Map showing campground location near Vermillion, South Dakota

Camper submitted image from Clay County Park — Clay County

Clay County Park — Clay County

Tall cottonwood trees shade most of the loop at Clay County Park, a county-managed campground about four miles outside of Vermillion in southeastern South Dakota. The park sits within a wooded corridor close to the Missouri River, with a trail accessible directly from the campground that leads down to the water. Sites are well-spaced. Campers who have stayed here consistently note that you don't feel crowded by neighboring rigs.

The campground has 40 electric sites, 8 tent sites, a cabin, and full hookup amenities including water, sewer, and a dump station. Tent sites are clustered on the south edge of the area, away from the main RV loop, though they have limited privacy due to the open layout under the tree canopy. Site 18, near the playground, can get noisy during busy weekends. Anglers and paddlers will find a boat ramp down the road from the main camping area, along with a picnic shelter near the river. The trail system connects campers to the Missouri and gives hikers a reason to linger beyond their site.

Management changes in recent years brought visible improvements, including cleaned restrooms, groomed trails, and trimmed trees. The park now uses the campsd.com reservation platform, with bookings accepted up to 90 days in advance. Reservations open through campgrounds around Clay County fill during summer weekends, so booking early is advisable. Nearby alternatives include Studio 13 Motel & RV Park to the northeast and Goat Island Primitive Camping across the river in Nebraska for a more rustic stay.

Check Availability Suggest an Edit

Map & DirectionsClay County Park is located in South Dakota near Vermillion

Public Campground

Address

460th Ave
Vermillion, SD 57069

Coordinates

42.77000008 N
97.00600075 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 5/22/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 7/1/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 5/22/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 7/1/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Dispersed
Group
Cabins
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

39 min from Sioux City, IA
55 min from Sioux Falls, SD
1 hr 59 min from Omaha, NE
2 hrs 45 min from Lincoln, NE

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Clay County Park

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

3.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Guests commonly noted spacious, shaded sites with good facilities near Missouri River trails. Staff friendliness was a concern, though recent management changes addressed this. Most found it peaceful with adequate amenities.

Marci S.

Guide

Reviewed May. 13, 2024

Nice trail system, near river, well-kept

Electric, water, and dump station available here. In the trees, shaded, and a short walk along a pleasant trail to the Missouri River. The trail system, which is accessible from campground, is great. We were in site 18, which is near the playground. In busier months, that part of the campground could get loud.

Month of VisitMay

(4) View All

Magdalena

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 14, 2023

Surprising

Was unsure because of a couple bad reviews. But the place was clean and peaceful, close to the beautiful Missouri River with opportunities for hiking and fishing. The stuff was pretty unfriendly but we didn’t had to deal much with them.

Month of VisitJuly

Tony K.

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 6, 2023

Same great park with some recent changes!

Clay County Park underwent some staffing and management changes at the beginning of last year. The whole area was thoroughly cleaned, trees trimmed, trails groomed, restrooms spiffed, etc. Guest feedback on these changes was overwhelmingly positive and we expect further growth this season.

We've begun working closely with SD Game, Fish and Parks and they are a great partner. This season, we will be adopting their reservation platform for guests to register. We expect to continue making incremental improvements and are looking forward to the 2023 camping season.

For additional information, please visit our Facebook Page (Clay County Park). We will be open for campers beginning Saturday April 15, 2023. Reservations can be made online at campsd.com or through the call center at 1-800-710-2267 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Follow the link and select "Make a reservation" tab. Reservations are accepted up to 90 days in advance of your arrival at the park. **Camping reservations must be made before setting up on a campsite.

Clay County Park features 40 electric campsites, 8 tent sites, 1 cabin, a multi-use trail, picnic shelters, and a boat ramp. We look forward to seeing you at the park soon! Thank you.

Park staff and volunteers did a great end of season cleanup and are now fine-tuning details for Summer 2023.

SiteI am a Board member for the park.

(12) View All

Michael M.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 13, 2021

Never got ahold of

The phone number is not a working number and the Web page link to town's site is page not available

Site00

Month of VisitJuly

Shannon G.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 31, 2019

Secluded and peaceful

Clay County Park is located 4 miles outside of Vermillion South Dakota. It is secluded and peaceful. There were a few down falls. A lot of the sites were taken by either people who lived there full time or people who leave their camper there for the whole summer. Also the camp ground hosts weren’t friendly like all the other camp grounds we visit. But it was peaceful and pretty. The sites were very nice sized. You didn’t feel like you were right on top of each other. They are Electric only and there is drinking water and sewage dump close by. There was 2 nice restrooms and 1 vaulted toilet. There was a few trails, 1 leading to the Missouri River. Down the road (not far) is a nice shelter next to the river and a boat ramp.

(10) View All

May M.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2018

Local RV camp

Most of this open campground is devoted to RV's, most are unoccupied during the week. There are only 4 tent sites on the south edge of the area, the acreage is covered with tall cottonwood trees which provide partial sun/shade but no privacy. There is a short trail which goes down to the Missouri River. There was a pit latrine in the tent area and two shower houses in the RV sections. Tent fee $10 per night

Month of VisitJuly

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a map of Clay County Park campground?

While there isn't specific mention of an official map, Clay County Park has a defined layout with different camping areas. The campground features numerous RV sites throughout the main area, with tent sites positioned along the southern edge. A trail system is accessible directly from the campground, including a short trail leading down to the Missouri River. Contact the park office directly for the most current detailed map of the grounds and trails.

Where is Clay County Park located in South Dakota?

Clay County Park is located approximately 4 miles outside of Vermillion, South Dakota. This secluded park sits along the Missouri River, offering a peaceful retreat with natural surroundings. The campground is nestled among tall cottonwood trees that provide partial shade throughout the area. Its riverside location makes it a good spot for those looking to enjoy hiking and fishing activities along the Missouri.

Do I need reservations for camping at Clay County Park?

Reservations are recommended for Clay County Park, especially during peak seasons. The campground appears to have many sites occupied by seasonal campers and those who stay for extended periods, which limits availability for short-term visitors. Some sites are taken by full-time residents or those who leave their campers for the entire summer. To ensure you secure a spot, especially if you have specific site preferences, contacting the park office in advance is advisable.

What amenities and facilities are available at Clay County Park campground?

Clay County Park offers several amenities for campers. Utilities include electric hookups, water connections, and a dump station for RVs. The campground features a playground, making it family-friendly. Restroom facilities are available and maintained regularly. The natural amenities are a highlight, with a trail system accessible directly from the campground that leads to the Missouri River, providing opportunities for hiking and fishing. Most of the campground is shaded by tall cottonwood trees, offering relief from the summer heat. The park underwent improvements in recent years, with enhanced trail maintenance and facility upkeep.

Keep Exploring