Rafter J Bar Ranch Campground

The Rafter J Bar Ranch Campground is located about three miles south of Hill City, SD on Highway 16/385.  It is also 11 miles north of Custer, SD.  The roads into the campground are paved but the interior roads are gravel and in good condition.

This campground has 166 RV sites available.  There are 60 pull thrus with the remainder being backins.  There 135 sites that are full hookups with sewer and 31 sites that are water and electric only.  The electricity is a mixture of 30 and 50 amps.  There are 13 tent sites and 27 rental units available.  Each RV site has a combination fire pit barbecue and a picnic table.  Most of the sites have some shade but a few have no shade at all.

                                                         Amenities

Satellite TV available at base camp only
WiFi available throughout campground
Playground
Very nice basketball court
Nice Volleyball court
Enclosed rec hall
Enclosed game room
Heated Swimming pool and spa
Three areas for restrooms, showers and laundry
Propane available
Gas pumps
Dump Station
Store with gifts, rv supplies and groceries
Snack bar
Daily pancake breakfast
Car rentals
Bicycle rentals
ATM

This is a very unique campground because of it's large physical size.  It is located on what was a 160 acre working ranch.  It has a very interesting history that you can read about on their website.  The campground is divided into six different areas with a lot of open space between the various camp areas.  There is the Base Camp, Cabin Camp, Main Camp, Line Camp, The Island and the Ranch Camp.  The majority of the RV sites are much larger than the average RV sites at the average campground.  The large open areas of this campground help provide for a very quiet setting eventhough there are a lot of families with children when the campground is full.  This in my opinion is the best campground in the Mount Rushmore area.  Open from May1 to October 1.

Contact:  12325 Rafter J Road
Hill City, SD 57745
PH: 605-574-2527

Submitted by Brad & Jane