RV Sites
Sarah D
VerifiedSeptember 1, 2025 Stayed at: 023, Loop: COOK
Camp host was attentive and pleasant. Bathrooms were very clean. Nice, quiet campground.
Helpful
About Cook Lake Rec Area
Situated in a heavily forested area adjacent to Cook Lake, this campground is a peaceful setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in the Black Hills National Forest in Wyoming.
Some sites in the campground are widely spaced and open up to views overlooking the lake, and others sit snugly along a hillside. Separation,
rather than vegetation, provide visitors with a sense of privacy. Tall mature trees and grass underbrush give the campground a groomed character.
Available sites
15 total sitesSeasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
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Nov
Dec
Currently open - Oct 1 to Nov 1
Campground Amenities
Water Access
- Lake Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.
15 Sites Available
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019, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 48 × 15 ft · Gravel
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020, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 53 × 16 ft · Gravel
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021, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 55 × 18 ft · Gravel
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022, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 55 × 16 ft · Gravel
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023, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 × 14 ft · Gravel
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024, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 65 × 12 ft · Gravel
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025, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 65 × 14 ft · Gravel
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026, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 15 ft · Gravel
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027, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 58 × 15 ft · Gravel
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028, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 65 × 15 ft · Gravel
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029, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 51 × 14 ft · Gravel
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030, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 51 × 12 ft · Gravel
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031, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 59 × 14 ft · Gravel
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032, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 55 × 15 ft · Gravel
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033, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 55 × 13 ft · Gravel
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Site Details
Select a site to view details
15 Sites Available
Site
Price
🚐
019, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 48 × 15 ft · Gravel
🚐
020, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 53 × 16 ft · Gravel
🚐
021, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 55 × 18 ft · Gravel
🚐
022, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 55 × 16 ft · Gravel
🚐
023, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐
024, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 65 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐
025, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 65 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐
026, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 15 ft · Gravel
🚐
027, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 58 × 15 ft · Gravel
🚐
028, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 65 × 15 ft · Gravel
🚐
029, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 51 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐
030, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 51 × 12 ft · Gravel
🚐
031, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 59 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐
032, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 55 × 15 ft · Gravel
🚐
033, Loop: COOK
RV
Pet Friendly · 55 × 13 ft · Gravel
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
52 reviews
Summary
Cook Lake Rec Area is a peaceful and well-maintained campground, with clean facilities and a friendly host, Mike, who is helpful and attentive. Many visitors enjoyed activities like paddleboarding and fishing, appreciating the quiet atmosphere and spacious sites. While some faced issues with reservations and access to the lake, overall, guests expressed a desire to return and highly recommend the location.
Based on guest feedback
4.3
Overall rating
Based on 52 reviews
5 stars
67.3% (35)
4 stars
9.6% (5)
3 stars
11.5% (6)
2 stars
5.8% (3)
1 star
5.8% (3)
Showing 52 reviews
Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Aaron S
VerifiedJuly 27, 2025 Stayed at: 020, Loop: COOK
Clean and nice camp sites
Helpful
Will M
VerifiedJuly 16, 2025 Stayed at: 032, Loop: COOK
This is a beautiful spot. Would definitely visit again.
Helpful
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!!!
Helpful
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.
Helpful
Victor W
VerifiedJune 21, 2025 Stayed at: 021, Loop: COOK
Well maintained. Great camp host. Miss camping by the lake
Helpful
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 mi away. Camp host was very helpful. My wife and I really like quiet so we loved the place.
Helpful
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.
Helpful
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
Helpful
Valerie M
VerifiedSeptember 17, 2023 Stayed at: 028, Loop: COOK
We love Cook Lake! Its quiet and there are no modern irritations to distract you from nature!
Helpful
Location & Directions for Cook Lake Rec Area
Forest Recreation Management, Inc, Hill City, SD 57745 United States
Elevation: 1,449 ft
Getting There
Interstate I-90 to exit 199 (Aladdin). North on Rt 111 for 4 mi, left on Farrall Road (Rt 843) for 10 mi to Cook Lake.
OR
From Sundance, WY, take US 14 west or exit 185 off Interstate 90 to US 14 west, for 1.4 mi to Cook Lake Recreation Area sig...
Interstate I-90 to exit 199 (Aladdin). North on Rt 111 for 4 mi, left on Farrall Road (Rt 843) for 10 mi to Cook Lake.
OR
From Sundance, WY, take US 14 west or exit 185 off Interstate 90 to US 14 west, for 1.4 mi to Cook Lake Recreation Area sign at Forest Route 838. Turn right onto FR 838 and go 12.9 mi to FR 843. Turn right and go 5.4 mi to another Cook Lake Recreation Area sign on FR 842. Turn left and go 1.1 mi to campground.
Highway access
Access to Cook Lake Recreation Area is via Interstate I-90, with exit 199 leading to Route 111 and Route 843. Additionally, US Highway 14 provides access from Sundance, WY.
Policies & Rules
General
- These campsites are non-electric sites. Generators may run only.
- Non-reservable sites may be available on a first come, first served basis
- 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.
- 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!
- 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
- Prevent the spread of invasive species by inspecting and cleaning packs, equipment, and tires before using lake or trails
- 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.
- Click here for more information about Black Hills National Forest.
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Last updated: October 22, 2026
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Explore Hill City, SD
Population: 834
Nearby city: Rapid City, SD
Approx. 68 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 4,980 ft
Hill City, SD
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From our Travel Guides
Managed by the USDA Forest Service