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: Newest First
Newest First Oldest First

James H

Verified

August 15, 2024 Stayed at: 045, Loop: PACT

scenic and quiet campground with great views of the lake at a lot of the sites.

Helpful

James H

Verified

August 15, 2024 Stayed at: 045, Loop: PACT

scenic and quiet campground with great views of the lake at a lot of the sites.

Helpful

David M. L

Verified

August 9, 2024 Stayed at: 012, Loop: RSVC

once again, did not disappoint!

Helpful

David M. L

Verified

August 9, 2024 Stayed at: 012, Loop: RSVC

once again, did not disappoint!

Helpful

David M. L

Verified

August 9, 2024 Stayed at: 012, Loop: RSVC

once again, did not disappoint!

Helpful

Colleen Z

Verified

August 1, 2024 Stayed at: 046, Loop: PACT

It started out great but when there was a mix up in reservation night the camp host was very rude and demanding. I thought maybe it was just the mix up but one of them was never very nice to us. Due the mix up we had to move. The camp site we moved to was nice but the camp sites are on top of each other. I would not recommend these spots if you have pets. The other downside was most of the quite places to shore fish had steep hills. Other then that very very clean water. Our golden loved the water as we did too.

Helpful

Colleen Z

Verified

August 1, 2024 Stayed at: 046, Loop: PACT

It started out great but when there was a mix up in reservation night the camp host was very rude and demanding. I thought maybe it was just the mix up but one of them was never very nice to us. Due the mix up we had to move. The camp site we moved to was nice but the camp sites are on top of each other. I would not recommend these spots if you have pets. The other downside was most of the quite places to shore fish had steep hills. Other then that very very clean water. Our golden loved the water as we did too.

Helpful

Colleen Z

Verified

August 1, 2024 Stayed at: 046, Loop: PACT

It started out great but when there was a mix up in reservation night the camp host was very rude and demanding. I thought maybe it was just the mix up but one of them was never very nice to us. Due the mix up we had to move. The camp site we moved to was nice but the camp sites are on top of each other. I would not recommend these spots if you have pets. The other downside was most of the quite places to shore fish had steep hills. Other then that very very clean water. Our golden loved the water as we did too.

Helpful

Julie A

Verified

July 31, 2024 Stayed at: 039, Loop: PACT

My happy place.

Helpful

Tammy K

Verified

July 31, 2024 Stayed at: 017, Loop: RSVC

The site was beautiful with lots of real estate for each site. We really enjoyed that, enjoyed the beautiful view, and enjoyed swimming in the reservoir each evening. We were well informed that the sites did not have water or electric hookups, so we were prepared for that. However, we saw no mention that the campground has no dump station. The dump station in the Badlands did not have a set-up with water that allowed us to completely empty our blackwater tank, so we needed to complete that before setting up at Pactola. If the reservation site or our reminder email had let us know that there was no dump station at Pactola we would have looked for a place (perhaps at a Flying J?) where we could have taken care of that before arrival. Instead, we had to leave, go pay a fee at a private campground in a neighboring town, and then come back to set up. It is really disappointing that this information is not out there for people who plan to come to this campground. Otherwise we had a very nice stay. We were able to visit Spearfish Canyon, hike to the Devil's Bathtub, tour the Wild West town of Deadwood, and visit Bear Butte State Park easily from this location.

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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