Campground

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.

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.

Recreation Sites

  • Group Standard Nonelectric
  • Overnight

Activities

  • Picnicking
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Boating
  • Biking

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

Getting Here

Latitude
44° 4' 27.9998" N
Longitude
103° 31' 32.0002" W
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.

Need to Know

  • These campsites are non-electric sites. Generators may run from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. only. Handpump for drinking water does not allow for filling of your rig.

  • The campground has a gate that is locked. Reservation holders must to go to Pactola Campground Main Booth to secure instructions for entry into Bear Gulch. There may be a $20.00 refundable lock charge.

  • Pets are allowed, but there is a $2 per pet per night fee payable upon check-in. Pets should be leashed, under control and attended at all times.

  • Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

    Seasoned wrapped firewood is available from the host at Pactola main campground..

  • 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.

    • Contact Information

    Forest Recreation Management, Inc
    P.O. Box 1168
    Hill City, SD 57745

    For campground inquiries, please call: 605-574-4402

    Additional Information