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Signs & Maps

Established Camping

Whitetail

Whitetail Campground is located near Hill City in the Black Hills National Forest. The area features forested terrain with elevations that can influence temperatures, ranging from lows in the 30s Fahrenheit in spring and fall to highs in the 80s during summer. Nearby attractions include Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Custer State Park, offering opportunities for exploration and sightseeing.

Description

National Forest

Black Hills National Forest

Overview

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 National Forest. Sites in this campground are widely spaced. Several have lake views, while others are more secluded and tucked into ponderosa and lodgepole pine forest.

Recreation

Black Hills National Forest offers recreational opportunities for all ages. Guests can take advantage of opportunities for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on moderate terrain. The 10-mile Deerfield Lake Loop Trail is open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. It encircles Deerfield Lake, traversing the forested shoreline and offering fantastic views and opportunities for birding and picnicking. Nearby Deerfield Trail connects Deerfield Lake with Rapid Creek and Pactola Reservoir. Sites along the trail include a log flume, cabins, mines, tunnels and railroad grades, providing a glimpse into the area's history. Deerfield Reservoir is an ideal spot for fishing and boating, but it is a no wake lake. The lake supports populations of stocked rainbow and native brown trout.

Natural Features

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. 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.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (605) 574-4402.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Charges & Cancellations

No refunds will be given for weather or related events.

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Location

Whitetail is located in South Dakota

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Hill City, take Deerfield Rd. (County Rt. 308/Forest Rt. 17) west for 15.1 miles to Whitetail Campground sign (Forest Rt.421). Turn right onto Rt. 421 and travel 0.9 miles to the campground.

Coordinates

44.0125667 N
103.8029972 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Fair
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

2 Reviews

Reviewed Apr. 13, 2024

Great View

We stayed for free during off season! It was a beautiful view of the water.

Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Jun. 25, 2019

Remote lake with hiking and fishing

This oasis is found not too far outside of Hill City. There are 2 loops of campsites. The lower one is closer to the lake. The upper loop has forest views. Site 8 was spacious and had some distance from our neighbor. The vegetation is tall trees which means you can still see other campers. Water, vault toilets and garbage cans are standard. The friendly host pointed out good sites from the ones remaining. We camped in the upper loop with the host and one other family. The lower was filled. 

Deerfield Lake is large and beautiful. There is a hiking trail that goes around it- 11 mile circuit. A much longer trail winds it’s way down to a town. You can go over 100 miles on it. The host gave us a map that pointed out different trailheads. We loved hiking around the lake- whether it was a few miles one way or the other or even driving to a different trailhead. 

This is certainly a place to remember.

Site8
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Whitetail by Art S., June 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Whitetail by Art S., June 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Whitetail by Art S., June 25, 2019
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Whitetail?

    Camping at Whitetail can cost between $20.00 and $24.00 depending on the site.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Whitetail?

    Whitetail allows vehicles up to 76 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Whitetail?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Whitetail, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Whitetail have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Whitetail does not have wifi.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Whitetail?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Whitetail. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Whitetail, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Whitetail?

    There are 18 campsites at Whitetail and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts