Map showing campground location near Platte, South Dakota

Camper submitted image from Snake Creek Recreation Area — Snake Creek State Recreation Area

Snake Creek Recreation Area — Snake Creek State Recreation Area

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Swimming and fishing along the Missouri River draw most visitors to Snake Creek State Recreation Area, where the campground sits close enough to the water that some sites have direct river views. Site 72E, noted by reviewers as a pull-through parked roadside, faces the Missouri and catches sunsets over the bridge. The beach is rocky rather than sandy, but the water is accessible and campers swim here regularly. Anglers and boaters make up a significant share of the crowd, particularly on summer weekends when the marina fills with pickups and trailers.

Sites vary considerably depending on where you land. Those closest to the water are the most sought-after and fill first, especially when reservations open months out. Tree cover is generous across much of the campground, which means shadier sites may have their river views screened by vegetation. Leslie B. noted this tradeoff directly: the trees "made it a bit more private." Some sites have gravel mounds that complicate leveling for RVs, so backing in may require extra patience.

Roads throughout the campground are paved, which makes access straightforward in most conditions. The facility accepts RVs up to 51 feet with electric hookups available, and Doug W. confirms "the dump station is easy to use and clean." Free showers are included, and multiple reviewers consistently flag the bathrooms as well-maintained. Nights tend to be quiet. Summer weekends bring crowds, so booking ahead is advisable. Those traveling through and looking for campgrounds near Platte should note that availability along this corridor goes fast in peak season.

The campground operates year-round, and off-season visits offer a different experience entirely. Riverside sites open up, the grounds quiet down, and the Missouri views are unobstructed. Nearby options include Buryanek Recreation Area a few miles northwest, and Platte Creek State Rec Area farther southeast along the river. Snake Creek works well for RV travelers, boaters, and families who want reliable amenities and water access in one place.

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Map & DirectionsSnake Creek Recreation Area is located in South Dakota near Platte

Public Campground

Directions

In South central South Dakota: 14 miles west of Platte off SD Hwy 44.

Coordinates

43.39040731 N
99.11937382 W

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Connectivity

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Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
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Some Coverage
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Last on 8/7/26
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Excellent Coverage
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Last on 8/7/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

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

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Pull-Through Sites
30 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

+18007102267

Drive Time

2 hrs 7 min from Sioux Falls, SD
2 hrs 50 min from Sioux City, IA
3 hrs 21 min from Rapid City, SD
3 hrs 23 min from Grand Island, NE

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Reviews12 Camper Reviews - Snake Creek Recreation Area

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

12 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the clean facilities, quiet atmosphere, and family amenities including playground and beach access. Some noted site leveling challenges with sloped terrain, but most found adequate spacing and enjoyed river access.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Dennis H.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 11, 2026

Quite the views

Loved the views. Simply awesome! Paved roads. Showers were ok. Stayed on site 72E. Was a pull off/pull thru. Basically parked on the side of the road but it has an unbelievable view of the Missouri River. Watched the sun go down over the bridge!

Site72E

Month of VisitJuly

Katie L.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 26, 2024

Spacious park

The campground upon entrance is way more compacted than the one down the road where you have a little more space from your neighbors. Verizon works good, nice shower/flush toilet facility.

Month of VisitJuly

(9) View All

Leslie B.

Ranger

Reviewed Jul. 17, 2022

On a hill

I had hoped for more of a view of the river, but my site actually had lots of trees screening it. Made it a bit more private. Prime sites are closer to the water; pup and I had a bit of a walk to go for a swim. It looked like a lot of people stayed until later in the day, so they may have been using as a Day use. When I made reservation a couple of months ago, there was not much choice. By early evening, maybe 50% of sites were occupied. Free showers- such a treat!

Site91

Month of VisitJuly

Lyle B.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 11, 2021

Great campground on the Missouri River

Stayed August 3, 2021.

We had a campsite right on the river. Level, enough space to not feel crowded. Vault toilet was clean. Quiet.

Site9

Month of VisitAugust

Derek & Kristen A.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 14, 2021

Gorgeous & Clean

Packed over the weekend but a great culture here, lots of room between sites. Bathrooms and showers kept very clean. Water hookups throughout but we were farther than 50 feet and had to fill up when we arrived. Gravel mound on lots of sites so it was a bit tricky to back in and level but we managed. Beach is quite rocky but water was refreshing and we still enjoyed our time swimming and playing. Lots of shade! Highly recommend this campground. Flies were annoying, but not terrible… might get worse?

Site51E

Month of VisitJune

(5) View All

Doug W.

Ranger

Reviewed Jan. 10, 2021

Nice state park just off the highway

We spent one night in the off season and got a spot right on the rivers. The sites are good size like I would expect in a state park. It's all paved and quiet at night. The dump station is easy to use and clean.

Month of VisitSeptember

Rachel C.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 16, 2020

Very Pretty Camping on the Missouri

We camped here for one night on our way to the Black Hills. Our campsite was nothing special but swimming in the Missouri was amazing! Very pretty area.

Claudia H.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 26, 2020

Beautiful campsite

This was our first stop of many in our cross country roadtrip and snake creek was a dream campsite. The sites are pretty close together but roomy and our neighbors were friendly. We got the furthest site from the entry which gave us a beautiful view of the water. There’s a beach area which is perfect for a swim or walk at sunset. The bathrooms are clean and the drinking water tastes great!

Rebecca S.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 11, 2018

wonderful!

great fishing and fun swimming

Joanne H.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 26, 2018

excellent campground

clean bathrooms, playground area, hiking trails, kids fishing pond and beach area. Boat ramp across the street but nearby with a bar/restaurant. We had a great stay June 2018.

Heidi M.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 8, 2018

Love campground but mixed feelings this time

we stayed in the south campground for Memorial Day weekend. Our site was sloped and needed a good mowing and trim. Ticks were HORRIBLE. Bathrooms were ok. Beach area was nice. Marina area was packed with pickups and trailers. Stay in sites near the river if you can. Those are the best sites!

Peggy W.

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 29, 2016

Snake Creek Campground SD

This is a pretty park, probably primarily used by families that are boating or fishing the Missouri River. Playground for kids. Clean restrooms, was quiet at night. We stayed here one night in our small RV on June 3rd, 2015. We could not find any camping available along Interstate 90 while heading west, and got lucky with a cancelation at this park. We had to travel 20 miles out of our way to camp!! Lesson learned to plan ahead while traveling through South Dakota.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities and facilities are available at Snake Creek Recreation Area?

Snake Creek Recreation Area offers clean restrooms with flush toilets and shower facilities that are well-maintained. The recreation area features a playground for children, hiking trails, and a beach area for swimming in the Missouri River. There's a kids' fishing pond separate from the main river access. For boaters, a boat ramp is available nearby, and the area includes water hookups throughout the campground. Additionally, there's a convenient dump station that's clean and easy to use for RV campers. Some sites have electrical hookups, and the campground has both open areas and sites with trees for shade.

What do visitors say in reviews about Snake Creek Recreation Area?

Visitors consistently praise Snake Creek Recreation Area for its beautiful setting along the Missouri River. Many highlight the excellent swimming opportunities in the river and the well-maintained beach area. Campers appreciate the clean bathrooms and showers, with several noting how well-kept the facilities are. The campground receives compliments for its spacious sites, though some mention they can be challenging to level. While the recreation area can get busy on weekends and holidays, visitors describe a friendly atmosphere. Some campers particularly value the waterfront sites with scenic river views. A few mention encountering ticks in certain seasons, so precautions are advisable.

Where is Snake Creek Recreation Area located in South Dakota?

Snake Creek Recreation Area is located along the Missouri River in South Dakota. It's situated conveniently off Interstate 90, making it accessible for travelers crossing the state. The recreation area consists of multiple camping sections, including a south campground and sites directly along the riverfront. Its location provides easy access to both water recreation on the Missouri River and travel conveniences along I-90. While not directly in any major city, its accessible position makes it a popular destination for both locals and those traveling through South Dakota.

Is there a map of Snake Creek Recreation Area campground?

Yes, Snake Creek Recreation Area has campground maps available. While not detailed in visitor accounts, as a South Dakota State Recreation Area, official maps are typically available through the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department website or at the park entrance. The campground has distinct areas including south camping areas and sites along the Missouri River. Maps would show the layout of these different camping sections, the location of amenities like restrooms and showers, the beach area, boat ramp, and the hiking trails. For the most current map, contact the recreation area directly or visit the official South Dakota State Parks website.

Are there cabins available at Snake Creek Recreation Area?

Snake Creek Recreation Area does not appear to have cabin accommodations available. The campground primarily offers traditional campsites for tents and RVs, with many situated along the Missouri River. Visitors can choose from various site types, including some with electrical hookups and others that are more primitive. For those seeking indoor accommodations, it would be best to check with the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department or look into nearby communities for alternative lodging options.

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