Warning
GeneralConstruction project planned for Loop B only in 2026, this may impact reservations throughout the summer. You will be notified if your reservation changes, we recommend looking at a different loop if your dates are not flexible. We will update Rec.gov with new information as available.
About Pactola Reservoir Campground
Number of accommodations: 52
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Kayaking
Swimming
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water Access
- Beach Access
- Lake Access
- Marina
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Rates, Sites & Availability
52 Sites Available
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Site Details
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52 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (592)
What Guests Are Saying
Pactola Reservoir Campground offers stunning, clean campsites with deep pads suitable for larger RVs and tents, along with friendly and helpful hosts. The picturesque lake and access to water activities enhance the camping experience, making it ideal for families and bikers alike. While some site entrances may be slanted and the lake level can vary, overall, visitors enjoy a relaxing atmosphere and convenient amenities, including nearby attractions and a lodge for essentials.
What Guests Are Saying
Pactola Reservoir Campground offers stunning, clean campsites with deep pads suitable for larger RVs and tents, along with friendly and helpful hosts. The picturesque lake and access to water activities enhance the camping experience, making it ideal for families and bikers alike. While some site entrances may be slanted and the lake level can vary, overall, visitors enjoy a relaxing atmosphere and convenient amenities, including nearby attractions and a lodge for essentials.
Review Summary
Randi O
VerifiedMay 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 066, Loop: RESB
Pactola is awesome! Love the campground hosts. Only issue was there is no water so be sure to bring drinking water! I am sad there is no longer the “piggy cards” for free camping if you camp there a lot.
Darryl W
VerifiedDecember 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: RSVC
Gorgeous campsites on Pactola Lake. The sites are clean and the pads are deep and will accommodate larger RV’s or tents. The only slight downside is some site entrances is slanted uphill or downhill. You might have to backup or back down to get to the level camp pad. The host were awesome, the fishing was good! Mt. Rushmore, Rapid City and the other main attractions are within a 45 minute drive. Perfect location for the Sturgis bikers who want to be close but base camp in the prime motorcycle riding areas.
James H
VerifiedDecember 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 045, Loop: PACT
great place to camp, close to the lake and no traffic noise from the highway.
Darryl W
VerifiedDecember 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: RSVC
Gorgeous campsites on Pactola Lake. The sites are clean and the pads are deep and will accommodate larger RV’s or tents. The only slight downside is some site entrances is slanted uphill or downhill. You might have to backup or back down to get to the level camp pad. The host were awesome, the fishing was good! Mt. Rushmore, Rapid City and the other main attractions are within a 45 minute drive. Perfect location for the Sturgis bikers who want to be close but base camp in the prime motorcycle riding areas.
James H
VerifiedDecember 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 045, Loop: PACT
great place to camp, close to the lake and no traffic noise from the highway.
Darryl W
VerifiedDecember 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: RSVC
Gorgeous campsites on Pactola Lake. The sites are clean and the pads are deep and will accommodate larger RV’s or tents. The only slight downside is some site entrances is slanted uphill or downhill. You might have to backup or back down to get to the level camp pad. The host were awesome, the fishing was good! Mt. Rushmore, Rapid City and the other main attractions are within a 45 minute drive. Perfect location for the Sturgis bikers who want to be close but base camp in the prime motorcycle riding areas.
James H
VerifiedDecember 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 045, Loop: PACT
great place to camp, close to the lake and no traffic noise from the highway.
Emily C
VerifiedDecember 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: RSVC
We always enjoy staying at Pactola! The view of the reservoir is beautiful and the campsites are always clean. We also love the access to the water and the lodge where you can buy firewood and other essentials. Our only complaint ever is the sound of people's generators. They kind of ruin the nature experience and often people have them running for hours on end.
Emily C
VerifiedDecember 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: RSVC
We always enjoy staying at Pactola! The view of the reservoir is beautiful and the campsites are always clean. We also love the access to the water and the lodge where you can buy firewood and other essentials. Our only complaint ever is the sound of people's generators. They kind of ruin the nature experience and often people have them running for hours on end.
Emily C
VerifiedDecember 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: RSVC
We always enjoy staying at Pactola! The view of the reservoir is beautiful and the campsites are always clean. We also love the access to the water and the lodge where you can buy firewood and other essentials. Our only complaint ever is the sound of people's generators. They kind of ruin the nature experience and often people have them running for hours on end.
Location Pactola Reservoir Campground
Address:
Forest Recreation Management, Inc
Hill City, SD, 57745
United States
Drive 17 miles west on State Highway 44 from Rapid City, South Dakota. From
Highway 44, turn on 385 south. Campground located 2 miles off US Highway
385.
Latitude & Longitude: 44.0753 / -103.533
Elevation: 1429 feet
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Site types & loops
- These campsites do not have electric service.
- Some sites are available on a first come, first served basis without reservations.
Safety & rules
- Inspect and clean all gear before using the lake or trails to avoid spreading invasive species.
Fees & deposits
- There is a $2 fee per pet per night.
- Senior and Access discounts apply only to the site of the card holder, and additional fees may apply for other sites.
General
- Click here for more information about Black Hills National Forest.
Fires & fuel
- Firewood should be sourced locally and burned on-site to prevent pests.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralConstruction project planned for Loop B only in 2026, this may impact reservations throughout the summer. You will be notified if your reservation changes, we recommend looking at a different loop if your dates are not flexible. We will update Rec.gov with new information as available.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
