Whitetail
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.
More like this: reservable in South Dakota · big rigs in South Dakota · pets allowed in South Dakota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 12 |
| Host/management | 6 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 76 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
12 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 03 | Back-in | 37 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 04 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 05 | Back-in | 76 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 06 | Back-in | 39 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 07 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 08 | Back-in | 46 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 09 | Back-in | 47 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 10 | Back-in | 47 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 14 | Back-in | 39 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 76 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Forest | Black Hills National Forest |
| Fees | Regular Season: $26/night --- See Off-Season Information |
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Coordinates | 44.0126° N, 103.8030° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | High Mountain Outfitters ↗ | 19.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Jack's Campers ↗ | 26 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 27.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Whitetail Ridge Campground: Site by Site Video Tour and Review
Worth a stop
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.
- 0.7 miGold Run Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 0.8 miNorth Shore Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.8 miDitch Creek 012.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.3 miDeerfield Lake Loop ↗11 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miDitch Creek 712.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1.5 miDitch Creek 021.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.6 miDeerfield ↗23 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miSnow-9 ↗6.5 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.7 miDeerfield Lake Loop Trailheads (Trail #40L) ↗Black Hills National Forest
- 0.7 miGold Run Trailhead ↗Black Hills National Forest
- 0.8 miNorth Shore Trailhead ↗Black Hills National Forest
- 0.9 miCuster Trail Trailhead ↗Black Hills National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Black Hills National Forest.
- inBlack Hills National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,537,116 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Harney Peak HotelBuilding · Hill City · 12.6 mi
- C. E. McEachron General MerchandiseBuilding · Hill City · 12.6 mi
- Von Woehrmann BuildingBuilding · Hill City · 12.7 mi
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.
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.
Guidebooks for South Dakota and camping across the country
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Whitetail?
Sites at Whitetail are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Whitetail?
Regular Season: $26/night --- See Off-Season Information
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Whitetail?
Check-in 0:00 AM, checkout 0:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Whitetail have?
18 sites, including 12 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Whitetail?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Whitetail?
Yes, pets are allowed at Whitetail. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Whitetail?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Whitetail?
Black Hills National Forest offers recreational opportunities for all ages. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Whitetail is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Dutchman (1.3 mi), Ditch Creek Campground (4.1 mi), and Redbank Spring Campground (9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby