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? Let us know

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

Carl L

Verified

August 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 17B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles

5

Been camping here every summer for several. Great camp hosts. Beautiful place. Place is kept very clean..

Bethany B

Verified

August 2, 2026 • Stayed at: 69, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72

5

We had a relaxing, pleasant stay. The facilities were maintained, the staff was friendly and helpful, and the views of the river around the campground were well worth the stop.

Grace L

Verified

August 2, 2026 • Stayed at: 22B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles

5

Really nice, great price. Hot showers, great sites, clean, easy access.

Angela W

Verified

August 2, 2026 • Stayed at: 60, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72

5

Had a great time, even with the heat. Clean sites, excellent staff. Definitely coming back

Gary S

Verified

August 1, 2026 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles

4

WE have had a great time eveytime we camp there The only thing everyone complains about is that as soon as the sun goes down the mosquitos get horrible out and you have to go to the campers or they will eat you alive..I can't understand why they don't fog the campground at night at night like they do in towns

Scott B

Verified

July 31, 2026 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles

5

We only stayed one night but loved it. It’s a long way from home for us but we’d stay again if in the area. The park representatives were very nice and the lake was a great spot to rest up after a long day on the road.

Douglas H

Verified

July 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72

5

Great

Charla D

Verified

July 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles

5

This campground is beautifully kept. This is the first time, in 5 years of full time RVing around the USA, that we have encountered water spigots a few places around the campground. No water at the site. We have had places with no water except close to a dump station. So here you just stop in the middle of the campground road and fill up and then proceed to your site. Just something to be aware of. This place is really "away from it all" and so pretty. Fort Thompson does have Dakotamart that is bigger inside than it looks. They stock a lot of grocery items.

Teresa R

Verified

July 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles

5

Pleasant stay
RR were VERY clean
Grounds were immaculate!
I will make this my one night stop on my way to Devils Tower each trip 👍

Erv B

Verified

July 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 19A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles

5

Nice campground. The weather was hot.

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

Fort Thompson
Chamberlain
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Last updated: August 6, 2026

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