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The Spearfish City Campground is a beautiful shaded campground nestled along Spearfish Creek, one of the best trout fishing streams in the Black Hills.
The Campground is located adjacent to the D.C. Booth Historic Fish Hatchery and Spearfish City Park. It offers a variety of campsites, from non-hookup sites to premium spaces with creek access and other amenities.
This campground is nestled in the pine trees along the south shore of Pactola Reservoir, offering guests lake views and access to a multitude of recreational opportunities both on land and water. Pactola Visitor Center is located in close proximity to the campground, providing opportunities for conservation education and information to visitors.
Black Hills National Forest offers recreational opportunities for all ages. Visitors can take advantage of opportunities for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on moderate terrain. From Pactola Reservoir, hikers can access the 2.2-mile Osprey Trail which includes two loop trails and a spur trail to an overlook. The trail is named for the ospreys that are often seen in the area. Pactola Reservoir is an ideal spot for fishing and boating. The reservoir is stocked with rainbow, lake and brown trout as well as largemouth and rock bass, kokanee salmon and yellow perch. Record lake trout are caught here annually, and large brown trout find habitat in Rapid Creek above and below the reservoir.
Located in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, Black Hills National Forest encompasses nearly 1.25 million acres of rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and unique caves. Derived from the Lakota language, the words "Paha Sapa," meaning "hills that are black," honor the dark, pine-covered hills rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie. Pactola Reservoir is the largest and deepest reservoir in the Black Hills, boasting 14 miles of shoreline and 150 foot depths on 800 acres. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the dam and water. Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate mountainous terrain, while elk, deer and pronghorn gather in forests and prairies. Bald eagles, hawks, osprey, peregrine falcon, and hundreds of other bird species can be found in the forest, especially along streams, lakes and rivers.
For facility specific information, please call (605) 574-4402.
Nearby Jewel Cave is the second longest cave in the world at 159.29 miles. It features sparkling calcite crystals and other rare formations, as well as some of the largest concentrations of passageways in the world. Other possible day trips include Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Monument, Devils Tower National Monument and Wind Cave National Park.
No refunds wil be given for weather or related events.
$28 / night
$23 - $65 / night
Anyone who has camped at Sylvan Lake campground in South Dakota’s Custer State Park knows that Black Hills camping doesn’t get much better than this. Sylvan Lake Campground is one of eight designated campgrounds in Custer State Park, and one of the best public land destinations for camping in the Black Hills of southwest South Dakota. The region’s expanse of dense forests, rolling prairies and granite mountain peaks (the very same peaks that were used to form Mount Rushmore) offer photo-snapping tourists and laced-up explorers alike a chance to dive into the ecology of the American West. For campers looking for a comfortable and convenient basecamp for diving into the region’s scenery and activities, Sylvan Lake campground is the place to be for many reasons. First, the 40-site campground offers access to the popular swimming spot of Sylvan Lake, where campers might feel inclined to spend their entire stay on the rocky beach of this scenic body of water. There’s also access to multiple hiking trails, suitable for all skill levels, including a trail that takes you to the curious and beautiful Black Elk Peak, the highest summit-able point east of the Rocky Mountains. Both a family-friendly spot and a hardcore adventurer’s playground, Sylvan Lake is Black Hills camping for everyone.
With stunning views of the Black Hills and the pioneering history of the Frawley Ranch dating back over 140 years, Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort& Campground captivates visitors from near and far. Located on the edge of the beautiful Spearfish, and only minutes from historic Deadwood and legendary Sturgis, Elkhorn Ridge is a perfect launching pad for your Black Hills vacation. Tell campfire tales under the South Dakota stars and create lasting, meaningful memories with loved ones. More than an RV& Cabin campground, we're a destination creating unforgettable experiences that keep guests coming back time and time again. Relax. Unplug. Unwind. Your Black Hills vacation awaits you.
$29 / night
Reuter Campground, located on a hillside of Ponderosa pine and grassy understory, offering a peaceful setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in northeastern Wyoming's Black Hills National Forest. The campground is named after Emil Reuter, a German immigrant who made his way into the canyon in 1893 and spent the rest of his life prospecting in the area.
Black Hills National Forest offers a multitude of recreational opportunites throughout all seasons. Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles are popular in summer and early autumn. Winter landscapes are ideal for snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling. From this campground, visitors can access the Sundance Trail System from Reuter Trailhead. The secluded trails of this system weave through a network of densely forested canyons and open ridges that form the Bearlodge Mountains. Some ridge tops look out to the Custer Expedition Route, Devils Tower, and the Twin Missouri Buttes. Elk, deer and turkey are some of the more common wildlife seen along the trail. Parts of the trail system have existed since the 1800s. As routes to reliable water and the only access to some parts of the Bearlodge Mountains, they played a key role in the rich mining history of the area. The trail system is maintained for hiking, horseback riding, bicycling and cross-country skiing. Motorized vehicle traffic is not allowed; however, some portions of trails follow existing Forest Service roads open for motorized use.
Stretching across northeastern Wyoming and western South Dakota, Black Hills National Forest encompasses nearly 1.25 million acres of rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and unique caves. Derived from the Lakota language, the words "Paha Sapa," meaning "hills that are black," honor the dark, pine-covered hills rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie. Bighorn sheep navigate mountainous terrain, while elk, deer and pronghorn gather in forests and prairies. Bald eagles, hawks, osprey, peregrine falcon, and hundreds of other bird species can be found in the forest, especially along streams, lakes and rivers. Mountain lions, although rarely seen, also call this area home.
Warren Peak Lookout Tower, approximately 4 miles north of the campground on Forest Service Road 838, provides a panoramic view of the landscape extending into South Dakota and Wyoming. Devils Tower National Monument is also a great location to visit. Established as the first United States National Monument on September 24, 1906, by President Theodore Roosevelt, this unique geological formation is valued for its natural, cultural, and recreational significance.
For facility specific information, please call (605) 574-4402.
No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
$22 / night
$20 / night
Ranger
Definitely glamping. Awesome experience. Full amenities on site, even a little view of Mount Rushmore from the lobby’s deck.
Traveler
This is an unbelievable place. Very nice pull through sights, two pools, hot tub, laundry and nice bathrooms. They pay attention to details such as clean fire pits and no trash anywhere. Extremely safe for a family or a Solo Traveler. Wonderful playgrounds for children. Would definitely stay here again because there are so many ways to camp. Including teepees, cabins and glamping sites. This really is a true Resort.
GuideThe pros:
The cons: We ended up here because I called 17 other places between Custer and Rapid City and all were full. Many of the sites offered by the competition are nicely spaced out with mature trees surrounding the pads, that’s not the case here.
Traveler
I have stayed at this dispersed camping area once during the Sturgis rally. This is a free camping area located Off the main highway between Sturgis and Deadwood, South Dakota. After you pull off the highway onto camp 5 Road there are a few single campsites, but if you continue down the hill, across the dry creek bed, You will find a huge field for camping. The creek bed crossing is fairly easy, especially if you have a SUV or a pick up truck. I probably wouldn’t recommend it with a low clearance car. During our stay, there were Porta potty’s located in this area. I’m not sure if the Porta potty’s remain throughout the summer or if They were placed there just for the Sturgis rally guests. This field area is located a bit further from the main highway, so it’s also a bit quieter. I am aware that this area is also considered an ATV trail head parking area, but we did not see any ATVs during our stay. This camping area does not have any access to water, electricity, or sewer hook ups. The sites closer to the highway will have some traffic noise, but the field area is fairly quiet, And the price for this camping area is awesome - FREE. I did not see any fire rings, and the forest service probably prohibits campfires. This camping area also allows for quick access into Deadwood If you want to visit casinos, historical sites, gas stations, Restaurants and bars, or just grab some groceries.
ScoutWe originally booked the teepee which is adorable but after arriving we felt we needed some more space. Luckily for us there was one glamping tent available for the dates we needed. Quite the price difference but we were ok with it. 3 beds (2 queen and one twin!) all with trundles underneath! The front and back porch were amazing for coffee and yoga in the am. The bedding was luxury and the decor was amazing nice touches to the experience. The mini fridge came in use and we loved the location of the tent to the pool and the shower house located just a few feet away. Beware that SD gets some pretty epic storms and two nights were slightly scary being in a canvas tent with wind gusts of 50 plus mph but they held up well! The teepees on the other hand 😆 not so much. Glad we upgraded! The pool.....there is a kid side and adult side which was awesome! The kid pool was super gross so I was glad to have a spot to go with crystal clear water! It was crowded later in the day. The pool stays open and extra hour for adults which is nice 9-10pm. The facility could use a couple more washer and dryer units as a lady pissed and moaned at me that she couldn’t do her laundry because they were in use by me. Our first vaca Karen and she did not disappoint lol. The little store in the lodge is adorable and has a nice little area to chill, play games and a deck to outside with a nice grill for guests to use. They offer popcorn and coffee all day. Let some of the nicest people and we made so many memories at this property. I’ll be sure to share with clients who head to SD!
LegendAs a Ranger on The Dyrt, I sometimes receive compensation for reviews like this one. We received a coupon code for The Dyrt's online product store in exchange for trying out the new online camping reservation system to make a reservation for Buffalo Ridge Camping Resort.
We reserved a campsite for Buffalo Ridge Camping Resort through The Dyrt, and it was a breeze to go through the process. We were emailed the reservation information, payment was taken via bank card, and it all made the check-in process very fast upon arrival. We decided to change from a tent site to a log cabin and all the contact information was in the email, so we called and they made the change for us at the office. When we arrived they handed over the key and off we went.
Buffalo Ridge is conveniently located in Custer, South Dakota. It is at the location of the previous Flintstones Resort(my kids miss that place), and some of the playground equipment from the Flintstones Theme Park were located at the campground. My boys loved playing on the teeter-totters and in the old Flintstones car that were there. Good memories. The resort is sectioned into areas- a tent area, the glamping tipi area, two RV areas, and the cabins. There is a main building where you check in and they have a nice little gift shop with trendy, outdoorsy items and camping needs available. The heated pool is coming… they have broken ground behind the main building! However, since the pool is promised on their website, they partnered with another of the Custer Hospitality’s properties, Comfort Inn, which is across the road, and provide passes to the indoor swimming pool there until their pool is done. My sons were thrilled as the night we stayed at Buffalo Ridge it got down in the 30’s- that would have been a very chilly outdoor swim for June!
The RV sites are pretty typically spaced, and there are small trees throughout. The tent sites are large, have a fire ring, and some have picnic shelters as well as tables. There are two types of cabins, log (think KOA-style) and rustic. They sleep 4-5 comfortably. Cabins also have fire rings and picnic tables, and there are trash cans right outside the cabin! What a nice touch(you can tell we aren’t in bear country here!). There is a really nice, new laundry and shower facility and a bathroom building with two toilets and a very large outdoor sink for washing dishes.
The price for this campground is more than reasonable compared with others in the area! We were happy to see both their tent sites and their cabin prices were about$10 below the local competition. All of the staff we encountered were friendly and helpful, and did their best to insure a positive stay.
The log cabin we stayed in did not have A/C, but they do provide a space heater(which we needed in June, believe it or not), but they are situated near the top of the ridge so get a nice breeze. There were two sets of beds inside, one twin bunk and one full-twin bunk. Five could easily sleep there. There is a nice porch with chairs and a swinging bench as well. Our sons asked if we could stay a second night, they enjoyed it so much!
Right now (as of June 2019) they are working on installing the outdoor pools, expanding the second RV area(looks almost done), they just paved the east entrance this week, and are putting in more gravel and possibly paving more of the main roads. It is going to be a very nice campground when it is finished, as it already has a great start! There were a ton of RV’s the night we stayed, and they have an employee that leads you to your site using a golf cart, which is always a nice touch. Class A’s fit easily into their sites, as well as RV’s with slides. Plenty of safe room for kids to run around and play as well. All around, we are very pleased to have Buffalo Ridge in our home town and will stay there again just for the fun of it!
For the techies - excellent Wi-Fi service is included all over the campground, and there is a very good 4G Verizon signal at the campground.
Ranger
I should have checked Recreation.gov to confirm this campground is open before heading there, it would have saved me some time. It closed as of September 11th 2020, and is reopening in May 2021. Looks like May- Sept. is what's planned for next year as well. Boo! Still, glad I did actually go because now I know where I might head next time I'm in the area. Noticed some other campsites in the Black Hills are closed as well, so I might have timed my camping trip to the area poorly. Live and learn. Anyway, about the campground…
Easy to get to, good LTE reception on Verizon throughout, BIG area with what looks like four different loops, some closer to the water than others. A tent-only area, which I appreciate- those tend to be quieter than the RV spots, and the tent area was close to the reservoir. Standard campsite amenities- tables, fire pits, bathrooms. Swimming seems like an option. Plenty of trees for us hammock dwellers. Could easily see myself spending a few days here when it is open, assuming it isn't too much of a zoo, which large sites like these can devolve into.
NOTE: this is a duplicate listing of another Dyrt listing for the same campground. That listing is under the name "Pactola Reservoir Campground" which is the accurate name according to the Forest Service. That listing has more reviews and info, but has incorrect GPS coordinates. I've submitted a fix, so hopefully they'll fix the GPS for the other listing and merge them, but until then, just a heads up. Here's the other listing: https://thedyrt.com/camping/south-dakota/south-dakota-pactola-reservoir-campground
Guide
The owners are the friendliest. Very accommodating. All the hook ups worked. Awesome price in a fantastic location to see all the wonderful sites South Dakota has to offer.
Traveler
Small but quiet and set among the Black Hills of South Dakota, this RV and Tent camping site has clean bathrooms with showers, WiFi, a great cafe, lots of shade, and friendly service. We stayed at the KOA first, but wish our first night had been here!
Legend
Rocky Point Recreation Area is clean and quiet. Access to the reservoir was very easy. There is a small sandy beach is available for swimming. The facilities were clean and in good repair. It's a nice area for kayaking, canoeing, or fishing.
It was on the upper end of what I'd want to spend for a campsite with the reservation fee and the out-of-state fee for South Dakota.
Guide
This lake is beautiful, its one of my favorite places inside Custer state park. There are a ton of trails, all within easy walking distance. Make sure you pack plenty of water. Some of the hikes are pretty steep and South Dakota in notorious for fast changing weather. The lake itself can be pretty busy, especially during the weekend. Lot of people swimming and kayaking. Needles highway is a must if your in the area
Guide
We are traveling through South Dakota and a storm was brewing. We decided to camp here instead of dry camping so that we would have hookups incase we couldn't open the windows. It's really warm outside. They have a camp store, live music on a Sunday and a Cafe that offers pizza and wings for dinner, breakfast, and a bar. The only con is that there is no shade and it's right on the interstate. Looks like they've begun planting trees.
RangerI should have checked Recreation.gov to confirm this campground is open before heading there, it would have saved me some time. It closed as of September 11th 2020, and is reopening in May 2021. Looks like May - Sept. is what's planned for next year as well. Boo! Still, glad I did actually go because now I know where I might head next time I'm in the area. Noticed some other campsites in the Black Hills are closed as well, so I might have timed my camping trip to the area poorly. Live and learn. Anyway, about the campground…
Easy to get to, good LTE reception on Verizon throughout, BIG area with what looks like four different loops, some closer to the water than others. A tent-only area, which I appreciate - those tend to be quieter than the RV spots, and the tent area was close to the reservoir. Standard campsite amenities - tables, fire pits, bathrooms. Swimming seems like an option. Plenty of trees for us hammock dwellers. Could easily see myself spending a few days here when it is open, assuming it isn't too much of a zoo, which large sites like these can devolve into.
NOTE - as of 9/28/2020 the GPS coordinates for this are wrong on Dyrt. I submitted a correction, so that might be changed soon, but just a heads up. Dyrt currently has another listing with fewer reviews simply called "Pactola Campground" that is also this campground and has accurate GPS coordinates. You can find that listing here: https://thedyrt.com/camping/south-dakota/pactola
To avoid potentially heading to the wrong spot, just fire up Google Maps and plug in "Pactola Reservoir Campground" and it'll take you right there.
EDIT / UPDATE - as of 10/7/2020 the GPS coordinates for this campground are now correct.
Scout
They advertise that they have Wi-Fi but it's almost like they shut it off at 10 o'clock at night when quiet time starts which is a great time for looking up directions or places to see, we could never connect for long and streaming- which means no Netflix its against the rules(which we never saw only overheard). They allow fires but make sure you get a metal ring because it's illegal to have a fire in south Dakota if you don't have one they have them but they don't leave them at the sites or let you know they are available. Also no petting zoo we specifically came here thinking they had one because they advertised and after we arrived they informed us it was turned into a dog park i have no pictures but there's not much to see here
RangerThis is a great place to stay. Not far from Rapid City but close to all the attractions in South Dakota. The heated pool was NOT heated and the hot tub was NOT hot. That is why I gave the CG four stars. I was really looking forward to using them. Also, both seemed overloaded with chemicals. I have owned lots of pools with blue colored bottoms, but these looked like there was “Ty-d-bowl” added. Brilliant, stark blue. I just don’t believe it can be just the basic treatment. See what you think. ???The laundry areas (3 of them) were clean and tidy, too. $2.00 for each, but 45 minutes on the dryer, so that’s fair. 😀 Our spot was a bit difficult for us to level our rig on because the rocks kept slipping. We had to go purchase extra Xchocks. There is a nice store for basic needs, and alcohol, and an event schedule for evening entertainment. The event center serves wings (no celery or carrot sticks), pizza, etc. There is a playground for kids and they said a dog park. —-I did find a big area there, but no fence around it. ???
TravelerThe employees and hosts are very friendly and helpful. The sites were large and spaced out well. Everything was clean and well taken care of. The location of the park is awesome - 2 minutes from town, 20 minutes to Deadwood, and in the middle of two national monuments. Highly recommend!
Guide
This campground is unbelievable. It’s a few blocks from downtown with showers. It was $25 night for tenting. Most campsites had fire rings and picnic tables. Very busy - but super friendly and safe. Drove about 15 min to Deadwood and about an hour to Mt Rushmore. I will come back.
Guide
The campground is situated in a central location in the Black Hill. Easy drives to Deadwood, Rapid City, Keystone and minutes from Stugis.
Super clean bathrooms and laundry. They have a saloon on site however hours are random based on?!????
Internet worked great and the staff, especially Sue were amazing
Legend
Wanted a central location to explore Deadwood and scout out a good boondocking site in the Black Hills National Forest. Used our Passport America membership for a couple nights and this Park suit our needs fine. Was busy pre-Labor Day weekend with lots of ATV’s, etc. around. But generally quiet.
Scout
Close to freeway and at intersection heading to Deadwood. All the things you could ask for in a campground: beautiful pool, great store, camping cabins, great bathhouses. Restaurants and nightlife, gambling can be had after a scenic, short drive. Can be a bit pricey, but why not splurge? You’re on vacation, after all......😉
Scout
New owner with great staff doing many nice improvements. Store, Cafe,good cold beer. Trout pond you catch they clean and cook great meal. A little tight but friendly and beautiful steam runs thru campground. Very good location to many attractions. Devils Tower, Rushmore, Custer and many more. Don’t forget Lead and Deadwood close by and great experience.
TravelerWe had a full hook-up site here for our travel trailer. They assisted in parking the camper which was helpful since the quarters are quite close in this campground. The owners are very helpful and friendly, The campground is close to lots of great activities such as Spearfish Canyon, as well as Deadwood and Lead. We also used the laundry which was quite roomy and clean.
ScoutThe campsites are large and rustic. Modern amenities such as boat rentals are available, but I like the more natural camping experiences. We camped in late September, the leaves were turning and the air was crisp and cool. The wildlife is abundant. Pactola lake is deep and clean; the views are amazing and the water is very cold. The proximity to Mt. Rushmore, Deadwood, and Spearfish make this a very nice camping destination.
TravelerChris’ Campground offers beautiful treed, grassy sites for tents and campers (RVs) of all sizes. They have 3 heated pools, a basketball court, recreation room, playground, & petting zoo for the kids, as well as a camp store, laundry facility, free WiFi and fire pits. They are close to Spearfish Canyon which has wonderful hiking trails and trout fishing. The area is beautiful.There are also close to Deadwood and Lead, both of which are worth exploring!
GuideOnly got to stay here for one night on our way to Yellowstone, but had a nice stay. Stayed at site 31 and was easy to get our 38’ MH in and out. No electric, no water, no sewer, no problem. Lake was just down the path and the kids and dogs enjoyed playing in the water. Will be heading back again. There is a free dump station in Deadwood on the way up to the interstate.
Scout
This is a no hookups campground, but it’s on the Crazy Horse Memorial Highway…so it’s close to the Crazy Horse Memorial, Mt. Rushmore, Custer National Park and the two little towns of Custer and Hill City. (It is a heavily traveled highway, so if road noise bothers you, ask for a site toward the back of the campground.) Very dark skies here…beautiful star gazing. Lots of bike and ATV trails in The Black Hills and forests.
Hill City has an 1880s steam train you can take to Keystone, and lots of quirky little shops downtown. Custer is genuine South Dakota with Trading Posts, Western Art Galleries, and Buffalo statues all over town. (I’ve no idea how many, I am still trying to figure that out).
The Camp Hosts are super friendly and helpful, and gave us a great deal of local info. They were very knowledgable about the area. There are pit toilets right down the hill from our site. There is a common water spigot beside the pit toilets, but none at sites and no electric.
I reserved the place for two weeks online…it seems most folks stay only a night or two, but we have solar that keeps the lights on and the fridge and freezer running, so we are good. Generator hours are 8am to 8pm. Spacious, fairly level gravel sites with picnic tables, and fire rings. Lots of trees if you want them or few if you have solar (leave a note when you reserve or call and ask the camp host.) There have been sites available (1 or 2 at least) most days but it’s Friday and it’s filling up. Cell phone coverage is pretty impossible without a hotspot or antennae to help pull the signal to your site. There is good connectivity up the road a mile or so, also inHill City and Custer.
GuideI stayed here for 3 weeks at the end of May beginning of June 2020. The staff is super friendly, they will go out of their way to help you or give you information about the area. There is a beautiful creek running through the property that allows you to fish or fall asleep to the sound of the water! Restroom & showers a very clean, as well. You are just a short drive from Lead for Grocery Shopping and mining activities and a short distance to Deadwood with their replay of the Gunfight with Wild Bill Hitcock as well as the capture and trial of Jack McCall the man who shot Wild Bill in the back as he played poker (the deadman's hand). You will not regret camping here, very beautiful area with lots to do!
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Deadwood, SD is Spearfish City Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 38 reviews.
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