Boating

Wind Cave National Park does not offer boating. However, in Black Hills National Forest there are 11 reservoirs that are open for boating. Five allow some form of motorized boating; Deerfield Lake, Horsethief Lake, and Bismarck Lake allow small motor boats (those that produce no wake, since there is a no-wake rule at these lakes). At Pactola Lake and Sheridan Lakes, larger boats are allowed; many people waterski here. Deerfield Lake has two boat launches -- at the Custer Trail Campground and the Dutchman Campground. There is a $5 fee per vehicle to use the boat launch. To get to the Deerfield Lake complex, take Route 17 from Hill City, S.D., to FSR 607. Pactola Lake, one of the larger lakes in the National Forest, also has two boat launches: Pactola North Boat Launch and Pactola South Boat Launch. The launch costs $5 per vehicle per day. To get to the Pactola Lake complex, take Highway 44 to Highway 385. After a mile you'll see a boat launch sign on your right. This will take you to the marina. Sheriden Lake has one boat launch. The lake is warm and a popular location for fishing trout, pike, perch, and bass. Slip rentals available, as well as spacious fishing piers and a large beach for swimming. The launch costs $6 per vehicle per day. The lake is off of Calumet Road, 1.5 miles from Highway 385. In the Northern Hills area of the park, Sundance and Spearfish both have lakes that are open for non-motorized boating. The Cook Lake Recreation Area in Spearfish costs $4 per day for day-use activities (there is also a campground here); access is via US-14. Five miles east of Custer, Bismarck Lake also allows non-motorized boating and fishing.