Can you reserve a site at Sheridan Lake?

Yes, Sheridan Lake is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Sheridan Lake have?

111 sites in total, of which 89 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Sheridan Lake?

77 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Sheridan Lake?

Yes, pets are allowed at Sheridan Lake.

Are campfires allowed at Sheridan Lake?

Campfires are allowed at Sheridan Lake. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Sheridan Lake

Campground · 89 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Black Hills National Forest (NF) · Open Access

89
Bookable sites: 77 ft
Max rig length: up to 8
People per site: 1
Accessible site: 4,639 ft
Elevation

Entrance to Sheridan Lake — Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Overview

This campground is along the south shore of Sheridan Lake. Within its 5 large loops, there are many sites with direct access to the lake. Access to the south boat ramp and the Flume Trailhead from within the campground and easy access to the South Beach Area, this recreational complex has everything needed for a fun, family camping experience.

Recreation

Black Hills National Forest offers a multitude of recreational opportunites throughout all seasons. Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and riding off-highway vehicles are popular in summer and early autumn. Winter landscapes are ideal for snowshoeing, skiing and snowmobiling.

The Dakota Point Trailhead for the popular Centennial Trail is located on the northeast side of Sheridan Lake, as is the Calumet Trailhead for the Flume Trail.

At 11 miles (plus a 3-mile loop), the Flume Trail has been designated a National Recreation Trail because of its historical significance to the local people. The Rockerville Flume carried water 20 miles, from Spring Creek west of present day Sheridan Lake, east to the placer diggings near Rockerville. The flume operated until 1885, and the trail follows the actual flume bed for much of its length. Along the way are historic artifacts and parts of the flume itself.

Sheridan Lake is an ideal spot for fishing, swimming and boating. The reservoir supports populations of rainbow, brown trout, northern pike and perch. Fly fishing is popular in Spring Creek below the dam, and ice fishing is popular on the lake in winter.

Facilities

Sheridan Lake Campground has sites able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs, including 2 tent-only sites. Each campsite has picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water. Electrical hook-ups are not available. Access to the lake and beach is within walking distance, and a boat ramp is available on-site.

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.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby Jewel Cave is the second longest cave in the world at 159.29 miles. It features sparkling calcite crystals and other rare formations, as well as some of the largest concentrations of passageways in the world.

Other possible day trips include Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Monument, Devils Tower National Monument and Wind Cave National Park.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.

Charges & Cancellations

No refunds will be given for weather or related events.

The facts

89 bookable sites
111 sites in total, including non-bookable
1 accessible site
Vehicles up to 77 ft
Up to 8 people per site
Loops: CHIP, MANAGEMENT, ROCK, SMOK, WOOD

Site types

87 Standard Nonelectric
22 Management
2 Tent Only Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

111 campsites at Sheridan Lake

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
070	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	45 ft	8	🐾
071	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	49 ft	8	🐾
072	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	48 ft	8	🐾
073	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	46 ft	8	🐾
074	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	39 ft	8	🐾
075	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	50 ft	8	🐾
076	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
077	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
078	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
079	CHIP	Management	Back In	Gravel	—	8	🐾
080	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	36 ft	8	🐾
081	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	42 ft	8	🐾
082	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	30 ft	8	🐾
083	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	39 ft	8	🐾
084	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	45 ft	8	🐾
085	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	38 ft	8	🐾
086	CHIP	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
087	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
088	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	39 ft	8	🐾
089	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	50 ft	8	🐾
090	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
091	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	57 ft	8	🐾
092	CHIP	Tent Only Nonelectric	—	Gravel	42 ft	8	🐾
093	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	39 ft	8	🐾
094	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	36 ft	8	🐾
095	CHIP	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	39 ft	8	🐾
041	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
048	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
053	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
054	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
056	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
057	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
058	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
059	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
060	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
062	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
063	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
064	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
110	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
111	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
112	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
113	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
114	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
115	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
121	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
XXX	MANAGEMENT	Management	Back In	Gravel	45 ft	8	♿ 🐾
109	ROCK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	50 ft	8	🐾
116	ROCK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	50 ft	8	🐾
117	ROCK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	50 ft	8	🐾
118	ROCK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
119	ROCK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	50 ft	8	🐾
120	ROCK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
122	ROCK	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	55 ft	8	🐾
124	ROCK	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	65 ft	8	🐾
001	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	60 ft	8	🐾
002	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
003	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	75 ft	8	🐾
004	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	75 ft	8	🐾
005	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
006	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
007	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	65 ft	8	🐾
008	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	55 ft	8	🐾
009	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	55 ft	8	🐾
010	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	55 ft	8	🐾
011	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
012	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	65 ft	8	🐾
013	SMOK	Management	Back In	Gravel	—	8	🐾
014	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	55 ft	8	🐾
015	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	65 ft	8	🐾
016	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	65 ft	8	🐾
017	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
018	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
019	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	65 ft	8	🐾
020	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
021	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	55 ft	8	🐾
022	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	65 ft	8	🐾
023	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	65 ft	8	🐾
024	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	65 ft	8	🐾
025	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
026	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	65 ft	8	🐾
027	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
028	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	70 ft	8	🐾
029	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
030	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
031	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	55 ft	8	🐾
032	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	70 ft	8	🐾
033	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	65 ft	8	🐾
034	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	70 ft	8	🐾
035	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	55 ft	8	🐾
036	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	55 ft	8	🐾
037	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	75 ft	8	🐾
038	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	75 ft	8	🐾
039	SMOK	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	8	🐾
040	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	29 ft	8	🐾
042	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	41 ft	8	🐾
043	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	24 ft	8	🐾
044	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	44 ft	8	🐾
045	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	43 ft	8	🐾
046	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	61 ft	8	🐾
047	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	67 ft	8	🐾
049	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	27 ft	8	🐾
050	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	63 ft	8	🐾
051	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	47 ft	8	🐾
052	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	61 ft	8	🐾
055	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	47 ft	8	🐾
061	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	41 ft	8	🐾
065	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	67 ft	8	🐾
066	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	77 ft	8	🐾
067	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	55 ft	8	🐾
068	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	57 ft	8	🐾
069	WOOD	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	42 ft	8	🐾

Getting there

From Rapid City, take Highway 16 for 18 miles west to Three Forks. Turn right (north) on Highway 385 and travel 2 miles to Calument Road at the inlet. Turn right and travel 1 mile to the campground.

43.98082, -103.47229 · 43°58'50.9"N 103°28'20.2"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 41°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	41	41	49	56	65	75	83	82	74	60	49	41
Low °F	10	10	19	26	37	45	51	48	39	28	18	10
Precip in	0.4	0.7	1.1	2.5	4.2	3.4	3.5	2.3	1.5	1.6	0.6	0.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Sheridan Lake — Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Sheridan Lake South — Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Add a photo

Common questions about Sheridan Lake

Can you reserve a site at Sheridan Lake?: Yes, Sheridan Lake is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Sheridan Lake have?: 111 sites in total, of which 89 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Sheridan Lake?: 77 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Sheridan Lake?: Yes, pets are allowed at Sheridan Lake.
Are campfires allowed at Sheridan Lake?: Campfires are allowed at Sheridan Lake. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Sheridan Lake

Sheridan North Cove GRP CG 0.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Horsethief Lake Campground 6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Willow Creek Horse Camp 6.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Grizzly Bear Campground 6.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Bear Gulch 7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Pactola Reservoir Campground 7.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
South Dakota's Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration Lottery 7.2 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Sheridan Lake South Campground 1 mi · Campground
Pactola South Boat Launch 6.1 mi · Facility
Pactola Campground 6.2 mi · Campground
Osprey Trailhead (Trail #58) 6.4 mi · Facility
Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center 7.2 mi · Facility

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-16.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.