Cook Lake Rec Area

Star4.20
72 reviews
Forest Recreation Management, Inc, P.O. Box 1168, Hill City, SD 57745, USA
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

4,770 ft

Price

$28/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

33 campsites

Season

Open May 21, 2025, t...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Forest Recreation Management, Inc site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Cook Lake Rec Area
$28.00 - $28.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard nonelectric site fees in peak season are $28 per night, excluding discounts, taxes, or incremental charges. Additional fees apply for pets...
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Standard Site Fee$28.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
(605) 574-4402
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What Campers Say

4.20

Satisfactory

Based on 72 reviews

36 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietpeaceful

Some mention

noise

"User reviews provide a mixed picture of the Cook Lake Recreation Area. While many appreciate the serene setting and recreational opportunities, others mention issues like lack of cleanliness, noise from generators, and limited cell service."

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Campground Map

Forest Recreation Management, Inc, P.O. Box 1168, Hill City, SD 57745, USA

Cook Lake Rec Area

Forest Recreation Management, Inc, P.O. Box 1168, Hill City, SD 57745, USA

Driving directionsInterstate 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.
Mixed accessibility: The road from Aladdin is recommended and paved except for the final 5 miles, which are gravel/dirt but in good condition. Roads from other directions include long stretches of dirt/gravel roads (15+ miles) that can be rough and lack clear directional signage. Daylight travel is highly recommended due to abundant deer and challenging navigation.
Nearby places
Sundance, WY (approx. 18 miles, ~30-minute drive)
Aladdin, WY (approx. 9 miles, ~20-minute drive)
Nearby supplies
Closest supplies, including groceries and fuel, are available in Sundance, WY, approximately 18 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at Cook Lake Rec Area

The Black Hills reveal their ever-changing personality through the seasons at Cook Lake. Early summer mornings greet campers with crisp temperatures hovering in the high 40s to low 50s Fahrenheit, while nights invite cozy campfire gatherings as thermometers dip into the 30s. Spring arrives with dramatic flair, painting the landscape with occasional snow flurries and refreshing rain showers that awaken the forest floor. As summer fully blooms, the skies clear to brilliant blue, and the weather settles into a comfortable, dry pattern that beckons outdoor enthusiasts to explore every corner of this mountain paradise.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season for fishing, hiking and kayaking; reviews highlight summer activity despite flies and generator noise.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Likely pleasant for scenery and fewer pests; limited specific fall review data and season ends early Sept.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Opens May 21; early season has cool mornings and fewer services, plus possible lingering closures.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside May 21–Sep 7 window; winter stays not supported.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 21 - Sep 7, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open May 21, 2025, to Sep 7, 2025, with reservations starting from Jun 24, 2025.
  • Current Alerts: Cook Lake Trail and Loop A are closed due to a landslide.

About Cook Lake Rec Area

Nestled within the enchanting Black Hills National Forest, Cook Lake Recreation Area offers a tranquil escape where nature's serenity takes center stage. Each campsite tells its own story—some perched on gentle hillsides, others blessed with stunning views of Cook Lake's mirror-like waters. While the sites are thoughtfully spaced for privacy rather than hidden behind thick vegetation, this open design creates a welcoming atmosphere where families can enjoy the forest's natural beauty. Modern comforts blend seamlessly with the wilderness experience, as each site comes equipped with sturdy picnic tables and campfire rings perfect for evening storytelling, while well-maintained vault toilets and fresh drinking water ensure your stay is both comfortable and convenient.
The campground accommodates tents, trailers, and RVs. Sites range from secluded to open, with a focus on natural surroundings rather than luxury amenities.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
12:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
Maximum 14 nights consecutive stay allowed.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Cook Lake Recreation Area offers a diverse range of activities, including hiking, fishing, boating, mountain biking, and OHV riding on moderate terrain. The lake supports fishing for rainbow and brown trout, sunfish, and catfish. "The fishing was somewhat of a disappointment," noted one user, while others highlighted the experience as varied. Hiking trails, approximately 4 miles in length, are available but partially closed due to landslide damage. Wildlife viewing is a highlight, with bighorn sheep, elk, deer, and a variety of bird species.
HikingApproximately 4 miles of hiking and bicycling trails are available. However, one trail and part of Loop A were closed due to landslide damage. "There is a trail that takes you to the top of the ridges and around is a good brisk hike," noted one user. Another mentioned insufficient trail signage: "Cliff swallow trail needs signs posted around half point. Someone could get lost."
FishingFishing is available in Cook Lake, which supports populations of rainbow and brown trout, sunfish, and catfish. However, experiences vary: "Caught about 100 pan fish the size of a minnow," said one user, while others appreciated the fishing opportunities.
SwimmingSwimming is limited, with no dedicated beach area. "The lake has wetland properties & not much of a beach," observed one reviewer.
BikingModerate biking trails are available, though details about trail difficulty and terrain are sparse.
BoatingBoating is allowed for non-motorized small boats. "There is a good boat launch on the lake, but I believe you cannot use gas motors," noted a user.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is a highlight of the area, with species such as bighorn sheep, elk, deer, bald eagles, and hawks commonly sighted.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsTraveling to the campground involves gravel roads with abundant deer; precautions should be taken while navigating at night. Wildlife such as mountain lions, though rarely seen, inhabit the area.
Active AlertsCook Lake Trail and Loop A are closed due to a landslide.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Cook Lake Rec Area

Reviews

4.2
72 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Cook Lake Rec Area is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews provide a mixed picture of the Cook Lake Recreation Area. While many appreciate the serene setting and recreational opportunities, others mention issues like lack of cleanliness, noise from generators, and limited cell service.
Review Summaries
Based on 72 reviews

What Campers Love

Many users praise the natural beauty, peaceful atmosphere, and range of activities. "A hidden gem," said one reviewer. "Quiet area," mentioned another, while one noted, "Wonderful experience over...
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Based on 72 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include noise from generators, cleanliness issues in the bathrooms, and challenges with the remote location. "So. Many. Generators. Running basically nonstop," said one user....
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Based on 72 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Recommendations include bringing cash for fees, arriving during daylight due to difficult navigation, and using directions from the U.S. Forest Service rather than GPS.
Based on 72 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are popular, with many reviews highlighting outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and kayaking. However, generator noise and flies are noted as seasonal nuisances.
Based on 72 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The campground was clean and nicely wooded." - Debra R. "No cell service. Very pretty area." - Kelly "The fishing was somewhat of a disappointment." - Christopher B.
Based on 72 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites near Loop Cook are mixed in reviews; for example, site 33 was praised for accommodating large trailers, while site 28 had complaints about loud generators.
Based on 72 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features like an accessible fishing pier and walkways are praised, but detailed user experiences are limited.
Based on 72 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but there is a $2 per pet per night fee. No specific user complaints or praises related to pets were found.
Based on 72 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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