Rod & Gun Campground
Federal campground in Black Hills National Forest
Location: SD, SD
Price: From $24 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (0 reviews)
Season: May through October
Tucked away near the heart of Spearfish Canyon, the Rod & Gun Campground offers more than just a place to pitch a tent - it offers are front-row seat to the rugged elegance of the Black Hills National Forest. Whether you’re an avid angler, dedicated hiker, passionate OHV rider or someone who simply finds tranquility in the presence of mountain streams, Rod & Gun offers a beautiful basecamp for your next trip to the northern Black Hills.Between 05/16/2026 and 11/30/2026 this location is staffed.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Camp Host
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/rod-gun-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Rod & Gun Campground offers a scenic basecamp in Spearfish Canyon with a 4.6/5 Google rating. Campers praise the tall canyon cliffs, daily-cleaned restrooms, creek sounds, and access to quality hiking and technical mountain biking trails like Rimrock Trail.
Wildlife alert: Mountain goats, Pacific martens, white-tailed deer, American dippers, mallards, western terrestrial garter snakes, and wandering garter snakes have been documented within 8km.
Insider tips for Rod & Gun Campground: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 7 sites and high demand. Sites 1 and 7 offer best creek access according to camper reports. Rimrock Trail offers 6 miles with 5-6k elevation change and Wyoming views from the top.
Skip Rod & Gun Campground if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available, only suitable for self-contained RVs.. You want shade — some sites lack adequate shade coverage.. You need year-round camping — seasonal operations May through October only..
Best time to visit Rod & Gun Campground: May-October — Official operating season for the campground..
Nearby campgrounds: Timon Campground (Spearfish, SD), Hanna Campground (Lead, SD), Black Fox Campground (Rochford, SD), Roubaix Lake (Spearfish, SD).
Cell Phone Coverage at Rod & Gun Campground
Cell signal at Rod & Gun Campground (SD): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Tucked away near the heart of Spearfish Canyon, the Rod & Gun Campground offers more than just a place to pitch a tent - it offers are front-row seat to the rugged elegance of the Black Hills National Forest. Whether you’re an avid angler, dedicated hiker, passionate OHV rider or someone who simply finds tranquility in the presence of mountain streams, Rod & Gun offers a beautiful basecamp for your next trip to the northern Black Hills.Between 05/16/2026 and 11/30/2026 this location is staffed. Please call (605) 872-7869 to speak with local staff.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 7 sites and high demand.
Sites 1 and 7 offer best creek access according to camper reports.
Rimrock Trail offers 6 miles with 5-6k elevation change and Wyoming views from the top.
Official operating season for the campground.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Spearfish: Take Highway 14A south through Spearfish Canyon for approximately 13.1 miles. At Savoy (Spearfish Canyon Lodge) take a right onto Roughlock Falls Rd. Take Roughlock Falls road for approximately 3 miles. Rod & Gun campground will be on your right.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Black Hills National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Black Hills National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Rod & Gun Campground cost per night?+
What season is Rod & Gun Campground open?+
Does Rod & Gun Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Rod & Gun Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Rod & Gun Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Rod & Gun Campground?+
What season is Rod & Gun Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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