American Creek Campground sits along the Missouri River in Chamberlain, South Dakota, at an elevation of 1,350 feet. The campground occupies a prime spot within the town limits but maintains a secluded atmosphere with numerous shade trees providing privacy between sites. Weather patterns in this region can change rapidly, with unexpected storms sometimes developing over the river during summer months.
What to do
Water activities on Lake Sharpe: American Creek Campground offers direct water access with kayak and paddleboard rentals available. "There is kayaks and paddle boards available for rent which is the perfect addition to a great campground," notes one visitor at American Creek Campground.
Fish the Missouri River: The tailrace area below Big Bend Dam provides excellent fishing opportunities. A camper at Left Tailrace - Lake Sharpe mentioned, "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."
Disc golf course: Play a round at the 9-hole disc golf course available at Left Tailrace - Lake Sharpe. A reviewer noted, "The Campgrounds also offer fishing, fish cleaning station, boat ramp, biking, frisbee golf, a playground, horseshoes and bean bag toss. Something for everyone."
What campers like
Spacious, shaded sites: Buryanek Recreation Area offers roomy camping spots with natural shade. "Big sites. A lot of room between sites. Well maintained dirt road to access recreation area. Spacious campground," according to a visitor at Buryanek Recreation Area.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds in the area maintain excellent bathroom and shower facilities. One camper at American Creek Campground commented, "I found this campground to be clean, and the sites were spacious, and the view of the Missouri river from my space was terrific. Very helpful check in and very clean bathrooms."
River beach access: Some sites offer direct routes to the water. A visitor at Platte Creek Recreation Area Campground noted it as a "Nice campground along the river with tent and full hookup sites," while another camper at Buryanek mentioned, "There were stairs down from our campsite to a gravel beach. Water was warm in Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River."
What you should know
Weather patterns: Storms can develop quickly in this area. An experienced camper at American Creek Campground warned, "The storms in the area just appear. We've gone camping out here twice and both ended very scarey. Beautiful area but also not worth it to go back for a third time. Don't need to die in a storm out there now."
Cottonwood shedding: Certain times of year bring natural challenges. A visitor at Buryanek Recreation Area observed, "Very nice and well kept facilities but beware there are lots of cottonwoods and at times during our stay it looked like it was snowing. I'd stay here again but I'd also research when the cottonwoods are not shedding their seeds."
Road conditions: Some glamping locations near Chamberlain, South Dakota require traveling unpaved roads. "Access to this area is off highway 44 but be prepared for several miles of minimally maintained dirt road (with some big hills) to get there," mentioned one Buryanek Recreation Area guest.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. A visitor at Hills RV Park appreciated that the "property is well kept and there is a pool on the property for use for an additional fee," offering families a cooling option during hot summer days.
Swimming options: Beaches and pools provide water recreation for families. At Left Tailrace - Lake Sharpe, a camper noted, "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."
Multiple activities in one location: Look for campgrounds with various amenities. "It has good bathrooms," shared one young camper about Buryanek Recreation Area, while another family at Left Tailrace mentioned, "Camping, pull through, picnic tables, fire pits at each site. Sites are very spacious."
Tips from RVers
Convenience stops: Several RV parks offer easy interstate access for overnight stays. A visitor at New Frontier RV Campground shared, "Easy access off I-90 and quick check in. We proceeded to pull through site 5 with FHUs. The campground owners could not have been nicer."
Site layout considerations: Many glamping options near Chamberlain feature pull-through sites. "The sites are gravel, but are all pull through. Most are full hookup, but there is a on site dump station for those with electric only," noted a New Frontier RV camper.
Leveling requirements: Some sites may require adjustments. A Hills RV Park visitor mentioned, "The site wasn't completely level," while another camper at the same location noted, "Really nice pull through sites with water, electric and sewer. $30 per nite. Some shady sites."
