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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15 Sites Available
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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
Kathleen P
VerifiedJuly 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: COOK
Not enough swimming area
Kris H
VerifiedJuly 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: COOK
Lovely little campground in the Black Hills. Host was on-site and checked us in. The campground was clean and nicely wooded.
Aubrey T
VerifiedJuly 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: COOK
An excellent location with a wonderful park like feel throughout. The site was well kept and in excellent condition structurally.
A great find for us who only live 3 hrs. away. Jim is a great and caring host.
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.
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 4, 2026
