About this spot
Horsethief Lake sits in Black Hills National Forest about 2 miles northwest of Mount Rushmore, near Hill City/Keystone, South Dakota. Granite bluffs line the reservoir's shore, with jumps reported up to roughly 90 feet, though most people jump from much lower ledges; scout the landing before committing since depth varies with dam releases. Alcohol was banned at the jumping area after a fatal fall in 2011 and ongoing littering problems -- expect ranger patrols. Access is a short pull-out along the main park road rather than the developed swimming beach lot. Water is cold mountain-reservoir water; no day-use fee. The lake's name comes from a historic horse-thieving gang that operated in the area.
Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.
Watch & read
- r/ Reddit — Photo of the night sky above Horse Thief lake, Black Hills, SD-USA. (Down hwy 16 from Mt.…
- r/ Reddit — First timer! Took this in October on a roadtrip - Horse Thief Lake, SD, USA [2601x1733]…
- r/ Reddit — First timer! Took this in October on a roadtrip - Horse Thief Lake, SD, USA [2601x1733]…
- r/ Reddit — [Earth] First timer! Took this in October on a roadtrip - Horse Thief Lake, SD, USA(OC)