About Cook Lake Rec Area
Number of accommodations: 15
Campground Amenities
-
Lake Access
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
15 Sites Available
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Site Details
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15 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (33)
Review Summary
Larry S
VerifiedDecember 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 027, Loop: COOK
Beautiful hidden gem tucked into the hills. Our family had a great time there and it felt like we had the campground, lake, and rope swing all to ourselves. Gorgeous hike right out of the campground. We will definitely be back.
Sarah D
VerifiedSeptember 1, 2025 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: COOK
Camp host was attentive and pleasant. Bathrooms were very clean. Nice, quiet campground.
Aaron S
VerifiedJuly 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: COOK
Clean and nice camp sites
Will M
VerifiedJuly 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 032, Loop: COOK
This is a beautiful spot. Would definitely visit again.
Vickie K
VerifiedJuly 11, 2025 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: COOK
That has to be one of the cleanest campgrounds we have been in. The host was wonderful. The bathrooms were spotless!!! Such a super experience!!!
Chris B
VerifiedJuly 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: COOK
Our family had an amazing experience. Sites and facilities were clean. The camp host was wonderful. He checked in daily to make sure all was well and was a great resource of the area. This location was quiet and out of the way versus the busier sites in the Black Hills. There was no phone coverage which was ok with us to unplug but was a surprise to some we talked to. The campground was within an hour or two of many of the attractions we were interested in visiting. We would highly recommend the campground.
Victor W
VerifiedJune 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: COOK
Well maintained. Great camp host. Miss camping by the lake
Charles H
VerifiedAugust 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: COOK
Beautiful Place. Great place if you like peace and quiet! Most likely the10 miles of unpaved roads to get to the campground contribute to it's quietness. Ice, and for that matter supplies of any kind are a minimum of 20 miles away. Camp host was very helpful. My wife and I really like quiet so we loved the place.
John W
VerifiedAugust 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 027, Loop: COOK
I really liked Cook Lake, it's a small lake/campground that is well off the beaten path. Not sure if I'd want to spend a whole week here, but for a couple of relaxing days, it was perfect. I would definitely camp here again.
Valerie T
VerifiedJune 26, 2024 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: COOK
Campground is quite remote and very quiet. I was tent camping and would have preferred site 20 instead. I made the tent work at this site though. The loop around the lake is closed due to landslide activity, but the cliff swallow trail is open and very nice
Location Cook Lake Rec Area
Address:
Forest Recreation Management, Inc
Hill City, SD, 57745
United States
Interstate I-90 to exit 199 (Aladdin). North on Rt 111 for 4 miles, left on Farrall Road (Rt 843) for 10 miles to Cook Lake.
OR
From Sundance, WY, take US 14 west or exit 185 off Interstate 90 to US 14 west, for 1.4 miles to Cook Lake Recreation Area sign at Forest Route 838. Turn right onto FR 838 and go 12.9 miles to FR 843. Turn right and go 5.4 miles to another Cook Lake Recreation Area sign on FR 842. Turn left and go 1.1 miles to campground.
Latitude & Longitude: 44.5947 / -104.409
Elevation: 1449 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
These campsites are non-electric sites. Generators may run from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. only. |
| General |
Non-reservable sites may be available on a first come, first served basis |
| General |
A pet fee of $2 per pet per night is required upon check in. Pets must be leashed, under control and attended at all times. |
| General |
The Senior and Access discounts are only honored for the site that houses the card holder.If multiple sites are reserved on one card, the rest of the camping fee will be collected upon arrival unless another card holder occupies the site! |
| General |
Open fires allowed if contained and attended to; be sure that fire is completely extinguished before leaving; check with the local Forest Service Office for fire restrictions |
| General |
Prevent the spread of invasive species by inspecting and cleaning packs, equipment, and tires before using lake or trails |
| General |
Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org. |
| General |
Click here for more information about Black Hills National Forest. |
