Sheridan Lake North Swim Beach
Hill City
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, and Swim
Sheridan Lake North Swim Beach is the improved north-shore swimming beach on Sheridan Lake (the lake has a second beach on the south shore), a 375-acre reservoir on Spring Creek in the central Black Hills of South Dakota. The lake and its shoreline belong to the Black Hills National Forest, and the Forest Service runs the beach as a day-use site. The dam that formed the lake went in across Spring Creek in 1939, flooding the site of Sheridan, the first county seat of Pennington County. The lake sits at about 4,630 feet, surrounded by ponderosa pine ridges, roughly 6 miles northeast of Hill City and about 14 miles west of Rapid City in a straight line.
From Rapid City, follow Highway 16 west about 18 miles to Three Forks, turn north on Highway 385 for 3 miles, then turn east on Sheridan Lake Road and go about 1 mile to the north shore. North Beach Road drops down to several small lots between the beach, the picnic area and the boat ramps. Coming from Hill City, head north on 385 to the same turnoff. The sandy strip faces south into a cove, with a few steps and short paths leading from the parking down to the sand.
The swim area is a short sand beach on a reservoir, so the bottom shifts from sand to the lake's natural bottom as you wade out, and it gets deeper away from shore. The Forest Service says swim buoys at Sheridan are generally put in by early May and pulled by mid-October, depending on weather and water levels. None of the agency pages list a lifeguard, so plan on swimming unsupervised. Because the lake is a mountain reservoir fed by Spring Creek, the water can feel cold early in the season. Lake levels hold fairly steady because the reservoir isn't used for irrigation or flood control.
This is a fee site. The beach's Forest Service page lists day use at $7 per vehicle per day, while the forest's pass page lists Sheridan North and South beaches, picnic grounds and boat ramps at $5 per vehicle, so check the posted sign or fee tube when you arrive. A $50 annual day-use pass covers all concessionaire-run day-use sites on the forest. From mid-May through September 30 the sites are run by the forest concessionaire, which does not accept America the Beautiful passes for day use. From October 1 to mid-May the Forest Service runs them and accepts those passes. Hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. There are vault toilets but no drinking water, so bring your own.
The beach shares the cove with the marina and the boat launch, and the lake allows motorboats and water skiing, so stay inside the buoys and watch for boats near the launch. Summer weekends get crowded and the lots fill. The forest has also been under fire restrictions at times, which can limit grills and open flames in the picnic area.
Next to the beach are a picnic area, the Sheridan Lake Marina with boat rentals and a small store, and the Sheridan North Cove Group Campground. The South Shore has a second swim beach and a larger campground. The Dakota Point Trailhead for the Centennial Trail and the Calumet Trailhead for the Flume Trail, a National Recreation Trail that follows an 1880s water flume, are on the northeast side of the lake. Anglers fish for rainbow and brown trout, northern pike and perch, and the lake is popular with kayakers and paddleboarders.
More Information
Black Hills National Forest : Recreation Site - Sheridan North Swim Beach
The Sheridan Lake North Swim Beach is a busy recreation area in the summer. A picnic area, boat launch, group campground, marina and store are located adjacent to the campground.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/recreation/sheridan-north-swim-beachBlack Hills National Forest | Dakota Point Picnic Area | Forest Service
Relax and Enjoy the ViewNestled among towering ponderosa pines, the Dakota Point Picnic Area offers a peaceful setting with scenic views of Sheridan Lake.10 picnic sites with large tables—perfect for families or groupsRestroom facilities availableEasy access to Sheridan Lake for fishingExplore the Centennial TrailFrom the Dakota Point Trailhead, you can access the Centennial Trail, a 111-mile route stretching from Bear Butte State Park in the north to Wind Cave National Park in the south.Northbound: Hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and bicyclingSouthbound: Motorized travel permitted
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/recreation/dakota-point-picnic-areaBlack Hills National Forest | Forest Recreation Passes & Discounts | Forest Service
Annual day-use pass for Black Hills NF is $50. Covers select sites, excludes camping. Discounts with Interagency passes.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/passes/forest-recreation-passes-discountsBlack Hills National Forest | Sheridan South Swim Beach | Forest Service
Sheridan swim beach is located on the south shore and inlet to lake. Depending on weather and reservoir levels, buoys are generally installed in early May and removed by mid-October.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/recreation/sheridan-south-swim-beachSheridan Lake, Black Hills National Forest - Recreation.gov
Explore Sheridan Lake in Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota with Recreation.gov. 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
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232300Sheridan North Cove Grp Cg, Black Hills National Forest - Recreation.gov
Explore Sheridan North Cove Grp Cg in Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota with Recreation.gov. Sheridan North Cove Group Campground, in a forest of Ponderosa pine is along the north shore of Sheridan Lake. This is an ideal setting for large groups and ga
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233776Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
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- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Hill City
- Head west on Elm St toward Main St (56 ft)
- Turn right onto US-16 E/
US-385 N/ Main St (3.7 mi) - Turn left onto US-385 N (3.2 mi)
- Turn right onto Sheridan Lake Rd (0.2 mi)
- Turn right onto N Bch Rd (0.5 mi)
- Turn rightDestination will be on the right(0.1 mi)
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