Best Equestrian Camping near Niobrara, NE

Dates: April 15, 2021- October 17, 2021 October 17 2021– April 21, 2022

Fees:$16.00$18.00 

• RV dump station is located just north of Cottonwood Campground off of Toe Road.
• 7 electrical sites
• 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
• Picnic tables
• Playground
• Security lights
• Disc golf
• Shade

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

Fees:   Daily   $8.00    Annual   $36.00    Campsites   26.00 electrical 50 amp (.available) Campsites  $22.00 Non electrical Horsecamp 22.00 Non electrical

Reservations 800-710-2267 on line travel.compsd.com  northpoint@state.sd.us 

Open year round Oct 1– April 30 water systems may be shut down. 

Contact Park for more info

23 sites 5 horsecamp sites

PROS Secluded, well maintained, new comfort station, horsecamp I don’t think any site is bad

CONS Short sites, narrow country road

Firewood fish cleaning station water horse trails playground biking birding boating fishing hunting swimming flush toilets showers picnic tables fire ring/grill boat ramp dump station

The Pease Creek Recreation Area Horse campground is a nonelectric site. You will find a fire ring picnic table horse corral vault toilets water spigots Generator may be used from 8 am to 9 pm. Dogs must be on a ten foot leash. Make sure out of state horses have proper documentation for health.

Recreation Area was created when the Fort Randall Dam was created in 1953. There are 540 miles of shoreline and 102,000 acres of surface water. The land surrounding the recreation area was the ancestral homeland to numerous Plains Indians. Mainly short sites in this cozy campground with a new bath/shower house. Campground is well maintained. The road in is a very narrow country road meaning the camp and road are better suited for smaller rigs. You will find 600 acres to hike, horseback ride, fish, bird watch, hunt, all things outdoors along the Missouri River. This area provides all types of water sports, winter sports, wildlife viewing, fishing and hunting.

Firewood Alert:   Please purchase firewood in the local area. Do not transport from another state, if you do please burn immediately due to the Emerald Ash Borer.

CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY 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 a AIS permit before you place watercraft in the water.

Directions:  9 miles south of Geddes off SD highway 1804 GPS 43.14021-98.73186

LNT

Better than when you found it

Stay safe Happy travels

Pease Creek Recreation Area is off the Missouri River out in the middle of nowhere but if you are a water/fishing person it is worth the drive for a quiet, laid back vacation.

South Dakota has some long straight roads and the GPS worked most of the time as well as cell phone signal. It would on occasion drop off so make sure you have your trusty map. The signage in was good and don’t be surprised when you hit gravel roads, just slow down ;)

The campground was pretty quiet and mostly deserted when we overnighted. It was dark, quiet and plenty of sites to choose from. Basic hook up, plenty of space to set up in, more of an RV geared campground. The area was well maintained but facilities could use an update/good cleaning.

Right outside the area is a privately owned campground that looked like it was expanding so that will add to the boatramp traffic and noise. It was more of a permanent RV area but may have short term rentals.

There was hiking to be had and horses were allowed but it’s definitely a water recreation area. Due to the weather , 40’s when we visited and raining we did not get to enjoy the water like I had wanted. Town is not nearby so fuel up and stock up before driving out!

Great 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.