Elk Mountain Campground campground
Elk Mountain Campground
Nearby points of interest include the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and the Needles Highway. These attractions offer visitors a chance to learn about the history and culture of the area.
The campground amenities include drinking water, picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. There are also several nearby campsites with full hookups for RVs.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the Black Hills are considered sacred to the Lakota Sioux people and are home to several important historical sites. The area is also known for its diverse wildlife, including bison, elk, mountain lions, and black bears.
The best time of year to visit Elk Mountain Campground is from May to September when temperatures range from the 50s to the 80s. However, visitors should be aware that afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer months.
Overall, the Elk Mountain Campground is a beautiful place to camp in the Black Hills National Forest. Visitors can enjoy stunning views, learn about the history and culture of the area, and experience the natural beauty of South Dakota.
What's on-site at Elk Mountain Campground
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Elk Mountain Campground, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Mountain - Wind Cave National Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Rifle Pit | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Cottonwood Springs | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| French Creek Horse Cg | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Blue Bell - Custer State Park | ✓ | ✓ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Elk Mountain Campground -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek Near Pringle | 5 cfs | → |
| Fall R At Hot Springs Sd | 35 cfs | → |
| Beaver Cr Near Buffalo Gap Sd | 3 cfs | → |
| French Cr Above Fairburn Sd | 2 cfs | → |
| Grace Coolidge Cr Nr Game Lodge Nr Custer Sd | 0 cfs | → |
| Cheyenne R Below Angostura Dam Sd | 1 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Elk Mountain Campground -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Custer | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Hill City | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Custer 21.4 W | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Blind Park (Snotel) | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Blind Park | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Wildlife Preserve Norbeck Wildlife Preserve Nat
- Wind Cave National Park
- Custer State Park
- Hot Springs National Cemetery
- Wilderness Black Elk
- Jewel Cave National Monument
Boat launches
- Bismark Lake Road Custer County
- South Boat Ramp Road Fall River County
- Sheps Canyon Road Fall River County
- Fall River County
- County Highway 6d Fall River County
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Elk Mountain Campground as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Elk Mountain Campground
Can I make reservations at Elk Mountain Campground?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Elk Mountain Campground?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Elk Mountain Campground.