Beaver Lake Campground is found along Mt. Rushmore Road and US Highway 16 in the Black Hills area, approximately three miles from Custer, South Dakota. The 19-acre RV park has 110 visitor rentals, including full-service RV spaces, water-electric and electric-only RV sites, 9 cabins, and 6 spaces for tent camping. Other park features include three bathhouses, two laundry facilities, a heated swimming pool, a basketball court, a volleyball court, and a dog park. The park is pet-friendly and even has a greeter dog named Shimmer. The owners mention that she meets guests at the front and even has her own business cards. Another notable aspect of Beaver Lake Campground, according to one of the owners, is its "central" location and relatively close proximity to Black Hills landmarks, such as Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, Badlands National Park, and Wind Cave National Park. Many of these and other locations are around 20 minutes from Beaver Lake Campground.
Beaver Lake Campground is an RV park in the Black Hills, with a national forest region near Custer, South Dakota. The establishment is approximately 20 minutes away by car from Mt. Rushmore National Memorial and Custer State Park, 10 minutes south of Crazy Horse Memorial, and 3 miles from the city of Custer. Beaver Lake Campground is mainly surrounded by forests and wooded areas.
Beaver Lake Campground has over 100 sites available for reservation, including 9 cabins, 6 tent sites, and 110 "very large" RV spots. There are both sunny and tree-shaded sites that offer a range of hookups, such as full-service sites, water and electric, and two electric-only "dry sites." RV units also include picnic tables, TV, grass, and fire pits.
The nine cabins are arranged at various parts of the RV park. Four are equipped with plumbing, linens, hardwood floors, and kitchenettes. The remaining five are designed as sleeper cabins and can "tightly" fit two to six people, according to the owners, but they do not have plumbing. The sleeping cabins are close to
the three bath houses. Additionally, each cabin has a grassy yard and twin beds or bunk beds. One of the owners states that the plumbed cabins are the more popular of the two options, though not by much. Finally, six tent spaces are available for guest rental. Some are primitive, while others have water and electrical hookups.
Beaver Lake Campground is a 19-acre establishment with a check-in office and a store that sells propane, packaged food, RV supplies, and gifts. A heated swimming pool is at the northern corner of the park. Visitors can also play basketball or volleyball at the park's courts on the eastern side. Three bathhouses and two coin-operated laundry facilities are also placed throughout the park's grounds, and the owner says much of the property is covered with trees. Finally, the campground has a playground and a dog park.
There are many things to do in the area surrounding Beaver Lake Campground; one of the owners says, "There's so much to see here that you could spend a month and not see it all." Such attractions include Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming. Various parts of the Black Hills area offer places to fish, hike, or go on ATV trips. The owner also mentions a few towns for visitors to see, such as Sturgis, Hot Springs, Spearfish, and Deadwood, the latter known as a former gambling town. The proprietor continues, saying guests can visit an 1890s railroad, Wind Cave National Park, Badlands National Park, and Bear Country, a drive-through wildlife park with various animals. Regarding dining options around Beaver Lake Campground, the owner recommends people visit restaurants near Crazy Horse Memorial with views of the monument. She also says many buffalo restaurants and steakhouses are in the area, explaining that the options vary from "family to fine dining" locations.
One of Beaver Lake Campground's owners would like her visitors to "feel happy and as if they would want to return to the park someday." She remarks that she helps achieve this by being "[responsive to] the clientele." To her, this means keeping the property "spotless" and helping guests
in any way they can. She also says they have a "friendly staff" that helps with this goal. Moreover, the owner says a greeter dog named Shimmer approaches new people, and incoming patrons can get
one of Shimmer’s business cards. The proprietor adds that the property's central location contributes to its atmosphere, saying, "It's very quiet and relaxing, yet close to all these fantastic attractions."
One visitor review that seems to coincide with the owners' goals says the following: "[The campground is] quiet with adequate size for both large and small RVs. We had full hook-ups on a level, shaded site. Centrally located between Badlands [National Park], Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park. Nice laundry facilities and clean pool." Another guest wrote, "My wife and I really enjoyed our time at this campground. The sites were nice and shady, and we had fun making s'mores over the fire. It was only a short walk from our site to the pool. The staff [was] very friendly and helpful."
Beaver Lake Campground's policies require visitors to follow a 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. quiet time. Pets are welcome "as long as they're civilized," cleaned up after, and leashed, the exception being while at the dog park. Finally, no indoor smoking of any kind is allowed.
Beaver Lake Campground is open from April 1 to November 1. The owner explains that the property's season peaks during the summer due to people "escaping" the heat. The park receives families, couples, friend groups, and people of all ages from various parts of the United States and the world, according to the owner. The owner further notes that Beaver Lake Campground implements a system where early reservations can be made online or by
phone at any me of the year, and can be locked to ensure guests
reserve exactly what they want.
Beaver Lake Campground has been around for over 50 years, according to one of its current owners. Contrary to its name, the RV park itself does not have any bodies of water; instead, its namesake is located nearby, she explains. She adds that she and her co-owner have been in business for the last 27 years since they purchased Beaver Lake Campground from its previous proprietors, who operated the park for about 15 years. The current owner continues, saying she and her husband were led to acquire the property while looking for an RV business to own in South Dakota. They had owned parks in Oregon and Colorado but were interested in switching to the Black Hills. Later, they found Beaver Lake Campground and purchased it, and one of the current owners says it is a "happy job." Presently, she states her favorite part of working at the RV park is the people; she says she enjoys interacting with them, saying, "If they're not happy, we're not happy."
Since the current ownership of Beaver Lake Campground took over, they have installed solar lighting and a new swimming pool pump. They have also performed maintenance throughout the park as needed, adding "modern conveniences." The owner says most of the upgrades have involved "necessary things that people expect." Currently, she does not anticipate making any significant changes to Beaver Lake Campground.
12005 U.S. 16
Custer, South Dakota 57730
United States
Campground
