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
Anthony K M
VerifiedAugust 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 073, Loop: RESB
Showers burned down 3yrs ago and were never rebuilt!!! No showers!!! Nowhere within 10 mi to shower!!! The suggested other campsites for showering were rarely available to let you into the showers!!! The nature surrounding the camp sites was beautiful, but the sites were terribly marked or not marked at all. Even the campground hosts couldn't determine which parking spots, tables & firepits went with each site. 80% of the parking spots for the TENTS were filled with full sized CAMPERS (who never even used the campsites). Noisy generators ruining and polluting the natural setting (quiet times were observed though). The general store was fabulous and provided great service and food. Jenny's gulch was horribly littered. Glass, trash, food debris as you walked along the trails. So sad.
Heidi M
VerifiedAugust 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 032, Loop: PACT
ABSOLUTELY the best views and the most peaceful camping experience we have had thus far! Clean and quiet!! The camp store has EVERYTHING that you would need if you accidently forgot something. SUPER friendly hosts!
Anthony K M
VerifiedAugust 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 073, Loop: RESB
Showers burned down 3yrs ago and were never rebuilt!!! No showers!!! Nowhere within 10 mi to shower!!! The suggested other campsites for showering were rarely available to let you into the showers!!! The nature surrounding the camp sites was beautiful, but the sites were terribly marked or not marked at all. Even the campground hosts couldn't determine which parking spots, tables & firepits went with each site. 80% of the parking spots for the TENTS were filled with full sized CAMPERS (who never even used the campsites). Noisy generators ruining and polluting the natural setting (quiet times were observed though). The general store was fabulous and provided great service and food. Jenny's gulch was horribly littered. Glass, trash, food debris as you walked along the trails. So sad.
Heidi M
VerifiedAugust 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 032, Loop: PACT
ABSOLUTELY the best views and the most peaceful camping experience we have had thus far! Clean and quiet!! The camp store has EVERYTHING that you would need if you accidently forgot something. SUPER friendly hosts!
Anthony K M
VerifiedAugust 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 073, Loop: RESB
Showers burned down 3yrs ago and were never rebuilt!!! No showers!!! Nowhere within 10 mi to shower!!! The suggested other campsites for showering were rarely available to let you into the showers!!! The nature surrounding the camp sites was beautiful, but the sites were terribly marked or not marked at all. Even the campground hosts couldn't determine which parking spots, tables & firepits went with each site. 80% of the parking spots for the TENTS were filled with full sized CAMPERS (who never even used the campsites). Noisy generators ruining and polluting the natural setting (quiet times were observed though). The general store was fabulous and provided great service and food. Jenny's gulch was horribly littered. Glass, trash, food debris as you walked along the trails. So sad.
Heidi M
VerifiedAugust 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 032, Loop: PACT
ABSOLUTELY the best views and the most peaceful camping experience we have had thus far! Clean and quiet!! The camp store has EVERYTHING that you would need if you accidently forgot something. SUPER friendly hosts!
Elizabeth R
VerifiedAugust 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: RSVC
Beautiful campground!!! Very nice small grocery store with some good hot food options to eat on outside deck or take out!!!
My only issue is NO showers!!!
Elizabeth R
VerifiedAugust 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: RSVC
Beautiful campground!!! Very nice small grocery store with some good hot food options to eat on outside deck or take out!!!
My only issue is NO showers!!!
Elizabeth R
VerifiedAugust 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: RSVC
Beautiful campground!!! Very nice small grocery store with some good hot food options to eat on outside deck or take out!!!
My only issue is NO showers!!!
Michael V
VerifiedAugust 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 057, Loop: RESB
We were in Campground #57. Campground #58 was a little more forested, and perhaps private, but overall we were happy with the space. It would have been nice to have a shower and flush toilets, but the vault toilets were clean. Neighbors who used generators were good about turning them off at 10:00pm. Though the temperatures reached over 100 degrees most days, it was a dry heat and there was a breeze, so in the shade it was not so bad.
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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