Cold Brook Campground
Cold Brook Lake — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: HOT SPRINGS, SD, SD
Price: From $18 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (99 reviews)
Season: May through October
Located less than 1 mile north of Hot Springs, South Dakota sits one of the area’s most perferred campgrounds. At the south end of Cold Brook Campground sits Cold Brook Lake, a popular destination for those looking to take a swim at the beach, snorkel in the crystal clear water or wet a line while trying to catch a variety of fish species. At the north end of the campground sits a wildlife area with a two-track trail that is good for a morning stroll or a short bike ride with the possibility of
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Camp Host, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cold-brook-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Located less than 1 mile north of Hot Springs, SD, Cold Brook Campground offers 12 sites with access to Cold Brook Lake for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing, plus a wildlife area with trails for hiking and biking. Google reviews consistently praise the cleanliness, privacy, and scenic views, with a 4.7/5 rating from 146 campers.
Wildlife alert: Black-footed Ferrets, American Bison, Black-tailed Prairie Dogs, Pronghorn, Golden Eagles, and Bald Eagles have been verified in the area within 8km.
Insider tips for Cold Brook Campground: Book early—this is a federal campground and fills up quickly Cold Brook Lake offers swimming and fishing at the south end of the campground Wildlife viewing and morning hikes available at the northern wildlife area with two-track trails
Skip Cold Brook Campground if: You need full hookups—most sites have no hookups; only suitable for self-contained RVs. You're visiting outside May-October—campground is closed seasonally.
Best time to visit Cold Brook Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Cottonwood Springs Campground (HOT SPRINGS, SD), Elk Mountain Campground (Hot Springs , SD), Comanche Park (Custer, SD), Bismark Lake (Custer, SD).
Cell Phone Coverage at Cold Brook Campground
Cell signal at Cold Brook Campground (HOT SPRINGS, SD): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Located less than 1 mile north of Hot Springs, South Dakota sits one of the area’s most perferred campgrounds. At the south end of Cold Brook Campground sits Cold Brook Lake, a popular destination for those looking to take a swim at the beach, snorkel in the crystal clear water or wet a line while trying to catch a variety of fish species. At the north end of the campground sits a wildlife area with a two-track trail that is good for a morning stroll or a short bike ride with the possibility of seeing wildlife.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground and fills up quickly
Cold Brook Lake offers swimming and fishing at the south end of the campground
Wildlife viewing and morning hikes available at the northern wildlife area with two-track trails
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Rapid City, SD take US-79 South, turn right onto US-18 W/US-385N, follow US-385N through Hot Springs, shortly after the speed limit increases to 35mph turn left onto Badger Clark Road, at the T-intersection turn right onto Evans Street, follow that road as it takes a sharp curve to the left, then as the road splits stay to the right and go up the hill and lastly the road will turn to gravel, follow this to the campground and day use area. From Chadron, NE take US-385 North, turn left onto U
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Cold Brook Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Cold Brook Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Cold Brook Campground cost per night?+
What season is Cold Brook Campground open?+
Does Cold Brook Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Cold Brook Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Cold Brook Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Cold Brook Campground?+
What season is Cold Brook Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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