Grizzly Creek Primitive Campground

104 reviews

Grizzly Creek Primitive Introduce

Grizzly Creek Primitive is a charming and secluded camping destination located in the heart of South Dakota's Black Hills. Nestled in the scenic beauty of Hill City, SD, this primitive campground provides an ideal retreat for nature lovers and adventurers seeking a peaceful yet convenient base for exploring the region's iconic attractions. With a focus on simplicity and outdoor experiences, Grizzly Creek Primitive offers tent and small RV sites under 24 feet in length, making it a perfect choice for those looking to connect with nature while enjoying modern amenities nearby.

One of the standout features of Grizzly Creek Primitive is its prime location. Just minutes away from major attractions like Mt. Rushmore, Keystone, Custer State Park, and the Crazy Horse Memorial, this campground serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the Black Hills. Whether you're planning to hike through the mountains, explore historic sites, or enjoy water activities at nearby lakes and rivers, Grizzly Creek Primitive puts you in the perfect position to make the most of your trip.

The campground offers a variety of facilities to accommodate basic needs while emphasizing the primitive camping experience. Sites are available for tents or small RVs (under 24 feet), with no pull-through sites or larger rigs allowed. The campground features vault toilets, providing clean and functional restroom facilities without compromising the natural setting. Power and water hookups are not available here, so visitors are encouraged to come prepared with their own supplies.

Grizzly Creek Primitive is known for its friendly and helpful staff. The camp hosts, such as Jim and John, have been praised by guests for their welcoming nature, cleanliness of the facilities, and overall support in making stays enjoyable. While the lack of electricity and other modern conveniences may appeal to those seeking a back-to-basics experience, it's important to note that this campground is not suitable for large groups or those expecting full-hookup sites.

Guests have noted that the sound of Grizzly Creek adds a soothing element to their stays, creating a peaceful atmosphere. However, visitors should be aware of the nearby helicopter traffic, which is common due to the proximity of major attractions like Mt. Rushmore. While this may not be an issue for most campers seeking an outdoor adventure, it's something to consider for those looking for absolute quiet.

One of the unique aspects of Grizzly Creek Primitive is its location near Crazy Horse Memorial, which many visitors find a must-see during their stay. The campground also offers a central location for exploring Keystone and Custer, two popular towns in the Black Hills. With so much to explore nearby, Grizzly Creek Primitive provides an excellent balance between seclusion and accessibility.

Customer feedback highlights the positive experiences of those who have stayed at Grizzly Creek Primitive. Many guests appreciate the simplicity of the camping experience and the friendly interactions with staff. One visitor mentioned that while they were not expecting a quiet retreat due to the helicopter traffic, the campsite's location near major attractions made it a practical choice for exploring the region.

Another guest praised the cleanliness and organization maintained by the campground hosts, as well as the accommodating nature of the staff. The ability to camp with small RVs or tents makes this site ideal for families or solo travelers looking to experience the outdoors without sacrificing comfort.

If you're planning a trip to South Dakota's Black Hills, Grizzly Creek Primitive offers an excellent opportunity to connect with nature while being close to some of the region's most iconic attractions. Whether you're here for a quick overnight stay or an extended camping adventure, this campground provides a memorable experience that combines the beauty of the Black Hills with the convenience of nearby amenities.

Grizzly Creek Primitive is more than just a place to camp; it's a gateway to unforgettable experiences in one of America's most beautiful regions. With its friendly staff, serene setting, and central location, this campground is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who visit.

Location

South Dakota Pennington County Hill City

Customer Reviews

4.0

104 reviews

Jay Spencer

Jul 15, 2023

I camped here for 4 nights. The Camp Host, Jim was great. Site #5 has the sound of a creek. Centrally located to Mt. Rushmore, Keystone, Custer State Park, the City of Custer and Crazy Horse Memorial. I think Crazy Horse is a MUST see! The camp ground has no electric and has vault toilets. I had some AT&T phone coverage. There is a regular flyover of helicopters, so if you are looking for day time peace and quiet this is not the place. Though I'm not sure there is a camp ground near Rushmore where you would not hear helicopters during the day.

JimBob XCityguy

Jul 29, 2024

Had a great time here. John was a great host and kept the area clean,organized,accommodating. Sites are for tents or small RV's under 24ft total lenght. No pull trailers. Fifth wheels,etc.

Christina Currie

Sep 01, 2020

Camp Host suggested site 20, although it looks open, and it's the edge and end of the campground, at night time it is very peaceful. Very clean and well maintained. We enjoyed our visit and sleep. There is a creek near by you can hear the water trickle very late. There are pavilions that were built by the CCC there. Very historical to see inside a campground. Bathrooms are wheelchair accessible at the first one for sure. Not running water just the well. The cleanest water was the furthest one that we noticed but have been enjoying the water and have been fine.

TM G

Aug 26, 2021

We chose this campground because there were a lot of "First come first serve sites". When we got there, the sign said everything was full, but when we inquired, the camp host said that was just the reservable sites, and we had no problems. We stayed at site 16, which was large and flat enough for our big tent, and fairly private, with woods on one side. The map of the campsites on Recreation.gov is wrong though, site 16 is in the middle of the loop, not outside it. (Site 15 looked really private, but had too small of a tent area.) The sites at the ends of the loops (like 11 and 12) looked very small, open, and close to the other sites, so we were happy with ours. The night was quiet, but as others have stated, lots of helicopters in the day. Two cool rock buildings to explore. We took the hike across from site #12, which was shady and beautiful, though the waterfall was pretty low.

Jama Bradfield

Jul 19, 2020

Site was great. Camp host was a wonderful guy and very helpful. Trash truck came shortly after we arrived and cleaned up quickly. We used the trail just at the back of the grounds and enjoyed a nice hike alone. There is a nice stream in the grounds as well. Makes for a soothing drift into sleep.