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
Report Incorrect Information
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
Garry R
VerifiedJuly 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 063, Loop: RESB
Pactola campground is excellent. Lots of shade and well maintained. It is a Dry campground so there is no water to fill every tanks and there is no dump station. There are a number of local campgrounds that will allow you to use their fresh water and dump station for a small fee ($10 - $20). That’s what we did. Would definitely stay at Pactola again.
Mike S
VerifiedJuly 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: PACT
Didn't hit it off with the (host) at the check-in station.
Mike S
VerifiedJuly 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: PACT
Didn't hit it off with the (host) at the check-in station.
David B
VerifiedJuly 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: PACT
Great location in Black Hills. Some noisy families with pets.
David B
VerifiedJuly 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: PACT
Great location in Black Hills. Some noisy families with pets.
David B
VerifiedJuly 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: PACT
Great location in Black Hills. Some noisy families with pets.
Pat L
VerifiedJune 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 032, Loop: PACT
Pactola is a beautiful campground, and I would highly recommend it to my friends.
***Please read my entire comment, because I think that the Campground Host from Loop C might have received an unfair review by another guest from my group. ***
Unfortunately, when I was returning to the campground from the little store at the end of the road, a woman—one of the campground rangers(?)—ran after me, shouting ‘Where are YOU going!’. I said, ‘To my campsite’. She then said, ‘Oh, I see your white paper.’ When I checked in, I had been told to put it on my dash, which I did. I must say that it WAS a busy weekend—with lots of day visitors who may have been trying to access the reservoir through the campground. However, her running and shouting at me was unnecessary, since I had to pass the gate where I would need to show my site slip.
There also seems to be some inconsistencies with the campground Hosts. In Loop C, where I was having dinner with a group of friends, the Host*** advised that we could only have 2 vehicles per site. I understand that he was just following the park guidelines. However, In my loop ‘A’, there were 4 cars parked in one site on more than one occasion during my stay.
***Host from Loop C was polite when he reminded members of my group to limit 2 vehicles per site, and he asked them to not park on the grass. Perfectly reasonable requests. One of our members—I could best describe him as a cranky and obstinate—took offence, saying that there was no need for the Host to shout. Yes, the Host raised his voice, but only to be heard over the voices of our group, and because he needed to be heard from a distance. He was not ‘shouting’ in the sense of chastising or bullying.
Thank you for a pleasant stay!
James S
VerifiedJune 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: RSVC
Campsites well maintained and "little house in the woods" were clean and plenty of toilet paper. I had a handicapped site which helped my spouse immensely. She needs a cane to walk. Rangers were helpful and polite. Hope to get back again soon.
Jim Stark
Golden, CO
James S
VerifiedJune 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: RSVC
Campsites well maintained and "little house in the woods" were clean and plenty of toilet paper. I had a handicapped site which helped my spouse immensely. She needs a cane to walk. Rangers were helpful and polite. Hope to get back again soon.
Jim Stark
Golden, CO
James S
VerifiedJune 28, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: RSVC
Campsites well maintained and "little house in the woods" were clean and plenty of toilet paper. I had a handicapped site which helped my spouse immensely. She needs a cane to walk. Rangers were helpful and polite. Hope to get back again soon.
Jim Stark
Golden, CO
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
