Black Hills National Forest Deerfield Reservoir Dispersed Sites

These scattered sites sit along the less-developed southwest shore of Deerfield Reservoir, away from the main recreation areas. Most spots are tucked in ponderosa pine groves with partial water views and direct lake access for fishing or paddling. The area can accommodate everything from tent campers to medium-sized RVs, though larger rigs should scout carefully as some pull-offs are tight.

Access requires navigating several miles of forest service roads that can be rough and rocky, especially the final approaches to lakeside sites. Spring runoff and summer storms can make roads temporarily impassable. Best accessed from Hill City via Forest Service Road 417. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting both access and scenery.

Remote lakeside camping at Deerfield Reservoir