Best RV Parks & Resorts near Fairfax, SD

We had a great one night stay when we were passing through O’Neil on our way to South Dakota. Cute town, ok bath house and a cute play park with swings, etc. Quiet at night. The road into the campground was a little busy during the day due to the construction on the main road into town. The campground road connects to other parts of town. Would stay here again but only for one night probably. It was great having electric and water hookup.

This was a very pleasant surprise. I normally do not go to campsites (that is put in for context) but was passing through on a business trip and needed a place with electric hookups. After a Harvest Host disaster I found this. Like I said, very pleasantly surprised. While there were a lot of campers who seemed to be setting up elaborate sites with everything you would need to live there for a year (laundry lines, flag poles, pens for their dog), I was able to get a spot that backed right up to the beautiful river and had plenty of space on all sides. The campsite was surprisingly quiet for how large it was. The sunset paddle boarding on the river was a real treat. Kinda cool to say you SUP'd from South Dakota to Nebraska with a beer on the board. 

Bathrooms were clean and had showers. Garbage and recycling on premises. AT&T signal was strong.

Leave no trace.

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!

Good little spot in a small town. Electrical hook ups but no water. There was a spigot for water but it wasn’t turned in. A couple of porta potties there but we didn’t use them. Room for only one camper with hookups but room for another camper or 2 to park. Some noise from the highway which is right by the park but it wasn’t bad. There’s a playground for the kids. We had our two dogs with us and didn’t see any signs about no pets.

There are two spots here first come first serve both of them have 30 amp electric hook ups it’s right on a park with a playground and a baseball field in a track very beautiful area in about 8 miles off of interstate 90

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.

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

ADA Accessible    Firing range    Lawn games    Biking    Swimming    Flush toilets    Pit toilets    Showers    Boating    Volley ball    Camping cabins    Birding    Disc golf    Fishing cleaning station    Electric    Drinking water    Water sites    Shore Fishing 

Fees  $8.00 Per vehicle       Day use  $36.00 Annual 

Campsite   $26.00 Electric (115 campsites)    Camping Cabin  $55.00   (7 camping cabins)

Reservations: 800-710-2267 or travil.campsd.com

Open year round but Oct 1– April 30 water sourced amenities may be shut off

This is a beautiful park but a bit confusing to get to. Once you turn off the highway you will pass a couple of boat ramps and then a private campground on the right side. Continue on and the campground will be at the end of the road. There are several water sites and I don’t think you will find a bad site. When you are making reservations check site size because there are different lengths. Campground is well maintained 

Trails: North Shore Path is a 1.2 mile loop and is good for all levels mainly used for hiking. 

Directions: 1 mile northwest of Pickstown off US Hwy 281  

ALERT:   AIS Aquatic Invasive Species is spreading in the US. If you put a vessel of any type into the water please CDD. Clean, Drain, Dry for prevention. Please google and help to be the cure not the cause.

LNT

 Better than when you found it 

Stay safe Happy travels

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

Cabins are super cute and fit the price. $55/night gives you AC, electricity, and a bed (2 twins, 1 full). Great view from the cabin deck. Verizon works good. Close to the swimming beach and vault toilet.

Quit park, full electric pad, and water. The bathrooms and shower were not open yet. Locked my keys in the truck. The O’Neill Police opened my truck, within 20 minutes. I noticed they also patrolled the area.