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Black Hills National Forest › Mystic Ranger District › South Dakota
› Custer County
› Custer
› Pactola Reservoir Campground
› Campsite #17
Campsite #17 at Pactola Reservoir Campground, SD
$28
Campsite #17
| 8 people | |
| 51 ft | Back-In |
| 2 | good |
7/3
7/13
Campsite #17 Features: Back-In parking, RV Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (5)
4.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 40% |
| 4 star | | 20% |
| 3 star | | 20% |
| 2 star | | 20% |
| 1 star | | 0% |
@TammyK9690800 · Camped on Jul 13, 2024 at Campsite #17
The site was beautiful with lots of real estate for each site. We really enjoyed that, enjoyed the beautiful view, and enjoyed swimming in the reservoir each evening. We were well informed that the sites did not have water or electric hookups, so we were prepared for that. However, we saw no mention that the campground has no dump station. The dump station in the Badlands did not have a set-up with water that allowed us to completely empty our blackwater tank, so we needed to complete that before setting up at Pactola. If the reservation site or our reminder email had let us know that there was no dump station at Pactola we would have looked for a place (perhaps at a Flying J?) where we could have taken care of that before arrival. Instead, we had to leave, go pay a fee at a private campground in a neighboring town, and then come back to set up. It is really disappointing that this information is not out there for people who plan to come to this campground. Otherwise we had a very nice stay. We were able to visit Spearfish Canyon, hike to the Devil's Bathtub, tour the Wild West town of Deadwood, and visit Bear Butte State Park easily from this location.
@RandiO88920685 · Camped on Jun 28, 2023 at Campsite #17
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!
@DennisM8587674 · Camped on Aug 21, 2022 at Campsite #17
Maybe one of the most beautiful views in our country. We try to go every year for a few days and have been doing almost every year since 1997. This is rough camping but worth it.
@RobertT545 · Camped on Sep 9, 2021 at Campsite #17
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 mile 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.
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 mile 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.
@drut589 · Camped on Jul 11, 2021 at Campsite #17
We had a bad experience at the campground Loop A site 17. We were right behind the camp hosts, a younger couple, who had a party at their camper and partied until 3AM. Loud music and talking and shouting. Needless to say, We didn't get much sleep. The male host was also rude to our grandchildren who were crawdad hunting at night on the shore of the lake and continued to give us dirty looks the next two days we were there. We have always had a good experience before.
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