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Dalton Lake Campground
FSU.S. Forest Service — South Dakota · Black Hills National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Black Hills National Forest |
| Location | South Dakota · Black Hills National Forest · 44.23100, -103.47500 · Map |
| Sites | 10 public sites counted from the federal listing — 10 standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 10 sites Water hookups at 0 of 10 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 10 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 10 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 55 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 10 sites · 30 ft: 8 sites · 35 ft: 4 sites · 40 ft: 3 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | $24.00 / Night for single campsite $5.00 / Day Use Fee |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 1:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 11 sites, as reported |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-09-30.
From the official listing
Overview Dalton Lake Campground sits next to the 2.8 acre Dalton Lake and offers nearby access to fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and a variety of motorized recreation opportunities. Explore the dozens of miles of nearby trails or simply relax and enjoy the lake and nearby Little Elk Creek. The campground offers 11 sites and a picnic area nestled into the Ponderosa Pines of the Northern Black Hills. Whether you are looking to take some time to relax or looking for an adventure, the seclusion of Dalton Lake Campground offers an ideal experience for almost any explorer.
Recreation Dalton Lake Campground provides extensive opportunities for access to outdoor recreation. Try fishing from the several piers surrounding Dalton lake, explore a portion of the 111 mile Centennial trail that runs adjacent to the campground or hop on your dirt bike, ATV or side by side to adventure through the dozens of nearby OHV trails.
Facilities • Standard Nonelectric Campsites
• Restrooms
• Group Picnic Shelter
Natural Features Dalton Lake Campground sits at just under 4,400 feet elevation and is surrounded by tall peaks and beautiful Ponderosa Pine forest. Little Elk Creek feeds into Dalton lake and continues it’s meandering journey through large boulders and winding canyons east toward Piedmont, South Dakota. The lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, managed by South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks.
Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.
Directions, from the listing
From Sturgis, I-90 exit 32 take Vanocker Canyon Hwy south for approximately 12.5 miles to Dalton Lake Road. Dalton lake is a gravel road. Take Dalton Lake Road east for 3.7 miles to Dalton Lake Campground. The Campground and lake will be on the left-hand side of the road.
Nearest federal campgrounds
4 mi straight-line · South DakotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceRoubaix Lake
10 mi straight-line · South DakotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceBear Gulch
11 mi straight-line · South DakotaFSU.S. Forest ServicePactola Reservoir Campground
11 mi straight-line · South DakotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceSheridan North Cove Grp Cg
17 mi straight-line · South Dakota
Trip Card — Dalton Lake Campground
South Dakota · Black Hills National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | South Dakota · Black Hills National Forest |
| Fees | $24.00 / Night for single campsite $5.00 / Day Use Fee |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 55 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 10 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/271434 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.