Bear Gulch (Group Site)

4 mi west of Johnson Siding, SD · Verizon 4G · AT&T 5G · T-Mobile 5G

Federal campgroundtype

First comebooking

Jun–Sepbest months

About Bear Gulch (Group Site)

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. Bear Gulch (Group Site) Reservation Visit Recreation.gov to make your campground reservation. [Reserve Your Campsite](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232359?tab=info)

Fees: Regular Season Camping: $200/night
Managed by: USFS - Black Hills National Forest
Where: 4 mi west of Johnson Siding, SD · 44.07504, -103.52578

Amenities:

RVs allowed

Official page for this camp (fees, closures, booking)

Weather by month

38°

12°Jan

37°

12°Feb

46°

21°Mar

52°

28°Apr

62°

37°May

73°

47°Jun

80°

53°Jul

79°

51°Aug

71°

42°Sep

56°

30°Oct

45°

21°Nov

38°

13°Dec

Typical daily highs and lows (°F), 1991–2020 NOAA normals. Best months: Jun–Sep (comfortable days, mild nights, little rain). Nights below freezing: Oct–Apr.

See Bear Gulch (Group Site) from above

Fly over it in 3D, check today's weather and fire news, plan the drive and print a trip plan.

Fly over in 3D Directions

Trails near camp

Trail	Open to	From camp	Length
Osprey	Hiking	0.8 mi	1.7 mi
Centennial On Mystic	Horse	1.1 mi	31.0 mi
Deerfield	Horse	1.3 mi	22.6 mi
Veterans Point	Hiking	1.6 mi	0.6 mi
Bogus 08	ATV / OHV, Dirt bike	2.0 mi	1.2 mi
Merritt School Br 1B	ATV road	2.1 mi	0.3 mi

Straight-line distance from camp, from Forest Service, BLM, state and OpenStreetMap trail data.

Good to know

Cell signal

Verizon 4G · AT&T 5G · T-Mobile 5G

From the carriers' FCC coverage maps, which tend to be generous.

Night sky: Rural

The Milky Way is bright, with a little glow low on the horizon.

Class 3 of 9, from NASA/NOAA night-light data.

RV essentials

Dump station: 12 mi
Propane: 12.9 mi

Nearest of each within 25 miles, straight-line.

Camps nearby

Pactola Campground 1.1 mi
Merritt System 2.7 mi
Bogus System 4.4 mi
Horse Creek Resort 6.2 mi
Steamboat Rock Picnic & Tent Camping Area 6.3 mi
Riley Hill Trailhead 6.8 mi