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
Campground Amenities
-
Beach Access -
Lake Access -
Marina
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
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 (198)
What Guests Are Saying
Pactola Reservoir Campground offers beautiful, clean campsites with spacious pads suitable for larger RVs and tents, and close proximity to the scenic Pactola Lake. Camp hosts are friendly and helpful, enhancing the overall experience, while the campground provides excellent access to outdoor activities like fishing, swimming, and kayaking. Some minor downsides include uneven site entrances and occasional noise from generators, but the serene environment and stunning views make it a popular choice for campers.
What Guests Are Saying
Pactola Reservoir Campground offers beautiful, clean campsites with spacious pads suitable for larger RVs and tents, and close proximity to the scenic Pactola Lake. Camp hosts are friendly and helpful, enhancing the overall experience, while the campground provides excellent access to outdoor activities like fishing, swimming, and kayaking. Some minor downsides include uneven site entrances and occasional noise from generators, but the serene environment and stunning views make it a popular choice for campers.
Review Summary
Donovan V
VerifiedJuly 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: RSVC
Beautiful campground, the host (Mike, I think?) was amazing. I forgot that not all of SD is horrible.
Randi O
VerifiedJuly 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: RSVC
The campground hosts were absolutely fabulous! The best hosts we have ever had and we camp a lot! They deserve praise and a raise!! We love pactola but wish they had electric and a shower house. Thanks for the great time and memories!
Jennifer A
VerifiedJuly 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: RSVC
very nice location
Darci W
VerifiedJune 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: PACT
Mike and the staff went above and beyond to help us. We sincerely appreciate their helpfulness. It made our stay memorable! We will return to this beautiful place!
Gretchen K
VerifiedJune 19, 2023 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: PACT
Camp hosts were fabulous. The campground itself is in a beautiful location.
Tom B
VerifiedJune 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: PACT
Beautiful spot and awesome lake with incredible hosts! Well done
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.
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.
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
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
These campsites are non-electric sites. Generators may run from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. only. |
| General |
Non-reservable sites may be available on a first come, first served basis |
| General |
Prevent the spread of invasive species by inspecting and cleaning packs, equipment, and tires before using lake or trails |
| General |
A pet fee of $2 per pet per night is required upon check in |
| General |
Click here for more information about Black Hills National Forest. |
| General |
Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org. |
| General |
The Senior and Access discounts are only honored for the site that houses the card holder.
|
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.
