Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Yankton, SD

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.

Dates: April 15, 2021- October 17, 2021 October 17 2021– April 21, 2022

Fees:$16.00$18.00 

• RV dump station is located just north of Cottonwood Campground off of Toe Road.
• 7 electrical sites
• 2 modern Bath house/toilets
• Trash
• Water sites
• Cell phone service
• Drinking water 
• Flush toilets
• Grills/fire rings
• Lake access
• Paved roads
• Paved sites
• Pets allowed
• Picnic tables
• Playground
• Security lights
• Disc golf
• Shade

The Lewis and Clark Visitor Center: Contains exhibits on the Missouri River and area history including the Lewis and Clark Expedition with stunning views of Lewis and Clark Lake along with the Missouri River. Powerhouse Tours are available on weekends. 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.• Located both upstream and downstream of Lewis and Clark Lake, visit the Missouri National Recreational River.

•• Latitude• 42° 51' 31.0000" N • Longitude• 97° 28' 57.0000" W••

From U.S. Hwy 81 in Yankton, South Dakota, drive four miles west on South Dakota Highway 52, then south on Dam Toe Road and follow signs

.• Check-In Time is 4:00 P.M./ Check-Out Time is 2:00 P.M.

All-Terrain Vehicles(ATVs/UTVs) and golf carts are not permitted.

Quiet hours are 10:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M.

Fireworks are prohibited.

All pets must be on a leash of 6 feet in length or less. Pet waste must be picked up and properly disposed of promptly.

Firewood Alert: Don't Move Firewood!• Due to the spread of invasive insects(such as Emerald Ash Borer(EAB)) firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Help protect your forests by purchasing near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Firewood is not available for sale on-site, however several local businesses sell firewood a short distance away, see the campground host or attendant for more information.• Visit DontMoveFirewood.org for more information.

For questions or to contact park staff, please call: 402-667-2546 or email: gavinspoint.nwo@usace.army.mil. U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS GAVINS POINT PROJECT OFFICE P.O. BOX 710 YANKTON, SD 57078 

Physical Address U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND 198 TOE RD YANKTON, SD 57078 Phone Number

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

Trails: There are at least 9 hiking trails on AllTrails that you will find around Lewis and Clark Recreation Area. Lewis and Clark has the best of both worlds since the lake borders South Dakota and Nebraska. That makes it easy to stay in your preferred state and location. In Yankton SD a great trail is the Chalk Bluffs Multi-Use Trail which is a 3.7 mile loop where you will find a lake and it is rated as moderate. Dogs are allowed but must be on leash. This trail is used for hiking, horses, mountain biking and birding and is accessible through out the year. There is a 3.8 mile lightly used round trip or one way out and back called Yankton South Shore Trail. Great for wildlife viewing and it is great for walking, hiking and just enjoying nature. 

Fishing: Lewis & Clark offers many types of fish for all anglers out there, walleye, sauger, large and small mouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. It depends on the season and temperature of the water as to what is biting.

 Boating: Boating goes hand in hand with fishing and as with all things there are rules and regulations. You will find all types of boats, speedboats, pontoon, kayaks and personal watercraft. Make sure and wear your life jacket anytime you are on the water– Stay Safe and Alive. Make sure you are aware of the rules and regulations for boating around a dam area.

Another issue that has become an increasing problem is Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) which is spreading in the United States. There are different types of AIS and they are being spread by several methods. Boaters, of all types, help spread or help stop the spread by taking care of their watercraft. Before leaving a boat launch practice the CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY technique. Many states require an AIS permit before you place watercraft in the water. 

Birding: Birding at Lewis & Clark is great for watching bald eagles. You can get a list from Niobrara State Park for birds found around the lake.

 Hunting: In season, of course, begins the Tuesday after Labor Day. White tailed deer, mourning dove, waterfowl and wild turkey, cottontail rabbits and squirrel. Make sure you follow all the regulations in the recreation area. 

Winter sports: Adds a completely new option for recreation. When ice is thick enough the lake is open for ice fishing, skating and snowmobiles. Cross country skiing is also very popular. 

Lewis & Clark Lake is formed from the Missouri and Niabrara Rivers. The lake travels for about 35 miles at a maximum pool 90 miles of shoreline. Maximum depth is 45 feet. It was named after the Lewis& Clark Expedition that camped nearby. 

LNT 

Better than when you found it

Stay safe– Happy Travels

Great place for RV camping. My Uncle and I went through here back in 2011. All sites were reservable on-line. Every site had electric hookups. There is access to water and restrooms in each loop. Some of the sites are right near Lake Yankton. There was decent fishing but nothing too special. The park itself is very close to South Dakota, and you can visit the old time capitol of the Dakota Territory. I love the little history pieces like this so it was worth the side trip for me. It is also right near Lewis and Clark Lake which has really good fishing in the early morning. People we met were using the spot as they were passing through the area or for taking kids out for the weekend. Pets were allowed here too.

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

FCFS 

Rates: $15.00 basic $30.00 electric

 8 Basic tent only 12 RV sites w/electric 

Picnic table Fire ring Toilets Playground Dump station Boat ramp Fishing dock

 The toilet was very clean with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. I was very impressed with the overall maintenance at the whole site.

 Sunsets are amazing along with the beautiful cliffs on the South Dakota side of the river. There is camping just below the hill so you will be closer to the sound of the water as it gently laps against the shore. Sites are marked and water views are worth the drive to the park. Mature trees provide nice shade which will help during the summer. 

ALERT: Zebra mussels, an aquatic invasive species were found in Lewis& Clark Lake in 2014. They can damage boat motors and have other negative effects. Make sure you clean your water craft and outdoor recreation gear after each use. Never release unwanted pets or aquarium contents into the wild. CLEAN DRAIN DRY

 LNT 

Better than when you found it 

Stay safe Happy travels

Located south of Yankton, SD and part of the South Dakota State Park system, this is a nice place to camp in a beautiful grove of cottonwood trees (I think). There are many campgrounds in the vicinity. This campground has 146 camping sites and 10 cabins.  Bike/hike trails run through the woods and also along the water to Pierson Campground. There is a bandstand and 3 areas with playground equipment. Bathrooms have flush toilets and hot showers. There is a dump station along the road by the water. Individual sites have electricity but not water hookups. Hydrants are scattered throughout the campground. Wildlife in the area includes geese, ducks, turkeys, eagles, and beavers that I have seen. The sites are large and paved. No tent platforms, but two sites toward the back of the campground are designated for tents. I have visited 3 or 4 times and always in the Spring or Fall. This last trip was April and they just got the bathrooms/showers turned on. Other things to do: fishing, kayak or paddleboard, biking, and walking.

https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/chief-white-crane-recreation-area/