About Cottonwood Springs Campground
Number of accommodations: 17
Campground Amenities
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Pet Friendly
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Lake Access
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
17 Sites Available
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Site Details
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17 Sites Available
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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.
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
Jessica L
VerifiedJuly 15, 2025 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: 1
Everyone was so helpful!
Jeannette B
VerifiedJuly 8, 2025 • Stayed at: 9, Loop: 1
Clean, quiet campground close to many attractions
Colter H
VerifiedJuly 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 9, Loop: 1
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
VerifiedJuly 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: 1
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
VerifiedJune 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: 1
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
VerifiedJune 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 2, Loop: 1
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
VerifiedMay 31, 2025 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: 1
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
VerifiedMay 30, 2025 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: 1
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
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: 1
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
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2024 • Stayed at: 5, Loop: 1
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 |
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| 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.
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| 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. |