Left Tailrace

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, Chamberlain, South Dakota, United States

Lake Sharpe
Lake Sharpe
View of Left Tailrace Campground
Left Tailrace
Left Tailrace playground equipment

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Showers Showers
View all amenities

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

88 total sites

RV Sites

76 sites

Tent Sites

12 sites

About Left Tailrace

Left Tailrace Campgound at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Big Bend Project, sits on the shore of Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River below Big Bend Dam. Just upstream of Left Tailrace, Lake Sharpe, a popular recreation destination in the Great Plains,was created by the completion of Big Bend Dam in 1966. Today, approximately 80,000 acres of public lands and water provide a variety of benefits to the public including flood control, recreation, conservation of our natural resources, fish and wildlife habitat, irrigation, and hydropower production. It is possible to view many types of wildlife on the Missouri River at Lake Sharpe. Tribal bison herds can be seen grazing the lake area's grasslands north of the towns of Fort Thompson and Lower Brule. The shoreline areas of the lake also offer excellent waterfowl, upland game birds and big game hunting opportunities. Big game animals include whitetail and mule deer, elk, bison, coyotes and wild turkeys. Waterfowl and upland game birds include ducks, geese, pheasants, prairie chickens, and grouse. Hunting regulations are established and enforced by the State of South Dakota, and the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Tribes. For more information, visit the Big Bend Project website .

Number of accommodations: 88

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 1 to Sep 30

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
Showers Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Showers
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

88 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 01, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 02, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 03, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 04, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 05, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 06, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 07, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 08, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 09, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 10, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 11, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 12, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 14A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 14B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 15A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 15B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 16A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 16B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 17A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 17B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 18A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 18B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 19A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 19B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 20A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 20B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 21A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 21B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 22A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 22B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 23, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 24, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 25, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 26, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 27, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 28, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 29, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 30, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 31, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 32, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 33, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 34, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 35, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 36, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 37, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 38, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 41, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 44, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 45, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 46, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 47, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 48, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 49, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 50, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 51, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 52, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 53, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 54, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 55, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 56, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 57, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 58, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 59, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 60, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 61, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 62, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 63, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 64, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 65, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 66, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 67, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 68, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 69, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 70, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 71, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 72, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
⛺ T01, Loop: Tent Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
⛺ T02, Loop: Tent Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
⛺ T03, Loop: Tent Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
⛺ T04, Loop: Tent Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
⛺ T05, Loop: Tent Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
⛺ T06, Loop: Tent Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
⛺ T07, Loop: Tent Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
⛺ T08, Loop: Tent Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
⛺ T09, Loop: Tent Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
⛺ T10, Loop: Tent Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
⛺ T11, Loop: Tent Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
⛺ T12, Loop: Tent Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available

Reviews (490)

Verified Only

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

4.5
490 reviews
5
66.5%
326
4
24.1%
118
3
5.5%
27
2
3.3%
16
1
0.6%
3

Beverly V

Verified

September 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles

4

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

Verified

September 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 51, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72

4

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

Verified

September 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 17B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles

5

Great location, extremely friendly staff. Bring firewood and fishing gear.

Nadiene M

Verified

September 4, 2022 • Stayed at: 20A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles

5

Love it Only place we camp

ADDIE O

Verified

August 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72

3

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.

Elton F

Verified

August 28, 2022 • Stayed at: T01, Loop: Tent Area

3

There was dead bird at my campsite

Mallory N

Verified

August 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72

3

Super buggy, had mosquitos sticking their tongues through the screen.

Disc golf was fun, quiet site.

Bathrooms were pretty disgusting, there was poo on the wall in the women's restroom in one of the stalls.

loved the location but cleanliness could use some work, stars aren't taken off due to bugs thats what camping is.

Brian C

Verified

August 19, 2022 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72

5

Great customer service from staff. Clean well kept campground. Big paved spaces. Big campground. Look and double check the tree situation at check in to see if your site has any shade.

Vanessa C

Verified

August 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles

5

This campground is a family oriented gem. We had an absolutely wonderful time meeting other campers, using all the facilities daily and enjoying long campfires under brilliant night skies. Literally one of our favorite sites and we had no expectations before arrival.

karma p

Verified

August 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles

5

Beautiful setting below the Missouri River Dam. We enjoyed walking along the lake and viewing the gorgeous scenery. Nice, quiet campground.

Location Left Tailrace

Address:
U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers
Chamberlain, SD, 57325
United States

Elevation: 416 feet

Distance to downtown

26 mi drive to downtown Chamberlain (about 31 min)

Map of Left Tailrace location at Chamberlain, SD, United States
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Policies & Rules

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).  Maximum length of Reservation: Each person and camping unit is limited to a 14 day stay in a 30 day period, 14 day stay 16 days away. Reference Title 36 Sec. 327.7(b). Standard Electric Campsites are limited to one (1) wheeled camping unit and one (1) tent. If there is no wheeled camping unit then two (2) tents are allowed. Tent-only campsites are limited to two (2) tents.  All motor vehicles are restricted to designated roadways only, off-road use is prohibited.  All motor vehicles parked at campsites are restricted to two (2) wheels on pavement and two (2) on grass. No All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs/UTVs), golf carts, or dirt bikes - unless licensed and considered street legal.  Pets are allowed, but must be kept on a leash of no more than six feet (6'). Fireworks are prohibited.  For more information, please call (605) 245-1800.
  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • 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 

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Nearby destinations

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Last updated: August 6, 2026

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