Ice Skating

Ice fishermen and ice skaters can enjoy their sport on the area lakes and reservoirs. Please remember that boat ramps are not plowed or maintained for access to the ice at Pactola Reservoir, Deerfield Reservoir and Sheridan Lake. Ice conditions fluctuate and anglers and skaters are reminded to use caution when travelling over the ice. None of the lakes or reservoirs are groomed for ice skating. Check the newspaper and at local fishing and bait shops for local ice conditions and fishing reports.

Ice Skating 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.
Deerfield Reservoir Complex
- Fish Your National Forest
  
  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 Dutchman Campground (south side) and one at the Custer Trails Campground (north side). 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 Forest!
Pactola Reservoir Complex
- A Water Playground
  
  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. (Photo by Bradley Block/USDA FS)
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 gasoline, oil, groceries, and food service. 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/
Sheridan Lake Complex
- A Fishing Paradise
  
  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.
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).
Dalton Lake
- Historic Area
  
  Dalton Lake is approximately a 2.8 acre lake on Little Elk Creek. The upstream watershed drains about 2,000 acres. The lake is about 15 feet deep. The Forest Service and South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks drained and dredged the lake in 2011 - 2012. Dalton Lake has populations of rainbow and brook trout. The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks manages the fishing here so prior to fishing consult the state fishing regulations. Shoreline access is good, as is access via a pier. Meade County residents co-sponsored construction of nine dams, including the Dalton Lake dam, to make the County an outstanding recreation area. The dam’s construction began in 1934 and was complete by 1937. Civilian Conservation Corps Companys 787 and 2759V based from Camp Estes near Nemo, SD, built the campground by 1935, and built a “ski slide” on the south side of the creek downstream from the dam. The ski slide fell into disuse. The sheltered picnic area in the campground remains in use. There were a few small dams or check dams downstream (east) of the Dalton Lake dam. The Forest Service allows non-motorized boating on Dalton Lake.
  
  See also: Dalton Lake Campground
Roubaix Lake
Roubaix Lake is a small lake located northwest of Rapid City and South of Deadwood, just west of US Highway 385. The lake provides opportunities for swimming, fishing and ice skating.

See the Roubaix Lake Campground webpage for camping information.
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.
- Scenic Areas
  
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- Hiking
  
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- Camping
  
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- Map
  
  Image SmartPhone Map
- Photos
  
  View
Yates Pond
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.
Cook Lake Recreation Area
- Recreation and Relaxation
  
  Situated in a heavily forested area, Cook Lake offers a little something for everyone. A campground close to the lake is in a peaceful setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in the Black Hills National Forest in Wyoming. Some sites in the campground are widely spaced and open up to views overlooking the lake, and others sit snugly along a hillside. Separation, rather than vegetation, provide visitors with a sense of privacy. Tall mature trees and grass underbrush give the campground a groomed character. Hiking, fishing and picnicking are also popular activities here.
- Cook Lake Campground Reservations
  
  Visit Recreation.gov to make your campground reservation online. See off-season camping information below.
  
  Reserve Your Campsite
Check out the Cook Lake Spillway Reconstruction Project (Completed in 2020)
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.
Bismark Lake
- Ideal Fishing
  
  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. (Photo by Dave Pickford/USDA FS)
Black Elk Wilderness & Norbeck Wildlife Preserve
- Black Elk Wilderness
  
  Black Elk Wilderness is located in in the center of the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve & was designated as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System by Congress in 1980.
  
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- Norbeck Wildlife Preserve
  
  Within the heart of the Black Hills of SD, lies the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. Visitors experience a legacy left behind by a man named Peter Norbeck who had a vision for preserving natural beauty and protecting wildlife, while making a special area accessible to everyone.
  
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Horsethief Lake
- 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.
Lakota Lake
- Overview
  
  Lakota Lake is located southeast of Keystone, SD, on US Highway 16A (Iron Mountain Road), within the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. It is a small, non-motorized lake and a popular destination for fishing and kayaking. A hitchrail is provided for horses, along with access to Iron Creek Trail #15. Several picnic tables offer a scenic view of the lake. Lakota Lake Road was upgraded in fall 2021. The Great American Outdoor Act provided funding for the reconstruction of the road going into the day-use area, the parking area and needed gate repairs. The project reconstructed the road to two-lanes, fixed drainage issues, eliminated ruts, resurfaced the road and parking, added barriers, and replaced non-functional gates. Black Hills Back Country Horsemen of South Dakota assisted the Forest with installing hitch rails and a map kiosk at Lakota Lake in fall 2019.