The visitor center on the eastern edge of the reservoir, which is open seasonally, is a good place to spot Bald Eagles, particularly in the Winter. The Campground on the western shore is a very good location for Gray Jay, Townsend's Solitare, and Dark-eyed Junco (White-winged ss.). Below the dam, accessible from a dirt road off of US-385, the Centennial trail has some good birding below the dam.

When submitting eBird observations at Pactola Reservoir, it is most helpful to start a new checklist for each hotspot around the reservoir. Use this general hotspot when you have a checklist that includes multiple locations or if no other hotspot or personal location is appropriate for your sightings.

Pactola Reservoir is located 15 miles west of Rapid City. It is the largest and deepest reservoir in the Black Hills National Forest, boasting 14 miles of shoreline and 150-foot depths on 800 acres. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the dam and water. Record lake trout are caught each year. Large brown trout are caught in Rapid Creek above and below the reservoir. Facilities include a full-service marina with gasoline, oil, groceries, and food service. Forest facilities include an 88-unit campground, a group campground, a swim beach, picnic areas, two boat launches, a paved accessible trail, day-use trails, and portions of both the Centennial and Deerfield trails. Fly fishing below the spillway is exceptional. A National Forest Visitor Center on the south side of the dam is open seasonally and provides visitors with information about the building of the dam and forest management.