Available sites
52 total sites
RV Sites
About Pactola Reservoir Campground
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Kayaking
Swimming
Year-round
Fishing
Hiking
Spring
Boating
Kayaking
Summer
Boating
Kayaking
Swimming
Fall
Boating
Kayaking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water Access
- Beach Access
- Lake Access
- Marina
Rates, Sites & Availability
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52 Sites Available
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Reviews (639)
What Guests Are Saying
Pactola Reservoir Campground offers a beautiful lakeside setting with spacious, well-maintained sites and friendly camp hosts. Visitors appreciate the quiet atmosphere, clean facilities, and access to hiking trails and water activities. However, some concerns include the low water level in the reservoir, limited water sources, and occasional noise from nearby campers.
What Guests Are Saying
Pactola Reservoir Campground offers a beautiful lakeside setting with spacious, well-maintained sites and friendly camp hosts. Visitors appreciate the quiet atmosphere, clean facilities, and access to hiking trails and water activities. However, some concerns include the low water level in the reservoir, limited water sources, and occasional noise from nearby campers.
Review Summary
Scott M
VerifiedOctober 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: RSVC
Beautiful lake and place to camp but the lake is so low! Been going there since I was a little kid, don’t recall it this low.
Joshua W
VerifiedSeptember 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: RSVC
Great site for a 1-2 tents and a small group, mostly flat. The view is "ok", big row of trees blocking the view to the lake but it's still pretty. I will probably reserve this site again in the future, seemed to be the best one on the edge.
Joshua W
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: PACT
A decent spot with a good view of the lake and a trail right down to it. There is a bathroom right across the street from this campsite that is not listed on the website/map. My only issue with this site is that there are next to zero flat areas which makes setting up a tent and sleeping a little awkward, there's 2-3 flat-ish spots but it's not great. The whole site is on a slight slope.
Good campground overall and will be back but probably booking on a different lot.
Sherri T
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: PACT
Nice and clean campground. The host were friendly. Pretty easy to access. Wish there were more trails.
Robin C
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: PACT
Nice campground, some spaces are very difficult to get a camper or boat and trailer into.
Christopher S
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 044, Loop: PACT
Site 44 was level, quiet, all you could ask for. Pray for tons of snow this winter - reservoirs need filling.
Really nice host.
John W
VerifiedAugust 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: PACT
The reservoir was quite low but everything else was nice Tent sites were not as good as HorseThief Campground but was adequate
Cindy S
VerifiedAugust 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: PACT
Beautiful spot with a lakeside view! There's a path that walks right down to the lake, which was nice even though Pactola is super low this year.
Ja Lena W
VerifiedAugust 13, 2026 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: PACT
Very quiet campground and very well spaced out.
Camp hosts were very friendly and helpful. The marina has decent priced items there and the people are friendly as well.
Thomas B
VerifiedAugust 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: PACT
The campground was lovely, though there is only one water source in the loop we stayed at which was too far to walk with a heavy water container. The reservoir itself was at a record low, according to an employee. The hiking trails are very nice and not too busy.
Location & Directions for Pactola Reservoir Campground
Forest Recreation Management, Inc, Hill City, SD 57745 United States
Elevation: 1,429 ft
Getting There
Drive 17 mi west on State Highway 44 from Rapid City, South Dakota. From
Highway 44, turn on 385 south. Campground located 2 mi off US Highway
385.
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 22, 2026
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Explore Hill City, SD
Population: 834
Nearby city: Rapid City, SD
Approx. 15 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 4,980 ft
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