Bear Gulch
Open seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Reservations required via Recreation.gov. A $20 refundable gate lock deposit is required. An open fire restriction is currently in effect for Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota.
Red Flag Warning issued October 9 at 12:12AM MDT until October 9 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING DUE TO GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR CENTRAL BLACK HILLS, SOUTHERN BLACK HILLS, FALL RIVER COUNTY AREA, NORTHERN FOOT HILLS, EASTERN FOOT HILLS, CUSTER COUNTY PLAINS, PINE RIDGE AREA, BUTTE COUNTY AREA, WEST CENTRAL PLAINS, BADLANDS AREA, NORTHERN CAMPBELL, SOUTHERN CAMPBELL, CROOK COUNTY PLAINS, WESTON COUNTY PLAINS, AND WYOMING BLACK HILLS... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 329, and 332. * TIMING...From 11 AM this morning to 8 PM MDT this evening. * WINDS...Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Wheeled Vehicles in Wilderness
This order describes the prohibition of wheeled vehicles in all National Forest Wilderness Areas of the Rocky Mountain Region and any exceptions thereof.
Weed Free Forage Products
The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds.
About
Bear Gulch Group Campground offers a secluded camping experience for groups of up to 40 people on the southern shore of Pactola Reservoir in Black Hills National Forest. The campground sits in a small canyon carved by years of water drainage, surrounded by towering Ponderosa pines. Eight individual tent sites encircle a central parking area, with six designated as tent-only and two providing RV parking with tight turning radii. The private bay provides direct access to Pactola Reservoir, an 800-acre lake popular for water skiing, swimming, fishing, and scuba diving. Anglers target brown, rainbow, and lake trout in these waters. While no boat ramp exists at the campground, a marina with boat rentals and two public boat ramps are nearby on the main reservoir. The campground operates under a single group reservation system with a gated entrance. Reservation holders must check in at Pactola Campground Main Booth to receive gate access instructions. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway are all within an hour's drive.
Directions
From Rapid City, take Highway 385 and turn onto Edelweiss Mountain Road, follow for 3 miles, then turn right onto Bear Gulch Road and follow for 3 miles. There is a locked gate at the entrance; check your reservation confirmation for the gate code.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $100 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 40ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 40ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (605) 343-1567 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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