Hill City, SD

Whitetail

Availability

Each day shows how many of this campground’s sites are open.

About this spot

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.

Typical weather

Deerfield Reservoir

Average water temperature
Average water temperature for Deerfield Reservoir, January through DecemberEach point shows the monthly average water temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.34°JJanuary: average water temperature 34°F34°FFebruary: average water temperature 34°F36°MMarch: average water temperature 36°F41°AApril: average water temperature 41°F46°MMay: average water temperature 46°F53°JJune: average water temperature 53°F57°JJuly: average water temperature 57°F59°AAugust: average water temperature 59°F56°SSeptember: average water temperature 56°F44°OOctober: average water temperature 44°F35°NNovember: average water temperature 35°F33°DDecember: average water temperature 33°F

Water: Water Quality Portal — 42 field-sample stations

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