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

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Showers Showers

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 .

Available sites

88 total sites

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 closed

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 availability.

88 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 01, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 89 × 12 ft
🚐 02, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 84 × 12 ft
🚐 03, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 76 × 12 ft
🚐 04, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 76 × 12 ft
🚐 05, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 74 × 12 ft
🚐 06, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 76 × 12 ft
🚐 07, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 79 × 12 ft
🚐 08, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 80 × 12 ft
🚐 09, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 80 × 12 ft
🚐 10, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 77 × 12 ft
🚐 11, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 77 × 12 ft
🚐 12, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 71 × 12 ft
🚐 14A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 51 × 12 ft
🚐 14B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 50 × 12 ft
🚐 15A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 55 × 12 ft
🚐 15B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 63 × 12 ft
🚐 16A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 57 × 12 ft
🚐 16B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 50 × 12 ft
🚐 17A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 60 × 12 ft
🚐 17B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 53 × 12 ft
🚐 18A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 65 × 12 ft
🚐 18B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 53 × 12 ft
🚐 19A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 67 × 12 ft
🚐 19B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 57 × 12 ft
🚐 20A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 55 × 12 ft
🚐 20B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 64 × 12 ft
🚐 21A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 54 × 12 ft
🚐 21B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 62 × 12 ft
🚐 22A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 54 × 12 ft
🚐 22B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 60 × 12 ft
🚐 23, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 84 × 12 ft
🚐 24, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 85 × 12 ft
🚐 25, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 75 × 12 ft
🚐 26, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 84 × 12 ft
🚐 27, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 80 × 12 ft
🚐 28, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 84 × 12 ft
🚐 29, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 85 × 12 ft
🚐 30, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 85 × 12 ft
🚐 31, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 83 × 12 ft
🚐 32, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 84 × 12 ft
🚐 33, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 75 × 12 ft
🚐 34, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 77 × 12 ft
🚐 35, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 78 × 12 ft
🚐 36, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 77 × 12 ft
🚐 37, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 77 × 12 ft
🚐 38, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 79 × 12 ft
🚐 41, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 73 × 12 ft
🚐 44, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 47 × 12 ft
🚐 45, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 55 × 12 ft
🚐 46, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 54 × 12 ft
🚐 47, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 56 × 12 ft
🚐 48, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 56 × 12 ft
🚐 49, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 60 × 12 ft
🚐 50, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 59 × 12 ft
🚐 51, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 58 × 12 ft
🚐 52, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 56 × 12 ft
🚐 53, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 52 × 12 ft
🚐 54, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 56 × 12 ft
🚐 55, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 52 × 12 ft
🚐 56, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 54 × 12 ft
🚐 57, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 51 × 12 ft
🚐 58, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 48 × 12 ft
🚐 59, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 44 × 12 ft
🚐 60, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 47 × 12 ft
🚐 61, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 48 × 12 ft
🚐 62, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 47 × 12 ft
🚐 63, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 49 × 12 ft
🚐 64, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 47 × 12 ft
🚐 65, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 45 × 12 ft
🚐 66, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 46 × 12 ft
🚐 67, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 44 × 12 ft
🚐 68, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 46 × 12 ft
🚐 69, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 46 × 12 ft
🚐 70, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 45 × 12 ft
🚐 71, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 46 × 12 ft
🚐 72, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 45 × 12 ft
⛺ T01, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ T02, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T03, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Full shade
⛺ T04, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T05, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T06, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T07, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T08, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ T09, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T10, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T11, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ T12, Loop: Tent Area Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews

537 reviews

Summary

AI generated

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.

Based on guest feedback

4.5

Overall rating

Based on 537 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 67.6% (363)
4 stars 23.5% (126)
3 stars 5.4% (29)
2 stars 3.0% (16)
1 star 0.6% (3)

Showing 532 reviews

Hannah M

Verified

September 3, 2020 Stayed at: 02, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles

Camping site and bathroom were very clean. Host was friendly. Mostly people with boats camping here. Quiet. I would stay here again.

Helpful

james d

Verified

September 2, 2020 Stayed at: 25, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72

Great place, would of liked to go into town but for the covid thing. Nice wide sites, great hosts, restrooms and showers all well maintained.

Helpful

Jorge J

Verified

September 2, 2020 Stayed at: 11, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 1-12 singles

The area is amazing and we really wished we had a boat to fish. The area was really clean and the view of the Missouri river was fantastic. We had the opportunity to get amazing pictures of the sun rise.

Helpful

leslie C

Verified

September 1, 2020 Stayed at: 72, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72

always enjoy the time spent here. the grounds are well cared for

Helpful

Gail G

Verified

August 28, 2020 Stayed at: 19B, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles

Arrived late in pouring rain, staff were very helpful and friendly. Only there for overnight stay, that lake is beautiful. Hope to stay longer next trip west

Helpful

John A

Verified

August 26, 2020 Stayed at: 22A, Loop: Lower Loop Sites 14-22 doubles

Fantastic little campground that is very well maintained and clean. Cleanest bathrooms of any campground I've been to in three years. Not much to do unless you have a boat and the local Indian population is not overly accepting or friendly towards campers. There is a beach across the dam from the campground that is literally full of trash, dog feces, and (not kidding) used diapers. It is under the Army Corp flag but the locals trash it. Stay away from there but the campground is great. Staff was flat out amazing and take great pride in their campground.

Helpful

Kenneth M

Verified

August 21, 2020 Stayed at: 31, Loop: Upper Loop Sites 23-72

Very clean. Very friendly. Beautiful location. Clean shower house.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Left Tailrace

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

Elevation: 416 ft

Getting There

From west bound I-90 take exit 265 at Chamberalin SD, turn right on to Highway 50 travel approximatly 16 mi, turn left on to BIA Highway 4, travel 8 mi to FT. Thompson SD, turn left on to highway 47 travel 3 mi then take a left at the Left Tailrac...

Nearest town

Chamberlain, SD - 26 mi

About 31 min to downtown

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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Last updated: October 7, 2026

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Population: 2,588

Elevation: 1,411 ft

Chamberlain, SD

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