Map showing campground location near Yankton, Nebraska

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Nebraska Tailwaters

Nebraska Tailwaters operates under Army Corps of Engineers management from mid-May through late September, with sites ranging from $18-35 per night and reservations available during peak season. The campground sits below Gavins Point Dam along the Missouri River, accessible via Highway 81 south from Yankton, then Highway 121 west to a descending road that leads directly to the water.

All 42 sites line up facing the Missouri River in a single row configuration. Judy B. notes that "all the sites are in a line facing the river," with 31 sites offering electrical hookups and 11 designated for tent camping without hookups. The campground accommodates RVs up to 84 feet, though individual sites lack water and sewer connections. A centrally located shower house provides flush toilets and hot showers, while a pit toilet serves the far end of the campground.

Fishing draws many visitors to this stretch of tailwater below the dam. The boat ramp near the entrance provides Missouri River access, and an ADA-accessible fishing pier extends over the water. Fish cleaning stations handle the daily catch. N I. describes the location as where "Lewis and Clark journeyed up the Missouri River on their way to the Pacific Ocean," connecting modern campers to the area's exploration history.

Security lights illuminate the campground throughout the night, which some campers find overly bright for stargazing. A wooded area behind the sites provides some screening from the access road. Water and dump station services are available along the main campground road, requiring a short drive from individual sites. The campground typically maintains availability even during busy weekends.

Campers wanting different amenities can explore sites around Lewis And Clark Recreation Area for additional options in the broader lake region.

Description

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 36 campsites, 34 of these campsites have electric hookups and 2 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.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (402) 667-2546.

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. 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.

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

Camping reservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

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Location

Public Campground

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

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Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verizon5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 4/13/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 4/13/26

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Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verizon5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 4/13/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 4/13/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Reservable
WiFi
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
50 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time

1 hr 5 min from Sioux City, IA
1 hr 19 min from Sioux Falls, SD
2 hrs 24 min from Omaha, NE
2 hrs 41 min from Grand Island, NE

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

11 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the clean facilities and scenic riverfront sites along the Missouri River. Most found it peaceful with excellent amenities for fishing and boating, though occasional noise issues and bright security lights were noted concerns.

CHris B.

Ranger

Reviewed Jun. 5, 2022

Neat 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.

Site30

Month of VisitJuly

N I.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 30, 2021

Huck 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

Month of VisitSeptember

(15) View All

Judy B.

Ranger

Reviewed May. 21, 2021

Great 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.

Site#27

Month of VisitMay

Dennis G.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 22, 2020

View of the river is great

Fair amount of trees, definitely more in the higher numbered spots. Sites are decently spaced but not great. Electrical hookups only, water available. Bathroom/showers are spotless.

Shannon C.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2019

Nice clean campsites

Spent a weekend here. The campsites are nice and clean, and the bathrooms are the cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen at a campground! The campground was quiet and peaceful. Great showers and views of the river. Just a 5 minute driving to the damn and a swimming area... In front of the campsites is the river (this is riverfront camping, and behind is a little wooded area that helps you feel a little more secluded. Will be returning.

Charles C.

Legend

Reviewed Nov. 1, 2018

USACE camping just below Lewis and Clark Lake

Army Corps Campground with all the bells and whistles. It was closed when we went, but we will return. The interpretive center was very informative and Lewis and Clark Lake is huge with nice beaches and great fishing.

The ranger said that electric sites in season were only $16. That is less than the state parks at the lake. Yankton is nice but don't miss the Nebraska tribal museums.

(4) View All

Louis E.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 28, 2018

Look out for Camp Squatters

We ended up at the Trailwater site because of a overbooking at lewis and clark. The afternoon was pleasant but as soon as it started to get dark all of the camp squatters started to arrive. First, about 9:30 PM, a group with several small children arrived and they were running all over the place crying screaming. The adults didn't seam to care and for some reason kept locking their car repeatedly. Beep, Beep, honk!This continued until about midnight when the children passed out. Then at 1:15 AM a large group with about 15 adults, several children, 2 dogs, 6 trucks and a boat arrived. They proceeded to set up their 6 tends even right next to ours and in front of our fire ring as if they were sharing it with us. They were loud and intoxicated. The yelling and commotion continued. They were carrying on as if it were the middle of the day. At 3:15 AM I asked if they could quite it down. I was met with hostility and and was told that they did not give a F@%*. Then they proceeded to mock and insult us in spanish. We felt very intimidated and scared for our safety. Needless to say we packed up our camp all wile being jeered and insulted and drive 2.5 hrs back home. DONT TENT CAMP HERE. We will never stay at this campground again.

SiteNebraska Tail Waters

James D.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2016

Had a good time fishing in the Missouri River

This campground is situated along the Missouri River. There is a fishing pier and boat ramp. There are only about 10 tent campsites and a bunch of RV sites. The shower facilities were clean. It is near Lewis and Clark Lake which is a very nice lake. There is a dam which takes away from some of the natural feeling, but hey, there are showers here too. The Missouri River Valley is worth seeing at some point in your life. There are a lot of birds in the park which my wife appreciated.

Angie G.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 31, 2016

Awesome weekend getaway

Great campground. Great views of the Missouri River. Clean campsite and well maintained. Lots of activities such as fishing along the river. Beautiful sunsets and great camping space. I highly recommend this campground.

(4) View All

Joey H.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 30, 2016

Really nice

I loved the lake! go and experience it for your self

Jill R.

Ranger

Reviewed Jul. 10, 2016

Nice and Private

I've been to this camp ground many times and usually there are a lot of spots left over it is a Hidden Gem that is rarely ever packed full of people. The lake is a fun place to hang out during the day and then have a nice little campfire during the night it's a very nice place to take the family we've been coming here for years and we probably won't be changing anytime soon

Frequently Asked Questions

How close is Nebraska Tailwaters Campground to Gavins Point Dam?

Nebraska Tailwaters Campground is located directly below Gavins Point Dam, essentially at its base. The campground is only about a 5-minute drive from the dam and its recreational areas. This proximity makes it convenient for visitors wanting to explore both the dam and the swimming areas nearby while enjoying the campground's riverside setting.

Where is Nebraska Tailwaters Campground located?

Nebraska Tailwaters Campground is situated along the Missouri River, just below Gavins Point Dam. It can be accessed by taking Highway 81 south from Yankton, then turning right onto Highway 121 west. The campground entrance is located where Highway 121 makes a bend to the left - look for the right turn that descends down to the river. The campground offers beautiful views of the Missouri River and is near Lewis and Clark Lake, making it an excellent location for water activities.

What camping options are available at Nebraska Tailwaters Campground?

Nebraska Tailwaters offers 42 total campsites, including 31 with electrical hookups and 11 non-electric sites. Group camping with electric is also available. The campground provides modern shower facilities with flush toilets that are notably clean. While there's no water or sewer at individual sites, a fill and dump station is located on the main road leading to the campground. The campground is open year-round, with reservations available from mid-May to mid-October, and first-come, first-served camping from mid-October to mid-May.

Is there a map available of Nebraska Tailwaters Campground?

Yes, maps of Nebraska Tailwaters Campground are available. For the most accurate and up-to-date map, check with the Army Corps of Engineers who manage the facility, or stop by the interpretive center near Gavins Point Dam. Maps typically show the layout of the 42 campsites, including which of the 31 sites have electrical hookups, the location of facilities like showers and the boat ramp, and the fishing pier. Contact the campground directly before your visit to obtain the most current map.

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