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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Site Details
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15 Sites Available
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Reviews (33)
What Guests Are Saying
Cook Lake Rec Area is a beautiful, quiet campground tucked away in the hills, perfect for families seeking a peaceful getaway. Visitors praised the cleanliness of the sites and bathrooms, as well as the attentiveness of the camp host, who provided helpful information about the area. While remote and lacking nearby supplies, the serene environment and scenic hiking trails make it a highly recommended destination for a relaxing stay.
What Guests Are Saying
Cook Lake Rec Area is a beautiful, quiet campground tucked away in the hills, perfect for families seeking a peaceful getaway. Visitors praised the cleanliness of the sites and bathrooms, as well as the attentiveness of the camp host, who provided helpful information about the area. While remote and lacking nearby supplies, the serene environment and scenic hiking trails make it a highly recommended destination for a relaxing stay.
Review Summary
Tristan R
VerifiedJune 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: COOK
Really nice sites and friendly host! Great swim area and awesome fishing at dusk.
David S
VerifiedJune 7, 2021 • Stayed at: 027, Loop: COOK
I'm not much for campground normally; I prefer dispersed camping away from people. However, this campground is very nice with good amenities. The best part is the 4+ mile hiking trail that starts right in the campground. There was the obligatory camper that ran a generator most of the day but other than that our stay was nice.
Dawn S
VerifiedMay 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: COOK
This site is very difficult to find and get to. Must travel about 20 miles on dirt roads with very few directional signs. Choose your own adventure because the signage was so bad. Better to travel in daylight to find the site due to the roads and abundant deer. We were tent camping and reserved a non-electric site but the site seemed set up for RVs as the only spot for a tent was right behind your car and down from a hill. Bathrooms were dirty with no TP and you had to walk through tall grass or another campsite to get to it. Many RVs with loud generators late into the night. You do not want to have to come and go from this site.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 44.5947 / -104.409
Elevation: 1449 feet
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: June 4, 2026
