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Experience the Outdoors at This Camping Resort Near Mount Rushmore!

Welcome to a premier camping resort and lodge in the heart of the Black Hills. Enjoy a relaxing and fun camping adventure at the Mount Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch, located near national memorials, breathtaking scenery, fun hiking trails, rodeos and museums. Relax and enjoy exciting activities without even leaving the campground with KOA's amenities and activities, or let KOA show you around the area via wagon rides, horseback adventures and UTV rentals.

Let Us Be Your Black Hills Destination!
Explore South Dakota at KOA for a fun and relaxing experience. Mount Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch is in the heart of the Black Hills and right around the corner from exciting attractions the whole family can enjoy. Marvel at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial or the in-progress Crazy Horse Mountain Memorial. 

Learn about the history of American Democracy at the National Presidential Wax Museum or drive along the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway. Hike trails from KOA to Mount Rushmore and Harney Peak, or walk trails in Custer State Park and the Black Hills National Forest.

Ways to Stay for All Campers
Whether you enjoy traditional tent camping, popular RV travel or cozy cabin stays, KOA has a place for every type of camper to rest their head. Tent campers can enjoy Tent Sites with or without electricity. 

To enjoy RV camping near Mount Rushmore, choose KOA's convenient Back-In and Pull-Thru Sites. You can also enjoy the convenience and extra comfort of lodging options such as Deluxe Cabins and Camping Cabins near Mount Rushmore.

Convenient and Fun Amenities
The Mount Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch offers convenient and fun amenities to help you make the most of your stay. Have a blast at the Splash Park, dive into one of the swimming pools or glide down the water slide between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If you are craving some relaxation, enjoy a nice dip in the hot tub or unwind in the sauna.

Challenge friends or family to a game of mini-golf, visit the Palmer Gulch Mining Company, traverse the exciting Climbing Wall and enjoy some fishing. Rent a bike or pick up a bike part for your own bike at the campground bike shop. 

Take your kids to jump on the Bounce Pillow and let your dog roam around KampK9®, a special dog park for your four-legged camping companions. When you get hungry, enjoy breakfast at the pancake tent, grab lunch at the snack bar and enjoy dinner or on-site catering from The Peak Grill and Tap Room.

Mount Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch also provides exciting ways to explore nearby attractions. Rent a car to explore the gorgeous Black Hills or roam the trails on a UTV. Embark on a horseback riding adventure from Palmer Gulch Stables or enjoy a Chuck Wagon Supper Show for a unique South Dakota experience. Dinner shows include a horse-drawn wagon ride or a horseback ride and a delicious cowboy meal with entertainment. 

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, guests can also ride a shuttle to view the Mount Rushmore night lighting ceremony.

Recreation and Special Events
Mount Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch hosts activities for the whole family. Build, decorate and launch rockets toward the sky on certain dates between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Use fabric and colorful dyes to create custom designs on special tie-dye days. Check the campground schedule for these activities as well as movies, wagon rides and live entertainment. You can also attend the exciting Mount Rushmore Rodeo to see some Wild West action on select dates. 

Book a Stay at Mount Rushmore KOA Resort?
Explore the best of South Dakota at KOA. Mount Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch offers convenient amenities, fun activities, special events and opportunities to visit local area attractions near Mount Rushmore. Whether you are looking for a relaxing weekend away or a fun adventure with the family, have an incredible time at the best camping vacation spot near Mount Rushmore. 

Book a Stay at KOA to begin your South Dakota adventure with your hosts, Recreational Adventures Co. Reserve your site online or call 800-562-8503 today!

Campground Amenities

  • 50 Max Amp
  • 90' Max Length
  • Wi-Fi
  • Cable TV
  • Pool (5/26 - 9/4)
  • Hot Tub/Sauna
  • Snack Bar ($)
  • Propane ($)
  • Kamping Kitchen
  • Fishing
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Ways to Stay

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Campground Recreation

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KOA Resorts

KOA Resort Campgrounds

KOA Resorts offer a carefree vacation in the great outdoors. Enjoy robust recreation and staff-led activities, kick back and relax by the resort-style pool, or grab a bite to eat, all while never leaving the campground. And with plenty of RV Sites with KOA Patios® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths to meet your needs, it’s the ultimate camping getaway.

KOA Resorts Feature:

  • RV Sites with a KOA Patio®
  • Deluxe Cabins with full baths and linens
  • Premium Tent Sites
  • Resort-style pools
  • Indoor and outdoor group facilities

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Local Area

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore is located just five miles east of the campground. Guests visit in the daytime for picture taking and to visit the sculptor's studio, new interpretive center and the concession. There is also the new Presidential Trail that allows visitors to walk along the base of the sculpture for striking views never before available. Visitors this year will also be the first to experience the new interpretive center with state of the art displays recreating the carving of the mountain and the history of the four presidents depicted. Completed just last year is the new Amphitheater. In the evening, there is a very patriotic and inspiring Lighting Ceremony in which the ranger gives a presentation, followed by a film about the four presidents, and then the monument is lighted. We offer shuttle service from the campground to the lighting service nightly. KOA guests sign up each morning for seats for that evening's program on a first-come first-served basis. This popular service allows our guests to leave their RVs hooked up and helps prevent parking congestion at the monument.

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National Presidential Wax Museum

Located in the shadow of Mount Rushmore in the historic town of Keystone, the National Presidential Wax Museum is an impressive highlight on any traveler's itinerary. Featuring the works of world-famous wax artist Katherine Stubergh, the National Presidential Wax Museum features over 100 lifesize wax sculptures of some of the most iconic figures in American history. We invite you to witness the history of American Democracy from its inception.

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Crazy Horse Mountain Memorial

The Crazy Horse Mountain Memorial is located 10 miles south of the KOA. Crazy Horse is a mountain carving in progress that dwarfs Mount Rushmore. This carving is in the round with the 90' high face dedicated in June 1998, which marked the mountain's 50th anniversary since the first carving began. In addition, there is an Indian Museum and a collection of the sculptor's other works.

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Custer State Park

One of the nation's largest state parks is just eight miles away. The parks 73,000 acres abound in scenic drives, buffalo, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and sparkling lakes. Also nestled in Custer State Park is the Black Hills Playhouse famous for its Broadway caliber plays with a quaint "woods" setting.

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