Nebraska Tailwaters
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.
More like this: electric hookups in South Dakota · reservable in South Dakota · big rigs in South Dakota · pets allowed in South Dakota · group sites in South Dakota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 34 |
| Tent-only | 2 |
| group standard area electric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 84 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
37 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Camp | Group Standard Area Electric | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | 25 / 20 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 01 | Electric | Pull-through | 152 | Paved | Partial | 20/30/50 amp | Riverfront | 8 / 5 | Yes | Prime | |
| 02 | Electric | Pull-through | 152 | Paved | Partial | 20/30/50 amp | Riverfront | 8 / 5 | Yes | Prime | |
| 03 | Electric | 70 | Partial | 20/30/50 amp | Riverfront | 8 / 5 | Yes | Prime | |||
| 04 | Electric | Back-in | 68 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Riverfront | 8 / 10 | Yes | Prime | |
| 05 | Electric | Back-in | 65 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Riverfront | 8 / 10 | Yes | Prime | |
| 06 | Electric | Back-in | 67 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Riverfront | 8 / 10 | Yes | Prime | |
| 07 | Electric | Back-in | 70 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Riverfront | 8 / 10 | Yes | Prime | |
| 08 | Electric | Back-in | 71 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Riverfront | 8 / 10 | Yes | Prime | |
| 09 | Electric | Back-in | 66 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | Riverfront | 8 / 10 | Yes | Prime |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water |
| Max vehicle length | 84 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Camping reservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
| Accessibility | Sites 15, 17 are listed accessible |
Nebraska Tailwaters offers 36 campsites, 34 of these campsites have electric hookups and 2 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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Crofton, South Dakota |
| Coordinates | 42.8489° N, 97.4703° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | I-29 RV, Marine & Outdoor ↗ | 54.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Nebraska Tailwaters Campground Ruff Road Review
Worth a stop
- The Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, exhibits on Missouri River and area history including the Lewis and Clark Expedition with stunning views of Lewis and Clark Lake along with the Missouri River. 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.
- 4.6 miMissouri National Recreational River Headquarters ↗Visitor center
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Bishop Marty RectoryBuilding · Yankton · 3.5 mi
- Harold A. (H. A.) Doyle HouseBuilding · Yankton · 3.7 mi
- Hoffman HouseBuilding · Yankton · 3.7 mi
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.
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.
Guidebooks for South Dakota and camping across the country
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Nebraska Tailwaters?
Sites at Nebraska Tailwaters are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Nebraska Tailwaters?
Camping reservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Nebraska Tailwaters?
Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Nebraska Tailwaters have?
37 sites, including 34 standard sites with power, 2 tent-only sites, and 1 group standard area electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Nebraska Tailwaters?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Nebraska Tailwaters have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Nebraska Tailwaters?
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.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Nebraska Tailwaters?
Yes, pets are allowed at Nebraska Tailwaters. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Nebraska Tailwaters?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Nebraska Tailwaters?
Sites 15 and 17 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Nebraska Tailwaters?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Nebraska Tailwaters?
Located just below Gavins Point Dam in the dam "Tailwaters" provides exceptional access to the Missouri River. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation