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Cottonwood Springs

Cottonwood Springs Lake

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Summary

Cottonwood Springs Campground is a quiet, peaceful campground tucked away in the Black Hills of South Dakota, with 17 primitive campsites and no water or electric hook-ups. It offers beautiful scenic views with a variety of recreational opportunities from fishing and boating to hiking and hunting. Nearby attractions include National Parks, State Parks and Memorials, providing a picturesque site with something for everyone.

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (605) 745-5476.

Nearby Attractions

Popular nearby attractions include:

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.  

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Photos

Campground Matrix

Set alerts at more campgrounds to increase your odds of getting a place to stay! Below is a list of the closest campgrounds supported on Campflare. Or, view all campgrounds in Cottonwood Springs Lake.

Nearby Campgrounds Distance Notification Rate
Cold Brook
Cold Brook Lake
4.3mi
Elk Mountain
Wind Cave National Park
9.7mi 88%
Comanche Park
Black Hills National Forest
21.5mi 53%
Bismarck Lake
Black Hills National Forest
23.9mi 52%
Iron Creek Horse Camp
Black Hills National Forest
26.7mi 50%
Oreville
Black Hills National Forest
30.2mi 44%
Made with ❤️ in Mammoth Lakes
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