Policies

2026 Nightly Campsite Rules and Policies

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Welcome to Iron Creek Lake Campground. We hope you enjoy your stay. To help ensure our guests’ safety and enjoyment, please read the following Campground policies. You will be required to sign and date a printed copy of these rules before occupying your camping space or cabin. (Failure to follow these rules may lead to immediate termination of this lease agreement.)

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1.0 General Information

1.1. General description. Iron Creek Lake is a unique and beautiful lake of approximately 23 acres (owned by the State of South Dakota, managed by its Game Fish & Parks), located 12 miles south of Spearfish. Our privately owned rustic campground overlooks the lake, offering electrical hookups (extension cords may be needed), potable water (a long hose will be required to fill rv tank), a dump station, and vault toilets. (No shower facilities.)

1.2. Check In. You may check in at the campground store after 3 p.m. Check out is 11 a.m. on the day your rental agreement ends. If you plan to arrive after the store is closed, call or email to make arrangements for check in. All camping and cabin guests must check in at the store prior to setting up camp. You must be 18 or older to rent a campsite. All guests at the campsite or cabin must be registered.

1.3. Store Hours. The store is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The store offers camping and fishing supplies, fishing licenses, souvenirs, apparel, food, beverages, ice cream, coffee and lattes, and miscellaneous toiletries. The store also offers paddleboard, kayak, paddleboat, canoe, and lifejacket rentals

1.4. Reservations. Online reservations open on March 1 for camping reservations starting May 15. Even though the store closes Labor Day, the campground is open for reservations through September and October. Keep in mind the weather is unpredictable in the fall.

1.5. Cancellations. A cancellation fee of $25.00 is applied if the cancellation is before midnight, two days prior to the reservation date. This cancellation fee applies to campsites and cabins. If the cancellation is made after midnight two days before the reservation, no refund will be made. The reservation fee of 3% + $3.50 per campsite/cabin is non-refundable.

1.6. Quiet time. Quiet time between 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. is strictly enforced. All visitors must leave before 10 p.m. Please respect your neighboring campers, as not everyone enjoys the same music, conversations, or other disturbing noise or activity.

1.7. Respectful use. Outside of quiet hours, it is expected that you will use Iron Creek Lake and its facilities in a respectful manner that does not interfere with the quiet enjoyment of your neighbors and other guests. Loud noises, unpleasant odors, disruptive behavior or actions that disturb neighbors and guests will be grounds for immediate expulsion. The use of generators is generally discouraged in order to respect fellow campers and preserve the peaceful, tranquil atmosphere of Iron Creek Lake. If weather events or other circumstances make generator use necessary, please use a quiet model and be mindful of the hours and duration of operation. Any conduct that is deemed to endanger guests or property will also be grounds for expulsion.

 

2.0 Camping

2.1. Campsites. Because it was designed decades ago, the campground adapts to the terrain, adding to the natural beauty and views available to each location. Some sites require extra leveling ramps for campers and motorhomes. Some sites do not have well-defined boundaries, so please be courteous and accommodating to your adjoining neighbors.

2.2. Parking. Pay attention to management instructions for parking to ensure all campers fit in designated spots without disturbing your adjoining neighbors.

2.3. Picnic table/Fire ring. Each camping site has a picnic table and fire ring. Fires must be contained within the fire ring. Fire rings may not be moved. (See ¶ 5.1)

2.4. Electricity. All RV sites have electricity. The campground has 15, 30 and a few 50-amp sites available. Note the electrical hookup in the site description, as extension cords may be necessary. You are encouraged to bring an extension cord.

2.5. Tent Camping. Generally one tent is allowed per campsite. Extra tents at any camping or cabin site must be registered and the camping fee paid. Ditching around tents or other digging is prohibited. Large families who require more than one tent to accommodate their children under the age of 18 will not be required to pay the additional tent fee.

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3.0 Cabins

3.1. Primitive. The cabins are primitive, meaning they have beds, a small refrigerator, electricity, and a small heater. You must bring your own bedding. Do not move furniture. Anything missing from the cabin will be charged to your account.

3.2. Picnic table/Fire ring. Each cabin has a picnic table and a fire ring. Fires must be contained within the fire ring. Fire rings may not be moved. (See ¶ 5.1)

3.3. Cleaning deposit. Each cabin reservation requires a $25 refundable deposit. For a full refund of the deposit, the guest must take out garbage, empty refrigerator, clean up spills and messes, and remove all personal items.

3.4. Damage. A charge of a minimum of $100 will be applied for any damage to buildings, beds, furniture, or excessive garbage, dirt, or other personal items left, or for any cabin property that is removed.

3.5. Key. A $30 replacement fee will be charged if the key is lost.

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4.0 Glamping Tents

4.1. Primitive. The tents are primitive, meaning they have beds, a small refrigerator, electricity, and a small heater. You must bring your own bedding. Do not move furniture. Anything missing from the tent will be charged to your account.

4.2. Picnic table/Fire ring. Each tent has a picnic table and a fire ring. Fires must be contained within the fire ring. Fire rings may not be moved. (See ¶ 5.1)

4.3. Cleaning deposit. Each tent reservation requires a $25 refundable deposit. For a full refund of the deposit, the guest must take out garbage, empty refrigerator, clean up spills and messes, and remove all personal items.

4.4. Damage. No climbing, stretching, pulling, jerking, etc of tent structure or the support ropes. A charge of a minimum of $100 will be applied for any damage to tent, beds, furniture, or excessive garbage, dirt, or other personal items left, or for any cabin property that is removed.

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5.0 Miscellaneous.

5.1. Campfires. Because our area can experience dry periods, we reserve the right to prohibit fires, even if they are contained within the fire ring. We also reserve the right to extinguish any fires we deem unsafe. Please make sure that your fire is fully extinguished before you leave. No fire may be left unattended. Cutting trees or limbs for firewood is strictly prohibited.

5.2. Vehicles. The speed limit is 10 mph. Only two vehicles are allowed per site. All other vehicles must pay $5 per night and park in the parking lot.

5.3. Safety. Sling shots, BB guns, firearms, and the shooting of fireworks are strictly prohibited in the campground or around the lake.

5.4. Recreation. All recreational activities on Iron Creek Lake are at your own risk. There are no lifeguards, or other safety personnel to monitor these activities. You are responsible for your and your children’s safety, including use of safety equipment.

5.5. Cleaning fish. Fish may not be cleaned near water faucets/spigots. Their remains must be placed in a tied garbage bag and disposed of in dumpsters located at the dump station. (Located at entrance.) Fish remains may not be placed in garbage cans.

5.6. Garbage. Pack out whatever you pack in. Garbage, including cigarette butts, belong in the trash cans. Leave your spot clean when you leave. Dumpsters are for household trash ONLY. (No building materials, appliances, metal, etc., or we risk losing our garbage service.)

5.7. Motorcycles, Dirt Bikes, ATVs and UTVs. Motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, or UTVs may not be used to ‘joy riding’ around the campground or lake. They may not be operated on grass. If returning from a recreational ride, they must be parked at your campsite or cabin. Respect the peace, tranquility, and quiet of the campground always, and let common sense, respect, and courtesy prevail. ATV/UTV trailers must be parked in the space assigned.

5.8. Pet policy. Dogs are welcome in the campground and in cabins for an additional nightly fee. Good behavior is required. Dogs of any breed that are hostile or aggressive will be asked to leave the campground, along with the owners. Bring the leash. Dogs must be kept on leashes no longer than 6 feet. Do not leave a tethered dog unattended. If your pet is too vocal, you will need to find other accommodations.

5.9. Power outage or Acts of nature: Iron Creek Lake is not responsible for damages, losses, or inconveniences caused by power outages, weather events, or other acts of nature beyond our control.

 

5.10. No liability. As a guest, you accept the campsite/cabin ‘as is’ and agree to release Iron Creek Lake from any claims, liabilities, or damages arising from or related to use of the campground or cabins, except for those claims that result from Iron Creek Lake’s gross negligence.

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