Whitetail
Black Hills National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Rapid City, SD, SD
Price: From $26 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (62 reviews)
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
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.For facility specific information, please call (605) 343-1567.Whitetail Campground has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/whitetail to be notified when sites open up.
Whitetail is a quiet, primitive campground in Black Hills National Forest above Deerfield Reservoir at 6,000 feet with widely spaced sites featuring lake views and forest seclusion. Campers consistently rate it 4.8/5 stars, praising its peaceful setting and ideal location for exploring the Black Hills.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagle, White-tailed Deer, American Bison, Black-tailed Prairie Dog, and least Chipmunk documented in the area
Insider tips for Whitetail: Book early—this is a federal campground with only 12 reservable sites Bring a small boat or kayak for better fishing; lake shore is shallow from shore Water spigots and pit toilets available on-site
Skip Whitetail if: You need RV hookups—no hookups available at most sites; only self-contained RVs suitable. You're visiting outside Memorial Day through Labor Day—campground is seasonal.
Best time to visit Whitetail: Memorial Day through Labor Day — Official operating season; provides summer climate relief at 6,000 feet elevation.
Nearby campgrounds: Dutchman (Rapid City, SD), Ditch Creek Campground (Hill City, SD), Castle Peak Campground (Rochford, SD), Redbank Spring Campground (SD).
Cell Phone Coverage at Whitetail
Cell signal at Whitetail (Rapid City, SD): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.For facility specific information, please call (605) 343-1567.Whitetail Campground has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 12 reservable sites
Bring a small boat or kayak for better fishing; lake shore is shallow from shore
Water spigots and pit toilets available on-site
Official operating season; provides summer climate relief at 6,000 feet elevation
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Black Hills National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Black Hills National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Whitetail cost per night?+
What season is Whitetail open?+
Does Whitetail have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Whitetail?+
How do I make reservations at Whitetail?+
What is the cell service like at Whitetail?+
What season is Whitetail open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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