Pactola Reservoir Campground, SD - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map

Pactola Reservoir Campground is located in the Mystic Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest (54 min west of Rapid City, SD) with an elevation of 4,692 feet. There are a total of 53 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 82 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp, swimming, marina, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.

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Campsite Reviews (137)

4.4 out of 5

5 star		61%
4 star		21%
3 star		6%
2 star		6%
1 star		3%

@AngelF7841389 · Camped on Aug 15, 2025 at Campsite #40

The lake was very low this year. Lots of sandbars/rocks

@VickiE6DB7E9E0 · Camped on Aug 15, 2025 at Campsite #32

The campground and facilities were very clean. The workers were very friendly and knowledgeable. We were in site 032. The way its situated the door opened to the road and its quite close to the road. That was not ideal. However, we were not far from the lake and had a pretty good view. Id say all in all we had a very pleasant stay.

@JosephL2308947 · Camped on Aug 3, 2025 at Campsite #40

Beautiful park! Jiat make sire the site is right for your xamper.

@JulieA1729459 · Camped on Jul 22, 2025 at Campsite #46

Shore front below the campground needs signage about packing out what you pack in...garbage. Fisherman were cleaning fish at the shore front and throwing carcasses back into the water... it stunk.

@DavidML26BED26 · Camped on Jul 20, 2025 at Campsite #11

very clean, quiet, relaxing. grass was way taller than years past but very clean. lake was very low but had fun swimming very much.

@NeenaS7A34A121 · Camped on Jul 17, 2025 at Campsite #2

Fun day kayaking!

@NicoleR9416181 · Camped on Jul 11, 2025 at Campsite #51

Amazing location. Nice camping with access to the reservoir.

@VICTORIAM23153 · Camped on Jul 11, 2025 at Campsite #26

Pactola Reservoir is beautiful and the campground adjacent to it makes for a very fun experience! The facilities are very clean as well.

@RichardM509620 · Camped on Jul 11, 2025 at Campsite #44

Beautiful campground with spacious sites and plenty of trees for shade. Campground and bathrooms very clean and well maintained.

@AbigailSC2B8B1 · Camped on Jul 11, 2025 at Campsite #43

Beautiful campground, great facilities, right on the water. We've camped here multiple times and look forward to coming back.

@JenniferS83796 · Camped on Jul 11, 2025 at Campsite #46

We come every year for Pure Pactola and the campsites are awesome the hosts are helpful and the bathrooms clean. Love this place. Absolutely perfect

@KayB8142962 · Camped on Jul 8, 2025 at Campsite #65

Lovely place to camp. Beautiful lake with access to renting boats at the marina. Campgrounds hosts were friendly and helpful.

@DAVIDJ6790409 · Camped on Jun 29, 2025 at Campsite #10

Thank you for the clean and quiet camp. Camp Host ("Beau") was very nice and professional. Camp site #8 has extensive growth of poison ivy next to the camp road. In my opinion, this should be removed.

@MelanieM6190DE · Camped on Jun 24, 2025 at Campsite #40

Pactola Lake is beautiful. The campground is a little hilly but really just fine. Campground was quiet when we were there at the end of June. Loved the swimming area near the boat launch. I would recommend this campground .

@JenniferA28334 · Camped on Jun 24, 2025 at Campsite #18

excellent national forest campground. Views are beautiful. Camp Host are very accommodating and friendly

@JennyFE24AB1BA · Camped on Jun 23, 2025 at Campsite #28

Very beautiful campground but sites are sloped and close together, no electric or water at sites. Loose dogs. I witnessed hosts smile and wave at campers whose dogs were loose and never say anything about loose dogs. Quiet

@AmyR5823789 · Camped on Jun 22, 2025 at Campsite #10

Clean, well maintained and close to the lake. It was quiet most of the time and the scenery was beautiful. The restrooms were very well maintained. Would recommend!

@MikeM9721189 · Camped on Jun 12, 2025 at Campsite #34

Great time and gorgeous views! Grandkids loved it! Camp host's were super!

@DelmarH146DC22 · Camped on Jun 8, 2025 at Campsite #42

We had camped at Pactola 20+ years ago and wanted to return. The campground was just as i remembered. It is a very quiet rustic campground. The hosts were helpful and knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed our time here. We used the campground as a home base to sight see the sites.

@LindseyT6CC9A9 · Camped on Jun 7, 2025 at Campsite #37

We love camping at Pactola! The reservoir is severely down right now, so getting in the water felt a little more treacherous as the gradual slope was not even in the water, and most parts had a steep drop off. The camp hosts were awesome and bathrooms always clean!

@JeffD9403272 · Camped on May 23, 2025 at Campsite #8

Campground host was helpful!

@ROBM7319577 · Camped on May 21, 2025 at Campsite #53

The campground was beautiful and quiet and the camp host Mike was excellent. He was very helpful even helping me cut some wood when I forgot an axe. He was a highlight of the trip and youd be lucky to have him as your host.

@PingCCCABD47E3 · Camped on Sep 6, 2024 at Campsite #44

Good facilities!

@RandyG6320371 · Camped on Aug 20, 2024 at Campsite #33

We love Pactola Resevoir.

@KathleenK13494 · Camped on Aug 19, 2024 at Campsite #23

I have camped at Pactola on a few occasions and all were good experiences. This year, I happened to book site 23 and bring my adult daughter along for the nature experience. I couldnt believe that it was an option to set up camp at site 23 as our camper was next to the restroom, but what made it even worse was that the picnic table and fire pit were 15 yds or less behind the toilet. To make matters worse, people walked (on a path) through our campsite to go to the restroom. Poor design. My recommendation is to steer clear of sites 23 and 22. Like I stated; should not be offered as a camp site. The lake itself was nice to boat on, and a beautiful area in general.

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Pactola Reservoir Campground, SD - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map