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.
Location
Whitetail is located in South Dakota
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
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonFair
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileAvailable
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 1 min from Rapid City
- 3 hrs 48 min from Casper
- 4 hrs 34 min from Cheyenne
- 5 hrs 42 min from Bismarck