Resort Policies

To reserve a campsite or cabin you must be 21 years of age or older. Visitors who are not registered guests are not allowed on the premises from 10 PM to 8 AM. Visitors to the campsite must check in with the front desk to obtain a visitor car permit with locations to park. 

Campfires are the responsibility of the guest. Federal law and Ranch Policy require that campfires must be contained in the designated fire ring. Fires must be attended at all times and extinguished when leaving them unattended. Fires must be thoroughly doused with water by 11:00 p.m. Do not move fire ring. Cutting of any standing trees on the premises is prohibited. This includes the small saplings which are the trees of the next generation. Please be aware that due to extreme drought conditions that local, state, or Federal government agencies may place campfire and grilling restrictions throughout the Black Hills including campgrounds.

Pets are welcome when kept quiet, attended, cleaned up after and are leashed at all times. Additional pet fee’s apply (see rate page). There will be a charge for pets that are a nuisance or do damage to any cabin or property.


The following breeds of dogs shall not be permitted on any Rafter J property for insurance reasons:

  • Rottweiler
  • Wolf breeds
  • Pit Bulls
  • Chows

Rafter J reserves complete discretion to require guests to immediately remove from the premises any other pet that is deemed to be dangerous or an excessive nuisance.

Fireworks are illegal in the Black Hills and will not be permitted at the Rafter J Bar Ranch Campground.

Cannot be emptied on the ground. It must be disposed of in the campsite sewer receptacle or dump station.

Group sites/cabins (7 campsites and or cabins total) must be paid in full by March 15th.
No refunds issued after March 15th.
**We highly encourage travel insurance for cancellation possibilities**

(More then 15 nights)

Must be paid in full by March 15th.
No refunds issued after March 15th.


**We highly encourage travel insurance for cancelation possibilities**

Rafter does not currently accept waitlist requests.

 

However, we recommend calling back after March 15th for potential cancelations as desrcribed above in other policy.

Our large heated pool and hot tub are open from 8 am to 9 pm. There is no lifeguard on duty. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Young children, under age 12, are not allowed in the hot tub. No diving or running is allowed. No food, alcohol, glass containers or pets are allowed in the pool and hot tub area. Swimming pool and hot tub opens for Memorial Day weekend. Swimming pool closes September 1st and hot tub will remain open until September 20th, weather permitting.

Occupancy is limited to a maximum of 8 people per campsite. A maximum of 2 vehicles is allowed per site.

All motorized vehicles, including atv’s and side by sides, must be driven by a licensed driver above the age of 18.


Washing of vehicles is not allowed anywhere on the resort.


Hill City has car wash facilities only 3 miles north.
All vehicles must stay on roads and gravel pads of sites.


Do not drive on the grass.
Generators are not allowed.

All vehicles ATV/UTV’s are restricted to only sites with the length and size to accommodate them and must be designated in reservation with the resort. 

Additional vehicles such as ATVs/ UTVs must be registered at the front desk during check in but not guaranteed availability to accommodate unless previously reserved during reservation. 

ATV/UTVs are allowed in the campground via reservation at a cost of $10 per night per site.
Additional vehicles or trailers that do not fit on the gravel area of the site may be asked to park in an area that will accommodate them. ATV’s or any other motorized vehicle must stay on designated roads, sites, and abide by speed limits posted. Parking ATV’s or other vehicles on the grass will incur $50/day charges. Please ask our front desk for guest parking locations. If these rules are not abided and fees immediately paid, we reserve the right to end your stay at the Rafter effective immediately with no refunds issued. 

Speed Limits for safety and consideration of other guests, The Ranch speed limit is 10 M.P.H. with the following exceptions: On the road to Ranch Camp it is 15 M.P.H. In camping and activity areas, which include the office, swimming pool and horse coral, the speed limit is 5 M.P.H.

Anyone who damages campground property will be liable for the cost of repairs or replacement. All cabins are non smoking – there is a $100 penalty for smoking inside cabins. Customers will be held responsible for any theft of campground property.

Please help us protect the environmental quality of the Ranch by keeping tents, vehicles, and RV’s off the grass (see fee’s associated with parking on grass under Vehicles section) and by placing garbage in the dumpsters located in each of the camping areas. Please do not burn or leave trash inside the fire gate.

So that fellow campers can experience a quiet and restful evening, quiet hours are in effect from 10:00 PM through 8:00 AM. Parents, please see that your children observe the rules. Kids under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult after 10pm.

Unauthorized drone flying is not prohibited on or over our property.

Cancellation Policy & Handling Fee for all Campsites & Cabins

Please see rate page for all cancelation policies.

For any concerns with potential cancellations, we strongly suggest travel insurance.
In the event you are asked to leave the Campground there will be no refunds issued.