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
Campground Amenities
-
Beach Access -
Lake Access -
Marina
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
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 (198)
What Guests Are Saying
Pactola Reservoir Campground offers beautiful, clean campsites with spacious pads suitable for larger RVs and tents, and close proximity to the scenic Pactola Lake. Camp hosts are friendly and helpful, enhancing the overall experience, while the campground provides excellent access to outdoor activities like fishing, swimming, and kayaking. Some minor downsides include uneven site entrances and occasional noise from generators, but the serene environment and stunning views make it a popular choice for campers.
What Guests Are Saying
Pactola Reservoir Campground offers beautiful, clean campsites with spacious pads suitable for larger RVs and tents, and close proximity to the scenic Pactola Lake. Camp hosts are friendly and helpful, enhancing the overall experience, while the campground provides excellent access to outdoor activities like fishing, swimming, and kayaking. Some minor downsides include uneven site entrances and occasional noise from generators, but the serene environment and stunning views make it a popular choice for campers.
Review Summary
Benjamin E
VerifiedAugust 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 039, Loop: PACT
beautiful!
Kenneth C
VerifiedAugust 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: RSVC
Bathrooms have no lights, so don't be upset when there is pee all over the place. The B loop bathrooms had the worst smell in them all the time and were horrible to say the least. I am glad I brought my respirator so I could tolerate them for the short amount of time I was in them. These bathrooms were new last year and are the absolute worst design I have ever seen. Please demand your money back, you were screwed. The designer should be disbarred from ever designing anything again. Ever. The bathrooms next to our site were hit and miss as far as the smell. Love the lake and the view. The rest of the stay was wonderful, even seeing the wounded rattlesnake on the road at the b loop intersection.
LESLIE W
VerifiedAugust 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 039, Loop: PACT
Pactola campground is a wonderful place just a beautiful location. The camp hosts were excellent and very helpful. I camped there both last year and this year and will probably make it my regular vacation spot. Thank you recreation.gov!
Mike S
VerifiedAugust 17, 2021 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: PACT
Nice campground but wish it had better bathrooms, electrical hookups, and a shower house.
Steven Z
VerifiedAugust 17, 2021 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: PACT
We have been coming for over 28 years. This area in the black hills is breathtaking. We absolutely love it and would highly recommend it.
We will be coming back again next year.
Anthony K M
VerifiedAugust 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 073, Loop: RESB
Showers burned down 3yrs ago and were never rebuilt!!! No showers!!! Nowhere within 10 miles to shower!!! The suggested other campsites for showering were rarely available to let you into the showers!!! The nature surrounding the camp sites was beautiful, but the sites were terribly marked or not marked at all. Even the campground hosts couldn't determine which parking spots, tables & firepits went with each site. 80% of the parking spots for the TENTS were filled with full sized CAMPERS (who never even used the campsites). Noisy generators ruining and polluting the natural setting (quiet times were observed though). The general store was fabulous and provided great service and food. Jenny's gulch was horribly littered. Glass, trash, food debris as you walked along the trails. So sad.
Heidi M
VerifiedAugust 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 032, Loop: PACT
ABSOLUTELY the best views and the most peaceful camping experience we have had thus far! Clean and quiet!! The camp store has EVERYTHING that you would need if you accidently forgot something. SUPER friendly hosts!
Elizabeth R
VerifiedAugust 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: RSVC
Beautiful campground!!! Very nice small grocery store with some good hot food options to eat on outside deck or take out!!!
My only issue is NO showers!!!
Michael V
VerifiedAugust 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 057, Loop: RESB
We were in Campground #57. Campground #58 was a little more forested, and perhaps private, but overall we were happy with the space. It would have been nice to have a shower and flush toilets, but the vault toilets were clean. Neighbors who used generators were good about turning them off at 10:00pm. Though the temperatures reached over 100 degrees most days, it was a dry heat and there was a breeze, so in the shade it was not so bad.
Troy W
VerifiedAugust 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: PACT
Very nice place. Camp host was awesome too. Would camp again for sure!!
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
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
These campsites are non-electric sites. Generators may run from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. only. |
| General |
Non-reservable sites may be available on a first come, first served basis |
| General |
Prevent the spread of invasive species by inspecting and cleaning packs, equipment, and tires before using lake or trails |
| General |
A pet fee of $2 per pet per night is required upon check in |
| General |
Click here for more information about Black Hills National Forest. |
| General |
Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org. |
| General |
The Senior and Access discounts are only honored for the site that houses the card holder.
|
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.
