Earl Cook Recreation Area

1.74

6 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens booking site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens booking site

Get Directions

Earl Cook Recreation Area

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Cancellations must be made 14 days prior to the reservation date in order to receive a refund. No refunds will be issued after the date of the...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

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

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

1.74

Mixed Reviews

Based on 6 reviews

84 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulcleanrestroomsshade

"Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about Earl Cook Recreation Area, highlighting its cleanliness, peaceful setting, and variety of amenities. Visitors appreciate the beach, lake access, picnic areas, and recreation facilities, often describing it as a hidden gem and a great spot for family gatherings and outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, and boating."

Read all reviews

Best Time to Camp at Earl Cook Recreation Area

The recreation area pulses with different energy throughout the year. When warm weather arrives, the swim beach opens its sandy shores to sun-seekers, picnic pavilions host family reunions and birthday parties, and the crack of bats echoes from the ball fields while children's laughter fills the playground. As temperatures cool, the boat launch remains your steadfast gateway to the water, welcoming anglers and boaters year-round who appreciate having the lake more to themselves during the quieter months.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Boat launching facilities are available year-round. The swim beach, two picnic pavilions, ball fields, and playground are seasonally open.

About Earl Cook Recreation Area

Nestled just off Interstate 85, Earl Cook Recreation Area welcomes day-trippers and water enthusiasts to a lakeside haven where families can splash at the swim beach, launch their boats, and gather under shaded pavilions. This accessible getaway combines waterfront recreation with classic park amenities like ball fields and playgrounds, making it a go-to destination for spontaneous adventures and planned celebrations alike.

Weather and SeasonsThe recreation area pulses with different energy throughout the year. When warm weather arrives, the swim beach opens its sandy shores to sun-seekers, picnic pavilions host family reunions and birthday parties, and the crack of bats echoes from the ball fields while children's laughter fills the playground. As temperatures cool, the boat launch remains your steadfast gateway to the water, welcoming anglers and boaters year-round who appreciate having the lake more to themselves during the quieter months.

Natural Features and SceneryThe sparkling waters that lap against Earl Cook's shoreline serve as the area's natural centerpiece, providing both a scenic backdrop and endless recreational possibilities. The swim beach offers a gentle entry point for families, while the boat launch opens up exploration of the broader lake for fishing, cruising, and watersports. Beyond the waterfront, the recreation area balances its natural lakeside setting with thoughtfully developed spaces—manicured ball fields for competitive play, pavilions positioned to catch cool breezes, and playground equipment where kids can burn energy while parents keep one eye on the shimmering water views.

Campsite details

Total Campsitesnull campsites

Recommended CampsitesTo reach the shelter after entering the park, take the first left, then the first right (per provided directions).

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Open and Closed SeasonBoat launching facilities are available year-round. The swim beach, two picnic pavilions, ball fields, and playground are seasonally open.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations must be made 14 days prior to the reservation date to receive a refund; no refunds after the reservation date; reservations are not refunded for weather-related issues.

Amenities available

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Earl Cook Recreation Area offers a variety of day-use recreational opportunities including year-round boat launching and a seasonal swim beach, plus picnic pavilions, ball fields, and a playground.

Swimming

A swim beach is open seasonally to the public.

Boating

Boat launching facilities are available year-round.

Beach activities

A seasonal swim beach provides beach-related recreation when open.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

Weather at Earl Cook Recreation Area

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Clear sky

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 81%

Wind: 6.4 mph

Clear sky

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Proximity to water featuresBoat launching facilities and a swim beach are present, indicating immediate proximity to a water body.

Campground Map

Earl Cook Recreation Area

Driving directionsFrom West Point take Highway 29 north approximately six miles to the sign on the left for Earl Cook Park. Turn left on Lower Glass Bridge Road which dead ends at Earl Cook Park. Take the first left, then the first right to the shelter.

Easy access from Interstate 85 (explicitly stated as having easy access from I-85).

Nearby places

West Point — approximately six miles (as referenced in directions).

Reviews from booking and map sources

1.7

6 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Earl Cook Recreation Area has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about Earl Cook Recreation Area, highlighting its cleanliness, peaceful setting, and variety of amenities. Visitors appreciate the beach, lake access, picnic areas, and recreation facilities, often describing it as a hidden gem and a great spot for family gatherings and outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, and boating.

Review Summaries

Based on 6 reviews

What Campers Love

Users love the clean, well-kept grounds with plenty of picnic tables, grills, pavilions, and shade under trees. The small, peaceful beach cove, good fishing, boat ramp and lake access, as well as...

Based on 6 reviews

Common Concerns

There are no recurring complaints in the available reviews. The only negative-related mention is that the area was closed during COVID-19 restrictions, which was outside normal operations.

Based on 6 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Several reviewers suggest renting or reserving the pavilion for family gatherings, especially on holidays, noting that the pavilion area is right on the lake and still relatively calm with limited...

Based on 6 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This recreation area is a hidden gem. The beach is located in a small peaceful cove with restrooms, tennis court, basketball, pavilions, and picnic areas." "Nicely kept, has bathrooms, boat ramp,...

Based on 6 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One reviewer specifically mentions reserving the Earl Cook 1 Pavilion in Loop A for over five years, emphasizing that it is right on the lake, remains relatively calm with limited boat activity even...

Based on 6 reviews