Campground Camping

The Black Hills National Forest has 30 campgrounds with more than 682 individual sites. A majority of the campgrounds are operated by a concessionaire, Forest Recreation Management, Inc. About half of the campgrounds have on-site hosts. Electricity, sewer, and water hook-ups and showers are not available. Most campgrounds have potable water (during the peak season only) and either flush or vault toilets.

Campground reservations may be made through Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777 or online at https://www.recreation.gov/. Reservations are recommended for holiday weekends.

Campground Camping Areas

Central Hills - Rapid City
The Mystic Ranger District is located in the central portion of the Black Hills National Forest and has an office south of Rapid City, SD.
Black Fox Campground
Castle Peak Campground
Deerfield Reservoir Complex
Deerfield Reservoir is located 20 miles west of Hill City, SD. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the dam and water. Castle Creek flows into and out of the reservoir and provides additional fishing opportunities. Ice fishing, snowmobiling and ice skating are popular winter sports here. The complex has three campgrounds, two picnic areas and the Deerfield Lake Loop Trail (Trail #40L).

There are two boat launch areas; one at Dutchmen Campground (south side) and one at Custer Trails. Please note: The Custer Trails boat dock is not placed as the dock sustained extensive damage from wind and other elements. Gravel has been laid at this location and boats can still be launched there, however, sandals and/or footwear that can get wet is recommended.

Travel on the reservoir is limited to five miles per hour and there is a no-wake restriction which provides for peaceful fishing and boating experiences.

Reservoir water levels and boat ramp data can be found on the Bureau of Reclamation website for Pactola and Deerfield Reservoirs: http://www.usbr.gov/gp/boat/

Fish Your National Forests: This site can be accessed by Passenger Car; Fish available include: Trout; Types of fishing available include: Shore, Motorized boat, Float tube, Spin, Ice; Boat Launch available
Custer Trail Campground
Dutchman Campground
Whitetail Campground
Ditch Creek Campground
Pactola Reservoir Complex
Pactola Reservoir is located 15 miles west of Rapid City. It is the largest and deepest reservoir in the Black Hills National Forest, boasting 14 miles of shoreline and 150 foot depths on 800 acres. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the dam and water. Record lake trout are caught each year. Large brown trout are caught in Rapid Creek above and below the reservoir. Facilities include a full service marina with seasonal, monthly and daily slips, gasoline, oil, groceries, food service, shower and laundry. Forest facilities include an 88 unit campground, a group campground, swim beach, picnic areas, two boat launches, a paved accessible trail, day use trails and portions of both the Centennial and Deerfield trails. Fly fishing below the spillway is exceptional. A National Forest visitor center on the south side of the dam is open seasonally and provides visitors with information about the building of the dam and forest management.

Reservoir water levels and boat ramp data can be found on the Bureau of Reclamation website for Pactola and Deerfield Reservoirs: http://www.usbr.gov/gp/boat/
Pactola Campground
Sheridan Lake Complex
Sheridan Lake is located 15 miles west of Rapid City. This warm 375 acre lake provides anglers with opportunities to fish for trout, northern pike, perch, bass and other pan fish. Fly fishing is popular in Spring Creek below the dam, and Ice Fishing is popular on the lake in winter. The largest campground (129 camp sites) on the Black Hills National Forest is located on the south shore, along with a boat launch, swim beach, picnic area and trailheads for the Flume Trail and access to the Centennial Trail. The north shore has a group campground, marina with slip rental, groceries and angler supplies, the largest swim beach on the forest, a picnic area and large boat launch. Fishing piers are located in various areas around the lake.
Sheridan Lake South Campground
Northern Hills-Spearfish
The Northern Hills Ranger District covers the northern portion of the Black Hills on the South Dakota side. Spearfish has nearby access to over 300 miles of snowmobile trails, groomed and ungroomed cross-country ski trails, a 100 mile long hiking trail (Centennial Trail) and many other trails, a 110 mile long biking, hiking and horseback trail (Mickelson Trail), and 2 downhill ski areas (ski areas are near Deadwood, SD - 15 miles away).
Boxelder Forks Campground
Dalton Lake Campground
Roubaix Lake Campground
Spearfish Canyon
Overview

Spearfish Canyon is renowned for its natural beauty & history framed by towering limestone canyon walls.
- Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
  
  This byway is the best place in the Black Hills to see waterfalls, including Bridal Veil, Little Spearfish & Roughlock Falls. The byway is a favorite fall color drive when the aspen changes in Sept. The Byway also follows an old railroad grade that was abandoned after massive flooding in 1933. Old rail stops & mining camps include Savoy & Elmore.
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Hanna Campground
Rod & Gun Campground
Timon Campground
Steamboat Rock
Strawberry
Northwestern Hills - Sundance
Bearlodge Ranger District (Northwestern Hills) encompasses the northern portion of the Black Hills on the Wyoming side.In the immediate vicinity is trout fishing, access to over 300 miles of snowmobile trails, hunting, hiking and camping. Forest Service campgrounds near Sundance are Cook Lake, Reuter, and Sundance Trailhead.
Bearlodge Campground
Cook Lake Recreation Area
Reuter Campground
Sundance (Horse Camp)
Southern Hills - Custer
The Hell Canyon Ranger District is located in the southern third of the Black Hills National Forest, with offices in both Newcastle, WY and Custer, SD.
Beaver Creek Campground
Bismark Lake
Bismark Lake is set amidst a scattering of aspen groves and Ponderosa pine. This is a great place for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in the Black Hills National Forest. The lake is an ideal spot for fishing and supports populations of rainbow and brown trout, a variety of sunfish, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and catfish. Non-motorized boating is allowed. Acess to this lake is through Custer State Park near the West Highway 16A entrance.
- Bismark Lake Campground Reservations
  
  Visit Recreation.gov to make your campground reservation.
  
  Reserve Your Campsite
Bismark Lake Campground
Horsethief Lake
Horsethief Lake is located near Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Fishing, especially ice fishing, is popular at this lake. Dredging operations were completed a few years ago to clean out excessive sediment to restore the depth and improve water quality. Enjoy this beautiful lake while fishing for trout from the shore, non-motorized boat or from the ADA accessible fishing pier.
- Horsethief Lake Campground Reservations
  
  Visit Recreation.gov to make your campground reservation.
  
  Reserve Your Campsite
Horsethief Lake Campground
Iron Creek (Horse Camp)
Willow Creek (Horse Camp)
Comanche Park Campground
Grizzly Bear Campground
Oreville Campground
Redbank Springs Campground