Left Tailrace - Lake Sharpe, near Fort Thompson, South Dakota, is a solid spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a beautiful water view. The campground offers a mix of tent, RV, and glamping options, making it suitable for various camping styles.

Visitors often rave about the clean facilities, including well-kept bathrooms and hot showers. Many campers appreciate the spacious sites, which come with picnic tables and fire pits, perfect for evening gatherings. One camper noted, “The camp host was welcoming, friendly, and helpful!” 

If you're into fishing or boating, you're in luck. The campground is right next to a boat ramp, and the surrounding area is known for its excellent fishing opportunities. Plus, there’s a playground for the kids and a disc golf course to keep everyone entertained. Just be aware that some sites can feel a bit close together, but the friendly vibe and stunning views make it worth it. Whether you're just passing through or planning a longer stay, Left Tailrace has a lot to offer.

## Overview

 Left Tailrace Campgound at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Big Bend Project, sits on the shore of Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River below Big Bend Dam. Just upstream of Left Tailrace, Lake Sharpe, a popular recreation destination in the Great Plains,was created by the completion of Big Bend Dam in 1966.Today, approximately 80,000 acres of public lands and water provide a variety of benefits to the public including flood control, recreation, conservation of our natural resources, fish and wildlife habitat, irrigation, and hydropower production.It is possible to view many types of wildlife on the Missouri River at Lake Sharpe. Tribal bison herds can be seen grazing the lake area's grasslands north of the towns of Fort Thompson and Lower Brule. The shoreline areas of the lake also offer excellent waterfowl, upland game birds and big game hunting opportunities. Big game animals include whitetail and mule deer, elk, bison, coyotes and wild turkeys. Waterfowl and upland game birds include ducks, geese, pheasants, prairie chickens, and grouse. Hunting regulations are established and enforced by the State of South Dakota, and the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Tribes. For more information, visit the Big Bend Project [website][1] . 
## Recreation

 Lake Sharpe provides many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Recreation areas vary from primitive to highly developed areas like the Left Tailrace area located below the dam. Facilities at the Left Tailrace include campsites with electrical hookups, comfort stations with showers, a dump station, boat ramp, fish cleaning station, courtesy dock, picnic shelters, tables, grills, drinking water, disc golf, etc. Fishing is the main attraction to the area, with walleye being the primary sport fish, although sauger, smallmouth bass, white bass, channel catfish and northern pike also provide great fishing action.
## Natural Features

 Left Tailrace Campground is located in central South Dakota, three miles from the town of Fort Thompson, 20 miles from Chamberlain and 65 miles from Pierre, which is the state capitol. Lake Sharpe was the last of the Missouri River reservoirs completed and follows a serpentine course of 80 miles between Big Bend Dam and Pierre, SD. 
## Contact Info

 For facility specific information, please call (605) 245-2255. 

## 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][2]. 

[1]: https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/Dam-and-Lake-Projects/Missouri-River-Dams/Big-Bend/
[2]: https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies

Left Tailrace - Lake Sharpe

Looking for the best campgrounds near Chamberlain, SD? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Chamberlain is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Discover great camping spots near Chamberlain, reviewed by campers like you.

Chamberlain

The Best Camping Near Chamberlain, South Dakota

We are heading west and chose this campground for a one night stop. It's about 20 minutes off of I90\. Good thing we were following GPS because there was not a single sign for a campground on SR47\. They are not big on signs in the park either as once you pull in there is no signage pointing to campground entrance, boat ramp or day use areas so of course we ended up having to turn our 26' trailer around at the boat ramp.

check in lady at gate very nice but told us wrong direction to pull through our site. We got it figured out though. Our site, as most, had electric with picnic table, wind block screen and fire pit. Most sites were pull through which is quite convenient for us trailer people. Lots of space at each site, but not much shade. It was beautiful spring weather for us and no wind, ideal conditions.

Bath house was immaculate and had plenty of stalls and showers in ladies room. Water spigots were available and interesting to operate. The hubby had to ask someone how to turn on.

Most sites have water view and our site 12 had unobstructed view. Shoreline is steep with rock rip rap to climb down to water. There was nice playground area for kids and a 9-hole disc golf course.

We had the Best View

Camping, pull through, picnic tables, fire pits at each site. Sites are very spacious. The Campgrounds also offer fishing, fish cleaning station, boat ramp, biking, frisbee golf, a playground, horseshoes and bean bag toss. Something for everyone. Bathroom are very nice and clean. Showers are also very clean. 

So much to offer

It was a clean campground with shaded tables and pull through spots. Some spots are split in half so you’re right next to neighbors. Boat launch is right next to the campground. Showers and flushing toilets were clean and free. 

Clean and a nice water view

We reserved site #63 for two weeks. It’s a great site in that it is at the end of the row, giving us a ton of green space, is close to the well kept shower house and bathrooms, as well as being just across the street from the beginning of Lake Sharpe, below the Big Bend Dam.  Concrete picnic tables and benches and the greatest curved wooden “clam shell” like structure that offers shade (for the most part) during the day. There are mature trees, which are spaced out in the Rec areas/day space and each site appears to be home to at least one such tree. They have fire pits with concrete bases. Ice and firewood are for sale at the camp host booth which has great hours (like 10 am to 8 or 9 pm?). The hosts are plentiful and most helpful. It’s clean and truly a breath of fresh air in every way. 

Update:  We had some vehicle issues that meant downing an additional 3-4 days beyond the maximum 14 days. The ranger and hosts were very accommodating and helpful. We sure appreciated their willingness to let us stay a few more days, even after the work on our Silverado was completed. We wanted to “test” the repairs before leaving for Wisconsin. This was a great campground to be “marooned”. You could not have found more friendly people who were willing to help in any way they could. Our dog makes a bee line to the camp host cart whenever he sees Bob coming — loves him! 

Real braury and the greatest, most helpful people!

30 minutes off 90 along the Missouri river. Situated on a tiny peninsula is the campsite. We opted to camp in an electric site with our tent to be closer to the water since we were in for just one night. With double sites it's pretty tight, however everyone was super quiet while there and we were lucky to have another tent on our double pad. At check-in we were given hand sanitizers, which was nice. Bathrooms were centrally located in the campsite. Tent sites were past the park and playground, did not see where bathrooms were on that end.
Definitely would camp here again.

Cozy Tent Camping on the Water

We had a wonderful experience! Sites were spacious, tables had shade. Bathhouse was spotless and showers were wonderful with plenty of hot water and good  water pressure. The camp host was welcoming, friendly and helpful! 

Excellent Experience

Season May 1– Sep 30 Off season Sep 3– May 1 

Fees $18.00 standard electric     $14.00 tent non electric 

Reservations 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov 

Sites  81 campsites electrical (30– 50) 12 campsites non electrical 

PROS Fishing hunting water sports family camping heritage 

CONS Bugs at time Wind 

Sites are pull thru if you are the first, otherwise back in with each rv tail to tail there are some sites that are just back in

 Electric showers dump station boat ramp fish cleaning station courtesy dock picnic shelters picnic table grills disc golf fire ring firewood paved sites pets allowed water horseshoe pit ice 

There are a few gas stations and little shoppets just before the entrance of the park otherwise bring your supplies with you. 

Lake Sharpe was formed by the building of the Oahe Dam and runs 80 miles south of Big Bend Dam at Fort Thompson. The lake encompasses 56,000 acres and offers 200 miles of beautiful shoreline. The Brule Indian Reservation western shore is along Lake Sharpe and the Crow Creek Indian Reservation is along the eastern shore. Hunting fishing and boating of all types provides an abundance of outdoor activities If you want to check out the beauty of this area outside the lake area a beautiful drive is the Native American Scenic Byway. It is 101 miles that will take you to the edge of the bluffs to the river bottom. Watch out for a treasured view of a tribal buffalo herd. 

Fireworks prohibited 

Stop AIS (google for info) DRAIN CLEAN DRY Don’t move firewood 

All Federal lands at Lake Sharpe are governed by regulations in Title 36, Section 327, State, local and Tribal laws apply on Corps of Engineers lands and waters. 

GPS 44.21’26.9999 99.26’21.9998

Summer time on the river

I wish we could have spent another night here. Very clean and well organized campground. It is on a peninsula so great views from some spots. They have very nice windblocker screens beside picnic table which is necessary as the wind can blow and adds a bit of privacy.  Not really accommodative for shore fishermen as need boat to get out past rocks but handy fish-cleaning site available.  Only thing I did not like was the campers are on same pad end to end and the one next to us had a dog that barked through the open window everytime he saw us move.

Beautiful views , clean bathrooms and hot showers!

We camped here one night on our way to Kimball SD . It was very secluded and had a great view of the water . The bathrooms were very clean. There was a siren that kept going off near the dam. But it didn’t bother us 

Great place to camp 

Nice place. Lots of boaters and fishermen.  It's not a parking lot but there's not a ton of space between most spots.

Photos of Left Tailrace - Lake Sharpe

Real photos from real campers