Niobrara National Scenic River - Camping

Smith Falls State Park

Open

Spring through fall (generally)

Phone

402-376-1306

Details

Developed campground along the Niobrara River: restrooms, picnic tables, fire grates, showers, concession (summer only), park entrance fee and camping fee; canoeing, fishing, hiking, swimming/wading

Campgrounds you can reserve online

Bismarck Lake Campground

Mileage:99 mi

Description: Campground is on the southeast side of Bismarck Lake in a ponderosa forest area. Local attractions include Custer State Park, Wind Cave NPS, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Facilities provided include restrooms, a boat ramp, and a pay phone. Roads are paved. Popular activities include hiking, bicycling, fishing, non-motorized boating and picnicking.
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Iron Creek Horse Camp Campground

Mileage:100 mi

Description: Iron Creek Horse Camp is locate approximately 13 miles outside Custer, South Dakota. Popular attractions include Norbeck Scenic Byway and Custer State Park. Campground is adjacent to Iron Creek. Newly reconstructed in 1996. Facilities provided include corrals and restrooms.
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Comanche Park Campground

Mileage:102 mi

Description: Located 6 1/2 miles west of Custer, South Dakota. Local attractions include Custer State Park, Wind Cave NPS, Jewel Cave NPS, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Facilities provided include restrooms . Popular activities include bicycling.
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Mt Rushmore/grizzly Creek Cg Campground

Mileage:103 mi

Description: You cannot camp in this campground if you are towing anything, due to tight sharp turns. One vehicle per site not to exceed 28' in length. No overflow parking available. Reservations must be made at least 4 days in advance. Trailers or vehicles towing strictly prohibited. (i.e. no trailers, 5th wheel vehicles, motor homes towing a vehicle and no pop-up campers). All restrictions strictly enforced.
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Horsethief Lake Campground

Mileage:105 mi

Description: Located 10 miles southeast of Hill City, South Dakota. Situated in a park-like ponderosa pine forest, with huge old growth trees. Campground is adjacent to Horsethief Lake. Elevation is 5,000 feet. Roads are paved. Popular activities include hiking, fishing and mountain biking.
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Oreville Campground

Mileage:107 mi

Description: Located 7 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota, in a park-like ponderosa pine forest. Trees are very large and the area is very shady. Elevation is 5,300 feet. Roads are paved. Popular activities include hiking and mountain biking. Nearby attractions include Mt. Rushmore and the Black Elk Wilderness.
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Willow Creek Horse Camp Campground

Mileage:107 mi

Description: Located 7 miles southeast of Hill City, South Dakota, adjacent to Willow Creek and Palmer Creek. Restrooms are provided.
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Sheridan Lake Campground

Mileage:110 mi

Description: Sheridan Lake Campground is situated in a Ponderosa Pine forest, adjacent to 380 acre Sheridan Lake. The elevation of this campground is 4,600 feet, making the temperatures comfortable in the summer. There is an amphitheater.
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Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin Campground

Mileage:120 mi

Description: Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin Rental. A USFS primitive cabin eligible for listing on national historic places register. At 6,096 feet elevation it can get considerable snow during the winter months and may be inaccessible due to unplowed roads. Cabin measures 22X32 feet and is comfortable for 4 people. Groups as large as 10 may rent the cabin. There are two sleeping platforms in the bedroom. The bottom bed is queen size and the top bunk is a twin. The garage is part of the cabin and is furnished with two bunkbeds (4 twins) extending sleeping quarters. Bedding and mattresses are not provided. The cabin is equipped with a propane stove for cooking, a wood stove for heat and an outdoor fire ring. You must provide your own propane (most guests bring a 20 lb. BBQ size tank), firewood and utensils for cooking and eating. No water is located near the cabin, so plan to pack in drinking and cleanup water. An outdoor vault toilet serves the cabin but you need to provide your own toilet paper. There is no garbage service so pack out your trash when you leave. There is no electricity to the cabin so renters need to bring a coleman lantern or battery operated light. Kerosene lamps are not permitted for fire safety reasons. The adjacent steel lookout tower is not part of the rental and is closed locked) to the public.
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Note: All mileage numbers are "as the crow flies"