About Ft. Meade Horse Camp
Alkali Creek Horsecamp (11 acres) contains six fee camping units, restrooms, water, picnic tables, fire rings, grills, and horse tie lines. Alkali Creek Horsecamp is open from May 15 to September 30.Exception: The campground is closed three weeks during the Black Hills Motorcycle Classic. Group Camping ProceduresReservations are accepted for group camping only, all other camping is on a first-come, first-serve basis. A non-refundable deposit amounting to the total of the number of sites in the campground, multiplied by the current fee per site, must be paid seven days in advance of the reserved date to guarantee a group reservation. Reservation forms can be obtained from the BLM office. Access Restrooms and limited picnic and camp sites are available for year-round use at Fort Meade Recreation Area. Water is available from approximately May 15th to October 1st. Access to the facilities by vehicle may be limited during winter months. The access road is open year-round, with temporary closures possible due to weather and road conditions. There is no winter maintenance on the access road.
How to Get There
Access to the South end of the Back Country Byway is at Exit 34 (Black Hills National Cemetery Interchange) from Interstate 90. The northern access to the Byway is approximately one half mile east of Sturgis on Highway 34/79.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Ft. Meade Horse Camp
Heading to Ft. Meade Horse Camp? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Ft. Meade Horse Camp?
No central reservation system listed for Ft. Meade Horse Camp. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/262772) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Ft. Meade Horse Camp?
Access to the South end of the Back Country Byway is at Exit 34 (Black Hills National Cemetery Interchange) from Interstate 90. The northern access to the Byway is approximately one half mile east of Sturgis on Highway 34/79.
References & Official Resources
