Cold Brook Lake Campground, near Hot Springs, South Dakota, is a charming spot that offers a peaceful escape surrounded by stunning natural beauty. With spacious sites featuring picnic tables and fire rings, it’s perfect for gathering around the campfire and enjoying the great outdoors.

This campground is known for its beautiful lake, which boasts a sandy beach and excellent fishing opportunities. Visitors have remarked on the tranquility of the area, with one camper noting, “Absolutely beautiful... So quiet and peaceful.” While the campground is exposed and lacks shade, it provides a unique canyon-like atmosphere that many find appealing.

For those eager to explore, Cold Brook Lake Campground is conveniently located near attractions like Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park. Whether you’re hiking, fishing, or just soaking up the sun, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. Just remember to bring bug spray, as the little critters can be a nuisance at times.

## Overview

 Located less than 1 mile north of Hot Springs, South Dakota sits one of the area's most perferred campgrounds. At the south end of Cold Brook Campground sits Cold Brook Lake, a popular destination for those looking to take a swim at the beach, snorkel in the crystal clear water or wet a line while trying to catch a variety of fish species. At the north end of the campground sits a wildlife area with a two-track trail that is good for a morning stroll or a short bike ride with the possibility of seeing wildlife. 
## Recreation

 Cold Brook Lake is about 33 acres in size and it provides a quiet opportunity to wet a line and possibly catch a large mouth bass, northern pike, catfish, carp, rainbow trout, or various pan fish. Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, or any other small non-gas motorized boat can commonly be seen on the lake. As the summer heats up, the beach tends to be a popular hangout for both locals and tourists. The non-motorized two-track path in the wildlife area is a great spot for a short hike or 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. 
## Natural Features

 Located in the Southern Black Hills of South Dakota, construction of Cold Brook Dam began in 1949 and was completed in 1953, under the Flood Control Act of 1941. Although the dam was originally built for flood control, it has created a park with approximately 450 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, crystal clear water and evergreen trees create a picturesque site. 
## Contact Info

 For local information, please call (605) 745-5476 or call (605) 450-8000 for general information. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Popular nearby attractions include: [Black Hills National Forest][1] [Wind Cave National Park][2] [The Mammoth Site][3] [Evans Plunge][4] [Jewel Cave National Monument][5] 
## Charges & Cancellations

 Reservation changes and cancellations can be made on Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. For more information on rules and policies regarding reservation cancellations and changes, please visit: [https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies][6]. 

[1]: https://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills
[2]: https://www.nps.gov/wica/index.htm
[3]: https://www.mammothsite.org/
[4]: http://www.evansplunge.com/
[5]: https://www.nps.gov/jeca/index.htm
[6]: https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies

Cold Brook Lake Campground

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Hot Springs. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Hot Springs. Find the best campgrounds near Hot Springs, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Hot Springs

The Best Camping Near Hot Springs, South Dakota

Great experience 

Nice small area that was very beautiful. Park ranger was super nice. Good people and the lake was clean and good to fish at 

Very nice and quiet 

Small campground nestled in a little canyon of sorts with red rock walls on one side and green hill on other. It echos if you yell. The reservoir is a short walk up the road with a nice sandy beach and good fishing (so I hear). Good family spot. We had fun playing horseshoes in the provided pits, but you need to bring your own shoes. The biting flies were not in short supply, so bring bug spray.  There was no campground host, and the vault toilets were not very clean as a result.  But we still had a very pleasant experience. We would camp there again.

Cute little campground

**Campground Review:** This location is great if you are looking to be close to Hot Springs, Wind Cave, and Custer State park. It is located just north of town and just South of Wind Cave’s entrance. The campground itself is very exposed and the spots are lacking of shade. You are in a canyon like area so if you get one of the side spots, you will have shade starting in the early afternoon. 

  

The sites are spaced far enough apart where you feel a tiny bit of seclusion and there is plenty of space to put multiple tents on flat ground. It is in a red wall canyon so be careful of being too loud because sound travels. The lake has a large and beautiful swim beach and is perfect for a day on the water. 

  

There are bathrooms down by the swim beach, a boat launch, and picnic tables. It is a great lake for fishing. We were snagging them left and right. And contrary to the name, it was perfect temps to take a dip in. There are two campsites right on the lake but you need to snag them in advance. They apparently book up fast. 

  

The sites are only $10 a night and there is no camp host. However, the bathrooms do get regularly cleaned and the sites are well maintained. The campground is in really good shape. Nice grass and clean fire rings and picnic tables. There is also a large shaded picnic table area where you can have gatherings. 

**Gear Review:**

  

 As a Dyrt Ranger, sometimes we get the honor of being able to review gear! This campground I decided to break out my Eclipse Solstice Sun protection shirt. 

  

https://eclipseglove.com/collections/frontpage/products/solstice-beach-cover-up

  

It helped me feel protected by the sun but yet, was a light enough material to be able to move freely while paddleboarding. I like the finger design to cover the back of your hand too. Most shirts only have the thumb hole but this one has elastic around the middle of the hand to put around the middle finger to keep the back of your hands protected too. The downside to this design is the outline. It kind of just drapes over you like a poncho, so there is no real fashion design around it. The pinched sides let air flow in and out easily but also make it a bit complicated to get into. I got caught a lot in the middle gap while just trying to throw it on.

Ranger Review: Eclipse Solstice Cover Up at Cold Brook Lake Campground

Nice out of the way smaller campground. It’s sort of close to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Caves, and Badlands. Sites are large but not private. My truck camper was overrun by little bugs, so bring the diatomaceous earth and bug repellent. There’s no shade for most spots but they did have picnic tables. Pit toilets only. Fire rings were at each site. 

Nice small campground 

Absolutely beautiful.  Arrived after a rain storm, bugs weren’t bad.  Walked around lake and it was beautiful.  So quiet and peaceful.  Wish we stayed more nights!  Dumpsters, restrooms, fire rings and nice grass.  You gotta stay here!  


Stunning, must stop 

Bumpy road to park. Pictures listed are dated for sure. By far the nastiest pit toilets I’ve seen. The amount of flies inside the building and in the toilets were horrible. Thankfully I have a portable toilet. There was no way I’d use theirs. 

Photos of Cold Brook Lake Campground

Real photos from real campers