Sheridan Lake
Black Hills National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Rapid city, SD, SD
Price: From $30 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (367 reviews)
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
This campground is along the south shore of Sheridan Lake. Within its 5 large loops, there are many sites with direct access to the lake. Access to the south boat ramp and the Flume Trailhead from within the campground and easy access to the South Beach Area, this recreational complex has everything needed for a fun, family camping experience.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/sheridan-lake to be notified when sites open up.
Sheridan Lake offers 89 sites along the south shore with direct lake access across 5 large loops, and boasts excellent recreation including fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife viewing in Black Hills National Forest. Google reviews rate it 4.8/5 stars with campers praising its beauty, quiet atmosphere, and abundant wildlife including bald eagles.
Wildlife alert: Prairie Rattlesnake, Western Milksnake, and Western Terrestrial Garter Snake present in area. Bald eagles, osprey, cranes, and white-tailed deer commonly observed.
Insider tips for Sheridan Lake: Book early — federal campground with high demand Many sites have direct lake access; request one during booking South boat ramp and Flume Trailhead accessible from within campground
Skip Sheridan Lake if: Expecting full RV hookups — most sites have no hookups, suitable only for self-contained RVs. Traveling outside Memorial Day through Labor Day — campground is seasonal. Needing fast check-in service — volunteer camp hosts are learning their procedures.
Best time to visit Sheridan Lake: Memorial Day - Labor Day — Only operating season per verified data.
Nearby campgrounds: Sheridan North Cove Grp Cg (Rapid City, SD), Horsethief Lake Campground (Hill City, SD), Willow Creek Horse Camp (Hill City, SD), Grizzly Bear Campground (Keystone, SD).
Cell Phone Coverage at Sheridan Lake
Cell signal at Sheridan Lake (Rapid city, SD): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
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.
This campground is along the south shore of Sheridan Lake. Within its 5 large loops, there are many sites with direct access to the lake. Access to the south boat ramp and the Flume Trailhead from within the campground and easy access to the South Beach Area, this recreational complex has everything needed for a fun, family camping experience.
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
federal campground with high demand
Many sites have direct lake access; request one during booking
South boat ramp and Flume Trailhead accessible from within campground
Only operating season per verified data
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Rapid City, take Highway 16 for 18 miles west to Three Forks. Turn right (north) on Highway 385 and travel 2 miles to Calument Road at the inlet. Turn right and travel 1 mile to the 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 Sheridan Lake cost per night?+
What season is Sheridan Lake open?+
Does Sheridan Lake have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Sheridan Lake?+
How do I make reservations at Sheridan Lake?+
What is the cell service like at Sheridan Lake?+
What season is Sheridan Lake 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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