Lewis and Clark Recreation Area
Yankton, South Dakota · Lewis And Clark Recreation Area
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $10/day
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Lewis and Clark Recreation Area
Lewis and Clark Recreation Area is a South Dakota state park on Lewis and Clark Lake, a Missouri River reservoir formed by Gavins Point Dam, located about 5 miles west of Yankton, SD. It is a well-developed 'resort park' whose sandy swim beaches make the reservoir an easy lake to swim in, a polished swimming hole rather than a backcountry one, with four campgrounds and full day-use facilities managed by SD Game, Fish & Parks in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The park sits along the shore of Lewis and Clark Lake, a 31,400-acre reservoir roughly 25 miles long created in 1957 when Gavins Point Dam impounded the Missouri River. The area was historically significant to Lewis and Clark's 1804 expedition, which held a council with the Yankton Sioux near nearby Calumet Bluff, and shows archaeological evidence of human habitation dating back 3,000-5,000 BC.
Swimming at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area
Camper accounts describe the lake water as clean and clear, with multiple beach areas and shaded spots suitable for swimming, connected by bike and hiking trails. The park is set up as a developed lake-resort swim destination rather than a backcountry hole, with the official park page explicitly listing swim beaches as an on-site activity.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located 5 miles west of Yankton, South Dakota, off SD Highway 52.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a developed drive-up state park/resort area on Lewis and Clark Lake with multiple sandy swim beaches accessible directly from parking areas -- no hike is required to reach the water. The park also has separate hiking and biking trail networks (per official trail maps referenced on the SD GFP site) connecting beaches and campgrounds, but these are recreational add-ons, not access requirements, and specific trail names/distances were not detailed in sources found.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Developed state-park resort setting with multiple sandy swim beaches, playgrounds, and shallow reservoir shoreline entry; no currents or drop-offs were documented in any source. Camper reviews (The Dyrt) describe it as 'perfect for families' with playground equipment, basketball courts, and a soccer area near the beaches. No lifeguard presence was confirmed or denied in any source found.
Parking
Paid, $10/day (SD resident) or $40/year annual license; $15/day (nonresident) or $60/year annual license
State park day-use license functions as the entry/parking fee for the recreation area; no separate per-lot parking fee is documented. Exact number or layout of beach parking lots was not found in sources searched.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets and showers at developed areas (closed seasonally Oct 1-Apr 30 per SD GFP); vault toilets remain open year-round. Camper reviews specifically praised the bathhouses as clean across multiple visits/seasons.
Water clarity
Clear
Multiple camper reviews on The Dyrt independently described 'clear lake conditions' and a 'very large, clear and clean lake with many beaches.' No sources reported murkiness or algae issues.
Hours
Open year-round per SD Game, Fish & Parks; showers, flush toilets, and other seasonal water systems close Oct 1-Apr 30 (vault toilets stay open year-round). No specific daily gate hours were published in sources found.
On the water
SD GFP's official activities listing for the park includes boating, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing on Lewis and Clark Lake. No specific no-wake zones, electric-only areas, or horsepower restrictions were documented in sources found (large ~31,400-acre reservoir; motorized boating and a full-service marina are present).
Rentals nearby
Boat slip rentals and boat rentals via the on-site marina, per SD GFP's official park facilities list; the resort itself offers lakeside cabin/cottage lodging with beach access
Within Lewis and Clark Recreation Area on Lewis and Clark Lake, near Yankton, SD
What regulars say
Visitor reports from campers consistently describe the lake as clear and clean with many beaches and shady spots scattered throughout the park, and call the bathhouses clean across repeat visits in different seasons. Regulars note the campground is family-friendly (playgrounds, basketball court, soccer area) and recommend booking campsites up to 90 days in advance for peak summer dates since sites fill fast. One candid practical tip: watch for falling black walnuts from shade trees onto vehicles and campsites in autumn, a nuisance rather than a swimming hazard.
Backstory
Lewis and Clark Lake was formed in 1957 by the completion of Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River. The area near Calumet Bluff, within the recreation area, was the site of an 1804 council between the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Yankton Sioux; archaeological evidence indicates human habitation in the area dating back 3,000-5,000 BC.
Lewis and Clark Recreation Area: FAQ
Does Lewis and Clark Recreation Area charge a fee?
Day-use fees apply: SD residents $10/day or $40/year; nonresidents $15/day or $60/year (per official GFP park page).
Is Lewis and Clark Recreation Area kid friendly?
Developed state-park resort setting with multiple sandy swim beaches, playgrounds, and shallow reservoir shoreline entry; no currents or drop-offs were documented in any source. Camper reviews (The Dyrt) describe it as 'perfect for families' with playground equipment, basketball courts, and a soccer area near the beaches. No lifeguard presence was confirmed or denied in any source found.
Do I need to hike to reach Lewis and Clark Recreation Area?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Lewis and Clark Recreation Area?
State park day-use license functions as the entry/parking fee for the recreation area; no separate per-lot parking fee is documented. Exact number or layout of beach parking lots was not found in sources searched.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Lewis and Clark Recreation Area?
SD GFP's official activities listing for the park includes boating, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing on Lewis and Clark Lake. No specific no-wake zones, electric-only areas, or horsepower restrictions were documented in sources found (large ~31,400-acre reservoir; motorized boating and a full-service marina are present).
When is the best time to visit Lewis and Clark Recreation Area?
Summer, based on the park's seasonal closure of showers and flush toilets from October 1 through April 30.
What are the rules at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area?
Managed as a South Dakota state park requiring a day-use license/fee; showers, flush toilets, and other water systems may be closed seasonally between October 1 and April 30 (vault toilets remain open year-round).
