Cook Lake Rec Area Near Hill City, SD

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 sites

RV Sites 15 sites Check Availability

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season

Upcoming seasons

Past seasons

Closed periods

Jan

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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

🚐 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

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Site Details

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15 Sites Available

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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

Reviews

52 reviews

Summary

AI generated

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

Write a review

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

Oldest First

Newest First Oldest First

Debra R

Verified

August 13, 2023 Stayed at: 033, Loop: COOK

Nice little campground on a small, pretty lake. Lots of folks taking advantage of tubing, floating, kayaking, fishing, etc.
Our site (33) was fine for our 35' fifth wheel with an easy straight-shot back-in to the site.

Our GPS sent us on a very roundabout way to the campground from State 34 on 15 or more miles of gravel/dirt road, some of which was fairly rough.

A more direct route would be to take Wyoming Highway 111 (between Alva and I-90) and then turn west onto Farrell Road straight to the campground. Farrell Road is paved except for the final 5 mi (approx.) and all of it is in pretty good shape with few holes, ruts, and bumps. It was a much smoother trip OUT of the campground!

Helpful

Tiffany H

Verified

August 29, 2023 Stayed at: 025, Loop: COOK

This location used to be really enjoyable……first days/nights there were screaming…… literally screaming kids and people talking loudly until well past the noise ordinance. No camp host.. and the ones that were watching the camp grounds made our kids who stayed camping WITH us that we scheduled to be with us for a day pass. Don’t think we will go back for a very very long time.

Helpful

Valerie M

Verified

September 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

Valerie T

Verified

June 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

John W

Verified

August 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

Charles H

Verified

August 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

Victor W

Verified

June 21, 2025 Stayed at: 021, Loop: COOK

Well maintained. Great camp host. Miss camping by the lake

Helpful

Chris B

Verified

July 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

Vickie K

Verified

July 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

Will M

Verified

July 16, 2025 Stayed at: 032, Loop: COOK

This is a beautiful spot. Would definitely visit again.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Cook Lake Rec Area

Forest Recreation Management, Inc, Hill City, SD 57745 United States

Elevation: 1,449 ft

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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.

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...

Nearest town

Hill City, SD - 93 mi

About over 2 hr (121 min) to downtown

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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11 mi away

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Sundance

13 mi away

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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

Learn more about Hill City

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service