Oahe Downstream Recreation Area

Campground Details

Open: Open May through October
Number of Sites: 205
Number of Sites with Electric: 205

The park's three campgrounds give visitors a variety of recreational opportunities, from boating to hiking to disc golf. During the winter, bird watchers can view bald eagles, which roost in the treetops below the dam. The Corps of Engineers began building the dam in 1948 and in 1962 started generating electricity. It's one of the largest constructed reservoirs in the United States, measuring 231 miles connecting the capital cities of South Dakota and North Dakota.

Camping: 205 sites (all electrical) in three campgrounds. Four wheelchair accessible sites. Showers. Water. Dump station

Recreation: Camping. Cabins. 14-station archery range. Biking. Boating. Cross-country skiing. 18-hole disc golf course. Fishing. Game/equipment checkout. Hiking. Horseshoes. Three picnic shelters and areas. Playground. Swimming Volleyball. Large day use area. OHV area. Rifle range, shotgun trap shooting range. Bald eagle viewing in winter

Trails: Dirt-surfaced trail loop. Cottonwood Trail is a National Recreation Trail. Listed on the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial National Recreation Trail. See maps below.

Swimming/Beaches: Swimming beach. No lifeguard on duty. Swim at your own risk.

Fishing/Boating: Fish cleaning station. Boat ramp and marina. Walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass, channel catfish, salmon, trout, panfish. Fishing license required.

 

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