PACTOLA ENTRANCE SIGN
PACTOLA LAKE
PACTOLA CAMPGROUND
PACTOLA BEACH

Available sites

52 total sites

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.

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)

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

4.3
639 reviews
5
59.9%
383
4
24.1%
154
3
5.8%
37
2
7.2%
46
1
3.0%
19

Hayden F

Verified

August 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: PACT

5

Such a pretty lake!!! Absolutely loved my site and view. Definitely recommend

Hayden F

Verified

August 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: PACT

5

Such a pretty lake!!! Absolutely loved my site and view. Definitely recommend

Hayden F

Verified

August 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: PACT

5

Such a pretty lake!!! Absolutely loved my site and view. Definitely recommend

Patricia B

Verified

August 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: PACT

5

One of the most beautiful lakes in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Cool clear water, plenty of fish and miles and miles of beautiful shoreline and scenery. Campsites that are on the shoreline with a great view, camp store with good food and things a camper or visitor might need. 2 marinas, 2 boat ramps, swimming beach. Everything you need for a great getaway vacation.

Patricia B

Verified

August 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: PACT

5

One of the most beautiful lakes in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Cool clear water, plenty of fish and miles and miles of beautiful shoreline and scenery. Campsites that are on the shoreline with a great view, camp store with good food and things a camper or visitor might need. 2 marinas, 2 boat ramps, swimming beach. Everything you need for a great getaway vacation.

Patricia B

Verified

August 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: PACT

5

One of the most beautiful lakes in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Cool clear water, plenty of fish and miles and miles of beautiful shoreline and scenery. Campsites that are on the shoreline with a great view, camp store with good food and things a camper or visitor might need. 2 marinas, 2 boat ramps, swimming beach. Everything you need for a great getaway vacation.

Kyle J

Verified

July 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: PACT

5

Fantastic campground. Clean bathrooms and clean campsites.

Kyle J

Verified

July 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: PACT

5

Fantastic campground. Clean bathrooms and clean campsites.

Kyle J

Verified

July 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: PACT

5

Fantastic campground. Clean bathrooms and clean campsites.

Leon F

Verified

July 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: RSVC

5

Most of the sites here have limited views of the lake because of trees. The toilets are well maintained as are the grounds. As an added bonus this is one of the few campgrounds that have excellent cell service.

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.

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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Managed by the USDA Forest Service