Cottonwood Campground

Arrival at dusk after lucking into a last minute river side spot next to the Missouri river on the recreation . gov site. Neighbors were friendly and gave us firewood to have a fire with the kids. Late check out was no problem, we took the kids to the waterpark in nearby Yankton which I also recommend! We plan to return to spend more time. Driving around the COE park, there was another park with better access for swimming and kayaking on the other side of the dam, as the current was pretty strong at Cottonwood.

50 down 2 up Tmobile 5g

30/50 amp, long level asphalt pads, large sand area with firepit and table at every site. Most are fairly easy back in for any size rig. Very shaded with large tall trees. Good showers, and flush toilets.

No water fill in campground. As you turn onto Toe road off of 52, you will see a dump station and water fill area. Then it is about 2 miles to the campsite.

Have to use recreation.gov to book your site.

FYI there are 2 other campgrounds within 2 miles if this is full. They are South Dakota fish and game or whatever sites. Chief White Crane and Pierson Ranch. Both are nice, but more expensive ($30 a day vs this $20). Same deal nice long pads, tall trees, tables and fire pits, showers etc.

A very clean and well maintained COE campground! Makes up for the last one I stayed at plus some! We were here for a week and enjoyed visiting some used furniture stores in town. We were able to find a new table top for our camper here and with help from store clerk and a little elbow grease we enlarged the dining area in our TC. The host is very engaged and helpful. We were one of a few campers who stayed more than a couple of nights. The entire area is developed for campers and boaters as you are sleeping under the dam that holds back the Missouri River and the Lewis and Clark Lake! It wasn’t until the last night that I gave this any thought! If you like COE camping and the campground vibe then this is one for you!

The sites along the lake are spacious and so beautiful. It’s like having your own lakeside property. Park is well maintained and part of the Lewis and Clark recreation area. We stayed for a one night stop on our way west. It is a place you can spend more time for sure. One thing that could make it better is more easy access to the water from your site. Most of the lake is down a couple feet from the edge of the campground.

Very pretty grounds. Parklike setting. This has to be one of our favorite COE campgrounds - probably #1. Easy check in. Our site was right on the water. Nice area to explore with nice bike path. Yankton seemed like a nice little town even had sizable hospital. We would definitely stay here again - in fact I'm thinking of an excuse to come back this way one day!

Great campground, Federal so your discount passes work for 1/2 price. Lake Yankton is all around the campground. Lots of bird watching opportunities. Fishing is not so bad either! Some sites are very close if you are camping with friends good deal. Lots of retiree's due to the discounts I'm sure. Campground hosts are superior! Bath house very clean. Close mid-October, wish it was year round without services 😉

Very Nice CoE Campground on Lewis & Clark Lake... Typical CoE electric only but water readily available including dump station at entrance. The dump station was great with 3 stations for dumping and 3 for potable water. If coming from the north on I-29, do not follow GPS east on SD 46 (locals call this Irene road). It is the worst paved road we have ever encountered. Continue south to SD 50 which goes through Vermillion.

What a beautiful place! $16 for regular, $18 for premium (waterfront). Electric only. It was incredible. Easy access. Only thing I would say that there are 2 ways in, one is through town the other is over the dam. We had a large travel trailer coming the other way over the main line and we barely made it, very narrow. Wouldn’t have been a problem if it wasn’t for the travel trailer but why risk it when the other way is so easy.