Pactola Reservoir Campground

Forest Recreation Management, Inc, Hill City, South Dakota, United States
Check Availability
PACTOLA ENTRANCE SIGN
PACTOLA LAKE
PACTOLA CAMPGROUND
PACTOLA BEACH

About Pactola Reservoir Campground

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. Pactola Visitor Center is located in close proximity to the campground, providing opportunities for conservation education and information to visitors.

Available sites

52 total sites
RV Sites 52 sites Check Availability

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Boating

Boating

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Kayaking

Kayaking

Spring Summer Fall
Swimming

Swimming

Summer

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Oct 1 to Nov 1

Campground Amenities

Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
  • Lake Access
  • Marina
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

52 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 002, Loop: RSVC RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel
🚐 004, Loop: RSVC RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel
🚐 008, Loop: RSVC RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel
🚐 009, Loop: RSVC RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 010, Loop: RSVC RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 011, Loop: RSVC RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 012, Loop: RSVC RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 016, Loop: RSVC RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 017, Loop: RSVC RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel
🚐 018, Loop: RSVC RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel
🚐 023, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 024, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 025, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 026, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 028, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 029, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 030, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 031, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 032, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 033, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 034, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 035, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 037, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 038, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 039, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 040, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 041, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 042, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 043, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 044, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 045, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 046, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 047, Loop: PACT RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 051, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 052, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 053, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 054, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 055, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 056, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 057, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 058, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 063, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 064, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 065, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 066, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 067, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 068, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 069, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 070, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 071, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 072, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 073, Loop: RESB RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In

Reviews

639 reviews

Summary

AI generated

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.

Based on guest feedback

4.3

Overall rating

Based on 639 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 59.9% (383)
4 stars 24.1% (154)
3 stars 5.8% (37)
2 stars 7.2% (46)
1 star 3.0% (19)

Showing 639 reviews

Verified Only
Sort by: Oldest First
Newest First Oldest First

Scott H

Verified

August 30, 2020 Stayed at: 052, Loop: RESB

Bike trail out of Mystic is scenic and few people. Campground was quiet and man's many nonreservable sites were open during the week.

Helpful

Scott H

Verified

August 30, 2020 Stayed at: 052, Loop: RESB

Bike trail out of Mystic is scenic and few people. Campground was quiet and man's many nonreservable sites were open during the week.

Helpful

Scott H

Verified

August 30, 2020 Stayed at: 052, Loop: RESB

Bike trail out of Mystic is scenic and few people. Campground was quiet and man's many nonreservable sites were open during the week.

Helpful

Mike F

Verified

September 7, 2020 Stayed at: 030, Loop: PACT

Great campground. Staff was friendly, sites clean and restrooms were very clean.

Helpful

Mike F

Verified

September 7, 2020 Stayed at: 030, Loop: PACT

Great campground. Staff was friendly, sites clean and restrooms were very clean.

Helpful

Mike F

Verified

September 7, 2020 Stayed at: 030, Loop: PACT

Great campground. Staff was friendly, sites clean and restrooms were very clean.

Helpful

Alisha H

Verified

September 11, 2020 Stayed at: 024, Loop: PACT

Beautiful area and wonderful campground sites!

Helpful

Alisha H

Verified

September 11, 2020 Stayed at: 024, Loop: PACT

Beautiful area and wonderful campground sites!

Helpful

Alisha H

Verified

September 11, 2020 Stayed at: 024, Loop: PACT

Beautiful area and wonderful campground sites!

Helpful

Christina W

Verified

September 14, 2020 Stayed at: 068, Loop: RESB

The map for this campground is not accurate. The spots are not in a row, but rather grouped together where you have to actually walk through other campsites to get to yours. Parking is directly off the road, a strip of spots, 2 spots per camp site, not designated parking. The campground says tent or 20' camper friendly, what they don't tell you is the camper has to stay in that strip of parking lot, so your camper is squeezed between other campers cars (you might get lucky and get your car and camper in a spot next to each other), then you have to walk to your fire ring/picnic table, potentially cutting through other peoples camp sites if you aren't in front to get to it. Next to spot 069 shows a bathroom on the map, its not. Its a well pump. There is no direct access to a beach from the camp ground, there is a spot you can walk through the trees and get down to the water, but the "beach" is nothing but super sharp rocks. The water is ice cold, and very deep almost instantly. If you have kids bring their life jackets and water shoes. There is a spot nearby you can drive to that has a sandy beach, good luck finding a spot with everyone else in the area there.
Trees were pretty, campground was clean, bathrooms were clean, close to Mount Rushmore.

Helpful

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.

Nearest town

Hill City, SD - 18 mi

About 36 min to downtown

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.

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10 mi away

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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

Learn more about Hill City

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