Sheridan Lake

Black Hills National Forest

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.

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.

Need to Know

• These campsites are non-electric sites. Generators may run from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. only.
• Non-reservable sites may be available on a first come, first served basis
• Prevent the spread of invasive species by inspecting and cleaning packs, equipment, and tires before using lake or trails
• A pet fee of $2 per pet per night is required upon check-in
• Click here for more information about Black Hills National Forest
• Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
• • The Senior and Access discounts are only honored for the site that houses the card holder.
  • If multiple sites are reserved on one card, the rest of the camping fee will be collected upon arrival unless another card holder occupies the 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.

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.

Changes & Cancellations

No refunds will be given for weather or related events.

Contact Information

Mailing Address

Forest Recreation Management, Inc P.O. Box 1168 Hill City SD 57745

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 605-673-9200

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

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.

Available Campsites

• Site 005, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 077, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 052, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 087, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 050, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 073, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 066, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 038, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 071, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 043, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 044, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 069, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 119, Loop ROCK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 086, Loop CHIP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 039, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 036, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 074, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 067, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 078, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 072, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 089, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 124, Loop ROCK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 094, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 083, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 045, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 082, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 117, Loop ROCK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 085, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 084, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 068, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 070, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 075, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 091, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 093, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 040, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 081, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 051, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 120, Loop ROCK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 080, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 092, Loop CHIP, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 055, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 076, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 109, Loop ROCK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 046, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 047, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 118, Loop ROCK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 065, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 090, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 042, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 088, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 116, Loop ROCK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 122, Loop ROCK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 095, Loop CHIP, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 049, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop SMOK, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 061, Loop WOOD, Type Standard Nonelectric

Photo Gallery