Cottonwood Springs Campground

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, Hot Springs Office, P.O. Box 664, Hot Springs, South Dakota, United States
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Cottonwood Springs Lake view
Cottonwood Springs Lake
Cottonwood Springs
Aerial Cottonwood Springs Campground
Cottonwood Springs Wildlife

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Playground Playground
View all amenities

About Cottonwood Springs Campground

Located just 5 mi west of Hot Springs, SD is a hidden gem of a campground. Cottonwood Springs Campground is a quiet, peaceful campground tucked away in the southern part of the Black Hills of South Dakota. It offers beautiful scenic views within a short walk of each campsite.

Available sites

17 total sites
RV Sites 17 sites from $18 per night

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Archery

Archery

Year-round
Boating

Boating

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hunting

Hunting

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Playground Playground
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Playground
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

17 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 1, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 56 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 10, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 54 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 11, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 60 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 12, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 60 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 13, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 56 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 14, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 55 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 15, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 55 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 16, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 67 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 17, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 55 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 18, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 64 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 2, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 47 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 4, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 66 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 5, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 48 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 6, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 7, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 38 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 8, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 49 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night
🚐 9, Loop: 1 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 × 11 ft · Back-in Site
$18
/ per night

Reviews

193 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Cottonwood Springs Campground offers an excellent location with friendly staff, and it provides a peaceful, quiet atmosphere with clean facilities. While there are no RV hookups and some sites may feel cramped, visitors appreciate the scenic lake nearby and the opportunity for outdoor activities. Overall, many guests express their desire to return, citing enjoyable experiences and helpful camp hosts.

Based on guest feedback

4.3

Overall rating

Based on 193 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 56.5% (109)
4 stars 26.9% (52)
3 stars 11.4% (22)
2 stars 4.1% (8)
1 star 1.0% (2)

Showing 193 reviews

Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Newest First Oldest First

Jeanne B

Verified

August 7, 2021 Stayed at: 12, Loop: 1

Campground is RV oriented. We are tenters. None of the sites as far as we could tell have designated tent pads and only a few were level enough to pitch a tent. Lack shade also. We left and were overjoyed to find many excellent tent sites available at relatively close Wind Cave NP. Wind Cave is a no-reservation campground, and had many sites available mid-week in July 2021 with few RVs since no hook-ups for electricity. Go there if you a tenter!

Helpful

Christopher N

Verified

August 5, 2021 Stayed at: 15, Loop: 1

This place is a real gem. So quiet. Host was lovely. Facilities were maintained and clean.

Helpful

Christopher N

Verified

August 5, 2021 Stayed at: 15, Loop: 1

This place is a real gem. So quiet. Host was lovely. Facilities were maintained and clean.

Helpful

Erica R

Verified

July 26, 2021 Stayed at: 18, Loop: 1

Small campground with beautiful views.

Helpful

Cory W

Verified

July 26, 2021 Stayed at: 14, Loop: 1

Nice campground

Helpful

Erica R

Verified

July 26, 2021 Stayed at: 18, Loop: 1

Small campground with beautiful views.

Helpful

Cory W

Verified

July 26, 2021 Stayed at: 14, Loop: 1

Nice campground

Helpful

Nathan K

Verified

July 19, 2021 Stayed at: 15, Loop: 1

The campsite was nice and clean, bathrooms were just simple toilets but we’re kept relatively clean. I was under the impression the lake was going to be a good swimming spot but it didn’t really seem like it, mostly just a fishing lake that you could take small fishing boats on. And you have to drive a couple min to actually get down to the lake. Would’ve been nice if they used all the space down by the lake for campsites too.

Helpful

Julia M

Verified

July 19, 2021 Stayed at: 12, Loop: 1

Nice bathroom and well spaced spots

Helpful

Nathan K

Verified

July 19, 2021 Stayed at: 15, Loop: 1

The campsite was nice and clean, bathrooms were just simple toilets but we’re kept relatively clean. I was under the impression the lake was going to be a good swimming spot but it didn’t really seem like it, mostly just a fishing lake that you could take small fishing boats on. And you have to drive a couple min to actually get down to the lake. Would’ve been nice if they used all the space down by the lake for campsites too.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Cottonwood Springs Campground

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, Hot Springs Office, P.O. Box 664, Hot Springs, SD 57747 United States

Elevation: 1,217 ft

Getting There

From Rapid City, SD take US-79 S, turn right onto US-18 W/US-385N, turn left onto US-18 BYP, turn left onto US-18W, take a right on County Road 17/Memorial Road, stay to the left as the road Y's staying on Couny Road 17 and then enter Cottonwood S...

Nearest town

Hot Springs, SD - 6.5 mi

About 12 min to downtown

Policies & Rules

General

  • All camping passes will be checked. Usable passes are as follows: America the Beautiful pass Senior annual, Senior Lifetime and Access Pass. Golden Age and Golden Access can also be used. Military and Annual Passes CAN NOT be used for a camping discount. All public-use of Cottonwood Springs Lake & Dam Project is governed by Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) . Rules and Regulations are enforced by uniformed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Park Rangers. Maximum Camping Stay: Each person and camping unit is limited to 14-days in a 30-day period.  All campsites are 100 percent reservable with a zero day booking This means you can check and reserve your campsite on the same day you are planning to camp. However, by that time all campsites might already be booked and not available. Campsites are limited to either: (a) One (1) wheeled camping unit and one (1) small tent for dependents OR (b) Two (2) Tents per campsite. Camping is only permitted on designated campsites.  All motor vehicles are restricted to designated roadways and parking areas only, off-road travel is prohibited. Vehicles may only be parked in designated parking areas or on campsite pad, no parking along roadways or in a manner that restricts or prohibits traffic flow. Vehicles parked in campsites are restricted to two (2) wheels on gravel, two (2) on grass. Fireworks are strictly prohibited.  All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs/UTVs), golf carts and dirt bikes are prohibited, unless licensed and street legal.  Pets are allowed, but must be on a leash no longer than six (6') in length within campground. All pet waste must be properly disposed of promptly. Pets may be off-leash within wildlife area.  Quiet hours are from 10:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. All fires must be contained within designated fire rings or grills. All visitors must properly dispose of all garbage in designated containers. Do not place garbage in fire rings or grills.  Use of gasoline motors on Cottonwood Lake is strictly prohibited. Archery hunting is permitted within designated areas during open seasons in accordance with South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks rules and regulations.  Fishing, boating and hunting rules and regulations apply and are enforced by South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks . In case of Emergency, Dial 9-1-1. For more information, please contact the Corps of Engineers, Hot Springs Office at 605-745-5476.
  • Life Jackets Worn…Nobody Mourns, Wear your Life Jacket! The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) asks you to please play it safe while on, in, or near the water. USACE public recreation fatality statistics show that 88 percent were male, 89 percent were not wearing a life jacket, and 47 percent were swimming in areas not designated as a swimming area. Most people that drown would have survived if they had worn a life jacket. Life jackets come in many styles, sizes, and colors. Choose the right one that fits you properly and make sure to wear it correctly. There is a life jacket for every kind of water activity including swimming. For more information, please visit www.PleaseWearIt.com . 
  • Firewood Alert! Don't Move Firewood: Due to the spread of invasive insects, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Help protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit DontMoveFirewood.org for further information.
  • Protect Your Waters! Attention Boaters, Paddlers and Anglers: Do your part to help stop the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) by remembering to always Clean, Drain, and Dry! Visit SDLeastWanted.com for more information. 
  • Be Weather Aware! Weather conditions can vary and can change rapidly year-round. Tune to local media or radio for weather alerts or visit the National Weather Service - Rapid City Office Website for up-to-date information. 

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Nearby destinations

Explore destination

Hot Springs

5 mi away

City
Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park

10 mi away

National park
Explore destination

Edgemont

16 mi away

City

Last updated: October 24, 2026

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Explore Hot Springs, SD

Population: 3,548

Nearby city: Rapid City, SD

Approx. 48 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 3,451 ft

Learn more about Hot Springs

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