Cottonwood (NE)

Making progress with the payment on driveways. Can’t believe the paving crews did not seal all of the blacktop when finished. The job is only half finished. Someday the pavement issue will have to be revisited sooner than later. What were they thinking! The only issue here is the gravel pads are still not paved. Hope they use concrete as they are in dire need of updating. Holes all over the park. "I mean deep holes!" Seems when tree stumps were ground out either there was no dirt put in place or what was has settled. Big dogs have dug deep holes around electric boxes and such. I really believe the park manager (David) is the laziest SOB in charge of everything that never gets done or finished. I hear he is only about three years from retirement and we believe he has taken the easy way out.... Just doing his disappearing act. South Dakota parks are so nice and beautiful. He wouldn't last long working for that system. Cottonwood has really gone to the dogs! Need new grass spread in place of weeds. Shame on him!

Beautiful campground. Nice big level site.

The repair work that removed us earlier in the month was corrected and everything was well. We appreciate the cleanliness and courtesy that the hosts possess.

This was an absolutely gorgeous campground sitting on the lake. The place was immaculately groomed and the large cottonwoods were beautiful.
We had three strong bars of cellular. We had 50 amp service, but no water or sewer. The dump site was easy to assess. There were miles of bike trails also.

We would of enjoyed it more if it hadn't been a hassle to get a spot to camp! We were on our way home from the Black Hills and wanted to camp in Yankton for the night. We pulled in and the host said we had to go online and get a confirmation #. What a pain! I was almost in tears by the time we got a spot confirmed and paid for! Luckily the host and husband were very helpful. The website was not friendly and then we had to pay for two nights even though we stayed only one night since it was a Friday. There was no map of campground so you did not know what spot you were picking.
We will definitely think twice about staying and a state park again. I would rate it a 1 out of 10.

we came 9/20/23 and we will stay till 10/4/23 it is very peaceful here and scenery is very beautiful enjoy going fishing which hasn't been that great but that's ok just enjoy it anyway and if camping from Oct 1st to the 31st you have hit SD paddle fishing snagging season which is very wild and entertaining to watch we just like it here

Beautiful quiet campground below the dam. Very courteous and helpful host.

Cottonwood campground has many families camping together throughout the summer. The campground crew keep the camping spots very clean as well as the green spaces. Bathrooms are kept very clean with lots of warm/hot water.
One complaint is the number of vehicles that are parked on the sites. Vehicles are parked on the grass or even into the road. This makes it difficult when driving a rig through or even riding a bike. If the hosts or park ranger gives them a notice, we don't know because it continues to happen. In other COE campgrounds this is more strictly enforced.

Beautiful campgrounds

A very clean and quiet campground with sites that are spacious and well groomed.