Bear Gulch
Closed — Closed for the season. The campground operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day and is available by reservation only on Recreation.gov.
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.
Cave Closure and Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to reduce the spread of the fungus that causes White nose syndrome and to protect bat species during critical biological periods.
Rochford Exploratory Drill Pads and Access Routes Closure
Temporary closure of drill pads and access routes near Rochford, SD, to protect public safety on the Black Hills National Forest.
Prohibition of Motor Vehicles On Beretta Road, Mystic Ranger District
A closure of the entirety of NFS Road 366.3 (Beretta Road), located approximately 3.3 miles north-northeast of Keystone, South Dakota, beginning at the intersection with US Highway 16 South and continuing to the intersection with NFS Roads 674. This closure is in effect to protect public health…
Topaz timber sale near Sturgis, SD Continues Operations
The Topaz timber sale near Sturgis, SD continues operations.Tethered fuels reduction (a steep slope logging/fuels treatment system that uses equipment tethered to steel cables) is being utilized to perform chipping and mastication operations. These operations cause flying debris.The operations…
Attention Cavers and Spelunkers
Remember that access to all caves in Region 2 must be authorized through a mandatory registration system that is available Online through the regional office.
Please Use Caution When Entering the Black Elk Wilderness
Please use caution when entering the Wilderness. At any given time, trees can fall without warning. Many of the trails located within the Black Elk Wilderness are cleared in early summer, but the number of downed trees across trails can change in an instant from storms passing over the Black…
Don't Move Firewood & Other Firewood Information
The Forest Service sells permits to cut firewood for personal use. Firewood cutting can be a fun outing, can save on your heating bill and can be good exercise. Firewood cutting cleans up dead wood, reduces the potential for wildfires, and avoids waste of a valuable resource, but it can also cause…
Hwy 385 Construction Updates
Visit https://us-385.com/ for updates on the Hwy 385 Construction project and/or text “US385” to 605-566-4041 to receive updates.
Open Fire Restriction - Black Hills NF in South Dakota
Prohibition on campfires or fires except for in certain established fireplaces or stoves within the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District in South Dakota.
Order 172 - Cook Lake Closure Order
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails in the Bearlodge Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A…
Order 159 - Occupancy & Use Restrictions - Black Elk Wilderness
Pursuant to 16U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System(NFS) lands and trails within the Black Elk Wilderness of the Black Hills National Forest, located in Pennington County and Custer County, South Dakota, and shown on the attached…
Order 082 - Area Closure - Motorized Vehicles within Botanical Area
Acts prohibited information on possessing or operating a motorized vehicle off Forest Development Roads within these Botanical Areas. 36 CFR 261.53 (b).
Order 079 - Area Closure - Craven Canyon
Area closure for occupancy and use regulations - Craven Canyon information
Order 074 - Prohibited Entry - Forest Caves/Mines
Prohibited Entry - Forest Caves/Mines information.
Order 046 - Length of Stay Restrictions & Reservation - Campgrounds
Length Order Special Restrictions & Reservation.
Order 044 - Area Closure - Concentrated Public Use Areas & Developed Rec. Areas
Special Closure Order on Concentrated Public Use Areas and Developed Recreation Areas. See Order below for details.
Order 015 - Road Use Regulations - Forest Development
Code of Federal Regulations, the following acts are prohibited on all Forest Development Roads under the jurisdiction of the Black Hills National Forest: 1. Using a National Forest road for commercial hauling of non-federal products, commodities, or materials without a permit or written…
Order 025 - Site Closure - Designated Seismic
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), the following is prohibited: No person(s) may enter or be within the area within 1/2 mile of the Designated Seismic Site, (DSS), or on Forest Development Road 711 or FDR 110.4A within 1/2 mile of the DSS. This prohibited area is described as T.2N., R.1E.,…
Order 024 - Mine Closure - Spokane
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a), the following are prohibited: a) All motorized vehicles are prohibited from entering the area known as the Spokane Mine. Access is limited to foot travel and by horseback. This prohibited area is shown on the attached map. (36 CFR 261.53(c) and (f)). b) Access is…
Order 019 - Mining Prohibited - Norbeck
In accordance with. "36 CFR 251.10 PROHIBITION OF LOCATION OF MINING CLAIMS WITHIN CERTAIN AREAS IN THE NORBECK WILDLIFE PRESERVE, SOUTH DAKOTA", it has been determined that the location of mining claims within the area described below would not be in the public interest. [13 FR 3676, July 1, 1948,…
Order 010 - Nuclear Burial Site - Warren Peak
For public health or safety the use of explosives within the below described area is prohibited. (36 CFR 261.53)
Red Flag Warning issued April 10 at 10:48PM MDT until April 11 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS SATURDAY ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN WYOMING AND SOUTHWESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA... .Warm, dry, and breezy weather will support critical fire weather conditions over northeastern Wyoming and southwestern South Dakota Saturday. In addition, there is a slight chance of a couple dry thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening. While confidence in timing and occurrence is low, erratic wind gusts in excess of 45 MPH would be possible if a thunderstorm occurs. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 314 Northern Campbell, 315 Southern Campbell, 316 Crook County Plains, 317 Weston County Plains, 320 Central Black Hills, 321 Southern Black Hills, 322 Fall River County Area, 324 Eastern Foot Hills, 325 Custer County Plains, 326 Pine Ridge Area, 329 West Central Plains, and 332 Badlands Area. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 MPH with gusts up to 30 MPH. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 13 percent. * IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds and low relative humidity will produce critical fire weather conditions.
About
Bear Gulch is a secluded group campground nestled in the forested Black Hills of South Dakota, offering a private experience overlooking a bay on Pactola Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the Black Hills. The site features eight individual tent sites arranged around a central parking area and can accommodate groups of up to 60 people, making it ideal for group events, reunions, and gatherings. Located in a small canyon carved by water drainage from surrounding mountains, the campground is surrounded by large ponderosa pines with steep slopes on either side. The private bay provides excellent opportunities for swimming and cooling off during warm summer days when temperatures range from mid-80s during the day to mid-50s at night. While there is no boat ramp at the campground itself, the 800-acre Pactola Reservoir offers excellent water skiing, fishing for brown, rainbow, and lake trout, and even scuba diving, with boat ramps and a marina available nearby. The campground is centrally located within the Black Hills, providing easy access to iconic destinations including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, all within an hour's drive. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with the area home to mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, wild turkey, and osprey that fish in the reservoir. Access requires navigating a locked gate at the entrance, with the gate code provided with your reservation.
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 with a code provided in your reservation.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $100 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 40ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 40ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (605) 574-4402 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
Community Posts
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