Join the fun near Niobrara. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
$15 / night
"We had a wonderfull Campside with view of the Lake .The campground is very big and Quiet. Very clean Bathhouses .Lot of Beaches and Playgrounds for Kids. We come back ."
"Nebraska is HORRIBLE!!! We quit the Nebraska State parks years ago! Putting in coins to take a shower?! Really?! South Dakota doesn’t do that!!! South Dakota State Parks ROCK!!!!!"
$20 - $22 / night
"* 2 modern Bath house/toilets
- Trash
- Water sites
- Cell phone service
- Drinking water
- Flush toilets
- Grills/fire rings
- Lake access
- Paved roads
- Paved sites
- Pets allowed"
"Every site had electric hookups. There is access to water and restrooms in each loop. Some of the sites are right near Lake Yankton. There was decent fishing but nothing too special."
$8 - $55 / night
"The kids and pets especially enjoyed it!"
"Located south of Yankton, SD and part of the South Dakota State Park system, this is a nice place to camp in a beautiful grove of cottonwood trees (I think)."
"The small cabins near the water was perfect for our small group! The bathrooms were close to our cabin and were very clean. There’s plenty of space, a nice lake, and some little beaches nearby."
". $55/night gives you AC, electricity, and a bed (2 twins, 1 full). Great view from the cabin deck. Verizon works good. Close to the swimming beach and vault toilet."
"I normally do not go to campsites (that is put in for context) but was passing through on a business trip and needed a place with electric hookups. After a Harvest Host disaster I found this."
$10 - $20 / night
"Cute town, ok bath house and a cute play park with swings, etc. Quiet at night. The road into the campground was a little busy during the day due to the construction on the main road into town."
"Quit park, full electric pad, and water. The bathrooms and shower were not open yet. Locked my keys in the truck. The O’Neill Police opened my truck, within 20 minutes."
"The electrical boxes are so buggy and cobwebby and dusty that it's hard to find a properly grounded working electric box."
LegendDates: April 15, 2021- October 17, 2021 October 17 2021– April 21, 2022
Fees:$16.00$18.00
The Lewis and Clark Visitor Center: Contains exhibits on the 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.• Located both upstream and downstream of Lewis and Clark Lake, visit the Missouri National Recreational River.
•• Latitude• 42° 51' 31.0000" N • Longitude• 97° 28' 57.0000" W••
From U.S. Hwy 81 in Yankton, South Dakota, drive four miles west on South Dakota Highway 52, then south on Dam Toe Road and follow signs
.• Check-In Time is 4:00 P.M./ Check-Out Time is 2:00 P.M.
All-Terrain Vehicles(ATVs/UTVs) and golf carts are not permitted.
Quiet hours are 10:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M.
Fireworks are prohibited.
All pets must be on a leash of 6 feet in length or less. Pet waste must be picked up and properly disposed of promptly.
Firewood Alert: Don't Move Firewood!• Due to the spread of invasive insects(such as Emerald Ash Borer(EAB)) firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Help protect your forests by purchasing near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Firewood is not available for sale on-site, however several local businesses sell firewood a short distance away, see the campground host or attendant for more information.• Visit DontMoveFirewood.org for more information.
For questions or to contact park staff, please call: 402-667-2546 or email: gavinspoint.nwo@usace.army.mil. U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS GAVINS POINT PROJECT OFFICE P.O. BOX 710 YANKTON, SD 57078
Physical Address U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND 198 TOE RD YANKTON, SD 57078 Phone Number
For facility specific information, please call (402) 667-2546
Trails: There are at least 9 hiking trails on AllTrails that you will find around Lewis and Clark Recreation Area. Lewis and Clark has the best of both worlds since the lake borders South Dakota and Nebraska. That makes it easy to stay in your preferred state and location. In Yankton SD a great trail is the Chalk Bluffs Multi-Use Trail which is a 3.7 mile loop where you will find a lake and it is rated as moderate. Dogs are allowed but must be on leash. This trail is used for hiking, horses, mountain biking and birding and is accessible through out the year. There is a 3.8 mile lightly used round trip or one way out and back called Yankton South Shore Trail. Great for wildlife viewing and it is great for walking, hiking and just enjoying nature.
Fishing: Lewis & Clark offers many types of fish for all anglers out there, walleye, sauger, large and small mouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. It depends on the season and temperature of the water as to what is biting.
Boating: Boating goes hand in hand with fishing and as with all things there are rules and regulations. You will find all types of boats, speedboats, pontoon, kayaks and personal watercraft. Make sure and wear your life jacket anytime you are on the water– Stay Safe and Alive. Make sure you are aware of the rules and regulations for boating around a dam area.
Another issue that has become an increasing problem is Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) which is spreading in the United States. There are different types of AIS and they are being spread by several methods. Boaters, of all types, help spread or help stop the spread by taking care of their watercraft. Before leaving a boat launch practice the CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY technique. Many states require an AIS permit before you place watercraft in the water.
Birding: Birding at Lewis & Clark is great for watching bald eagles. You can get a list from Niobrara State Park for birds found around the lake.
Hunting: In season, of course, begins the Tuesday after Labor Day. White tailed deer, mourning dove, waterfowl and wild turkey, cottontail rabbits and squirrel. Make sure you follow all the regulations in the recreation area.
Winter sports: Adds a completely new option for recreation. When ice is thick enough the lake is open for ice fishing, skating and snowmobiles. Cross country skiing is also very popular.
Lewis & Clark Lake is formed from the Missouri and Niabrara Rivers. The lake travels for about 35 miles at a maximum pool 90 miles of shoreline. Maximum depth is 45 feet. It was named after the Lewis& Clark Expedition that camped nearby.
LNT
Better than when you found it
Stay safe– Happy Travels
GuideCabins are super cute and fit the price. $55/night gives you AC, electricity, and a bed (2 twins, 1 full). Great view from the cabin deck. Verizon works good. Close to the swimming beach and vault toilet.
GuideGreat place for RV camping. My Uncle and I went through here back in 2011. All sites were reservable on-line. Every site had electric hookups. There is access to water and restrooms in each loop. Some of the sites are right near Lake Yankton. There was decent fishing but nothing too special. The park itself is very close to South Dakota, and you can visit the old time capitol of the Dakota Territory. I love the little history pieces like this so it was worth the side trip for me. It is also right near Lewis and Clark Lake which has really good fishing in the early morning. People we met were using the spot as they were passing through the area or for taking kids out for the weekend. Pets were allowed here too.
LegendWe were hoping to camp here below Gavin's Point Dam and enjoy Lewis and Clark Lake, a very large lake on the Missouri on the SD/ NE border By Yankton. They had closed just before our arrival.
Looked very nice and I was told that pads w/ electricity were only $16.
RangerThis was a very pleasant surprise. I normally do not go to campsites (that is put in for context) but was passing through on a business trip and needed a place with electric hookups. After a Harvest Host disaster I found this. Like I said, very pleasantly surprised. While there were a lot of campers who seemed to be setting up elaborate sites with everything you would need to live there for a year (laundry lines, flag poles, pens for their dog), I was able to get a spot that backed right up to the beautiful river and had plenty of space on all sides. The campsite was surprisingly quiet for how large it was. The sunset paddle boarding on the river was a real treat. Kinda cool to say you SUP'd from South Dakota to Nebraska with a beer on the board.
Bathrooms were clean and had showers. Garbage and recycling on premises. AT&T signal was strong.
Leave no trace.
GuideWe had a wonderfull Campside with view of the Lake .The campground is very big and Quiet. Very clean Bathhouses .Lot of Beaches and Playgrounds for Kids. We come back .
GuideOur family liked this place so much that we actually changed our itinerary to stay an extra night. The kids and pets especially enjoyed it! There is a huge green space in the middle of the campground, and all around the campground are several fantastic playgrounds as well as a small beach and a dock. The sites didn't have full hookups but that worked fine for us because we snagged two sites right next to the water and bathroom/showers (and the playground!) The showers were much nicer than we expected for a state park. Lots of kids and families around, everyone was friendly and considerate. The sites were on the small side but since the price was reasonable for the amenities we didn't mind reserving two.
GuideOne night stay as driving home. Flush toilet with W/E hookup. They are doing road construction and they have road completely torn up and one way section of road into campground. Quiet for one night. We ate dinner and then breakfast in city as convenient. Nice small campground.
GuideWe had a great one night stay when we were passing through O’Neil on our way to South Dakota. Cute town, ok bath house and a cute play park with swings, etc. Quiet at night. The road into the campground was a little busy during the day due to the construction on the main road into town. The campground road connects to other parts of town. Would stay here again but only for one night probably. It was great having electric and water hookup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Niobrara, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Niobrara, NE is Yankton — Lewis And Clark Recreation Area with a 4.9-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Niobrara, NE?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 glamping camping locations near Niobrara, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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