Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates15 total sites
RV Sites
15 sites
About Cook Lake Rec Area
Number of accommodations: 15
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water Access
- Lake Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Reviews (46)
What Guests Are Saying
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.
What Guests Are Saying
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.
Review Summary
Debra R
VerifiedAugust 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 miles (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!
Tiffany H
VerifiedAugust 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.
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!
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
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.
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.
Victor W
VerifiedJune 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: COOK
Well maintained. Great camp host. Miss camping by the lake
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.
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!!!
Will M
VerifiedJuly 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 032, Loop: COOK
This is a beautiful spot. Would definitely visit again.
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.
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.
Elevation: 1449 feet
93 mi drive to downtown Hill City (about 2 hr 1 min)
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: September 8, 2026
