OutReserve

Cottonwood Springs Campground

Cottonwood Springs Lake view
Cottonwood Springs
Cottonwood Springs Lake
Aerial Cottonwood Springs Campground
Cottonwood Springs Wildlife

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly
Pet Friendly

About Cottonwood Springs Campground

Located just 5 miles 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.

Number of accommodations: 17

Campground Amenities

  • Pet Friendly
    Pet Friendly
  • Lake Access
    Lake Access

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 - Opens on May 15

Sites & Availability

17 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 1, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 10, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 11, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 12, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 13, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 14, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 15, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 16, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 17, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 18, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 2, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 4, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 5, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 6, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 7, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 8, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night
🚐 9, Loop: 1
No Hookups
$18.00
/ per night

Reviews (95)

What Guests Are Saying

Cottonwood Springs Campground offers a peaceful and scenic location with friendly staff and well-maintained facilities. Guests appreciate the quiet atmosphere, cleanliness, and proximity to nature, including a nearby lake ideal for walking and fishing. While some campsites can feel cramped and lack shade, overall experiences are positive, highlighting the campground as a great base for exploring the area.

Review Summary

4.3
95 reviews
5
55.8%
53
4
27.4%
26
3
11.6%
11
2
4.2%
4
1
1.1%
1

Jessica L

Verified

July 15, 2025 Stayed at: 1, Loop: 1

5

Everyone was so helpful!

Jeannette B

Verified

July 8, 2025 Stayed at: 9, Loop: 1

5

Clean, quiet campground close to many attractions

Colter H

Verified

July 7, 2025 Stayed at: 9, Loop: 1

4

The campground is very nice with many amenities. My only complaints are that some of the campsites seem cramped and that it is difficult to find areas to set up a tent in the shade.

Deb S

Verified

July 5, 2025 Stayed at: 11, Loop: 1

2

This is more of a disperse camping area, no designated site. We got there early and found a table and fire pit, left for the day and when we returned there were 4 other campers squeezed in beside us. 4 barking dogs, many kids, generator on continuously. No-one patrolling the area. Paid for 4 nights, left after two.

Tara S

Verified

June 24, 2025 Stayed at: 2, Loop: 1

5

We always have a great time at cottonwood!! Marilyn is a huge reason we come back each year. I love that I can get online and reserve our spot so far in advance. Really wish we could get our AT&T phones to work, but it's also nice that they don't . We hit up coldbrooke one day, kids enjoyed themselves, they also fished at cottonwood one day , caught several fish . We checked out Cascade falls and Evans plunge, all great places . Love that hot springs has so many great destinations to visit at once.

Sherry W

Verified

June 16, 2025 Stayed at: 2, Loop: 1

5

This was a quaint little campground! Very clean, quiet and pretty! The camp host and park ranger were very friendly and helpful. I would definitely stay again.

George B

Verified

May 31, 2025 Stayed at: 17, Loop: 1

4

We were at site 17 for four days and then two days at site 1 both were great with site 1 the easiest to get into. Just a great place to use as a base to see the area. Some have mentioned the rough road back, I don’t think they know what rough is. Take your time and all will be fine.

rebecca l

Verified

May 30, 2025 Stayed at: 8, Loop: 1

5

Clean, quiet, large campsite. Clean facilities. Cute playground nearby for the kiddos. There's a small trail that leads to a cliff overlooking the lake and dam with a great view. Campsite was a little open to the southern neighbor (would be great for large groups using two sites) but very private with trees and bushes hiding the fire pit and picnic table from the road and the northwestern neighbor.

darren w

Verified

September 15, 2024 Stayed at: 11, Loop: 1

4

Nice campground but my neighbors and i were right on top of each other...felt a little uncomfortable. Site was clean and manicured. Campground sits on a plateau above the lake but views are obstructed by trees and forest growth. I suggest taking the main road down to the lake as there is some wide open space for picnics and the lake has nice scenery.

Chris L

Verified

September 12, 2024 Stayed at: 5, Loop: 1

5

Great campground, hoping to return. Kids loved the playground. Our site had enough privacy. Highly recommend.

Location Cottonwood Springs Campground

Address:
U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers
Hot Springs, SD, 57747
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 43.4393 / -103.573

Elevation: 1217 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

Summary of Park Rules and Regulations:

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.

General

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 . 

General

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.

General

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. 

General

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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