Established Camping
Black Hills National Forest Bear Gulch Campground
Black Hills National Forest Bear Gulch Campground is located near Hill City, SD, within the Black Hills National Forest. The terrain consists of forested areas with a mix of pine trees and open spaces. Campers can explore nearby attractions such as Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park, with temperatures ranging from 20°F in winter to 80°F in summer.
Description
US Forest Service
Black Hills National Forest
Overview
This private access group campsite is isolated among the forested Black Hills of South Dakota, overlooking a private bay on the Pactola Reservoir. Great for group events with up to 40 people, there are eight individual tent sites around a central parking area. The summers are pleasant, and the bay provides a great way to cool off on sunny days (summer temperatures range from highs in the mid-80s, to lows in the mid-50s). It can be reserved from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Recreation
Pactola Reservoir is an 800-acre lake, great for water skiing, swimming, fishing and even scuba diving. There is no boat ramp at the campground, but there is a separate marina where you can rent a boat and two boat ramps nearby on the main reservoir. Pactola Point Swim Beach, the Osprey Trail trailhead and a visitor center are within a short drive of the site. Fishing for such sought-after species as brown, rainbow and record lake trout is popular at the reservoir. There is also fishing in nearby Rapid Creek.
Facilities
Bear Gulch was formerly an eight-site single family campground, but has been converted into a group campground available for one group reservation at a time. It is primitive, but comfortable. There is a brand new accessible toilet. A hand pump for drinking water is available. Six of eight sites within the facility were originally designated for tent-only camping and still serve that purpose with a flat area, picnic table and fire ring at each site. There are a few places to park an RV around the central parking lot, however turning is very tight. There is no electrical hookup. Vehicles must travel down nine miles of dirt roads to reach the facility. Hill City is the nearest town for additional amenities, and Rapid City is 20 miles away. There is currently decent cell service at Bear Gulch.
Natural Features
The campground is in a small canyon surrounded by large Ponderosa pine trees on the southern side of the Pactola Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the Black Hills. This canyon was cut from years of water drainage from the surrounding mountains, forming steep slopes on either side of the road leading to the camping area. A variety of wildlife call the Black Hills home, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk and wild turkey. Osprey, also known as fish hawks, are a bird of prey that feed on the abundant fish in the lake.
Nearby Attractions
Bear Gulch is centrally located within the Black Hills and its many forests, lakes, mountains and rivers and sightseeing destinations. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial and Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway are all under an hour away. Mount Rushmore National Memorial Custer State Park
Charges & Cancellations
No refunds wll be given for weather or related events
Fee Info
Beginning Monday May 19, 2025, all Bear Gulch reservations require a non-refundable deposit equal to one half of the total fee. All cancelations made within 60 days of arrival will forfeit this deposit. All cancelations made 61+ days prior to arrival will be issued a refund for the deposit by requesting the refund through recreation.gov.
Location
Black Hills National Forest Bear Gulch Campground is located in South Dakota
Directions
From Highway 385 take Custer Gulch Road to Forest Service Road 251. Travel six miles to Forest Service Road 253 (Bear Gulch Road). Go three miles to the end of the road and campground.
Coordinates
44.0744444 N
103.5255556 W
Access
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TAvailable
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 29 min from Rapid City
- 3 hrs 35 min from Casper
- 4 hrs 21 min from Cheyenne
- 5 hrs 3 min from Bismarck