About Cottonwood (NE)
Number of accommodations: 74
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Playground
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
On Site Services
- Playground
Water Access
- Lake Access
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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74 Sites Available
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Reviews (1013)
What Guests Are Saying
Cottonwood Campground offers spacious, level sites with water and electricity, along with clean restrooms and hot showers. Campers appreciate the beautiful lake views, friendly hosts, and a peaceful atmosphere enhanced by bike trails. While some maintenance issues were noted, overall experiences are highly positive, with many campers expressing a desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Cottonwood Campground offers spacious, level sites with water and electricity, along with clean restrooms and hot showers. Campers appreciate the beautiful lake views, friendly hosts, and a peaceful atmosphere enhanced by bike trails. While some maintenance issues were noted, overall experiences are highly positive, with many campers expressing a desire to return.
Review Summary
Marylin S
VerifiedOctober 9, 2023 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: NLOO
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.
Lynn C
VerifiedOctober 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 51, Loop: SLOO
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.
Lynn C
VerifiedOctober 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 51, Loop: SLOO
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.
Barbara S
VerifiedOctober 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 65, Loop: SLOO
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
Barbara S
VerifiedOctober 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 65, Loop: SLOO
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
Joni R
VerifiedOctober 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 51, Loop: SLOO
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.
Joni R
VerifiedOctober 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 51, Loop: SLOO
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.
Jeff N
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2023 • Stayed at: 04P, Loop: NLOO
Beautiful quiet campground below the dam. Very courteous and helpful host.
Jeff N
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2023 • Stayed at: 04P, Loop: NLOO
Beautiful quiet campground below the dam. Very courteous and helpful host.
Tom V
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: SLOO
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.
Location Cottonwood (NE)
Address:
U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, Cottonwood Campground, 198 Toe Rd
Yankton, SD, 57078
United States
From U.S. Hwy 81 in Yankton, South Dakota, drive four miles west on South Dakota Highway 52, then south on Dam Toe Road and follow signs.
Latitude & Longitude: 42.8586 / -97.4825
Elevation: 361 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
4PM
Check out time
2PM
- Campers must check in, with limits on guests, campsite types, vehicle parking, and pet regulations.
- Contact information for park staff is provided for inquiries.
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Fires & fuel
- Bringing firewood from outside the area is prohibited to protect local forests.
Safety & rules
- Boaters and anglers must clean, drain, and dry equipment to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
