Cook Lake Recreation Area
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. Tall mature trees and grass underbrush give the campground a groomed character.
More like this: reservable in Wyoming · big rigs in Wyoming · pets allowed in Wyoming
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 15 |
| Host/management | 20 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 99 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
15 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 019 | Back-in | 46 | Gravel | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 020 | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 021 | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 022 | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 023 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 024 | Back-in | 56 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 025 | Back-in | 49 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 026 | Back-in | 38 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 027 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 028 | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | 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 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 99 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The Cook Lake Recreation Area has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. The campground is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water; however, electrical hook-ups are not available. There is also an accessible pier and picnic area as well as walk in access to the lake for small boats (non motorized).
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
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.
| Coordinates | 44.5947° N, 104.4086° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
No refunds will be given for weather or related events.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Visitor Center Dump Station ↗ | 27.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Northern Hills Homes and RV's ↗ | 38.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Cook Lake Rec Area, WY from Art S.
Worth a stop
A hike to Warren Peak Lookout Tower makes a scenic day trip for guests. Devils Tower National Monument is also a great location to visit. Established as the first United States National Monument on September 24, 1906, by President Theodore Roosevelt, this unique geological formation is valued for its natural, cultural, and recreational significance.
- under 0.1 mi
- 0.5 miCook Lake Trailhead (Trail #88) ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miCliff Swallow3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miCook Lake0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miSnow-A ↗17.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.5 miSnow-B-North ↗6.5 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.5 miTruck Trail 1281 ↗6.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.1 miBlacktail 1101 ↗4.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trailheads within three miles
- under 0.1 miCliff Swallow Trailhead (Trail #91) ↗Black Hills National Forest
- 0.5 miCook Lake Trailhead (Trail #88) ↗Black Hills National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Wyoming MercantileBuilding · Aladdin · 11.5 mi
- Sundance SchoolBuilding · Sundance · 13.1 mi
- Sundance State BankBuilding · Sundance · 13.1 mi
Natural features
Located in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, Black Hills National Forest encompasses nearly 1.25 million acres of rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and unique caves. Derived from the Lakota language, the words "Paha Sapa," meaning "hills that are black," honor the dark, pine-covered hills rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie. Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate mountainous terrain, while elk, deer and pronghorn gather in forests and prairies. Bald eagles, hawks, osprey, peregrine falcon, and hundreds of other bird species can be found in the forest, especially along streams, lakes and rivers.
Recreation
The forest offers accessible recreation for all ages. Visitors can take advantage of opportunities for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on moderate terrain. Approximately 4 miles of hiking and bicycling trails are available at the recreation area. Adjacent to the campground is Cook Lake, an ideal spot for fishing and boating. The lake supports populations of rainbow and brown trout, a variety of sunfish, and catfish. The Cook Lake Trail, along with Loop A, has been closed due to a recent landslide. However there are still plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation of all types in the area.
Guidebooks for Wyoming
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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 Cook Lake Recreation Area?
Sites at Cook Lake Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cook Lake Recreation Area?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Cook Lake Recreation Area have?
35 sites, including 15 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cook Lake Recreation Area?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Cook Lake Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cook Lake Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cook Lake Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Cook Lake Recreation Area?
The forest offers accessible recreation for all ages. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Cook Lake Recreation Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bearlodge Campground (5.8 mi, first-come), Sundance (10.9 mi), and Reuter Campground (11.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby