Blue Bell Campground Custer State Park Trip Plan
The Blue Bell Campground in Custer State Park is a site for all sorts of campers, from Class A rigs to tent campers, and even these searching for primitive cabins within the woods.
Many of the RV sites are electrical solely (solely the camp host is about up with full hookups), however, there are a few water spigots all through the campground and there are a few sites that do have water spigots, however not many.
Blue Bell Campground in the Custer State Park: About
There may be not a dump station on the Blue Bell Campground in Custer State Park, however, there’s on the opposite aspect of the park (a 12-mile drive, however roughly a 30-45 minute drive relying on visitors).
Blue Bell Campground in Custer State Park is definitely one of every of our prime ten favorite campgrounds ever.
Positioned within the Black Hills of South Dakota, Blue Bell is only one of 9 attractive campgrounds within the epic Custer State Park, which presents 71,000 acres of phenomenal magnificence and wildlife.
Some vacationers rapidly move by South Dakota’s Black Hills (perhaps simply stopping for a go-to to Mount Rushmore) on their approach to Yellowstone or elsewhere.
Nonetheless, those that have visited know simply how a lot of a mistake that is. Even worse, some guests take a fast drive-by Custer State Park, spending only a few hours. Fortunately, we had booked 4 nights at Blue Bell, giving us a lot of time to discover Custer and the encompassing space.
Campground Details: Blue Bell Campground
Blue Bell Campground in Custer State Park is a small, rustic campground on the western fringe of Custer State Park.
With 9 campgrounds to select from, it may be tough to pick which one is best for you (this site from the South Dakota Sport, Fish, & Parks describes every).
Visitors opted for Blue Bell because it is famous as one of the many prettiest and as an important selection for RVers, particularly those with bigger rigs.
Blue Bell Campground in Custer State Park is tucked away in a ponderosa pine forest alongside French Creek. Each nook of the campground is sylvan and delightful!
Horseback driving trails move properly by the campground. We knew immediately we had been someplace particular once we noticed horses meandering by our campsite.
Guests will solely discover 31 campsites and 23 cabins inside Blue Bell Campground. Count on to pay $21-25 per night time for campsites.
Whereas the RV sites supply electrical energy, they don’t have water or sewer hookups. You’ll need to journey to a close-by campground for a dump station.
Custer State Park is the crown jewel of South Dakota’s State Parks and there are 9 campgrounds right here with a complete of 333 campsites.
Sports Lodge and French Creek are open 12 months spherical. Blue Bell is open May 1 to Oct 31, and the others mid-May to the tip of September.
The campgrounds are positioned close to mountain lakes, in pine forests, and alongside streams. Every campsite has a gravel or paved tenting pad, picnic desk, fireplace ring, and grill.
Electrical hookups can be found in most campgrounds. All besides Heart Lake supply consuming water, flush bogs, and showers.
There are additionally two group campgrounds, a laundry playground, camp retailer, and customer middle on the Park. Ice, firewood, and provides are additionally bought on the camp retailer.
Blue Bell Campground in Custer State Park views
Blue Bell Campground in Custer State Park presents 35 single household campsites nestled in a Ponderosa Pine forest close to French Creek. Every site has electrical hookups. The campground accommodates giant RV’s and tents.
The positioning is the stage and straightforward to get out and in with a 30′ journey trailer. I do want that they had water hookups on the site, there’s potable water on the campground.
Additionally, there isn’t a dump station at this campground. The one for the park is by the East entrance, proper off 16A on the Wildlife Loop.
So if it’s a must to drain your tanks, do it earlier than you get to the campground, it is going to prevent you from driving backward and forwards as we did.
The hearth pits are in bizarre spots, they put them too near the opposite sites. There’s a normal retailer that sells respectable wooden that is not too costly.
The loos are respectable, the showers had been good, no temperature controls, simply push a button and get a preset time of water. The temperature appeared positive to vacationers although.
Verizon appeared to at all times have service for guests, but it surely should have bought bottled necked, as a result of information was very gradual at peak occasions.
This campground is luscious, inexperienced, and wooded. There is a creek that goes by the again of the campground and it was actually quiet.
The campground has sites for all sorts of campers, from Class A rigs to tent campers, and even these searching for primitive cabins within the woods.
Many of the RV sites are electrical solely (solely the camp host is about up with full hookups), however, there are a few water spigots all through the campground and there are a few sites that do have water spigots, however not many.
There may be not a dump station on the campground, however, there’s on the opposite aspect of the park (a 12-mile drive, however roughly a 30-45 minute drive relying on visitors).
YOu may be instructed by the present camp hosts that a few years in the past, the campground was redone to stage out sites and supply extra entry for greater rigs.
You may have no drawback in maneuvering and leveling our 38-foot fifth wheel toy hauler within the campground.
As a result of the sites aren’t pull-throughs, getting the toy out of the storage required taking over one other site, however, the campground wasn’t full on the time and we had been fortunate to have the positioning throughout from us empty.
Guests might make reservations as much as 12 months upfront. In case you are planning to journey throughout peak season, you’ll undoubtedly wish to book that early.
Be certain to notice the dates of the Sturgis Motorbike Rally, which brings tons of visitors to the Black Hills in early August. Additionally, the word that the park is anticipated to be closed this spring.
Since they move naturally into the panorama, the campsites at Blue Bell Campground are all very completely different and a few are slightly quirky.
Although this retains the pure magnificence, some odd-shaped sites are likely to be difficult to get backed into.
Campground Facilities: Blue Bell Campground
Blue Bell Campground in Custer State Park presents many nice facilities at an affordable value. First, the bathhouses are tremendous clear and fashionable, which isn’t at all times true at state parks. Plus, they’re simply accessible from virtually the entire sites.
The amphitheater can be conveniently positioned. Our household vastly loved a ranger program that rivaled the standard of a nationwide park ranger speaks.
If you wish to seize a chew to eat without leaving the campground, the Blue Bell Lodge, which serves up American meals with a Western aptitude within the eating corridor, is correct across the nook.
For a very enjoyable choice, book a journey on the hayride with the chuck wagon cookout. For different easy provides, you’ll discover a camp retailer, fuel station, and reward store close by, as nicely.
Digital connectivity generally is a problem in Custer State Park; nevertheless, we did decide on an honest cell sign within the campground. Whereas the park doesn’t present wifi to the campground, you’ll be able to enter it at the lodge.
Regional Highlights close to Blue Bell Campground in Custer State Park
As we talked about, Custer State Park is really a gem within the Black Hills. This state park is on the scale and scale and high quality of one in every of America’s nice national parks.
You won’t need to dig out your binoculars to get an important view right here. Whereas we had seen bison within the Badlands, the bison at Custer State Park had been completely awe-inspiring as a result of they had been so near the street.
Moreover, Custer State Park presents tons of sights, hikes, and pure sites to see. We are going to cowl all of those highlights on an upcoming episode of the RVFTA podcast and mentioned some on an earlier episode of Campground of the Week.
You may also wish to take a look at our episode with 12 Ideas for Visiting Mount Rushmore since that common attraction is close by.
Lastly, for those who discover the entire campgrounds in Custer State Park booked or for those who’re in search of extra plush expertise, make sure you take a look at Rafter J Bar Ranch, one of many premier campgrounds within the area (or nation, to be actual). It’s so good, we’ve lined it twice. You could find our evaluations right here and right here.
In case you’re planning a visit by the Black Hills, make sure you take into account a keep at Custer State Park. You’ll not be disenchanted!
Heart Lake
The Blue Bell Campground in Custer State Park has 71 campsites for tents and smaller RVs. There are not any hookups at Heart Lake. It’s positioned above Heart Lake with wooded sites of Ponderosa Pine.
French Creek Horse Camp
Positioned on the banks of French Creek, the French Creek Horse Camp has 26 electrical hookup sites designed particularly for campers with horses. all sites have electrical hookups.
One corral comes with every campsite, and one extra corral can be accessible to hire upon arrival on the campground.
Sport Lodge
Sport Lodge Campground has 57 campsites (43 with electrical hookups) and is conveniently positioned on freeway 16A close to the State Sport Lodge and lots of actions and providers.
Grace Coolidge Creek flows although the campground accommodates all varieties of tenting items and has 11 camper cabins accessible to hire.
Grace Coolidge
The campground has 27 campsites nestled within the timber subsequent to Grace Coolidge Creek. Twenty of the campsites have electrical hookups.
On the north aspect of the highway is a space designated only for tent tenting. On the south aspect of the freeway is a space that may accommodate all varieties of tenting items.
Legion Lake
The campground is positioned in a mountain valley with 21 campsites for big RV’s and tents. The Badger Clark Memorial is inside strolling distance from the campground through Centennial Path.
Additionally close by, get pleasure from fishing, calm down on the beach, or stroll across the lake or mountain bike the Centennial Path, which passes close to the campground.
Stockade North
Stockade Lake North Campground has 42 single-family campsites (35 have electrical hookups). Many historic sites are positioned close to the campground together with the Gordon Stockade, Annie Expertise monument, and in addition, the positioning of the place gold was first found within the Black Hills.
Stockade South
Stockade Lake South Campground has 24 campsites (20 with electrical hookups) that may accommodate RV’s together with tents.
Many historic sites are positioned close to the campground together with the Gordon Stockade, Annie Expertise monument, and the positioning of the place gold was first found within the Black Hills.
Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake Campground is positioned near lovely Sylvan Lake and has 30 campsites open mid May by September. Twenty 5 campsites have electrical hookups.
There may be additionally a lodge right here with a restaurant, lounge, and normal retailer. The campground has flush bogs and showers. Every campsite additionally has a desk, grill, and fireplace ring.
Different campgrounds within the space embrace Wind Cave Nationwide Park and Horsethief Lake.
Custer State Park
Custer State Park is positioned within the Black Hills of South Dakota and encompasses 71,000 acres of gorgeous wilderness and terrain.
The Park can be housed to a wide range of wildlife together with a herd of 1,300 bison. Lewis and Clark’s expedition visited right here and found gold in 1874.
There are additionally many different historic sites, education schemes, a customer middle, mountain climbing trails, lodges, cabins, and several other campgrounds positioned all through the Park.
Blue Bell Campground in Custer State Park contact
Blue Bell Campground
Custer State Park
Lame Johhny Rd. Custer, SD 57730 605-255-4515 Reservations: 800-710-2267
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