Established Camping
Nebraska Tailwaters
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Tent sites 34 to 43 will be closed for the 2024 camping season due to construction.
About
US Army Corps of Engineers
Homme Lake
Overview
Nebraska Tailwaters Campground is nestled along the Nebraska bank of the Missouri River, is a fun-filled camping destination just downstream of Gavins Point Dam and Lewis & Clark Lake.__The 31,400-acre Lewis & Clark Lake and Gavins Point Dam are nestled in the golden, chalkstone-lined valley of the Missouri River growing into one of the most popular recreation destinations in the Great Plains.__ For more information, please visit the Gavins Point Project Website.
Recreation
Located just below Gavins Point Dam in the dam "Tailwaters" provides exceptional access to the Missouri River. A large 2-lane boat ramp, large parking area is available, along with an accessible fishing pier and many areas for bank fishing. The Lewis and Clark Lake area attracts more than 2 million visitors each year to its shores. Recreation opportunities around the lake include camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, boating, sailing, swimming, bird-watching, and photography. For the biking and hiking enthusiasts, three trails are available in the area. They include a paved trail that runs from Yankton to the Gavins Point area, a multi-use trail in the Gavins Point area and the Calumet Bluff hiking trail located near the visitor center. Wintertime activities include ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and sledding. Developed public parks and recreation areas surround the lake above and below Gavins Point Dam. Camping facilities provided by the Corps and the States of South Dakota and Nebraska include boat ramps, picnic areas, campsites with electricity, modern restrooms, playground equipment and trailer dump stations.
Facilities
Nebraska Tailwaters offers 42 campsites, 31 of these campsites have electric hookups and 11 of the campsites are non-electric and are for tent camping only. Amenities include modern shower facilities with flush toilets, river access with shore fishing, handicap accessible fishing pier, boat ramp, fish cleaning station and RV dump station. There is also a Group Camping Area with electric hookups, picnic shelter, fire pit, grill, and vault toilet.__
Natural Features
The campground sits on the south bank of the Missouri River, along the tailwaters of Gavins Point Dam. Surrounding the area is the golden, chalkstone-lined Missouri River Valley.__Nebraska Tailwaters is known for its exceptional Bald Eagle viewing year-round, along with many other birds of prey.__
Nearby Attractions
The Lewis and Clark Visitor Center , exhibits on Missouri River and area history including the Lewis and Clark Expedition with stunning views of Lewis and Clark Lake along with the Missouri River. Powerhouse Tours are available on weekends. Please contact the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center at (402) 667-2546 for more information. The Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium__ Visit nearby Yankton, South Dakota - the historic capitol of the Dakota Territory.
contact_info
For facility specific information, please call (402) 667-2546.
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.______
Fee Info
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- WiFi
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
GuideNeat little out of the way stop
Only stayed one night, but was nice to finally have electric after two weeks of travel. No water or sewer at sites, but can fill and dump at a site on the main road leading to the campground. Wish we had known before we pulled in, but not a big hassle. Campground is below the dam and the fish were running like crazy. Nice large sites and enough room to move around.
LegendHuck Finn Time
Open year round
Reservations: Mid May - Mid May
FCFS Mid Oct - Mid May
42 sites 31 electric 11 non electric
Group camping with electric
ADA Accessible fishing pier 31 electric sites 11 non electric Modern showers Flush toilets Shore fishing Boat ramp Fish cleaning station RV dump station Group camping Picnic shelter Fire ring/grill Vault toilet Cell service Paved sites Pets allowed Trash Security lights Drinking water
This campground is a gem snuggled along the Missouri River on the Nebraska side of the river. Lewis and Clark journeyed up the Missouri River on their way to the Pacific Ocean. In 1874 a group of Mennonites settled along the now Lewis& Clark Lake. Ground was broken in 1952 at the damsite. Now the public is able to recreate in numerous campgrounds and recreation sites along the Nebraska and South Dakota shore line
- (15) View All
GuideGreat view of the river and peaceful
The campground is easy to find if you take highway 81 south from Yankton and then turn right onto 121 west. The signage is easy to miss, but right where 121 makes a bend to the left, the road down to the Tailwaters campground departs on your right and descends down to the river. All the sites are in a line facing the river. Some sites are for tents and the rest have electrical hookups. There is a pit toilet at the far end and a shower house with flush toilets in the middle of the campground. There is also a boat ramp near the entrance. My only complaint is the"yard lights" that are on all night. They are incredibly bright. It would have been nice to have it dark and see the sky.
Location
Nebraska Tailwaters is located in Nebraska
Directions
From Yankton, South Dakota, go south on U.S. Highway 81 for 2 miles, then west on Nebraska Highway 121 for 4 miles, campground entrance will be on your right.
Address
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
NEBRASKA TAILWATERS RECREATION AREA
55291 HWY 121
Crofton, NE 68730
Coordinates
42.8488889 N
97.4702778 W