Pactola Reservoir Campground
4.36407 reviews
Quick Facts
4,711 ftPrice
$30/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
110 campsites
Season
Open from May 21 to ...
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Quick Facts
4,711 ftPrice
$30/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
110 campsites
Season
Open from May 21 to ...
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Pactola Reservoir Campground
Forest Recreation Management, Inc, P.O. Box 1168, Hill City, SD, 57745, USA
Weather at Pactola Reservoir Campground
About Pactola Reservoir Campground
RV details
Get Notified When Available
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How campers graded it
Rated higher than 46% of graded campgrounds
Graded on what 244 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.
Strengths
- Grade B+.Staff & hosts
- Grade B.Rules & policies
- Grade B.Bugs & weather
Watch-outs
- Grade D.Booking
- Grade C.Getting there
- Grade C.Belonging
Every grade - tap to see what campers said
Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.
From the U.S. Forest Service
Reference information about Pactola Reservoir Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
Overview
<ul class="usa-card-group"><li class="tablet:grid-col-12 usa-card--flag usa-card"><div class="usa-card__container"><header class="usa-card__header"><h2>Multitude of Recreational Opportunities</h2></header><div class="usa-card__media"><div class="usa-card__img"><img alt="A placeholder image" src="https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd1169488.jpg" /></div></div><div class="usa-card__body"><p>This campground is nestled in the pine trees along the south shore of Pactola Reservoir, offering guests lake views and access to a multitude of recreational opportunities both on land and water. <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/blackhills/recreation/recarea/?recid=82013">Pactola Visitor Center</a> is located in close proximity to the campground, providing opportunities for conservation education and information to visitors.</p></div></div></li><li class="tablet:grid-col-12 usa-card--flag usa-card"><div class="usa-card__container"><header class="usa-card__header"><h2>Pactola Campground Reservations</h2></header><div class="usa-card__media"><div class="usa-card__img"><img alt="A placeholder image" src="https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd1037690.jpg" /></div></div><div class="usa-card__body"><p>Visit Recreation.gov to make your campground reservation.</p></div><div class="usa-card__footer"><a class="usa-button" href="https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232078">Reserve Your Campsite</a></div></div></li><li class="tablet:grid-col-12 usa-card--flag usa-card"><div class="usa-card__container"><header class="usa-card__header"><h2>Pactola Campground Layout</h2></header><div class="usa-card__media"><div class="usa-card__img"><img alt="A placeholder image" src="https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd616931.jpg" /></div></div><div class="usa-card__body"><p>See the layout of the campground to find your perfect camping site.</p></div><div class="usa-card__footer"><a class="usa-button" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd616931.jpg">Download</a></div></div></li></ul>
About the campground
The elevation is 4,700 ft. The campground is comprised of mature pines with some sites overlooking Pactola Reservoir. There are three loops - A, B and C with numerous walk- in tent sites. Except for grass, there is little understory. There are several worthwhile things to do that are reasonably accessible from the campground. They are the Jewel Cave National Monument, Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park (with the scenic Needles Highway, Harney Peak and the State Game Loop), Crazy Horse Monument and Wind Cave National Park.
Seasons & access
Open May 18 through September 10.
Facilities
The Pactola Reservoir is 640 acres. The beach, located in the day-use area, is sandy. Mooring is possible along shoreline. Hiking: Osprey Trail #58 (foot only) - 2.2 miles Fishing: Rainbow, Lake and Brown trout, Kokanee salmon, Largemouth bass, Yellow perch and Rock bass
Water activities
The Pactola Reservoir is 640 acres. The beach, located in the day-use area, is sandy. Mooring is possible along shoreline.
RV information
Parking aprons are gravel and paved.
Directions
In Hill City, SD, at the intersection of East Main St. (US Hwy 16/385) and Deerfield Rd, take Rt. 385 north 3.7 miles to "T" intersection and Rapid City sign. Turn left at sign, staying on Rt. 385, and go 9.8 miles to Pactola Lake Recreation area - South Unit sign. Turn left onto Custer Gulch Rd. (Forest Rt. 258) and go 1.4 miles to campground sign (Forest Rt. 545). Turn right onto Rt. 545 and go 0.5 miles to campground.
- National Forest
- Hills National Forest
- Ranger District
- Mystic
- Elevation
- 4700
- Rate
- $26 per day plus $2 per pet, per day
- Maximum Stay
- 14
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