Map showing campground location near Chamberlain, South Dakota

Camper submitted image from North Shore Recreation Area Army COE Campground

North Shore Recreation Area Army COE Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Fishing, swimming, and lake views draw campers to North Shore Recreation Area Army COE Campground, which sits on an embankment above Lake Sharpe near the Big Bend Dam. Most of the roughly 24 sites face the water, giving campers open sightlines over the reservoir. No hookups are available. Sites are gravel, generally level, and include fire rings and picnic tables, though not every site has both.

Direct water access from the sites is limited. A paved road leads to a round turnout at the southwest end of the park where campers with high-clearance vehicles can drive down, or anyone can walk, to reach a narrow beach suitable for swimming. The campground also allows boat-in access, making it a practical stop for those already out on Lake Sharpe. Nearby, Old Fort Thompson Road Dispersed — Sharpe Recreation Area and Left Tailrace provide additional options along this stretch of the Missouri River corridor.

Cleanliness is a recurring concern in reviews. Trash left by previous visitors, broken glass, and damaged fire pits have been noted across multiple visits, though the grass is regularly mowed and the Army Corps of Engineers does maintain the area. Biting flies are common, particularly in summer, and bug spray or a screen shelter is worth packing. Penelope G. notes there is "a pit toilet and trash can" on site, along with a small playground. Cell service is available. Fall visits tend to see lighter crowds and fewer insects.

Check Availability Suggest an Edit

Map & DirectionsNorth Shore Recreation Area Army COE Campground is located in South Dakota near Chamberlain

Public Campground

Coordinates

44.06640707 N
99.47865597 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 16 users
Last on 7/25/26
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 7/25/26
AT&T5G
Good Coverage

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 16 users
Last on 7/25/26
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 7/25/26
AT&T5G
Good Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

2 hrs 21 min from Sioux Falls, SD
2 hrs 50 min from Rapid City, SD
3 hrs 23 min from Sioux City, IA
3 hrs 49 min from Bismarck, ND

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Reviews4 Camper Reviews - North Shore Recreation Area Army COE Campground

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

3.5

out of 5

4 Reviews

Scenic lakeside campground with basic amenities but ongoing maintenance issues. Visitors often highlighted beautiful lake views from most sites, though several guests reported problems regarding excessive trash left by previous campers.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Penelope G.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 28, 2025

Missouri River Views

Nice mowed sites. Plenty of sites with a view above the river. Cannot access river from sites. At the SW end of the park there is a round turnout that you can drive down with high clearance or walk down to sit on the narrow beach or take a dip. There is a pit toilet and trash can. There is a small playground. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table.

SiteRiver View

Month of VisitAugust

Deb

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 3, 2022

North Shore CG

This is a beautiful spot. Unfortunately some people are disrespectful- broken glass, burnt firecrackers etc, destroyed firepit. Then of course there are the nasty biting flies. Bug spray helped some. I put up the clam screen tent to be rid of the flies. At night there seems to be a lot of road traffic to the popup tent camper a few spots down from me. All in all, it Is peaceful during the day and scenic.

Site#9

Month of VisitAugust

Alicia V.

Legend

Reviewed Jan. 1, 2022

Stopped here on the way back from WY

24 sites total on an embankment right above the river. Sites are all back in with adequate room. Grass is mowed but that is that is the only maintenance done in this area.

Unfortunately, this area is poorly taken care of and there is a lot of trash at the campsites. People have left garbage at every spot and you see it in all the areas that weren’t mowed.

No electricity or water. Some sites have picnic tables. Partial shade at all sites.

Chuck N.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 27, 2021

North Shore Recreation Area Army COE CG

This CG is tucked away on the north shore of Lake Sharpe, near the Big Bend dam. Most sites have a view of the lake. Most are back-in, with a couple of pull through. Unfortunately, the pull through have the driver's side facing the lake unless you turn around and go against the one way sign. We did this because we had the entire CG to ourselves. Nobody here but us.

The CG needs some love. Though maintained by the COE, it looks like locals use the area as party central, and don't clear out their trash.

The sites are gravel, and reasonably level. Most have a fire pit and picnic table, though ours had neither. This didn't bother us. Lots of flies, and we had a wasp nest nearby. Though they hung around, they weren't aggressive, and we were able to sit outside and enjoy the gorgeous fall weather.

Site22

Month of VisitSeptember

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities are available at North Shore Recreation Area in South Dakota?

North Shore Recreation Area offers 24 campsites situated on an embankment above Lake Sharpe near Big Bend Dam. Most sites have lake views and are back-in style with a couple of pull-through options. Facilities include pit toilets and trash cans. The campground features mowed grassy sites with adequate space between them. There's also a round turnout at the southwest end of the park that provides access to a narrow beach area where visitors can swim. While basic, the campground provides scenic water views in a natural setting.

How do I get to North Shore Campground near Chamberlain, SD?

North Shore Campground is tucked away on the north shore of Lake Sharpe near the Big Bend Dam in the Chamberlain area. The campground is accessible via a route that leads to the north side of the lake. While specific driving directions aren't detailed, the location is described as somewhat secluded. For precise directions, it's recommended to check with the Army Corps of Engineers who manage the recreation area or use GPS coordinates. High clearance vehicles may have an advantage for accessing certain areas of the campground, particularly the beach access point.

What hiking trails are available near North Shore Recreation Area?

The North Shore Recreation Area doesn't appear to have designated hiking trails within the campground itself. However, visitors can walk down to the narrow beach area at the southwest end of the park, which offers a short path to the water's edge. For those wanting to explore, the area around Lake Sharpe and the Big Bend Dam likely offers informal walking opportunities with views of the water. Campers interested in more substantial hiking should check with local tourism offices or the Army Corps of Engineers for recommendations of trails in the broader Chamberlain area.

Keep Exploring

Description

Map & DirectionsNorth Shore Recreation Area Army COE Campground is located in South Dakota near Chamberlain

Coordinates

Connectivity

Connectivity

Access

Site Types

Features

For Campers

For Vehicles

Contact

Drive Time

2026 Explorer Giveaway

What facilities are available at North Shore Recreation Area in South Dakota?

How do I get to North Shore Campground near Chamberlain, SD?

What hiking trails are available near North Shore Recreation Area?