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Dutchman Campground, located in a shady Ponderosa pine forested area on the northeast edge of Deerfield Reservoir at 5,000 feet. This camp is an ideal setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest.
Sites in the campground are widely spaced, and a few offer wide views of the lake. Of the 3 campgrounds in the Deerfield Recreation Area, this one is the most RV-friendly.
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.
Open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, the 10-mile Deerfield Lake Loop Trail encircles Deerfield Lake, traversing the forested shoreline. It offers fantastic views and opportunities for birding and picnicking.
Across the lake, Deerfield Trail connects Deerfield Lake with Rapid Creek and Pactola Reservoir. Sites including a log flume, cabins, mines, tunnels and railroad grades provide visitors with a glimpse into the area's history.
Deerfield Reservoir is an ideal spot for fishing and boating. The lake supports populations of stocked rainbow and native brown trout.
Dutchman Campground has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. The campground has picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water; however, electrical hook-ups are not available. Lake access is within walking distance. Deerfield Lake is a no wake lake.
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.
For facility specific information, please call (605) 574-4402.
Possible day trips include Custer State Park with its many buffalo and other wildlife, Crazy Horse Monument and Wind Cave National Park as well as Jewel Cave which 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
No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
Take Forest Highway 17 (Deerfield Road) for 16 miles northwest of Hill City, South Dakota.
Beautiful campground! Very quiet and peaceful, worthy for a nights stay or more! They have clean running water and it tastes good too, vaulted toilets.
Spent a lovely week at this campground! It's really peaceful, and the sites are plenty spacious. Super nice camp host! There's also a path down to a lake that feels very private, and it's near a boat launch onto that same lake. Definitely recommend!
I camped a night at Dutchman campground in late September. When I looked online before going, no spots were available per the online reservation system. The system didn't show that the spots were reserved - just not available. When I arrived, I found most sections of the campground closed, and one section open with several spots available. The vault toilets were unlocked and clean. There was no trash service or water. Camping was free. So after the camping season, consider it first come -first served.
The sites are well spaced with numerous trees between. Each site has the expected picnic table and fire pit. Dutchman campground is a bit above the lake and most sites will not have a view of the lake. I hiked down for pictures. No problem with mosquitoes in late September.
I love this campground. I've been coming here every summer for the last few years and it's my go to in the Blackhills area. It's peaceful and fairly laid back. Very calming. Phone signal is lacking so you better like reading.
