About Cottonwood (NE)
Number of accommodations: 74
Campground Amenities
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Pet Friendly
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Potable Water
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Lake Access
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
74 Sites Available
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Site Details
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74 Sites Available
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Reviews (499)
What Guests Are Saying
Cottonwood Campground is frequently praised for its cleanliness, well-maintained facilities, and friendly hosts, making it a popular choice for campers. Visitors appreciate the peaceful environment, spacious campsites, and access to numerous bike trails. While some concerns were raised about management and maintenance issues, the overall experience is described as enjoyable, with many guests expressing a desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Cottonwood Campground is frequently praised for its cleanliness, well-maintained facilities, and friendly hosts, making it a popular choice for campers. Visitors appreciate the peaceful environment, spacious campsites, and access to numerous bike trails. While some concerns were raised about management and maintenance issues, the overall experience is described as enjoyable, with many guests expressing a desire to return.
Review Summary
Wes T
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: NLOO
Very beautiful park. The Gatekeeper was super helpful in helping us get a site beyond our reserved period. Helpful with suggestions of local sites to visit. Bathroom were very very clean. Best of all the other CORP Park we visited over 5 month period. Appreciate the ability of discounted rates because of national senior pass. Could not have been better on all counts. Thanks Army CORP of Engineers.
Joyce R
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 75, Loop: SLOO
We come here every year for Riverboat Days. We are vendors at the mall. We did come in 2018 just for fun and enjoyed it. People are friendly and helpful.
Bill S
VerifiedJanuary 14, 2020 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: NLOO
THE ONLY COMPLAINT WE HAVE IS SOME TIMES THE WEB SITE WILL NOT LET ME RESERVE A SPOT AND WHEN I CALL THE RESERVATION CENTER THEY DO NOT KNOW WHERE IT IS, THE DO NOT SEEM TO KNOW WHERE NEBRASKA IS
Becker D
VerifiedJanuary 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 68, Loop: SLOO
Very nice area. Only concern was a few dog holes I found in the ground. A person could injure an ankle or knee on them. Otherwise, a very nice place.
Paul F
VerifiedJanuary 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: NLOO
This is a really nice COE camp ground. I really enjoy camping there.
Randy P
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: SLOO
This is one of our favorite places to go RVing. Love the Cottonwood Unit and love the surrounding area. Plenty to do from fishing, boating, and just camping. Camping pads are very well kept and mowed frequently. Shower houses are maintained around the clock. Have been coming here since we were kids (now, in our 60's). Beautiful Cottonwood trees, but slowly dying and being cut down. The only negative thing about Cottonwood (two camping areas)... they are now 100% reservable. No more first-come, first-serve. Don't know why the reservation is going in this direction but is disappointing, to say the least.
Tina T
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 54, Loop: SLOO
Love the atmoshpere, it is so relaxing and quite.
Bob B
VerifiedDecember 17, 2019 • Stayed at: 51, Loop: SLOO
It is a great place for my needs of a peaceful overnight spot. Just beautiful.
Mark S
VerifiedNovember 22, 2019 • Stayed at: 60P, Loop: SLOO
We have stayed at Cottonwood several times over the years as it is roughly one full day’s drive from our home when we are heading to do some exploring in the Midwest. This was our first visit to Cottonwood during the prime summer camping months, and as expected, the campground was significantly more crowded than on previous visits we have made during fall months.
Our campsite (#60) was a prime lakefront site with 50 amp electric service, picnic table, fire ring and some moderate shade. The campsite also offered a level blacktop pad on which to park our 25’ RV. There are no water or sewer hookups at any of the individual campsites, but there are water spigots spaced throughout the campground and you could use those to fill your freshwater tanks if needed. There is also a dump station about 1 mile from the campground that offers additional potable water filling stations.
There are modern restrooms with flush toilets that were both clean and well stocked during our stay. There are also shower facilities that appeared to be clean and there was no added charge to use them.
The campground is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and just to the north of the campground is Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery which is operated by the US Fish and Wildlife Agency. The Hatchery is open to the public for tours and is very educational. We found it to be an easy bike ride from the campground.
Cellular coverage was reliable on both AT&T and Verizon, with Verizon performing slightly better on speed tests. Service from both providers was adequate for me to conduct some virtual meetings with videoconferencing and more than adequate for taking care of emails.
I would definitely recommend making advance reservations if you wish to camp here during the summer months. You can make reservations through recreation.gov, or their most excellent mobile app, up to 6-months prior to your planned arrival.
Location Cottonwood (NE)
Address:
U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers
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
| Category | About |
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| General |
Summary of Cottonwood Campground Rules and Policies:Check-In Time is 4:00 P.M. / Check-Out Time is 2:00 P.M.All campers must check-in and register with the campground host.A maximum of eight (8) people are allowed per campsite and daily occupancy is required. Each campsite is limited to a maximum of either: (a) One (1) wheeled camping unit and (2) two sleeping tents, OR (b) three (3) sleeping tents. Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) applies to all visitors to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lands and waters.All vehicles are restricted to designated roadways and parking areas only, off-road travel is prohibited.All vehicles must be parked on campsite pads or within designated parking areas only. All vehicles parked at campsites must have at least two wheels on the campsite pad, with a maximum of (2) two wheels permitted on grass. Vehicles may not be parked on or along roadways or in a manner that prohibits or restricts traffic flow. Quiet hours are 10:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. Fireworks are prohibited. All pets must be on a leash of 6 feet in length or less. Pet waste must be picked up and properly disposed of promptly. |
| General |
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 by purchasing near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Firewood is not available for sale on-site, however several local businesses sell firewood a short distance away, see the campground host or attendant for more information.
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| General |
Attention Boaters, Paddlers, and Anglers - Protect Your Waters!
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| General |
For questions or to contact park staff, please call: 402-667-2546 or email: gavinspoint.nwo@usace.army.mil. Reservations can not be made at this number. |