Sundance
Black Hills National Forest
Located at the foothills of Bear Lodge Mountain Range, Sundance Horse Camp is a favorite among horse enthusiasts. It makes an ideal base for enjoying recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. Expansive grassy areas offer scenic views of the valley and surrounding hills. The Sundance Trailhead is located adjacent to the campground, providing access to miles of non-motorized trails suitable for hiking, biking, and equestrian use.
Sundance Campground has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. Sites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings. Electrical hook-ups are not available.
This is a traditional campground with horse use facilities, including large parking areas, corrals, feed bunks, and an accessible rider loading ramp. Metal hitching rails located at the north end of the campground are visible from all campsites.
Several trailheads for horseback riding are located at this campground.
Need to Know
Natural Features
Stretching across northeastern Wyoming and western South Dakota, Black Hills National Forest encompasses nearly 1.25 million acres of rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and unique caves.
Derived from the Lakota language, the words "Paha Sapa," meaning "hills that are black," honor the dark, pine-covered hills rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie.
Bighorn sheep navigate mountainous terrain, while elk, deer and pronghorn gather in forests and prairies. Bald eagles, hawks, osprey, peregrine falcon, and hundreds of other bird species can be found in the forest, especially along streams, lakes and rivers. Mountain lions, although rarely seen, also call this area home.
Nearby Attractions
Warren Peak Lookout Tower, approximately 4 miles north of the campground on FSR 838, provides a panoramic view of South Dakota and Wyoming.
Devils Tower National Monument is also a great location to visit. Established as the first United States National Monument on September 24, 1906, by President Theodore Roosevelt, this unique geological formation is valued for its natural, cultural, and recreational significance.
Recreation
Black Hills National Forest offers a multitude of recreational opportunites throughout all seasons. Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles are popular in summer and early autumn. Winter landscapes are ideal for snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling.
The popular Sundance Trail System can be accessed from this area. The secluded trails of this system weave through a network of densely forested canyons and open ridges that form the Bear Lodge Mountains. Some ridge tops look out to the Custer Expedition
Route, Devils Tower, and the Twin Missouri Buttes. Elk, deer and turkey are some of the more common wildlife seen along the trail.
Parts of the trail system have existed since the 1800s. As routes to reliable water and the only access to some parts of the Bear Lodge Mountains, they played a key role in the rich mining history of the area.
The trail system is maintained for hiking, horseback riding, bicycling and cross-country skiing. Motorized vehicle traffic is not allowed; however, some portions of trails follow existing Forest Service roads open for motorized use.
Changes & Cancellations
No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
Forest Recreation Management, Inc P.O. Box 1168 Hill City SD 57745
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 605-673-9200
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
To access the Sundance Horse Camp from Sundance, travel east to County Road 123, Government Valley Road. Turn left onto County Road
123 and travel north for 3 miles.
Available Campsites
- Site 003, Loop SUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop SUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop SUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop SUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop SUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop SUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop SUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop SUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop SUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop SUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
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