§ 02 — OVERVIEW
This horse camp is nestled at the confluence of Willow Creek and Palmer Creek near the Black Elk Wilderness area of the Black Hills National Forest. From this campground, hikers and horseback riders can access a network of trails into the backcountry.
The campground is within the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. Recently renovated by Forest Service and our Partners, Backcountry Horsemen of America, Willow Creek Campground is a good choice for horse campers. All campsites 1-9 are horse sites with corrals.
Hikers and horseback riders can access the trailhead for the Willow Creek Loop, which provides scenic views of the Black Elk Wilderness. There is also easy access to the Lost Cabin Trail, which offers many views of Black Elk Peak on its descent. Willow Creek Horse Camp provides a good starting point for a day-long hike or horseback ride to Black Elk Peak and Harney Lookout Tower. Both the Willow Creek Loop and the Lost Cabin Trail connect with the Black Elk Peak Trail.
The Black Hills in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming feature a varied landscape of rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams and deep blue lakes. The Black Elk Wilderness is its only wilderness area, and it sits in the center of Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. Norbeck is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep and mountain goats. Its most prominent landmark is Black Elk Peak, which, at 7,242 feet, is the highest point in the country east of the Rockies.
Named for South Dakota's former governor and U.S. Senator, the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway offers 70 miles of outstanding sights including Mount Rushmore, which is only 6 miles from the camp, The Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road and Custer State Park. The Norbeck Overlook provides views of Black Elk Peak and Mount Rushmore. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (605) 574-4402.
No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
§ 03 — TRAILS NEARBY
§ 04 — CONDITIONS
National Weather Service · seven-day outlook · updated hourly
§ 05 — SIGNAL
FCC broadband data · actual signal varies in remote terrain
§ 06—09 — FROM THE FIELD
Community Intel from visitors, written reviews, dated trip reports, and reader-submitted photographs.
§ 07 — REVIEWS
§ 08 — TRIP REPORTS
§ 09 — COMMUNITY PHOTOS
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§ 01 — VITALS
Nearby Trails
Fri
83°F
Sunny
1 to 6 mph NE
Sat
93°F
Sunny then Smoke
5 mph NE
Sun
89°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
1 to 7 mph E
Mon
85°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 to 7 mph E
Tue
82°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 to 6 mph E
Wed
79°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
1 to 6 mph NE
Thu
74°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
0 to 6 mph S
AT&T
Verizon
Based on FCC availability data. Actual signal may vary in remote terrain.
Trip Reports
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