Cottonwood Recreation Area is located just downstream of Gavins Point Dam and Lewis & Clark Lake along the western shore of Lake Yankton. The numerous outdoor recreational opportunities attract more than 2 million visitors annually to the Lewis & Clark Lake area, making it one of the most popular recreation destinations in the Upper Great Plains. Lewis & Clark Lake is 31,400-acres in size with more than 90 miles of shoreline is impounded by Gavins Point Dam, which was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944, commonly called the Pick-Sloan Plan.
For more information about Lewis and Clark Lake, please visit the Gavins Point Project website .
Facilities
All 77 campsites have electric hookups, and all sites are reservable. Two modern shower houses with flush toilets are available for campers. A playground, horseshoe pits and picnic shelter are available within the campground and the adjacent Day-Use Area has a large reservable picnic shelter, picnic area, accessible fishing dock, disc golf course and a boat ramp for access to Lake Yankton. Nearby Training Dike Day-Use Area has a popular swimming beach on Lake Yankton along with access to the Missouri River downstream of Gavins Point Dam. A RV dump station is located just north of Cottonwood Campground off of Toe Road.
Natural Features
Cottonwood Recreation Area is located in the in the lush golden chalkstone-lined Missouri River Valley. Many visitors to the lake area prefer to stay at Cottonwood because of the calmer, quieter waters of Lake Yankton, a much smaller lake of approximately 250-acres in size - versus the much larger Lewis and Clark Lake upstream of the dam. Lake Yankton provides excellent habitat for a variety of waterfowl and other bird species. The area abounds with wildlife including Whitetail Deer, turkeys, and other game species. Bald Eagles and other birds of prey are spotted by visitors regularly due to the great fishing opportunities available year-round.
Recreation
Cottonwood Recreation Area is conveniently located between Lewis and Clark Lake and Lake Yankton. Lewis and Clark Lake is known for great boating, sailing, swimming and other water-based recreation activities. Lake Yankton is popular with families as a popular fishing spot along with the excellent kayaking, canoeing and paddling opportunities. Numerous paved, multi-use trails connect the area with the additional numerous recreation areas located along Lewis and Clark Lake, Lake Yankton and the Missouri River. Lewis and Clark Lake attracts more than 2 million visitors each year to its shores. Recreation opportunities around the lake include camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, boating, sailing, swimming, bird-watching, and photography.
For the biking and hiking enthusiasts, three trails are available in the area. They include a paved trail that runs from Yankton to the Gavins Point area, a multi-use trail in the Gavins Point area and the Calumet Bluff hiking trail located near the visitor center. Wintertime activities include ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and sledding.
Developed public parks and recreation areas surround the lake above and below Gavins Point Dam. Camping facilities provided by the Corps and the States of South Dakota and Nebraska include marinas, boat ramps, trails, campsites with electricity, modern restrooms, playground equipment and trailer dump stations.
Recreation Sites
- Standard Electric
- Management
- Overnight
Activities
- Camping
- Birding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Water Access
- Photography
- Fishing
- Biking
- Playground Park Specialized Sport Site
- Day Use Area
- Disc Golf
- Kayaking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Hiking
Amenities
- Cell Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Emergency Services
- Entrance Station
- Flush Toilets (Seasonal)
- Grills
- Host
- Lake Access
- Paved Roads
- Paved Sites
- Pets Allowed
- Picnic Tables
- Playground
- Security Lights
- Shade
- Showers (Seasonal)
- Trash Collection
- Vault Toilets
- Water (Seasonal)
- Waterfront Sites
- Fire Pit
- Picnic Table
- BBQ
- Electricity Hookup
- Water Hookups
- Sewer Hookup
- Accessible Occupant Message
- Accessibility
Nearby Attractions
- 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 .
Getting Here
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.
Need to Know
Summary of Cottonwood Campground Rules and Policies:
- Check-In Time is 4:00 P.M. / Check-Out Time is 2:00 P.M.
- All campers must check-in and register with the campground host.
- A maximum of eight (8) people are allowed per campsite and daily occupancy is required.
- Each campsite is limited to a maximum of either: (a) One (1) wheeled camping unit and (2) two sleeping tents, OR (b) three (3) sleeping tents.
- Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) applies to all visitors to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lands and waters.
- All vehicles are restricted to designated roadways and parking areas only, off-road travel is prohibited.
- All vehicles must be parked on campsite pads or within designated parking areas only. All vehicles parked at campsites must have at least two wheels on the campsite pad, with a maximum of (2) two wheels permitted on grass. Vehicles may not be parked on or along roadways or in a manner that prohibits or restricts traffic flow.
- 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.
Attention Boaters, Paddlers, and Anglers - Protect Your Waters!
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are present in Lewis & Clark Lake, Lake Yankton and the Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam - including Zebra Mussels and Bighead/Silver Carp. Do your part to help stop the spread of these and other aquatic invasives by remembering to always Clean, Drain, and Dry! For more information, click here.
Special laws and regulations are currently in place to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). For more information, click here .
For questions or to contact park staff, please call: 402-667-2546 or email: gavinspoint.nwo@usace.army.mil. Reservations can not be made at this number.
Contact Information
For facility specific information, please call (402) 667-2546.
