Available sites
52 total sites
RV Sites
About Pactola Reservoir Campground
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Kayaking
Swimming
Year-round
Fishing
Hiking
Spring
Boating
Kayaking
Summer
Boating
Kayaking
Swimming
Fall
Boating
Kayaking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water Access
- Beach Access
- Lake Access
- Marina
Rates, Sites & Availability
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52 Sites Available
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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.
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
Tim D
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: RSVC
Beautiful setting, had a great time.
Robert T
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: RSVC
This is a beautiful campground but it is a boondocking campground. Some sites will be level, others definitely not. The website says there is water available...and there is...but...if you need to connect a hose to the supply to fill a tank in your camper you are out of luck. The campground host was exceptionally UN-helpful and declared to me, "you have to get water somewhere else...where is your business. BUT! It is ILLEGAL to connect a hose to our water supply". I can't tell you how disappointed I was when, camping right next to the camp host I saw a hose, connected to a water supply with a "Y" adapter--one going to their camper and one lying there so they could wash their rig. Rude and unhelpful. I drove around for 2 hours before I found someone who would help me out and fill my tank (for $20). Later in our stay (we've been here for 13 nights) we found an RV park at the intersection of 385 and 44 that would allow us to fill and dump our RV. Lesson learned...but I've been consistently disappointed with the campground host.
On the plus side, this campground is in a beautiful setting and I highly recommend hiking the Osprey trail--especially early in the morning. To watch an Osprey catch a fish and fly off with it is amazing.
Oh yea, the road to the campground is EXCEPTIONALLY CURVY--many sharp curves. I recommend using the south entrance to the campground...it is about 1/2 mi south of the visitor center...it's a lot easier to drive.
We stayed in a 38' Class A. Verizon cell reception is ok (2 bars). No OTA TV reception to be had.
Robert T
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: RSVC
This is a beautiful campground but it is a boondocking campground. Some sites will be level, others definitely not. The website says there is water available...and there is...but...if you need to connect a hose to the supply to fill a tank in your camper you are out of luck. The campground host was exceptionally UN-helpful and declared to me, "you have to get water somewhere else...where is your business. BUT! It is ILLEGAL to connect a hose to our water supply". I can't tell you how disappointed I was when, camping right next to the camp host I saw a hose, connected to a water supply with a "Y" adapter--one going to their camper and one lying there so they could wash their rig. Rude and unhelpful. I drove around for 2 hours before I found someone who would help me out and fill my tank (for $20). Later in our stay (we've been here for 13 nights) we found an RV park at the intersection of 385 and 44 that would allow us to fill and dump our RV. Lesson learned...but I've been consistently disappointed with the campground host.
On the plus side, this campground is in a beautiful setting and I highly recommend hiking the Osprey trail--especially early in the morning. To watch an Osprey catch a fish and fly off with it is amazing.
Oh yea, the road to the campground is EXCEPTIONALLY CURVY--many sharp curves. I recommend using the south entrance to the campground...it is about 1/2 mi south of the visitor center...it's a lot easier to drive.
We stayed in a 38' Class A. Verizon cell reception is ok (2 bars). No OTA TV reception to be had.
Robert T
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2021 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: RSVC
This is a beautiful campground but it is a boondocking campground. Some sites will be level, others definitely not. The website says there is water available...and there is...but...if you need to connect a hose to the supply to fill a tank in your camper you are out of luck. The campground host was exceptionally UN-helpful and declared to me, "you have to get water somewhere else...where is your business. BUT! It is ILLEGAL to connect a hose to our water supply". I can't tell you how disappointed I was when, camping right next to the camp host I saw a hose, connected to a water supply with a "Y" adapter--one going to their camper and one lying there so they could wash their rig. Rude and unhelpful. I drove around for 2 hours before I found someone who would help me out and fill my tank (for $20). Later in our stay (we've been here for 13 nights) we found an RV park at the intersection of 385 and 44 that would allow us to fill and dump our RV. Lesson learned...but I've been consistently disappointed with the campground host.
On the plus side, this campground is in a beautiful setting and I highly recommend hiking the Osprey trail--especially early in the morning. To watch an Osprey catch a fish and fly off with it is amazing.
Oh yea, the road to the campground is EXCEPTIONALLY CURVY--many sharp curves. I recommend using the south entrance to the campground...it is about 1/2 mi south of the visitor center...it's a lot easier to drive.
We stayed in a 38' Class A. Verizon cell reception is ok (2 bars). No OTA TV reception to be had.
Johnnie C
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 055, Loop: RESB
The restrooms were much better than last year but that's still not saying much. The flies were still bad. The gravel they left from the construction of the new restrooms was still there. Why have asphalt when it's covered with gravel. It's very hazardous for motorcycles trying to maneuver on it. This year someone was in my spot when I got there and I understand they were warned I was coming in but they didn't move until I got there. Later that week another neighbor ran their generator 24/7 said their propane didn't work. They also used a neighboring firepit when told not to.
That said, it's Pactola in the Black Hills, a beautiful place to camp and enjoy, The sites are spacious and mostly quiet. I will be back next year as I have for many years.
Johnnie C
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 055, Loop: RESB
The restrooms were much better than last year but that's still not saying much. The flies were still bad. The gravel they left from the construction of the new restrooms was still there. Why have asphalt when it's covered with gravel. It's very hazardous for motorcycles trying to maneuver on it. This year someone was in my spot when I got there and I understand they were warned I was coming in but they didn't move until I got there. Later that week another neighbor ran their generator 24/7 said their propane didn't work. They also used a neighboring firepit when told not to.
That said, it's Pactola in the Black Hills, a beautiful place to camp and enjoy, The sites are spacious and mostly quiet. I will be back next year as I have for many years.
Johnnie C
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2021 • Stayed at: 055, Loop: RESB
The restrooms were much better than last year but that's still not saying much. The flies were still bad. The gravel they left from the construction of the new restrooms was still there. Why have asphalt when it's covered with gravel. It's very hazardous for motorcycles trying to maneuver on it. This year someone was in my spot when I got there and I understand they were warned I was coming in but they didn't move until I got there. Later that week another neighbor ran their generator 24/7 said their propane didn't work. They also used a neighboring firepit when told not to.
That said, it's Pactola in the Black Hills, a beautiful place to camp and enjoy, The sites are spacious and mostly quiet. I will be back next year as I have for many years.
Janet J
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 055, Loop: RESB
There was people on the left and right of us that where up partying intil3 in the Morning. They had a dog that was never on a leash. And no8was ever done about it. The lady at the check in hut was very rude. Not only to me but to the people in the other 4 cars that was meeting me there.
Janet J
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 055, Loop: RESB
There was people on the left and right of us that where up partying intil3 in the Morning. They had a dog that was never on a leash. And no8was ever done about it. The lady at the check in hut was very rude. Not only to me but to the people in the other 4 cars that was meeting me there.
Janet J
VerifiedSeptember 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 055, Loop: RESB
There was people on the left and right of us that where up partying intil3 in the Morning. They had a dog that was never on a leash. And no8was ever done about it. The lady at the check in hut was very rude. Not only to me but to the people in the other 4 cars that was meeting me there.
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.
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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