Rafter J Bar Ranch

Stephanie Steinmark

2024-01

We have stayed at Rafter J for years and LOVE this campground! However, the last 3 years we have had to book with other campgrounds because they are impossible to get ahold of on the phone, and their voice mail box is full! I happened to get a live person on 1.2.24 and he told me that I had to book online via the online reservations booking system starting at 8:00am on 1.3.24 it would be available and working. IT STILL SAYS UNAVAILABLE, AND THE VOICE MESSAGE IS FROM 2022... I am super sad, but think I am done trying to book with Rafter J, not that it will really matter but hopefully someone will care.

Angela Jolliffe

2024-02

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Janet Tate

2023-10

We inadvertently stayed here after a planned reservation at another near by campground fell through. We had no reservation and the kind security guard, Terry worked with us to help get us settled in at 9:30 at night. We woke up and were surrounded by a beautiful area. Great onsite staff. Highly recommend. Full hookup was available. Biking trail connector as well. Loved it.Nearby activities: Mt Rushmore, Custard State Park. Rapid City

patty camunas

2023-08

We stayed here and loved it. Property is beautifully. We had an amazing view of the mountains. The grounds are maintained . Our site was mostly level but we were in a slant.I wish the table and chairs weren’t above us so that we would have been under our awning.Everyone was very nice and friendly. Centrally located for Mount Rushmore, Crazy horse, Needles Highway and wildlife loop. Short ride to Custer downtown and Hill city downtown . Easy ride to Rapid City.We would stay here again.

Jen B.

2023-09

This is a luxury RV Park: beautiful manicured lawns, drives and RV sites. The sites are spread out and we requested a more private site because we have our 2 dogs. There is no bits of garbage on the ground, everything here is perfect.My husband said that the bathroom was a little small but very clean.This facility has every amenity from a beautiful swimming pool, a store, .. there is a very positive feeling here, celebratory, happy. I'm happy to have spent 2 nights.We had water and electricity. Every site has a really nice fire ring with grill, picnic table, ...Nearby activities: Custer State ParkFood & drinks: The store has ice cream, alcoholic beverages, snacks, local honey.

Kassi Miranowski

2023-08

The campground is absolutely beautiful. We just came back from an 8 night stay, the grounds are immaculate. The pool is great - our kids loved it. The camping areas are spread out, giving you beautiful rolling hill views instead of just campers packed tight together. Every time we talked to the guys at the front desk they were very nice and helpful. We go to the Black Hills every year and this will be our first pick from now on.

Delton Carter

2023-08

By far the best campground we have been to in the 5 weeks we have been traveling. Beautiful grounds at every site, clean restrooms and laundry room. Staff was very helpful in giving us the top places to go.Next time I am headed to the area, I will be looking to book one of their premium sites and if there is none (premium sites) available, I will still be booking my stay here in their standard site like I was in this time.Thank you Rafters J Bar for an amazing stay!Nearby activities: Mount Rushmore was amazing and well worth the $10 parking fee. I highly recommend taking the presidential trail walk and getting the $8 pulled pork sandwich (a packed sandwich complete with coleslaw).Crazy Horse is also close by however a bit disappointing at $30 to get into a tourist trap. They did have a nice show with a woman doing a ring dance and sharing history of her tribe.We didn’t make it to the Needles HWY however we heard it was well worth the drive.We did visit a lake close by but elected to go back to the ranch to swim as there was a lot of lake grass and algae in the lakes this yearSafety: On site 24 hr security, but we never felt like we needed it

Dan Brittney Schulte

2023-06

We just got back home after spending a week at Rafter J. We had the absolute best time and can't wait to come back again. The campground is gorgeous and the staff is great. The gift shop gave my credit card quite the workout as well with all the cool merchandise they have in there. We're already planning our next trip back to the Black Hills and are excited to return to Rafter J. Go Colts :)

patricia tanis

2023-10

Absolutely loved this place. We had an extra long back-in site with plenty of space for our 39ft MH, trailer, car and motorcycle. Love the sites are well spaced. All the different camping areas are very nice. There was a pool and hot tub, which looked nice but we didn't use them. There was wifi but not a strong signal, like most parks, which is fine. Great location!! Our particular site didn't really have shade but many of the sites do. I will say I wish they would guide you to your spot on arrival. Took us 2 passes to find our site.Nearby activities: 1880 steam train, Jewel Cave, Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, Custer SP.

Andrey Yermakovich

2023-08

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Don Harberts

2023-08

We stayed at the Rafter J Bar Ranch for two weeks at the end of June, 2023. This is an outstanding campground with excellent amenities and staff. Sites are large and most of them are shaded. We stayed in the ranch section which has a wonderful shower, bathroom and laundry facility. Rafter J is close to all the main attractions at the southern end of the Black Hills. Love this place and we will be staying again.

Kyle 386

2024-03

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Allison Townsend

2023-07

We loved our time at Rafter J Bar Ranch. It was peaceful, scenic, and well maintained. The common areas and sites were always clean, and the employees and other campers were friendly. We stayed in Main Camp, right across from the office, and even with traffic of other campers, it was super quiet. This is truly an amazing campground.

Shawn Bloyd

2023-08

This campground offers beautiful scenery. The main reason for the low rating is poor, unfriendly customer service by owner and staff. It seems like the ownership wants all campers inside their camper by 10pm. If you are not, they are sure to come talk to you nightly to make sure you know you to keep the noise down. Both times they came by to talk to us (group of 4 adults talking with no music on) they acknowledged that we were not being loud, but was told to quote “just be weary”. We watched them, in my opinion, harass other campers as well during our stay. They would stand behind trees and sneak up on you. It became down right weird!! We are courteous campers that care about others. We would have understood if there was a complaint but they said there was not. May just be a power trip or something like that, but we won’t be coming back. We like to sit by a campfire and this is not the place to do that unless it’s daylight outside.

John Reynolds

2023-07

This is hands down one of my favorite RV parks in South Dakota. The grounds are meticulously maintained and everyone is super nice. The park is massive. My kids loved the pool and playground. Very close to Mount Rushmore, 15 minutes away.Nearby activities: Mt Rushmore, Custer St Park

T Gomez

2023-07

Very smartly laid out design of the park. Great location for going to places like Deadwood mount Rushmore. They keep the park very well maintained and clean. Definitely can recommend staying here if you are looking for a family friendly campground. Very large sites easy in and easy out. Such a nice place. Google has this listed as a hotel. But it is actually a campground/RV park with lots of cabins.

Dillon Johnson

2023-08

We just stayed at Rafter J Bar for a week and the location is perfect for the majority of what you will be looking for in the Black Hills. Our camper was at lot 168 and it was perfect. This campground is not packed tight together with lots of room between campers. The staff and everything needed at the office was very good including Terrific ice cream for the kids. My Verizon was OK here and there, but my T-Mobile home internet was 3/4 bars the whole time and at night everyone watched their own tv's without any problems. The next time we are setting sites on the Black Hills I will stay at Rafter J again. Needles Highway is right across the road to start, Rushmore is a 15 minute drive, Keystone "a great Hills City" is a 9 mile drive. Custer and Crazy horse is another 7 miles south. I can't find a better camp ground than you will get here. Also if a pharmacy is something you may need, "my son has some medical issues" Custer and Rapid City will be your only two choices beside Spearfish way north.Nearby activities: The location for most things people want to do in the Black Hills is just minutes away.Noteworthy details: The location for most things people want to do in the Black Hills is just minutes away.

Becky McClintock

2023-10

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rob beres

2023-09

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Mark Lay

2023-09

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Todd Lambertus

2023-08

Great campground in the heart of the black hills. Our views were amazing, grounds were well kept and staff was helpful. We will definitely be staying there again

Kayla Schaab

2023-05

Very pleased with this campground! A historic site with the original ranch building from the stagecoach days. Sites on the "Island Loop" are nicely spread out. Only campground I saw like that in the entire area. Most are very cramped, but this one felt relaxed and spread out. Our site felt secluded and surrounded by nature. Great place to call home-base when sightseeing. We drove to Devil's Tower, Spearfish, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Wall Drug, and the Badlands. Right across the street from Needles Highway. Close to Hill City. Main roads to access so no concern of big rigs not being able to get there. No low bridges coming from the north. Laundry facility was very clean and nice. $3 per wash load and $0.25 for each 7 minutes on dryer. Site itself was well maintained. Full hookup access was in good shape. No complaints! Only warning: watch out for the speed dip on the entry drive!

Jodi Bowser

2023-05

This RV park was highly recommended to us and it did not disappoint. Full hookups for us, and although we had to back in to our spot, did not feel it was difficult. Laundry facilities were wonderful (clean) and thee are several laundry/shower facilities throughout property. Office/store had firewood, ice AND ice cream. GREAT location for visiting Crazy Horse Mtn, Mount Rushmore, Devil's Tower, Custer State Park and The Badlands. Hill City is just 15 minutes away and the Train Museum was cool (you can also take a train ride adventure). Would definitely stay again.

terry conner

2023-05

Stayed for 11 days on site 152, pull thru with shade, great view of the mountains. Water,Electric,Sewer. Great laundry facility.(3 washing machines and only 1 dryer working of 2) Bathrooms clean. Great location to go to all the surrounding tourist places. Nice bike path in front of campground. Nice store good selection. Pancake breakfast was good. Campground spread out with plenty of green space. Would definitely return.

Dawn Kaufman

2023-05

This is the best RV park near Mt Rushmore. The staff is great! They always manage to place my family in spots together. On site security made us feel safe during our stay. There are huge grass open spaces, so the kids have tons of room to run and play. There is also a super fun playground. Very dog friendly place. Where you stay can make our break your vacation. Rafter J Bar Ranch made ours a wonderful experience. We will be back!

HR Harper

2023-07

Need better customer service and wifi, if you don’t say you are a good sam member they wont ask and give you the discount. It’s beautiful and there are some great spots for big RV’s for sure, be sure if you are longer than 20’ you don’t get a spot in lower ranch camp, most of the sites are in steep slope. Pool is clean, amenities are great, just be better if the staff knew more about their facility and RV’s, more helpful, smiled sometimes. Makes a difference when picking a place to camp. This area has a lot to offer for RV’s.

Matthew Falls (lobstahtrap)

2023-05

Campground: Rafter J Bar RanchCity, State: Hill City, South DakotaCheck-in: June 26, 2022Check-out: June 28. 2022Site Number: 234 (located in The Island section)We Liked: Everything, we liked everything. Plenty of spacing between RVs. Lots of green space on the grounds. Amazing views. Friendly, attentive staff. Bathroom and shower facilities extra clean and spacious. Laundry facilities at all bathrooms. Swimming pool set to 83 degrees (also a hot tub). The picnic tables were stained and were in great shape. The camp store was fully stocked.We Didn't Care For: There was not one thing that disappointed us at Rafter J.Overall Assessment: We loved Rafter J and only wished we had done more days. It was refreshing to find an RV park that took such pride in first class service.

Jeff Wigal

2022-05

I've read multiple reviews of this place being one of the top ten campgrounds in the country, and this place absolutely deserves it's reputation. You'll need to reserve early, their reservations open in November, and from what I hear they mostly fill up for the season within a couple of days. Check-in was easy, facilities were very nice. Pool is awesome. Sites are very spacious, you have plenty of room between you and your neighbors. I was struck by the amount of green space here... they could easily triple or quadruple the number of campsites. Our view from the front of our campsite was acres of green grass and the mountains. We loved staying in the Lower Ranch Camp area, although really any of their areas are super nice. It's about a ten minute drive to Crazy Horse and about 20 minute windy road to Mt. Rushmore. Custer State Park is equally close and is amazing. We'll be back and will plan to stay longer next time. RV Atlas podcast has a great description of this place that fits it to a T, it is well worth a listen.

Claire Lloyd-Jones

2023-05

Absolutely stunning RV park. The park is huge, so tranquil and green! We were here for 2 nights, had a beautiful pitch in woodland, overlooking huge grass areas. Plenty of space between pitches. Great location for Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Wind Cave State Park and Jewel Cave. Facilities were very good!! Highly recommend this RV park to anyone.

sailorsenmurv

2022-05

What an amazing campsite! Located near everything worth seeing yet far enough off the roadway to feel private. Fantastic pool and hot tub, too! We rented a comfort cabin, which was even nicer than the website made it look. It was roomy and airy, with a bathroom and shower, small fridge, sink, and breakfast nook. The porch outside had a lovely view and cooking grill, but we brought our own and there was plenty of room for setup. I cannot recommend this place enough!