Oahe Downstream Campground 1 & 2

Reconfirming what's been in earlier reviews. Well-maintained campgrounds, clean and recently renovated bath houses. Quiet mid-week, packed with local folks on the weekend. Price doesn't include $8 daily fee, which you pay on the way in. Sites are open, but shaded by tall trees. Sites 96 and up have a distant water view and an easy walk to the swim beach. Had a small issue when we found our site already occupied, but it was quickly resolved by helpful staff and hosts. Pierre (locals say Peer) is close. Dam has interesting history and a staffed visitor center. Had a nice dinner at Drifters. On the river, good local beer, modest but solid menu, great service. We drove through campgrounds #1 and 3. They also look fine.

Lovely campground, with paved roads throughout. The area is open for day use as well as having three different campground areas. We were in campground #2 and had an easy walk to the swim area on the Missouri River. This place had a boat ramp, a fishing area, a big swimming area with plenty of parking near it, a butterfly park, and a couple of nice hiking trails. It was situated near the Oahe Dam. We saw people swimming (although the water was cold), and several fishermen -- even a couple of divers who were fishing with harpoons. There were several boats in the water as well. Just a few miles away from both Pierre and Ft. Pierre. Restrooms/showers were clean. Electric only sites, but the box on our site was actually situated in a weird location. It was right next to the front edge of the awning of our neighbor's RV. But the spaces did not feel crowded. There was a fire ring and a picnic table at all sites. We had to use some levelers on one side to get level. The dump station with water is not far outside of the park entrance and easy to access. The water quality isn't that great, so you would want good filtration. There is an out of state resident fee of $7.70, and we found out from the camp host once we were set up that we were required to purchase either a daily pass ($6-ish) or an annual pass ($36 - could be used at other South Dakota state parks). We made our reservations online, and it was not clear (to me anyway) that we needed to add this in. Their signs at the park entrance also seemed ambiguous -- if you have a reservation, you could go straight to your spot. Then a separate sign said that a daily or annual pass was required, but since this is a day use park as well as a campground, we didn't realize it pertained to us as well. We bought the annual pass since we knew we would be going to another state park after this.

We stay here in aug 7th 2020 for 3 days. the temp were hot and humid during the day. Wind blows through tree most of the time. trees are trimmed and no dead one to be found.

Several places to launch boats, many locals on weekend bring trailer and then go get boats.
right on the missouri river at the Oahe dam.. Water coming out of dam is cooler for sure than water behind dam. swimming areas with sand beaches in campground are nice.

one thing they do NOT tell you is you need a pass to come here..it not included with the nightly rate for camping, its a seperate deal.. daily is $8, so for the 3 days it would have cost $24.. we are also going to Custer SP which is like $20 for 1-7 days with no daily rate.. The annual pass is $36, it sticks on the window lower front passenger side. we got the annual pass.. :)

The place is quiet at night with normal kids, camp fires, adn some loud talking but not like a lot of places we have been.

the area is very beautiful with the water and hills and meadows and water.. there are rumored be buffalo in the area but we have not seen any thus far.

on the BAD side is the water.. horrid.. it tested at 314 PPM of TSD.. like drinking a bag of nails. We brought water from the shakopee area of MN area which tested at 84 PPM TSD.. much better water. (Dakotah Meadows at Mystic Lake Casino)

the capital of SD, Pierre is smaller than either Sioux Fall or Rapid city.. but it is a nice town.

If you want to come up the scenic route from the east, at chamberlin SD come up hwy 273 to it ends . turn left on 1806 and run that for some 30 so or miles to hwy 83. you will see of the most amazing views of hills, meadows and the river along the way.. (maybe even some bufflao) there is a lot of elevation change as well.. some nice big hills that were like a 7% grade but only for less than a mile.. same down hill.. ONE word of caution.. the road can be rough at times.(not like in PA, NY with potholes etc) in places there are major "bumps" or whoop d does that will make you think you are going to go airborne.. the speed limit of like 65. I bet we never got over 45 for the most part.

Its a do ONE time road in pickup pulling a camper or MH.. but for just a good ride its fine in car, or truck unloaded.

we enjoyed our time at this place.. the staff was friendly, the place was clean, and the area was fun and scenic and if in area we will be back.

ATT data was 13 MbPS down
tmobile was 1.6 MbPS down

there is a golf course up the main road about a mile from the dump station... its a nice course a par 63 that totals 3727 yards.. problem is the greens fee with cart for 18 is $53.00 (8-9-2020) I did not play it.