KOA
Mount Rushmore KOA Holiday
Hill City, South Dakota · (487 reviews)
We pulled in after the evening lighting ceremony at Mount Rushmore, and the thing that sold us on this KOA was how little driving the next three days took. From the patio site on the back loop, the memorial was 20 minutes one way, Crazy Horse 18 the other, and Custer State Park’s wildlife loop a half-hour south. In a region where the temptation is to move camp every night, Mount Rushmore KOA Holiday is the rare basecamp that lets you leave the rig leveled and just day-trip the Black Hills.
Is it a good basecamp for the Black Hills?
Yes — it’s the best single basecamp for the southern Black Hills, because the three headline sights sit inside a 25-minute radius. Mount Rushmore is 13 miles, Crazy Horse Memorial 11, Custer State Park 18, and the Needles Highway scenic drive about 22. You set up once and day-trip everything, which beats the constant tear-down-and-tow that the Black Hills tempts you into.
What does it cost, and does that price hold?
When we researched rates in July 2026, sites ran about $69–$109/night — but KOA pricing moves with season and demand, so read that as a snapshot, not a promise. The spread tracks site class:
| Site type | Approx. rate (as of July 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Patio Pull-Through | ~$99–$109 | Up to 70 ft, 50/30 amp, full hookup, cable, patio furniture |
| Premium Pull-Through | ~$89–$99 | Up to 70 ft, 50/30 amp, full hookup, cable |
| Standard Full-Hookup Back-In | ~$79–$89 | Up to 45 ft, 50/30 amp, water/sewer |
| Basic Back-In (water/electric) | ~$69–$79 | 30 amp, water only, no sewer |
Rates are highest around the early-August Sturgis rally and lowest in the May and September shoulders. Confirm the live number when you book — see our RV rental cost guide for how nightly rates fit a whole-trip budget.
Which site should you request?
The back-loop patio pull-throughs are the ones to ask for; the entrance-road back-ins are the ones to avoid. Site choice matters more here than at a typical KOA because the park stretches along the access road.
- Request: a Deluxe Patio pull-through on the 400 loop — they back to the pines and go quiet once the pool closes.
- Avoid: the basic water/electric back-ins near the entrance; arriving rigs roll past until dark.
- For the lighting ceremony: the front-of-park sites trim about 10 minutes off the exit, worth it if you’re doing the memorial after sunset.
Who is it best for?
Families in summer and big-rig owners year-round. The heated pool, hot tub, and jumping pillow (Memorial Day–Labor Day) make it a strong family pick, and the 70-foot pull-throughs with 50-amp full hookups take the widest rigs in the southern Hills. Shoulder-season travelers lose the pool but keep the location and the quiet.
Bottom line
If you’re doing the southern Black Hills by RV, this is the basecamp: one setup, three marquee sights inside 25 minutes, and hookups that fit any rig. Book a back-loop patio site several months ahead for summer, treat the posted rate as a moving target, and day-trip from there. See our Black Hills city guide and South Dakota state guide to round out the trip.
Which sites to request
- Ask for a Deluxe Patio pull-through on the 400 loop — they back to the pines and stay quiet after the pool closes.
- Skip the basic water/electric back-ins near the entrance road; you hear every rig rolling in until dark.
- If you want the shortest drive to the evening lighting ceremony, the front-of-park sites shave 10 minutes off the exit.
Pros
- 13 miles to Mount Rushmore and 11 to Crazy Horse — the best single basecamp for the southern Black Hills
- Deluxe patio sites are genuinely spacious (up to 70 ft) with real patio furniture, not a slab
- Heated pool, hot tub, and a jumping pillow make it a strong family pick
Cons
- Peak-summer rates are steep for the region, and the good patio sites book out months ahead
- The pool is seasonal (Memorial Day–Labor Day) — shoulder-season stays lose that draw
- Entrance-road sites get road noise; site choice matters here more than at most KOAs
Amenities
- Full Hookups (50/30/20 amp)
- Free WiFi Throughout Park
- Heated Swimming Pool (Memorial Day–Labor Day)
- Hot Tub
- KOA Store & Gift Shop
- Laundry Facilities
- Playground & Jumping Pillow
- Pet Friendly (max 2 pets)
- Dump Station
- Propane Refill
- Deluxe Patio Sites
- Fire Rings & Picnic Tables
- Cable TV at Select Sites
- Bike Rentals
Plan the rest of the trip
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Mount Rushmore KOA Holiday from the memorial?
About 13 miles, a 20-minute drive. It's also 11 miles (18 min) to Crazy Horse Memorial and 18 miles (25 min) to Custer State Park, which is why it works as a single basecamp for the southern Black Hills rather than moving camps.
What does it cost to stay at Mount Rushmore KOA?
When we researched rates in July 2026, sites ran roughly $69–$109/night depending on class and date — basic water/electric back-ins at the low end, deluxe patio pull-throughs at the top. KOA rates move seasonally and by demand, so treat that as a research-date snapshot and confirm live pricing when you book.
Can big rigs fit at Mount Rushmore KOA?
Yes. The premium and deluxe pull-throughs take up to 70 feet with 50/30 amp, full hookups, and cable at select sites. Standard back-ins handle up to 45 feet. It's one of the more big-rig-friendly parks in the southern Black Hills.
Which sites should you request?
Ask for a deluxe patio pull-through on the back loops (the 400 loop backs to pines and stays quiet after the pool closes). Avoid the basic water/electric back-ins near the entrance road — they catch road noise from arriving rigs until dark.
Is the pool open year-round?
No — the heated pool and hot tub run Memorial Day through Labor Day. A shoulder-season stay (May or September) still gets you the location and hookups but loses the pool, which is a big part of the family draw here.
When should you book for summer?
For July and August, book several months ahead. The deluxe patio sites are the first to go, and the Black Hills summer season (Sturgis in early August especially) tightens availability across the region.