$35 / night

Camper submitted image from Nebraska Tailwaters - 1

Camper submitted image from Nebraska Tailwaters - 2

Nature

Camper submitted image from Nebraska Tailwaters - 3

Roads

Camper submitted image from Nebraska Tailwaters - 4

Facilities

Camper submitted image from Nebraska Tailwaters - 5

Activities

Established Camping

Nebraska Tailwaters

11 Reviews

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Tent sites 34 to 43 will be closed for the 2024 camping season due to construction.

About

US Army Corps of Engineers

Homme Lake

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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.__

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.__

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (402) 667-2546.

Nearby Attractions

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. 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.

Charges & 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.______

Fee Info

<p>Camping reservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.</p>

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Location

Nebraska Tailwaters is located in Nebraska

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.

Address

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS NEBRASKA TAILWATERS RECREATION AREA 55291 HWY 121
Crofton, NE 68730

Coordinates

42.8488889 N
97.4702778 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
WiFi
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Water Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

SEE WHAT'S AVAILABLE

$35

/ night

First Come - First Served

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Contact

General Info

Reservations

(877) 444-6777

CHris B.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 5, 2022

Neat little out of the way stop

Only stayed one night, but was nice to finally have electric after two weeks of travel. No water or sewer at sites, but can fill and dump at a site on the main road leading to the campground. Wish we had known before we pulled in, but not a big hassle. Campground is below the dam and the fish were running like crazy. Nice large sites and enough room to move around.

Site30

Month of VisitAugust

N I.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 30, 2021

Huck Finn Time

Open year round

Reservations: Mid May - Mid May

FCFS Mid Oct - Mid May

42 sites 31 electric 11 non electric

Group camping with electric

ADA Accessible fishing pier 31 electric sites 11 non electric Modern showers Flush toilets Shore fishing Boat ramp Fish cleaning station RV dump station Group camping Picnic shelter Fire ring/grill Vault toilet Cell service Paved sites Pets allowed Trash Security lights Drinking water

This campground is a gem snuggled along the Missouri River on the Nebraska side of the river. Lewis and Clark journeyed up the Missouri River on their way to the Pacific Ocean. In 1874 a group of Mennonites settled along the now Lewis& Clark Lake. Ground was broken in 1952 at the damsite. Now the public is able to recreate in numerous campgrounds and recreation sites along the Nebraska and South Dakota shore line

Month of VisitOctober

(15) View All

Judy B.

Guide

Reviewed May. 21, 2021

Great view of the river and peaceful

The campground is easy to find if you take highway 81 south from Yankton and then turn right onto 121 west. The signage is easy to miss, but right where 121 makes a bend to the left, the road down to the Tailwaters campground departs on your right and descends down to the river. All the sites are in a line facing the river. Some sites are for tents and the rest have electrical hookups. There is a pit toilet at the far end and a shower house with flush toilets in the middle of the campground. There is also a boat ramp near the entrance. My only complaint is the"yard lights" that are on all night. They are incredibly bright. It would have been nice to have it dark and see the sky.

Site#27

Month of VisitJune

Dennis G.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 22, 2020

View of the river is great

Fair amount of trees, definitely more in the higher numbered spots. Sites are decently spaced but not great. Electrical hookups only, water available. Bathroom/showers are spotless.

Shannon C.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2019

Nice clean campsites

Spent a weekend here. The campsites are nice and clean, and the bathrooms are the cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen at a campground! The campground was quiet and peaceful. Great showers and views of the river. Just a 5 minute driving to the damn and a swimming area... In front of the campsites is the river (this is riverfront camping, and behind is a little wooded area that helps you feel a little more secluded. Will be returning.

Charles C.

Legend

Reviewed Nov. 1, 2018

USACE camping just below Lewis and Clark Lake

Army Corps Campground with all the bells and whistles. It was closed when we went, but we will return. The interpretive center was very informative and Lewis and Clark Lake is huge with nice beaches and great fishing.

The ranger said that electric sites in season were only $16. That is less than the state parks at the lake. Yankton is nice but don't miss the Nebraska tribal museums.

(4) View All

Louis E.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 28, 2018

Look out for Camp Squatters

We ended up at the Trailwater site because of a overbooking at lewis and clark. The afternoon was pleasant but as soon as it started to get dark all of the camp squatters started to arrive. First, about 9:30 PM, a group with several small children arrived and they were running all over the place crying screaming. The adults didn't seam to care and for some reason kept locking their car repeatedly. Beep, Beep, honk!This continued until about midnight when the children passed out. Then at 1:15 AM a large group with about 15 adults, several children, 2 dogs, 6 trucks and a boat arrived. They proceeded to set up their 6 tends even right next to ours and in front of our fire ring as if they were sharing it with us. They were loud and intoxicated. The yelling and commotion continued. They were carrying on as if it were the middle of the day. At 3:15 AM I asked if they could quite it down. I was met with hostility and and was told that they did not give a F@%*. Then they proceeded to mock and insult us in spanish. We felt very intimidated and scared for our safety. Needless to say we packed up our camp all wile being jeered and insulted and drive 2.5 hrs back home. DONT TENT CAMP HERE. We will never stay at this campground again.

SiteNebraska Tail Waters

James D.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2016

Had a good time fishing in the Missouri River

This campground is situated along the Missouri River. There is a fishing pier and boat ramp. There are only about 10 tent campsites and a bunch of RV sites. The shower facilities were clean. It is near Lewis and Clark Lake which is a very nice lake. There is a dam which takes away from some of the natural feeling, but hey, there are showers here too. The Missouri River Valley is worth seeing at some point in your life. There are a lot of birds in the park which my wife appreciated.

Angie G.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 31, 2016

Awesome weekend getaway

Great campground. Great views of the Missouri River. Clean campsite and well maintained. Lots of activities such as fishing along the river. Beautiful sunsets and great camping space. I highly recommend this campground.

(4) View All

Joey H.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 30, 2016

Really nice

I loved the lake! go and experience it for your self

Jill R.

Ranger

Reviewed Jul. 10, 2016

Nice and Private

I've been to this camp ground many times and usually there are a lot of spots left over it is a Hidden Gem that is rarely ever packed full of people. The lake is a fun place to hang out during the day and then have a nice little campfire during the night it's a very nice place to take the family we've been coming here for years and we probably won't be changing anytime soon