nearby selling it cheaper?
Yes! Lynn's Dakota Mart in Hill City (3 miles away) sells bundles for $6. Gas station on US-16 near Keystone (8 miles) has oak bundles for $7. If you're staying a week, drive to Hill City and stock up - save $10-15 total. Also buy groceries there instead of paying KOA store markup (milk $2 cheaper, beer $3-4 cheaper per 6-pack). Only reason to buy at KOA: Convenience at 8 PM when you forgot firewood.
Ready to Experience Mount Rushmore KOA Holiday?
Join hundreds of satisfied campers who've made this their home base for exploring South Dakota