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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Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Pactola Reservoir Campground.
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
Susan S
VerifiedJune 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 053, Loop: RESB
Beautiful campground clean and friendly. Restrooms clean and stocked. Rangers very friendly and helpful. I’d come back to this campground. Near to all sites of interest. Near the lake. Close enough to walk. Dog had plenty of room yet far enough away not to intrude on other campers.
Susan S
VerifiedJune 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 053, Loop: RESB
Beautiful campground clean and friendly. Restrooms clean and stocked. Rangers very friendly and helpful. I’d come back to this campground. Near to all sites of interest. Near the lake. Close enough to walk. Dog had plenty of room yet far enough away not to intrude on other campers.
Ray L
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: RSVC
Our experience at Pactola was exceptional. We waited to go until after the Labor Day Holiday and during the week so it was not crowded and filled with too many motorized boats that would make being on the Reservoir unpleasant and loud. The weather was great for swimming, fishing, and kayaking during our stay. Exploring some of the many different coves on the Reservoir made a great day's outing. We were close enough to Nemo, Wonderland Caves (gotta go there it is worth the drive), the Natural Rock Maze and a few other places to take day trips. The Pines at Pactola Marina was a great little find and carries some wonderful merchandise as well as food. Stop by there and buy a great souvenir to take home with you. The views from some of the spots around the Reservoir are breathtaking. You'll want to find a safe place to pull off the road and enjoy them, especially at sunrise or sunset. The campsites were clean and other campers were friendly. Always a big plus when camping are the toilet facilities. The camp hosts keep those well cleaned and they didn't smell like some vaulted toilets can be. Flies were minimal there too. Thank you Camp Hosts for taking such great care of this facility. That is often a thankless job but I greatly appreciated it! We'll be back again.
Ray L
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: RSVC
Our experience at Pactola was exceptional. We waited to go until after the Labor Day Holiday and during the week so it was not crowded and filled with too many motorized boats that would make being on the Reservoir unpleasant and loud. The weather was great for swimming, fishing, and kayaking during our stay. Exploring some of the many different coves on the Reservoir made a great day's outing. We were close enough to Nemo, Wonderland Caves (gotta go there it is worth the drive), the Natural Rock Maze and a few other places to take day trips. The Pines at Pactola Marina was a great little find and carries some wonderful merchandise as well as food. Stop by there and buy a great souvenir to take home with you. The views from some of the spots around the Reservoir are breathtaking. You'll want to find a safe place to pull off the road and enjoy them, especially at sunrise or sunset. The campsites were clean and other campers were friendly. Always a big plus when camping are the toilet facilities. The camp hosts keep those well cleaned and they didn't smell like some vaulted toilets can be. Flies were minimal there too. Thank you Camp Hosts for taking such great care of this facility. That is often a thankless job but I greatly appreciated it! We'll be back again.
Ray L
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: RSVC
Our experience at Pactola was exceptional. We waited to go until after the Labor Day Holiday and during the week so it was not crowded and filled with too many motorized boats that would make being on the Reservoir unpleasant and loud. The weather was great for swimming, fishing, and kayaking during our stay. Exploring some of the many different coves on the Reservoir made a great day's outing. We were close enough to Nemo, Wonderland Caves (gotta go there it is worth the drive), the Natural Rock Maze and a few other places to take day trips. The Pines at Pactola Marina was a great little find and carries some wonderful merchandise as well as food. Stop by there and buy a great souvenir to take home with you. The views from some of the spots around the Reservoir are breathtaking. You'll want to find a safe place to pull off the road and enjoy them, especially at sunrise or sunset. The campsites were clean and other campers were friendly. Always a big plus when camping are the toilet facilities. The camp hosts keep those well cleaned and they didn't smell like some vaulted toilets can be. Flies were minimal there too. Thank you Camp Hosts for taking such great care of this facility. That is often a thankless job but I greatly appreciated it! We'll be back again.
Alex C
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: PACT
Enjoyed our time here! Just beware of the swarm of flies in the toilets.
Alex C
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: PACT
Enjoyed our time here! Just beware of the swarm of flies in the toilets.
Alex C
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: PACT
Enjoyed our time here! Just beware of the swarm of flies in the toilets.
Sarah S
VerifiedSeptember 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: PACT
Spot was extremely hard to get into and smelled horrible due the updraft of the bathrooms. Someone kept unplugging or turning off our generator during the hours we were allowed to use it.
Sarah S
VerifiedSeptember 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: PACT
Spot was extremely hard to get into and smelled horrible due the updraft of the bathrooms. Someone kept unplugging or turning off our generator during the hours we were allowed to use it.
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 5, 2026
