Pactola

Elevation: 4,580

Pactola is not a town, but rather a recreation district surrounding Lake Pactola Reservoir 19 miles west of Rapid City. The mountain lake has marinas, campgrounds, picnic areas, swimming beach and Black Hills National Forest Visitor Center. Heights above the lake are dotted with vacation home rentals and B&Bs hidden among the pines.

Attractions nearby include Circle B Ranch Chuckwagon Supper and Music Show, Thunderhead Falls and Black Hills Caverns to name a few.

Seth Bullock Lookout
Experience the fantastic views of Pactola Lake, Harney Peak to the south and the surrounding Black Hills.  In the early 1900s, President Theodore Roosevelt named the mountain in Seth Bullock's honor for his service as a U.S. marshal in South Dakota, describing Bullock as the "ideal American."  From the visitor center, drive to the south end of the lake to Custer Gulch Road and then on to CR251.  More awaits than just the spectacular views: visit a ranger at the lookout tower during the summer months, or use your geocache skills to unearth the treasure on the mountain top.