Bear Gulch
Johnson Siding, South Dakota · 4,590 ft · In Black Hills National Forest
Photos: USFS
At a glance
5 of 8 facts known · recreation.gov, checked Sep 24, 2026
- Elevation
- 4,590 ft (1,399 m)4,590 ft1,399 m
Sites1
Bear Gulch lists no loops, so its sites are listed here. Pick a site to see its details.
All 1 shown · by site number
From recreation.gov's site list, Oct 10, 2026.
Amenities
From OpenStreetMap, Recreation.gov, Recreation.gov — campground rate cards, USDA Forest Service — Recreation Opportunities, USFS INFRA Recreation Sites · Correct
- Caravan / RV sites
- Group sites only
From OpenStreetMap, Recreation.gov, Recreation.gov — campground rate cards, USDA Forest Service — Recreation Opportunities, USFS INFRA Recreation Sites
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About
Overview
This private access group campsite is isolated among the forested Black Hills of South Dakota, overlooking a private bay on the Pactola Reservoir. Great for group events with up to 40 people, there are eight individual tent sites around a central parking area. The summers are pleasant, and the bay provides a great way to cool off on sunny days (summer temperatures range from highs in the mid-80s, to lows in the mid-50s). It can be reserved from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Recreation
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. Fishing for such sought-after species as brown, rainbow and record lake trout is popular at the reservoir. There is also fishing in nearby Rapid Creek. Facilities
From OpenStreetMap, Recreation.gov, Recreation.gov — campground rate cards, USDA Forest Service — Recreation Opportunities, and USFS INFRA Recreation Sites · · Edit
Cell service
Report signal- Verizon4G LTE
- AT&T4G LTE
- T-Mobile5G · 4G LTE
Cell service at Bear Gulch: FCC map Dec 2025
Weather
National Weather Service
- MonMostly Sunny, 1% chance of rain56°34°
- TueRain And Snow Showers Likely, 55% chance of rain53°31°
- WedPartly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain, 20% chance of rain56°34°
- ThuSlight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny, 19% chance of rain55°24°
- FriSunny, 1% chance of rain61°37°
Nearby camping
SeeSee all on the map
Pactola Reservoir Campground
Public Land · 1.2 mi · Johnson Siding
Horse Creek Resort
RV Park · 6.2 mi · Hill City
Steamboat Rock Picnic & Tent Camping Area
Public Land · 6.4 mi · Johnson Siding
3 more within 25 mi
Dispersed camping nearby
Free dispersed camping within 19 mi, on public land.
Location and contact
Data from OpenStreetMap, Recreation Information Database (RIDB) / Recreation.gov, Recreation.gov — campground rate cards, USDA Forest Service — Recreation Opportunities, USFS INFRA Recreation Sites
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