Bear Gulch Campground Black Hills National Forest South Dakota

Bear Gulch Road (Forest Service Road 253)
Rapid City, South Dakota 57702
605-574-4402

Lat / Long:

44.0744444, -103.5255556

Bear Gulch Group Campground overlooks a private bay on the Pactola Reservoir and is in an isolated area of the Black Hills of South Dakota. The group site has 8 individual tent sites around a central parking area. It can accommodate up to 40 people. The central parking area does have room for a few RVs, however turning is very tight.

The group site is generally open late May through early September. Amenities include drinking water (hand pump), vault toilets and trash collection.  There is no electrical hookup. Cell service is fair in the area.

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.

Other campgrounds in the area include Dalton Lake, Poactola Reservoir, Sheridan Lake, Boxelder Forks, Dalton Lake, Roubaix Lake, Willow Creek Horse Camp and Horsethief Lake.

Area Recreation & Activities

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.  There is also fishing in nearby Rapid Creek. Other activities include hiking, mountain biking, picnicking and wildlife viewing.

Make a Reservation for Bear Gulch

Regions

• Lake
• Mountains
• National Forest
• National Forest Campgrounds
• Upper Midwest

Campsite Types

• ADA
• Camper Van
• Group
• Primitive
• Tent

Amenities

• BBQ Grills
• Campsite Tables
• Cell Service - None
• Drinking Water
• Fire Pit
• Fire Rings
• Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
• Grills
• Group Camping
• Pets OK
• Picnic Tables
• Trash Collection

Activities

• Biking
• Bird Watching
• Boating
• Canoeing
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Lake
• Mountain Biking
• Nature Trails
• Paddle boarding (SUP)
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Reservoir
• Stargazing
• Swimming
• Walking Trails
• Water Sports
• Wildlife Viewing