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/

At a Glance

Fees:	See day-use fee information; campground fees variable
Usage:	Heavy
Closest Towns:	Rapid City, SD
Operated By:	Forest Recreation Management

General Information

Directions: Take State Highway 44 from Rapid City, South Dakota, 15 miles west, turn left or south on 385; travel 2 miles to the dam

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:

Pactola Campground

RV Camping

Recreation areas with activity RV Camping:

Group Camping

Recreation areas with activity Group Camping:

Bear Gulch (Group Site)

Lake and Pond Fishing

Recreation areas with activity Lake and Pond Fishing:

Pactola Reservoir provides the opportunitiy to fish for rainbow, brown and lake trout.

River and Stream Fishing

Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:

Ice Fishing

Recreation areas with activity Ice Fishing:

Jenny Gulch Picnic Area Fishing Access

Pactola Reservoir provides a great setting and the opportunity to fish for rainbow, brown and lake trout.

Day Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:

Picnicking

Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:

The Pactola Point Picnic Ground is located on the south shore of Pactola Reservoir, near the Marine Store and Pactola Point Swim Beach.

Boating - Motorized

Recreation areas with activity Boating - Motorized:

The Pactola Reservoir Complex has two boat launches and a marina.

Boating - Non-Motorized

Recreation areas with activity Boating - Non-Motorized:

The Pactola Reservoir Complex has two boat launches and a marina.

Swimming

Recreation areas with activity Swimming:

Pactola Point Swim Beach

The Pactola Point Swim Beach is a sandy beach located on the south shore of Pactola Reservoir.

Waterskiing

Recreation areas with activity Waterskiing:

Ice Skating

Recreation areas with activity Ice Skating:

Ice skaters can enjoy their sport on Pactola Reservoir. Ice conditions fluctuate and skaters are reminded to use caution when travelling over the ice.