Best Cabin Camping near Fairfax, SD

Daily Fee:  $8.00 per vehicle or annual fee $36.00

Campsites  $23.00 electrical

Camping cabins  $55.00

Reservations  1-800-710-2267

randallcreek@state.sd.us

Park closed Nov 15 - 3rd Friday in March due to eagles nesting

Boating   Fishing   Volleyball   Disc golf   Boat Ramp   Drinking water   Dump station   Fish cleaning station   Shore fishing   Fishing piers   Flush toilets/showers   Picnic tables Playground   Pit toilet

Tailrace is located along the beautiful shoreline of Lake Francis Case and it is the perfect location for outdoor activities.

• PROS Outdoor activities• CONS Outdoor activities 

If you love the outdoors this is the place for you. 

The construction on the dam began in 1946 and started generating electricity in 1954. Most of the sites are smaller sites and great but there are some sites for larger rigs. Make sure you check on your size before making your plans. If you have a boat bring it or anything that you can put in the water, kayak, SUP, canoe, or any other type boat. The roads into the park and in the park are in very good shape and the landscape is well maintained. 

For me a very big draw would be the bald eagles in the fall and winter. Birders will enjoy this area because of the opportunity to observe the majestic Bald Eagle. The eagles roost area in the park is a designated National Natural Landmark. Many bald eagles winter below the dam and catch their fish in the lake. They usually perch within 50 feet of the riverbank in the tall cottonwood trees. Check them out in the morning while feeding. Walkers and cross country skiers are allowed in the bald eagle area but you must not disturb the roosting bald eagles. Motorized traffic is not allowed in the roosting area as it may disturb them. If you are planning to visit the campground during the roosting season check with the campground to make sure they have not closed the campsites due to the possibility of the eagles being disturbed.

Location is 1 mile west of Pickstown off Hwy 281 below Randal Dam. 605-487-7046 GPS 43.05102-98.55514

 LNT 

Better than when you found it 

Stay safe Happy travels

This campground features cabins and tent camping. Designed for families, there is a playground and lots of open space for the kids to run around. Pets are welcome. There is a small pond stocked for fishing right in the middle of the tent camping area. Take a short hike to see where the Niobrara river dumps into the Missouri and take in some of the best views in Nebraska. In the winter months, hunters often use the cabins as home base and hunt in the surrounding woods.

We are usually tent campers but stayed in a cabin this trip which worked out well because as the sun went down the mosquitos came out and they were ferocious. The cabin was very nice and we were allowed to bring our dogs. We were there the first day the pool opened for the year so the water was very cold but we had so much fun. We did some hiking and a lot of bike riding. Being there during the week so early in the season we missed all of the activities that they have on weekends but enjoyed having the park to ourselves. This park is out of the way so probably doesn't get as much traffic as some other parks. We will definitely go back some day.

All around beautiful place. We had a great camping experience this summer. The grounds were clean, beautiful scenery, pet friendly and fun hiking trails! There's a lot of really cool cabins to choose from and the tent camping areas are in great locations scattered around the park. Definitely for the 3 hour drive up there.

Beautiful views of the Missouri and Niobrara atop hervily wooded hills. Tent sites are either along the paved 1 way road or farther back in the trees of the hills via a short trail. Vault toilets are plentiful as well as water spigots. Has several nice trails and points of interest. Was very clean theoughout and well cared for. Also offers cabins and an RV campground.

This park has so much to offer, it is located where the Niobrara and the Missouri River meet. Many amazing views beautiful clean water and miles of hiking trails. I unfortunately was not able to hike for too long due to the hot day I chose to venture off in the woods, but luckily enough was able to cool off in their breathtaking river and than in their pool. For camping this place is by far one of the best campgrounds I have been to. The cabins are fully furnished back porch tv dishes all you need are good friends and family and your food to fill the fridge... I will be there constantly while I'm in Nebraska, hope to see you there. Happy camping

Not to be mistaken as Fort Niobrara, Niobrara State Park , NE is near Niobrara and Verdel, NE. The popular Niobrara River runs along the far side of the park and one of the attractions is the old train bridge which is now part of the converted trail that you can explore.

When we arrived the 80 degree temperatures from Kentucky did not arrive with us. The weather was windy, sprinkling and dropping with the sun. The night time low was about 43 degrees. I learned on another trip to pack all temperature range clothing especially this time of year, so I had my sniffle gear. We were one of three occupied sites in the campground. The other two sites had RV’s , I decided on truck camping and was glad I did.

The actual campground is spacious and had some trees. The showerhouse was well maintained and something new to me had pay showers. I hadn’t packed any quarters but have now added another helpful tidbit to my list of must haves while camping. (Roll of quarters, check) I attempted to leave my windows open after throwing a tarp over the truck but even though the temperature was low the mosquitoes were FIERCE! I don’t even want to know how bad they are in warm weather. So with the truck closed up we snuggled in for the night. I was a little surprised when I was woken by my dogs barking at coyotes that could be heard very nearby. Considering how sparsely populated the area is it shouldn’t have been that surprising, you really feel like your out in the middle of nowhere. Just shows how Northern I am ;) I was disappointed it was overcast , the sky would have been phenomenal with no lights to ruin the view.

This Park is laid out in a “horseshoe” and speed restrictions make it a long drive from end to end. The visitors center has some helpful employees that were very informative. Not surprisingly the river is the big draw in the area. The Ranger I spoke to said that there was a reinactment of the Lewis and Clark expedition due in that weekend. I was directed to the trailhead further in past the several cabins sitting in opportune locations along the road. The trail was moderately technical and you get to walk across the Niobrara on an old train bridge converted to a walkway. Unfortunately the far side was closed. There is also a horse trail ride offered (which would have been interesting with the boys).

The one con of the campground is that though you have an excellent view of the Niobrara River there is no easy access to it from the sites. Definitely a destination campground if you enjoy the river sports.

Boating. Fishing. Volleyball. Disc golf. Boat Ramp. Drinking water. Dump station. Fish cleaning station Shore fishing. Fishing piers. Flush toilets/showers. Picnic tables Playground. Pit toilet

Fee:  Daily  $8.00

Annual       $36.00

Campsite   $26.00 electrical

                    $22.00  non electrical

Tailrace is located along the beautiful shoreline of Lake Francis Case and it is the perfect location for outdoor activities

.• PROS Outdoor activities

• CONS Outdoor activities 

If you love the outdoors this is the place for you. The construction on the dam began in 1946 and started generating electricity in 1954. 

Most of the sites are smaller sites and great but there are some sites for larger rigs. Mature trees dot the landscape,  Make sure you check on your size before making your plans. If you have a boat bring it or anything that you can put in the water, kayak, SUP, canoe, or any other type boat. The roads into the park and in the park are in very good shape and the landscape is well maintained. 

For me a very big draw would be the bald eagles in the fall and winter. Birders will enjoy this area because of the opportunity to observe the majestic Bald Eagle. The eagles roost area in the park is a designated National Natural Landmark. Many bald eagles winter below the dam and catch their fish in the lake. They usually perch within 50 feet of the riverbank in the tall cottonwood trees. Check them out in the morning when they normally feed. Walkers and cross country skiers are allowed in the bald eagle area but you must not disturb the roosting bald eagles. Motorized traffic is not allowed in the roosting area as it may disturb them. If you are planning to visit the campground during the roosting season check to make sure they have not closed the campsites due to the possibility of the eagles being disturbed.

 Location is 1 mile west of Pickstown off Hwy 281 below Randal Dam.

 605-487-7046 

GPS 43.05102.      -98.55514 

LNT 

Better than when you found it 

Stay safe Happy travels

It is a nice place and has a nice playground.

This is a really good camp site we have camp their for a long time. It has good bathrooms

Big sites. A lot of room between sites. Well maintained dirt road to access recreation area. Spacious campground. Very nice.

Great little city park. Showers/ restrooms were clean. I'm not sure how many sites in total. I know 5 were concrete slabs, the rest gravel. It's a little confusing in price/ paying. There is a box that says $10 donation. A sign that says $15 donation. The donations go towards the park.

This campground is so nice. Electric hookup only, but full and dump station is close and nicely laid out. Campsites have lots of trees. It was quiet and peaceful. There are trails to hike and sites to see nearby. There is not a place to get diesel nearby, so plan for that if you need too. Sportsmen’s Bar & Two Rivers Hotel is a nice place to eat that’s nearby. No fuss, good food. There are however, a tremendous amount of ticks. If you bring pets, you may think about them not joining you on hikes.

Niobrara State Park is fantastic. Very clean and put together. Everything is mowed well. Paved camper lots. Little park for kids. Horseshoes and sand volleyball. Bathrooms were cleaned everyday. My only complaint is that the lots are kind of close. Not a huge deal but would have been nice to have a little extra space. Overall, awesome place and we will be back!

Updated shower and toilets. Bring your quarters for shower. Views of the Missouri River were amazing. Enjoyed a hike with the interpreter. Worth a stop for sure.

Very nice, large campground along the Missouri River. Beautiful location which offers easy access to fishing locations. Our campsite was basic but roomy. We did not have quarters along to operate the shower house, so had to run to town for change.

I have many good memories of this beautiful campground and fun times. Stayed at the campgrounds, then did a river float. It was everything I wanted in a camping trip--beautiful scenery, awesome sunsets and well maintained facilities. Floating down the Niobrara was an awesome time. You have access to get some things you might need or forget in town, but otherwise it's important to know it is fairly remote for access to things.

This park has great views, plenty of site choices, and clean bathrooms. Park overlooks the confluence of the Niobrara river and the Missouri River. There was an old train bridge turned into a hiking trail, very cool being so close to the river. Tented in an Adirondack shelter which was great cover from wind and rain.

While this is off the beaten path, it is worth the drive time. Rolling Sandhills, beautiful rivers, great camping, hiking, swimming, etc. This is such a peaceful place with so much ground to cover. We plan on going back just to see more of the park!

must go back! so much history in the fort part of the park, swell kept campsites down river and lots of hiking!