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
74 Sites Available
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Site Details
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74 Sites Available
No available sites
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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
Lisa B
VerifiedAugust 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: NLOO
No internet service.
Showers have no water pressure.
We love the camp ground.
Bruce F
VerifiedAugust 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 70, Loop: SLOO
American Corps of Engineers camps are usually well-maintained and managed. Cottonwood campground in South Dakota is no different but some improvements could be made. The directions to our particular campsite we’re not available and the camp hosts were nowhere to be found. But we did find a park ranger who finally directed us to the site. It was more difficult than other campgrounds to get around the numerous vehicles that were parked very close to the main entry road. Often more than one vehicle was parked at one campsite. A one vehicle per campsite rule should be enforced . Restroom showers were maintained well and so were the vault toilets. I thought it Was not considerate of campers who would place decorations near the road Thereby preventing total access to the pad site. Make this into a rule in the future. We shall continue using American Corps of Engineers campgrounds because they are better managed and maintained Better than many others that we have experienced. Thank you!
Bruce F
VerifiedAugust 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 70, Loop: SLOO
American Corps of Engineers camps are usually well-maintained and managed. Cottonwood campground in South Dakota is no different but some improvements could be made. The directions to our particular campsite we’re not available and the camp hosts were nowhere to be found. But we did find a park ranger who finally directed us to the site. It was more difficult than other campgrounds to get around the numerous vehicles that were parked very close to the main entry road. Often more than one vehicle was parked at one campsite. A one vehicle per campsite rule should be enforced . Restroom showers were maintained well and so were the vault toilets. I thought it Was not considerate of campers who would place decorations near the road Thereby preventing total access to the pad site. Make this into a rule in the future. We shall continue using American Corps of Engineers campgrounds because they are better managed and maintained Better than many others that we have experienced. Thank you!
Tom V
VerifiedAugust 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 01P, Loop: NLOO
Great COE campground. The site we were in did not have many shade trees and the temps were hitting the upper 90s so was glad for the electric hookup.
The contract workers keep the grounds well maintained (mowed) and clean bathrooms.
Tom V
VerifiedAugust 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 01P, Loop: NLOO
Great COE campground. The site we were in did not have many shade trees and the temps were hitting the upper 90s so was glad for the electric hookup.
The contract workers keep the grounds well maintained (mowed) and clean bathrooms.
Sam D
VerifiedAugust 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 77, Loop: SLOO
Very good experience
Scott H
VerifiedAugust 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 65, Loop: SLOO
Very clean, spacious. People are great
Sam D
VerifiedAugust 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 77, Loop: SLOO
Very good experience
Scott H
VerifiedAugust 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 65, Loop: SLOO
Very clean, spacious. People are great
William M
VerifiedAugust 8, 2022 • Stayed at: 06P, Loop: NLOO
Host was nice even though I accidentally booked the Cottonwood lakes site on the other side of South Dakota. Great view of Lewis and Clark lake. Facilities are top notch.
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 13, 2026
