Cottonwood Springs Campground
Located just 5 miles west of Hot Springs, SD is a hidden gem of a campground. Cottonwood Springs Campground is a quiet, peaceful campground tucked away in the southern part of the Black Hills of South Dakota. It offers beautiful scenic views within a short walk of each campsite.
More like this: reservable in South Dakota · big rigs in South Dakota · pets allowed in South Dakota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 17 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 67 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
17 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | 56 | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 2 | Back-in | 47 | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 4 | Back-in | 66 | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 5 | Back-in | 48 | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 6 | Back-in | 50 | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 7 | Back-in | 38 | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 8 | Back-in | 49 | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 9 | Back-in | 50 | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 10 | Back-in | 54 | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 11 | Back-in | 60 | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 04:00 PM, checkout 04:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 67 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Camping reservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
Cottonwood Springs Campground features 17 primitive campsites with no water or electric hook-ups. Amenities like potable water, flush toilets, and a playground are provided to help increase camping experience. A camp host is also on site to greet visitors and help with any questions they may have. Access to Cottonwood Springs Lake is only a mile drive from the campground. The boat ramp at the lake is steep, limiting the size of the boat being able to be put in and no gas motors are permitted. Picnic shelters, grills, potable water, flush toilets, and a playground are also located near the lake.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Rapid City, SD take US-79 S, turn right onto US-18 W/US-385N, turn left onto US-18 BYP, turn left onto US-18W, take a right on County Road 17/Memorial Road, stay to the left as the road Y's staying on Couny Road 17 and then enter Cottonwood Springs by taking a right at the gate.
| Nearest town | Hot Springs, South Dakota |
| Coordinates | 43.4393° N, 103.5726° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | High Mountain Outfitters ↗ | 22.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 24.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Jack's Campers ↗ | 57.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Cottonwood Springs Campground, Frenchman Lake, CA
Worth a stop
- Popular nearby attractions include:
- Wind Cave National Park
- Black Hills National Forest
- The Mammoth Site
- Evans Plunge
- Buffalo Gap National Grassland
- Jewel Cave National Monument
- Badlands National Park
- Custer State Park
- Crazy Horse Memorial
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- 14.1 miCoal Ridge Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 14.4 miBluebird Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Public land it sits in
Black Hills National Forest begins about 13.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 13.1 miBlack Hills National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,537,116 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- State Soldiers Home BarnBuilding · Hot Springs · 3.8 mi
- Phillip Wesch HouseBuilding · Hot Springs · 4.1 mi
- Hot Springs High SchoolBuilding · Hot Springs · 4.6 mi
Natural features
Located in the Southern Black Hills of South Dakota, construction of Cottonwood Springs Dam began in 1968 and was completed in 1969. Cottonwood Springs Dam began construction in 1968 and was completed in 1969. Although the dam was originally built for flood control, it has created a park with approximately 600 acres of public lands and water that provides a variety of benefits to both the public and wildlife. Once here you will see how the rugged hills and evergreen trees create a picturesque site.
Recreation
While Cottonwood Springs Lake is a small lake, it provides a quiet opportunity to wet a line and possibly catch a large mouth bass, rainbow trout, or various pan fish. Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, or any other small non-gas motorized boat can commonly be seen on the lake. The non-motorized gravel path in the wildlife area is a great spot for a short hike or for letting pets enjoy being off a leash. Other popular outdoor recreational opportunities include picnicking, playing at the playground, wildlife viewing, photography, and archery hunting. Archery hunting is permitted in designated areas only and both hunting and fishing regulations are established and enforced by the State of South Dakota.
Guidebooks for South Dakota and camping across the country
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cottonwood Springs Campground?
Sites at Cottonwood Springs Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cottonwood Springs Campground?
Camping reservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cottonwood Springs Campground?
Check-in 04:00 PM, checkout 04:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Cottonwood Springs Campground have?
18 sites, including 17 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cottonwood Springs Campground?
The longest site here provides 67 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Cottonwood Springs Campground?
Amenities like potable water, flush toilets, and a playground are provided to help increase camping experience.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cottonwood Springs Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cottonwood Springs Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cottonwood Springs Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Cottonwood Springs Campground?
While Cottonwood Springs Lake is a small lake, it provides a quiet opportunity to wet a line and possibly catch a large mouth bass, rainbow trout, or various pan fish. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cottonwood Springs Campground?
Hot Springs, South Dakota. Popular nearby attractions include:
Source: Getting there
What if Cottonwood Springs Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cold Brook Campground (4.3 mi), Elk Mountain Campground (9.7 mi), and Comanche Park (21.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby