Cook Lake Rec Area
Black Hills National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Hill City, WY, WY
Price: From $28 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (33 reviews)
Season: May through October
Situated in a heavily forested area adjacent to Cook Lake, this campground is a peaceful setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in the Black Hills National Forest in Wyoming. Some sites in the campground are widely spaced and open up to views overlooking the lake, and others sit snugly along a hillside. Separation, rather than vegetation, provide visitors with a sense of privacy.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cook-lake-rec-area to be notified when sites open up.
Peaceful, heavily forested setting adjacent to Cook Lake in Black Hills National Forest with widely spaced sites offering lake views. Campers report it's clean, quiet, well-managed, and great for escaping crowds.
Wildlife alert: Spotted Sandpiper, Ovenbird, Brown Creeper, Black-headed Grosbeak observed in area
Insider tips for Cook Lake Rec Area: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 15 sites Plan for 10 miles of dirt road access; allow extra travel time Visit spring or fall to minimize fly activity No cell service — bring offline maps and supplies
Skip Cook Lake Rec Area if: You need RV hookups — only electric hookups available, suitable for self-contained RVs only. You visit outside May-October — seasonal operations only. You require cell phone service. You want quick/easy road access — long bumpy dirt road required.
Best time to visit Cook Lake Rec Area: May-June — Spring season avoids peak flies mentioned by campers. September-October — Fall season avoids peak flies and provides cooler temperatures.
Nearby campgrounds: Bearlodge Campground (Aladdin, WY), Sundance (Hill City, WY), Reuter Campground (Sundance, WY), Timon Campground (Spearfish, SD).
Cell Phone Coverage at Cook Lake Rec Area
Cell signal at Cook Lake Rec Area (Hill City, WY): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
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.
Situated in a heavily forested area adjacent to Cook Lake, this campground is a peaceful setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in the Black Hills National Forest in Wyoming. Some sites in the campground are widely spaced and open up to views overlooking the lake, and others sit snugly along a hillside. Separation, rather than vegetation, provide visitors with a sense of privacy.
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 with only 15 sites
Plan for 10 miles of dirt road access; allow extra travel time
Visit spring or fall to minimize fly activity
No cell service
bring offline maps and supplies
Spring season avoids peak flies mentioned by campers
Fall season avoids peak flies and provides cooler temperatures
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Interstate 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.
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 — Black Hills National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Black Hills National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Cook Lake Rec Area cost per night?+
What season is Cook Lake Rec Area open?+
Does Cook Lake Rec Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Cook Lake Rec Area?+
How do I make reservations at Cook Lake Rec Area?+
What is the cell service like at Cook Lake Rec Area?+
What season is Cook Lake Rec Area open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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