About Left Tailrace
Number of accommodations: 88
Campground Amenities
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Pet Friendly -
Lake Access -
Showers -
Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
88 Sites Available
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Site Details
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88 Sites Available
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Reviews (403)
What Guests Are Saying
Left Tailrace Campground offers a beautiful and clean environment with spacious waterfront sites and stunning views, making it a favorite among campers. The friendly and attentive staff, along with well-maintained facilities, contribute to a positive experience. While some visitors noted occasional issues with site cleanliness and nearby vehicle activity, the overall feedback emphasizes a welcoming atmosphere and a strong desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Left Tailrace Campground offers a beautiful and clean environment with spacious waterfront sites and stunning views, making it a favorite among campers. The friendly and attentive staff, along with well-maintained facilities, contribute to a positive experience. While some visitors noted occasional issues with site cleanliness and nearby vehicle activity, the overall feedback emphasizes a welcoming atmosphere and a strong desire to return.
Review Summary
Paul N
VerifiedMay 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles
Bathrooms are always clean and hosts are always pleasant and helpful
Bernadette V
VerifiedMay 18, 2023 • Stayed at: 16B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles
Absolutely love this place! Friendly staff and clean facilities.
Daniel H
VerifiedDecember 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 30, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72
Great campground. Very busy over the holiday weekend. Lake/river was pretty choppy this weekend. Still a great time. Large sites. Not far from Chamberlain.
Jonathan S
September 13, 2022
This was a very pleasant stay. The park has enough trees to provide some shade which was crucial because the temps were near 100 degrees throughout our stay. Camp host were excellent and the facilities were well maintained. This campground is mostly used by locals who come to fish. Fort Thompson has no real points of interest and the closest town / city that does is Pierre and that is a 45 minute drive. Plan ahead with your groceries etc and you can have a peaceful visit as we did.
Heather M
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles
We didn't stay long (one night) but the water and the boats were beautiful to watch. It was fun to watch people fishing and the water released from the dam. The host was very nice and gave us a couple of ideas of places to eat. Everything was neat. I only wished there were showers.
Beverly V
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles
Was a very clean and well kept campground.
We enjoyed our stay very much, did have a few camper’s around our site that we not very courteous of other campers.
robert s
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 51, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72
It was nice, the host substituted a shadier spot for the one we originally had. Didn't care for the water but the showers were good.
Christopher S
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 17B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles
Great location, extremely friendly staff. Bring firewood and fishing gear.
Nadiene M
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 20A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles
Love it Only place we camp
ADDIE O
VerifiedAugust 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72
The gate attendant was friendly and helpful. The site was long with enough parking. We had a site near a water spigot but not all sites have water close. To enter the park road we had to go farther and turn around since the road had too sharp a turn. The dump station is not convenient.
Location Left Tailrace
Address:
U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers
Chamberlain, SD, 57325
United States
- From west bound I-90 take exit 265 at Chamberalin SD, turn right on to Highway 50 travel approximatly 16 miles, turn left on to BIA Highway 4, travel 8 miles to FT. Thompson SD, turn left on to highway 47 travel 3 miles then take a left at the Left Tailrace Campground sign on Big Bend Dam then travel approximately 1 mile to the Left Tailrace Campground.
- From East bound I-90 take exit 248 at Reliance SD take a left onto Highway 47 north bound, travel 18 miles to Big Bend Dam. Turn right after crossing the Power House bridge, then turn right at the Left Tailrace Campground sign, and travel about 1 mile to the Left Tailrace Campground.
Latitude & Longitude: 44.0408 / -99.4394
Elevation: 416 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Summary of Campground Rules & Policies: All public-use of Corps of Engineers lands and waters are governed by Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
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| General |
Firewood Alert! Don't Move Firewood: Due to the spread of invasive insects such as Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Help protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit DontMoveFirewood.org for further information. |
| General |
Protect Your Waters! Attention Boaters, Paddlers and Anglers: Do your part to help stop the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) by remembering to always Clean, Drain, and Dry! Visit SDLeastWanted.com for more information. |
| General |
Want to know the latest happenings at Big Bend Dam? Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook at USACE Big Bend Dam for up-to-date information.Big Bend: Social Media |
