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.
General Information
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.
Complexes
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!
From Hill City go west on Deerfield Road approximately 23 miles to northwest side of lake, turn right or south on Forest Road 417, travel to end of road. The Custer T
From Hill City, go west on Deerfield Road approximately 14 miles. Just past Gillette Prairie Road you will see signs for the trailhead on the north (right) side of th
From Hill City go west on Deerfield Road approximately 22 miles to northwest side of lake, turn right or south on Forest Road 461, travel to end of road.
The Deerfield Trail is a 23 mile trail connecting the Deerfield Reservoir to the Centennial Trail. Between the Dougherty and Silver City Trailheads, you will wind thro
From Rapid City, travel west on Highway 44 for about 15 miles. Turn north (right) onto Highway 385 and travel for 1.4 miles, then turn west (left) onto Silver City Ro
From Hill City, travel west on Deerfield Road for 5 miles. Turn north (right) onto Mystic Road, and travel for 5.5 miles. This trailhead serves both the Deerfie
- Overview
The Kinney Canyon Walk In Fishery is a favorite among fly fishers.
From Rapid City, travel west on Highway 44 for about 15 miles. Turn north (right) onto Highway 385 and travel for 1.4 miles, then turn west (left) onto Silver City Ro
Dutchman Campground, located in a shady Ponderosa pine forested area on the northeast edge of Deerfield Reservoir at 5,000 feet.
Whitetail Campground is located above Deerfield Reservoir at 6,000 feet, an ideal setting for guests seeking summer climate relief, recreation and relaxation in Black Hills
Mountain City Picnic Area is a secluded spot that provides shore fishing access for Gold Run inlet of Deerfield Reservoir.
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 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/
This private access group campsite is isolated among the forested Black Hills of South Dakota, overlooking a private bay on the Pactola Reservoir.
Jenny Gulch Picnic Area Fishing Access has three picnic tables located at an inlet on the west side of Pactola Reservoir.
- Use and Enjoyment for All Visitors
Veteran’s Point Trail is a half-mile trail designed to be accessible for everyone.
The Veterans Point Picnic Area has four picnic sites located along a paved trail. Accessible restroom facilities are available.
The Veterans Point Fishing Pier is fully accessible. A paved trail leads from the parking area to the pier.
The Pactola Point Picnic Area has ten picnic sites. Restroom facilities are available. The 10 picnic sites are located among large, scattered ponderosa pines.
This boat launch is located on the northeast corner of the reservoir and is very busy on the weekends.
Pactola South Boat Launch is 1 of 2 boat ramps available at Pactola Reservoir. Non-motorized and motorized boating activities, including boat fishing is very popular.
Pactola Point Swim Beach is a sandy beach on the south shore of Pactola Reservoir.
Sheridan Lake North Cove (Group Sites) Campground, in a forest of Ponderosa pine is along the north shore of Sheridan Lake.
The Sheridan Lake North Boat Launch provides access to Sheridan Lake for motorized and non-motorized boats.
The Dakota Point Picnic Area has ten picnic sites. Restroom facilities are available.
The Sheridan North Picnic Area has 12 picnic sites. Restroom facilities are available.
The Sheridan Lake North Swim Beach is a busy recreation area in the summer.
The Sheridan South Picnic Area has 93 picnic sites. Restroom facilities are available.
The Flume Trail has been designated a National Recreation Trail because of its historical significance to the local people. The historic Flume trail takes you back in
Seven trailheads provide access to the Centennial Trail in the central Black Hills. The seven trailheads are Brush Creek Trailhead, Calumet Trailhead, Dakota Point Trailhead, Deer Creek Trailhead, Rapid Creek Trailhead & Fishing access, Samelius Trailhead and Spring Creek Trailhead. This portion of the Centennial Trail is approximately 29 miles long, and is open for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
The Centennial Trail is a 111 mile long trail from Bear Butte State Park to Wind Cave National Park. It marks the 100th anniversary of state hood, 1889 to 1989, and represents the diversity of South Dakota. There are many other trailheads that also access the Centennail Trail across the Forest.
NOTE: Backcountry camping options, park permits, and overnight parking requirements vary from one agency to the next. Interested hikers are encouraged to contact the respective agencies directly for specific guidance and updated policies.
From Rapid City, travel about 15 miles west on Highway 44. Turn south (left) onto Highway 385 and continue over Pactola Dam for 4.3 miles. Turn east (left) onto
Calumet Trailhead is located on the south side of Sheridan Lake (at the south boat launch). Access is through the Sheridan Lake Campground. This also provides a
From Rapid City, travel south/west on Sheridan Lake Road for 15 miles. Turn south (left) onto Dakota Point Road and travel for .25 miles.
From Rapid City, travel west on Highway 44 for about 15 miles. Turn north (right) onto Highway 385 and travel for 1.4 miles, then turn west (left) onto Silver City Ro
Rapid Creek Trailhead is located in the basin of Pactola Reservoir. From Rapid City, travel about 15 miles west on Highway 44. Turn south (left) onto Highway 38
Samelius Trailhead is located 18 miles west of Rapid City, and 6 miles east of Hill City right off Highway 16. This is the southernmost Trail Head for the Centennial
From Rapid City, travel about 14 miles South/west on Sheridan Lake Road. Spring Creek Trailhead is located .4 miles south of Sheridan Lake Road on National Forest Sys
Recreation Sites
Bear Gulch (Group Site)
Black Fox Campground
Bogus System
Brush Creek Trailhead
Buzzards Roost Trailhead
Calumet Trailhead
Castle Peak Campground
Custer Trail Trailhead
Dakota Point Picnic Area
Dakota Point Trailhead