Cook Lake Rec Area, Sundance, WY

Cook Lake Rec Area is located in the Bearlodge Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest (1 hr 34 min northwest of Rapid City, SD) with an elevation of 4,749 feet. There are a total of 15 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 39 and 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. There is a fee of $28.00 per night. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.

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Campsite Reviews (27)

4.2 out of 5

5 star		59%
4 star		11%
3 star		19%
2 star		7%
1 star		4%

@CharlesH720196 · Camped on Jul 30, 2024 at Campsite #26

Beautiful Place. Great place if you like peace and quiet! Most likely the10 miles of unpaved roads to get to the campground contribute to it's quietness. Ice, and for that matter supplies of any kind are a minimum of 20 miles away. Camp host was very helpful. My wife and I really like quiet so we loved the place.

@JohnW4841416 · Camped on Jul 21, 2024 at Campsite #27

I really liked Cook Lake, it's a small lake/campground that is well off the beaten path. Not sure if I'd want to spend a whole week here, but for a couple of relaxing days, it was perfect. I would definitely camp here again.

@ValerieTB5B28B · Camped on Jun 16, 2024 at Campsite #19

Campground is quite remote and very quiet. I was tent camping and would have preferred site 20 instead. I made the tent work at this site though. The loop around the lake is closed due to landslide activity, but the cliff swallow trail is open and very nice

@ValerieM103742 · Camped on Sep 8, 2023 at Campsite #28

We love Cook Lake! Its quiet and there are no modern irritations to distract you from nature!

@TiffanyH634297 · Camped on Aug 18, 2023 at Campsite #25

This location used to be really enjoyablefirst days/nights there were screaming literally screaming kids and people talking loudly until well past the noise ordinance. No camp host.. and the ones that were watching the camp grounds made our kids who stayed camping WITH us that we scheduled to be with us for a day pass. Dont think we will go back for a very very long time.

@BethT8499509 · Camped on Aug 2, 2023 at Campsite #23

This is the second time we camped here. Such a beautiful peaceful place. We will be back .

@DebraR7956372 · Camped on Jul 7, 2023 at Campsite #33

Nice little campground on a small, pretty lake. Lots of folks taking advantage of tubing, floating, kayaking, fishing, etc.Our site (33) was fine for our 35' fifth wheel with an easy straight-shot back-in to the site.Our GPS sent us on a very roundabout way to the campground from State 34 on 15 or more miles of gravel/dirt road, some of which was fairly rough.A more direct route would be to take Wyoming Highway 111 (between Alva and I-90) and then turn west onto Farrell Road straight to the campground. Farrell Road is paved except for the final 5 miles (approx.) and all of it is in pretty good shape with few holes, ruts, and bumps. It was a much smoother trip OUT of the campground!

@CaleJ26183CD25 · Camped on Jun 4, 2023 at Campsite #22

Nice secluded area. Host was great

@SheilaH4914611 · Camped on May 29, 2023 at Campsite #22

Only 2 of us in the campground on far side of the lake. It’s very nice and quiet but the bathroom door slams shut waking the dead. Also no available water on far side. The next night I was alone and loving it until the sky’s opened up and doused me for 6 1/2 hours before I finally gave in and got a motel room. Overall I’d give this one the highest rating possible.

@JaneR7111685 · Camped on Sep 2, 2022 at Campsite #32

Wonderful experience over Labor Day weekend. Quiet and well spaced out campsite to accommodate our 34-foot trailer, family and dog. Walking distance to a gorgeous lake and lots of hiking and biking trails nearby. The camp host, Bryce, is very welcoming and helpful. Easy 30-minute drive to Devil's Tower and a 2.5 hour drive to Mount Rushmore. We saw it all and loved it. I would return here again!

@JenniferR98687 · Camped on Aug 21, 2022 at Campsite #28

Cook Lake is very remote, quiet, and rustic. If that's what you're looking for, I think you'd enjoy it. The trails were nice and campground host was friendly.

@JudyB6641446 · Camped on Aug 17, 2022 at Campsite #25

Quite a trip up the gravel road and wasn’t sure what to expect after the dry grasslands but then we got into the beautiful pine trees and came to the lake which was so pretty. The camp host was so nice and and very helpful. We had space 27 and it was a bit tight with the trees by the road and the camp spot sign to get a 34 ft 5th wheel in but we did it after several tries. It’s a nice quiet campground with hiking trails, fishing, canoes and small boats on the lake. The camping spots are above the lake so there are great sites that look down on the lake. The restroom was kept super clean as well as the campground. There are day spots for picnicking, swimming and fishing. Would definitely go there again.

@RachelL4774006 · Camped on Aug 15, 2022 at Campsite #21

Quiet campsite in as beautiful area. Camp host was helpful and kind.

@DaleS8289121 · Camped on Aug 11, 2022 at Campsite #30

Very quiet during the weeknights. Busy but pleasant on the weekend. Camp host was very, very courteous and friendly!

@Christoph63310 · Camped on Jul 20, 2022 at Campsite #22

This is somewhat of a hidden gem. The good and bad news is it’s 9 miles on a dirt road. Takes about 20 minutes to get to the camp site. You are completely out of cell range. The camp sites are above the lake amongst the pines and it is very peaceful. The other campers were respectful and only used generators when needed, even though you could run them from 0600-2200 hours. The lake is set in a valley and the lake is like glass most times. Good walking path around lake. There is a trail that takes you to the top of the ridges and around is a good brisk hike. The fishing was somewhat of a disappointment. Caught about 100 pan fish the size of a minnow. Only caught 1 small rainbow trout from shore. There is a good boat launch on lake, but I believe you cannot use gas motors. This is a must stop and camp if you’re in the area.

@TerryA5595901 · Camped on Jul 10, 2022 at Campsite #28

We love Cook Lake, but this time was was not so good, due to no camp host. I reserved 2 sites, 1 was not posted at all, there other posted wrong. When hosts from another campground showed up days later, they were VERY rude.

@TyeM8591932 · Camped on Jul 5, 2022 at Campsite #30

Only two things bothered me. No cell phone service and cliff swallow trail needs to signs posted around half point. Someone could get lost.

@JustinR3682506 · Camped on Jun 22, 2022 at Campsite #25

Quiet area. Brian is a great camp host.

@StevenE1286395 · Camped on Aug 25, 2021 at Campsite #24

We had a very quiet week and the fishing and kayaking was great. I didn't agree with fires in fire pits because the smoke drifts into other campers camp. The new dam looks great and I've been coming to Cook Lake since the 60s. It was very different then and I also disagree with not opening the lower area to camping.

@StevenE739 · Camped on Aug 25, 2021 at Campsite #24

@SCOTTB494 · Camped on Jul 26, 2021 at Campsite #28

Great place to camp with kids. The lake is a blast to swim and kayak in. Good fishing for blue gill and catfish

@KathleenP485 · Camped on Jul 9, 2021 at Campsite #28

Not enough swimming area

@KrisH322 · Camped on Jun 23, 2021 at Campsite #33

Lovely little campground in the Black Hills. Host was on-site and checked us in. The campground was clean and nicely wooded.

@AubreyT437 · Camped on Jun 22, 2021 at Campsite #26

An excellent location with a wonderful park like feel throughout. The site was well kept and in excellent condition structurally. A great find for us who only live 3 hrs. away. Jim is a great and caring host.

@TristanR160 · Camped on Jun 21, 2021 at Campsite #28

Really nice sites and friendly host! Great swim area and awesome fishing at dusk.

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