Why? Fishermen will find a variety of fish including sunfish, catfish, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, perch, bream/bluegill, crappie and walleye here. The Centennial trail section of this route was almost too overgrown, so I recommend hiking poles or a good stick to help with the spider webs. 16/385 south 3 miles to State Rt. Lots of poison ivy in the lower areas, so plan ahead with spray or lotion. Great for group events with up to 60 people, there are eight individual tent sites around a central parking area. The Horsethief Lake Trail is 2.8 miles to the end, where you join the Grizzly Bear Creek Trail (Black Hills Trail #7). None of the climbs are overly steep though there were a few large rocks here and there. See the layout of the campground to find your perfect camping site. "The reason a well-behaved dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue." Snow packed and slippery in spots-recommend ice cleats. Beautiful and did the entire thing. Love and hate the trail. An official website of the Its a narrow trail in a lot of parts so pants would be helpful. It feels quite a bit longer than the stated mileage despite not being overly demanding. The trail is named in honor of the former South Dakota governor who crusaded for the trail. Generators may run from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. only. Intermediate Friendly Two require climbing over. Some great views, but also mosquitos and part of the trail is a pond so you will get wet. Towering pine trees provide shade. Some sites in the campground are widely spaced and open up to views overlooking the lake, and others sit snugly along a hillside. Beautiful location and a fun trail. dogs are allowed, Short hike after visiting Mount Rushmore. Otherwise, a beautiful hike! Lots of climb but love the challenge. Turn left onto Rt. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Hiking poles can be helpful. Sign says Wilderness Trail. Custer, SD 57730 It was really nice :) by a creek for a lot of it, saw the profile of Mt. For more information, please visit, Mount Rushmore and Presidential Trail Loop, Horsethief Lake Trailhead to Iron Creek Trailhead, Centennial, Horsethief, Grizzly, Centennial Loop, Rushmore - Black Elk - Cathedral Spires Loop. Lots of fallen trees crossing the trail. Horsethief Lake was created in the 1930s when the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built a dam on Pine Creek. He gave me a last minute booking which was very nice of him. The best times to visit this trail are April through November. If you want a trail that gets you deep into the woods, this is a good one. If you are doing a long loop, extra socks and rain gear can prove helpful. Trail easy to follow some down trees but easy to get over. To make your reservations for the ultimate camping adventure (or just to get more info), be sure to check out the Horsethief Lake Campground page on Recreation.gov. Explore these bookable camps nearby: Bear Den Hang and Stay "Tammy is a great and helpful host! Sites in the campground are widely spaced, and a few offer wide views of the lake. All and all with Mount Rushmoore via the Horsethief Loop trail beginning the hike at Horsethief Lake was around 17 miles. One downside is that it is popular, so you wont have the trail to yourself even in early November. lots of horse poop as people said but dogs are for sure allowed. mostly single track that is sunk into the ground, like a rutt. Write review . Horse Thief Lake is a lake in Pennington County, South Dakota. If multiple sites are reserved on one card, the rest of the camping fee will be collected upon arrival unless another card holder occupies the site. The campground is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water. 244. Hikers and bikers can access the nearby George S. Mickelson Trail, which traverses over 100 miles through the heart of the Black Hills. Up hill the first 2 miles. About 7pm 's ! Route Description There are multiple streams to fill from on the left hand side of the loop while hiking but none around the good camping clearings on the right hand side. Elivation is much more gradual and there are many more beautiful look out spots. Head out on this 3.9-mile loop trail near Custer, South Dakota. Just hiked from Horse Thief Lake to Grizzly Jct. From Hill City, take U.S. Rt. I had never seen that before on a AllTrails hike so thought it was 4 out and back, because usually the distance on here is out and back but not on this trail. Only do the last half mile if youre a perfectionist or you want to use the creek to refill water. Will be back to complete. Car was nice and cool since you can park in the garage. An official website of the Nice trail. Reuter Campground Sundance (Horse Camp) Southern Hills - Custer Beaver Creek Campground Bismark Lake It's one of the best lakes in South Dakota for swimming, so check it out on a hot day! in South Dakota #3,078 Overall. So we wandered around for 15-20 min looking for the trailhead. Trail is in great shape. Located just 5 miles from Hill City, SD, on Hwy 87 South, you will enjoy peaceful,quiet and starry nights by the campfire with no nearby road noise. Generally considered a challenging route. Love South Dakota? Separation, From Hill City, take U.S. Rt. 105 Reviews. Tons of rivers and streams. Share sensitive information only . Black Hills National Forest | Horsethief Lake Campground. Official websites use .gov A .gov Horse Thief Lake See all things to do Horse Thief Lake 4.5 105 reviews #7 of 24 things to do in Keystone Bodies of Water Visit website Call Write a review What people are saying By MsVic " A Photographers Dream! Definitely worth it. We started at HT and couldn't make it to the end of the Mt. All Rights Reserved. Great workout, especially on the way up. Sites are tucked into a forest of towering ponderosa and lodgepole pine. Also, be careful for horse poop! FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Located 10 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota, Horsethief Lake Campground is a delightful setting for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. 16/385 south 3 miles to State Rt. It showcases the most beautiful views in the Black Hills of South Dakota. There are several tent-only and walk-to tent-only sites. Box 1168 Hill City SD 57745, For campground inquiries, please call: 605-673-9200, Learn more about gear rental options for your trip. About a mile down the trail, the Centennial Trail (Black Hills Trail # 89) intersects with the Horsethief Lake Trail, expanding your options for additional hiking. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Hike was great! It's up there! . 0% 0% 0% 25% 75% 0% Add a Photo . Thank you! This trail was not what I expected in the it climbs pretty much throughout till you top out about 2 miles or so in. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Horse Thief Lake Mark Goebel/Flickr The closest lake to Mount Rushmore is hidden among the ponderosa pines at this gorgeous spot. Because of the towering granite spires in the area around Horsethief Lake and elsewhere in the Black Elk Wilderness, rock climbing is quite popular. It was misty and drizzly with many brook crossings and the trail was quite muddy. Travel 5.9 miles to campground sign. I also went the day after it rained, so that could be an influencing factor. Come check out what I suspect could also be the best swimming hole in South Dakota: Its Horsethief Lake, and its an absolute doozy when it comes to incredibly beautiful places in our little corner of the nation. Horse Thief Lake South Dakota, United States 5.0 (3 reviews) Anyone interested in fishing Horse Thief Lake or waters within the wider area around Rapid City should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. Slightly hard to find the path and stay on it and there were parts of the trail that were pretty narrow with some overground weeds but it was beautiful and we didnt see anyone else on the trail! If you like a challenge, this is as tough and remote as the Hills has to offer. A little rocky in spots. The Horsethief Lake Trailhead is at the far end of Horsethief Lake from Highway 244, just 1l5 miles west of Mount Rushmore. Honestly, you dont need to do the last half mile of the trail, its downhill to the creek and a juncture. Despite the overgrowth, the trail was lovely and quiet (with the exception of some occasional helicopters). For more information about the Black Elk Wilderness, check out his link: The Black Elk Wilderness is open to the public all year, except during fire emergencies. Keep your eyes peeled for lots of chipmunk sightings! It is even sandy at times. Plenty of Mosquitoes and Flies along the trail so expect to get bit here and there. The Horsethief Lake Trail trailhead is at theHorsethief Lake Day Use area which is located on State Highway 244, two miles west of Mount Rushmore National Memoral. United States government. Enter dates to check availability. 244. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! A camera is good for all the beautiful scenery you will see on this trail.If you have any thoughts of going off-trail, be sure to include a compass and maybe GPS equipment. Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles are popular in summer and early autumn. Negatives: Continual helicopter noise from the helicopter tours. Lake Oahe JinAbr/Tripadvisor Share sensitive information only This campground is 2 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. We had a nice site overlooking the lake. Horsethief Lake Campground has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. Also added on blackberry trail up to Mt Rushmore. Located 10 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota, Horsethief Lake Campground is a delightful setting for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. In fact, 100 different species of fish call South Dakota home. Lots of muddy spots and some poison oak or ivy on trail but very pretty. 1019 N. 5th Street This campground is 2 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. It is overgrown in some areas, and there were several areas of mud, but easy to get past. ( connected to the .gov website. (14), Climber's Log Entries Close to Mt Rushmore on a little reservoir. Horsethief Lake is located on State Highway 244, two miles west of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Mostly covered in forest and no real great viewpoints, but very few other hikers. the trail was in great shape. There was an INCREDIBLE amount of helicopter and air traffic noises, which was one of my issues. Fun hike with a bunch of cool rock formations. 244. The wind in the trees. South Dakota Senator Peter Norbeck, known for his artistic love of nature, had a wish to develop small, idyllic lakes throughout the Black Hills. Lake-Link Pro Members can get detailed fishing forecasts for up to 10 days in advance and species specific for Horseshoe Lake. loved it. Rushmore side view (and highway side parking lot) that we also did (that has some additional elevation). Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor Rocky, mud, creek crossing, and down trees. The beginning and end are can get rocky with quite a few inclines/downhills spots. Fresh water available with bathrooms nearby. a nice walk with some extra awesome good views if you want to climb a little bit. Mount Rushmore National Memorial charges a fee to park. The trail was somewhat muddy, but not bad at all. Though my two small dogs struggled a little, they really enjoyed their swim in the lake once we got back to the car. No views or resting spots, and its very thick brush right now in that area. I treated this route as an out and back and doubled the miles. It was quite muddy, but with good hiking boots you should be great! Sites are tucked Suggest an Edit Access Drive-In Nice to start and stop with a view of Mt Rushmore and the ability to eat at the Cafe and get icecream at the end of the hike. The rock climbing areas at The Needles/Cathedral Spires and Sunday Gulch are on the opposite side of the Black Elk Wilderness and can be reached by the trail network in the wilderness.The elevation at the trailhead is around 5,000 feet and the highpoint of the trail is around 5,600 feet. August 7, 2020. 605-673-9200, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/blackhills/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=62824&actid=50. Sites are tucked into a forest of towering ponderosa and lodgepole pine. Located 10 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota, Horsethief Lake Campground is a delightful setting for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through My 7yo boy didnt make it far on the actual trail since it was uphill, maybe a mile, but what we saw of it was pretty. The Grizzly Creek section is a bit overgrown, has several deadfalls, and lots of Poison Ivy. Like someone said in another review the trial is 4 miles each way. This is a really nice area to hike with lots of rock features and wildflowers. To find the trailhead, use NPS Rushmore aerial foto. Located just two miles from Mount Rushmore, Horsethief Lake is a great location to catch high-quality trout. There were plenty of little creek crossings along the way so I was relatively easily able to keep my Staffy and Myself nice and cool most of the way. It is approximately two miles northwest of Mount Rushmore, the closest lake to the monument. The good thing is that wandering around was pretty! That ruling will affect how the summit is named on all federal maps in the future. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Definitely a moderate trail. Just watch for the poison ivy. Trailhead is between the hwy and parking lot on gravel road. Trail starts before main parking lot. This campground is 2 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. This campground is 2 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. The second half is used for horse trail rides, and there is leftover evidence of the horses if you know what I mean. (1), Mount Rushmore Keystone Area Lodging Information. You can get more information online at: Black Hills National Forest ServiceHorsethief Lake CampgroundHorsethief Lake Campground on YouTubeOther Camping & Lodging InformationBlack Hills CampgroundsMount Rushmore Keystone Area Lodging Information, View Horsethief Lake Trail Image Gallery - 14 Images. This campground is 2 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. Turn left onto Rt. not deep just helps balance to keep feet dry. Black Hills National Forest Hwy 385 South, Keystone, SD. If you're traveling west on 244, you'll see the parking area for the trailhead on your right shortly after passing the entrance to the Horsethief Lake Campground. Nice trail, bit too narrow at times (bushes up to 6 feet) except for helicopters (way too noisy). Turn right at sign into campground. The first 100 meters or so are pure ice on an incline, so be careful on the start/finish and consider ice cleats! Starting at lake makes it a treat to see Rushmore. Sites are tucked into a forest of towering ponderosa and lodgepole pine. Definitely easier coming back to the parking lot but lots of water for dogs and resting areas. Horse Thief Lake, Mount Rushmore UT, SD 57751, USA 5. Type: STANDARD NONELECTRIC. Besides that the trail is beautiful, we started on the side by the lake and the beginning was up hill and the rest was down hill. Most of the summit is bare granite and offers expansive views of the surrounding area. Only car in lot at 8 am on a weekday in late June. If you've got the time and energy I would recommend this hike to anyone willing to put in the work. Be sure to bring enough water to camp. This campground is 2 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. Pretty moderate .. this app helped with a few of the forks in the road! Worth it :). Pretty easy walk. United States. The Horsethief Lake Trail is a 2.7 mile long trail that wanders through granite peaks and twisting spires that poke through the thick forest canopy. Trees common in the wilderness include Ponderosa pine, spruce, birch, aspen and a few hardwoods. Nearby attractions Turn left onto Rt. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Gorgeous. " Jun 2022 Drive very carefully cause we saw lots of deer and Elk everywhere! The lake's name is derived from the fact a gang of horse thieves operated there.[1]. Hikers are required to register (free) at the trailhead for the Black Elk Wilderness. The Big Pine trailhead is located about 30 minutes from Rapid City on Route 244, approximately three miles west of Mount Rushmore and 1/2 mile west of Horsethief Lake. 24 7. No rush, took it nice and easy with plenty of breaks for water and a quick snack. rather than, Dutchman Campground, located in a shady Ponderosa pine forested area on the northeast edge of Deerfield Reservoir at 5,000 feet. It was around 11.5 miles of beautiful Black Hills scenery with multiple rock outcroppings, creeks, ponderosa pine, birch trees & wonderful wild flowers. Turn right at sign into campground. Saw only 2 people in 7 miles. Horsethief Lake is gorgeous. It is technical in some parts if you're a runner. connected to the .gov website. and reservations. It is approximately two miles northwest of Mount Rushmore, the closest lake to the monument. The whole package really is something special, and I can't help but feel a little bit of pride that it's ours. This camp is an ideal setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. I (novice hiker) and two friends (novice hiker and intermediate hiker) set out on the trail starting from Horse Thief at the recommendation of a park ranger at Rushmore. An old stone tower at the top(Harney Lookout Tower), once used as a fire lookout, is still open to hikers. I would complete the trail again. The Centennial Trail part of the loop had some isolated downed trees along the trail, but only one presented a challenge navigating over. A pet fee of $2 per pet per night is required upon check in. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, I've done HT in the summer and it's always a solid choice, but didn't feel like breaking an ankle today! Peaceful shaded trail along creek with small waterfall with a peep a boo view of mountains. Horse Thief Lake. Situated in a heavily forested area adjacent to Cook Lake, this campground is a peaceful setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in the Black Hills National Forest in Wyoming. Rushmore side due to the last 1/2 mile being basically an ice luge. on official, secure websites. outside parking structure 5. Bighorn sheep navigate mountainous terrain, while elk, deer and pronghorn gather in forests and prairies. Sites in the. Accessibility: Accessible fishing access Recreation Map Map showing recreational areas. Black Hills National Forest Map Information Activities Hiking Where are your favorite places to go swimming in South Dakota? Great trail overall, but just be aware it is very icy in the shade and muddy in the sun. This campground is 2 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. We backpacked it over two days and camped half way about 5.5 miles in on a hill that we could see Mt. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. If you are here for only 1-2 days, there are better hikes. The CCC worked on numerous conservation projects in the Black Hills National Forest. United States government. ) or https:// means you've safely Horse Thief Lake is a reservoir located just 10.6 miles from Custer, in Pennington County, in the state of South Dakota, United States, near Kennedyville, SD. These campsites are non-electric sites. The kind of gear you would want to take will vary greatly, depending on whether you are just doing an out-and-back, or are planning to spend some serious time camping or climbing in the Black Elk Wilderness.The simple and short hikes will probably only require water, good footwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, your trail map, and maybe a hat. Sites are tucked, Horsethief Lake Campground is located in South Dakota. You have to cross the hwy. States east of the Rocky Mountains. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Great views of granite ridges and spires about halfway to Grizzly Creek from Horsethief lake. Took us almost 4 hrs for the whole loop. Rolling ascents and recents. Sort by: Koby McMahon . The campground is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water. These are free at the Norbeck Visitors Center, Mount Rushmore, Sylvan Lake, or the visitors centers at Custer, Hill City, and Keystone.The Horsethief Lake Trail and the Black Elk Wilderness lie in the Mount Rushmore USGS Quad. Not so many sightings of people, as there was no one else on the trail during my Friday morning hike. The best times to visit this trail are April through October. Possible day trips include Custer State Park with its many Buffalo and other wildlife, Crazy Horse Monument and Wind Cave National Park as well as Jewel Cave which is the second longest cave in the world at 159.29 miles. I missed the turn back to horse thief lake so added on a couple miles once I figured that out. Went counter clockwise, more of a steady incline. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Non-reservable sites may be available on a first come-first serve basis. Drinking water is available but you CANNOT hook up for filling.
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