Nebraska Tailwaters
Lewis and Clark Lake
Nebraska Tailwaters Campground is nestled along the Nebraska bank of the Missouri River, is a fun-filled camping destination just downstream of Gavins Point Dam and Lewis & Clark Lake. The 31,400-acre Lewis & Clark Lake and Gavins Point Dam are nestled in the golden, chalkstone-lined valley of the Missouri River growing into one of the most popular recreation destinations in the Great Plains.
For more information, please visit the Gavins Point Project Website.
Nebraska Tailwaters offers 42 campsites, 31 of these campsites have electric hookups and 11 of the campsites are non-electric and are for tent camping only. Amenities include modern shower facilities with flush toilets, river access with shore fishing, handicap accessible fishing pier, boat ramp, fish cleaning station and RV dump station. There is also a Group Camping Area with electric hookups, picnic shelter, fire pit, grill, and vault toilet.
Notifications and Alerts
All campsite numbers in Nebraska Tailwaters have changed due to park construction. Refer to the map to ensure you are renting the campsite you want. The new camp pads 1,2, and 3 in the old tent area are still under construction for 2025.
Need to Know
- 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.
- Each campsite is limited to a maximum of: (a) One (1) wheeled camping unit and two (2) sleeping tents OR (b) three (3) sleeping tents. Tent-Only campsites are limited to three (3) sleeping tents. A maximum of (8) people are allowed per campsite and daily occupancy is required.
- All vehicles must be parked in designated parking areas or campsite pads. Vehicles parked at campsites must have at least two (2) wheels on the campsite pad, with a maximum of two (2) wheels permitted on grass.
- All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs/UTVs), golf carts, and non-highway licensed vehicles 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.
- All fires must be contained in campfire rings or grills. Fires along the river bank or on shore are not permitted.
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 from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further 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 these and other aquatic invasive species. 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.
Natural Features
The campground sits on the south bank of the Missouri River, along the tailwaters of Gavins Point Dam. Surrounding the area is the golden, chalkstone-lined Missouri River Valley. Nebraska Tailwaters is known for its exceptional Bald Eagle viewing year-round, along with many other birds of prey.
Nearby Attractions
Recreation
Located just below Gavins Point Dam in the dam "Tailwaters" provides exceptional access to the Missouri River. A large 2-lane boat ramp, large parking area is available, along with an accessible fishing pier and many areas for bank fishing. The Lewis and Clark Lake area 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 boat ramps, picnic areas, campsites with electricity, modern restrooms, playground equipment and trailer dump stations.
Changes & Cancellations
Reservation changes and cancellations can be made on Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
For more information on rules and policies regarding reservation cancellations and changes, please visit: https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
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 NEBRASKA TAILWATERS RECREATION AREA 55291 HWY 121 CROFTON NE 68730
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 402-667-2546. FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL 877-444-6777.
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Yankton, South Dakota, go south on U.S. Highway 81 for 2 miles, then west on Nebraska Highway 121 for 4 miles, campground entrance will be on your right.
Available Campsites
- Site 02, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 18, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 19, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 28, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 03, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 20, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 16, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 09, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site Group Camp, Loop NEBRASKA TAILWATERS, Type Group Standard Area Electric
- Site 08, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 32, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 25, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 34, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 33, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 15, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 14, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 35, Loop NTAI, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 05, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 24, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 26, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 06, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 23, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 29, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 27, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 30, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 04, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 21, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 11, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 13, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 36, Loop NTAI, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 10, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 07 , Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 12, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 31, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 22, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 17, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 01, Loop NTAI, Type Standard Electric
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