Willow Creek Horse Camp
Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota
Sold out? We check Willow Creek Horse Camp for cancellations and email you the moment a site opens.
Cancellation alerts
Sold out for your dates?
Free to start. Email alerts included.
As of October 2026, Willow Creek Horse Camp is a campground in Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota with 9 campsites. Willow Creek Horse Camp is booked through Recreation.gov.
- PermitSnag checks Willow Creek Horse Camp for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
- Willow Creek Horse Camp is located at 43.9031° N, 103.5350° W.
- people allowed on each site
- 8
Willow Creek Horse Camp reservations and next available dates
October 2026
Stay and booking rules
- Taxes apply
Published by Recreation.gov for Willow Creek Horse Camp, read on September 28, 2026.
Campsites at Willow Creek Horse Camp
- Equestrian 9
What an RV fits
- 25 ft2 sites
- 34 ft2 sites
- 35 ft3 sites
- 99 ft2 sites
At a glance: Setting: Mountain.
Things to do: hiking, wildlife, photography, stargazing, horse riding.
All sites at Willow Creek Horse Camp, as listed by Recreation.gov
Every site is in the 1 loop.
| Site | Type | Sleeps | Max RV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Equestrian | 8 | 25 ft |
| 2 | Equestrian | 8 | 25 ft |
| 3 | Equestrian | 8 | 99 ft |
| 4 | Equestrian | 8 | 35 ft |
| 5 | Equestrian | 8 | 35 ft |
| 6 | Equestrian | 8 | 35 ft |
| 7 | Equestrian | 8 | 99 ft |
| 8 | Equestrian | 8 | 34 ft |
| 9 | Equestrian | 8 | 34 ft |
About Willow Creek Horse Camp
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.
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.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (605) 574-4402.
Charges & Cancellations
No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
Rules and notices at Willow Creek Horse Camp
Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 28, 2026. Check Willow Creek Horse Camp on Recreation.gov
Notices from Recreation.gov
FYI: During the off season (from 10/01 until 10/31st) the USFS operates this campground. Their information is listed below:
Black Hills National Forest / Hell Canyon Ranger District
1019 North 5th Street, Custer, SD 57730
Phone 605.673.9200 www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills0
Daily Fee is $15.00 per First Come First Served campsite
Self-Pay at all open campgrounds. The stay limit is 14 days in a 28 day period.
Drinking water is NOT available. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Vault toilets are also available.
Garbage and Trash "Pack It In Pack It Out" at all times.
Please note that roads are not maintained during the off-season. Sites are open until weather prohibits access or closed on the date noted above. (10/31st)
The information listed below is pertinent during the open season from May 15th to September 30th.
•
Sites one - three are now horse sites with corrals!
•
There are no discounts at this facility. We do not honor the Senior or Access passes.
•
These campsites are non-electric sites. Generators may run from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. only.
•
Certified Weed-Free Feed is required for livestock in Willow Creek Horse Camp
In accordance with standard industry practices, ExplorUS will be assessing an additional vehicle fee of $5.00 per night on the second vehicle in each single family campsite, and on the third and fourth vehicle in any double family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site. In the case of motorcycles, the first two are considered to be one vehicle and the third and fourth are also considered to be one vehicle. No additional vehicle fees are collected for bicycles.
•
Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Willow Creek Horse Camp FAQ
How hard is it to get a campsite at Willow Creek Horse Camp?
Willow Creek Horse Camp is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 9 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.
How do I find last-minute availability at Willow Creek Horse Camp?
Cancellations happen frequently at Willow Creek Horse Camp, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.
How many campsites does Willow Creek Horse Camp have?
Willow Creek Horse Camp has 9 campsites.
More campgrounds in Black Hills National Forest
Same forest, same drive. Set an alert on any of them alongside this one.
- Bear Gulch campground availability1 site
- Bismark Lake campground reservations24 sites
- is Boxelder Forks Campground open14 sites
- Sheridan North Cove Grp Cg availability5 sites
- Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin reservations1 site
- is Whitetail campground open18 sites
Campgrounds
Browse Campsites
Monitor campsite availability across federal and state parks. Get alerts when sites open up at sold-out campgrounds.
South Dakota
8 popular campgrounds
- Amsden Dam Lakeside Use Area Campground
- Hugh Glass Lakeside Use Area Campground
- Lake Carthage Lakeside Use Area Campground
- Lake Hiddenwood Recreation Area
- Bismark Lake Campground
- Boxelder Forks Campground
- Cedar Pass Campground
- Cold Brook Campground
California
8 popular campgrounds
- Atwell Mill Campground
- Buckeye Flat Campground
- Canyon View Group Sites
- Cold Springs Campground (Ca)
- Crystal Springs Campground (Ca)
- Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites
- Death Valley Backcountry Roadside Camping
- Indian Cove Group Campground
Oregon
8 popular campgrounds
- Little Crater Lake Campground
- Cave Creek Campground
- Acorn Woman Lakes Campground
- Big Lake West Campground
- Bolan Lake Campground
- Cavitt Creek Falls Recreation Site
- Clearwater Falls Campground
- Cultus Lake Boat In - West Campground
Utah
8 popular campgrounds
- Canyonlands National Park Needles District Campground
- Devils Garden Campground
- Natural Bridges Campground
- North Campground (Ut)
- South Campground (Ut)
- Sunset Campground (Ut)
- Watchman Campground
- Anderson Meadow Campground (Fishlake NF, Ut)
Ohio
8 popular campgrounds
- Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Grand Lake West Bank Marina
- Kiser Lake State Park Kiser Lake Grandview Area Tie Ups Campground
- Lake Logan State Park Lake Logan Marina Beach 1-18 Campground
- Lake Loramie State Park Earls Island Dock Back Campground
- Pike Lake State Park Pike Lake Cabins and Day Use Shelters
- Scioto Trail State Park Stewart Lake Campground
- Buck Creek State Park G Dock Campground
- Buckeye Lake State Park Fairfield Beach a Docks Campground
Minnesota
8 popular campgrounds
- Cass Lake Loop Campground
- Fenske Lake Campground
- Glacial Lakes State Park Lower Campground
- Jeanette Lake Campground
- Lake Bronson State Park Lakeside Extension Campground
- Lake Maria State Park Backpack Campsites
- Lake Shetek State Park Prairie Campground
- Maplewood State Park Grass Lake Campground: Hollow Loop
One tick helps us more than you’d think
Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our campground pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Takes less than a minute.