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Whitetail
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 · 44.01257, -103.80300 · Map |
| Sites | 12 public sites counted from the federal listing — 12 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 12 sites Water hookups at 0 of 12 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 12 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 12 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 76 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 13 sites · 30 ft: 13 sites · 35 ft: 13 sites · 40 ft: 7 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 | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 1:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 13 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 605-673-9200 |
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 Whitetail Campground is located above Deerfield Reservoir at 6,000 feet, an ideal setting for guests seeking summer climate relief, recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest.
Sites in this campground are widely spaced. Several have lake views, while others are more secluded and tucked into ponderosa and lodgepole pine forest. Recreation Black Hills National Forest offers recreational opportunities for all ages. Guests can take advantage of opportunities for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on moderate terrain.
The 10-mile Deerfield Lake Loop Trail is open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. It encircles Deerfield Lake, traversing the forested shoreline and offering fantastic views and opportunities for birding and picnicking.
Nearby Deerfield Trail connects Deerfield Lake with Rapid Creek and Pactola Reservoir. Sites along the trail include a log flume, cabins, mines, tunnels and railroad grades, providing a glimpse into the area's history.
Deerfield Reservoir is an ideal spot for fishing and boating, but it is a no wake lake. The lake supports populations of stocked rainbow and native brown trout. Facilities Whitetail Campground has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs.
Each campsite has picnic tables, and campfire rings. Electrical hook-ups are not available.
Lake access is within walking distance. Natural Features Located in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, Black Hills National Forest encompasses nearly 1.25 million acres of rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and unique caves.
Derived from the Lakota language, the words "Paha Sapa," meaning "hills that are black," honor the dark, pine-covered hills rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie.
Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate mountainous terrain, while elk, deer and pronghorn gather in forests and prairies. Bald eagles, hawks, osprey, peregrine falcon, and hundreds of other bird species can be found in the forest, especially along streams, lakes and rivers. Nearby Attractions Nearby Jewel Cave is the second longest cave in the world at 159.29 miles. It features sparkling calcite crystals and other rare formations, as well as some of the largest concentrations of passageways in the world.
Other possible day trips include Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Monument, Devils Tower National Monument and Wind Cave National Park. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420. Charges & Cancellations No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
Directions, from the listing
From Hill City, take Deerfield Rd. (County Rt. 308/Forest Rt. 17) west for 15.1 miles to Whitetail Campground sign (Forest Rt.421). Turn right onto Rt. 421 and travel 0.9 miles to the campground.
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · South DakotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceBlack Fox Campground
9 mi straight-line · South DakotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceOreville Campground
13 mi straight-line · South DakotaFSU.S. Forest ServicePactola Reservoir Campground
14 mi straight-line · South DakotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceBear Gulch
14 mi straight-line · South Dakota
Trip Card — Whitetail
South Dakota · Black Hills National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | South Dakota · Black Hills National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 76 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 12 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/231842 · 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.